It has been some time now since Magento has released their new and upgraded version of Magento 2 and started deprecating Magento 1.x versions.

With new architecture and updated framework for Magento 2, they have introduced robust features like improved performance, in-built full page cache, user-friendly checkout, easy admin interface and mobile compatibility. This makes magento 2 a top choice amongst all the online retailers and popularity for Magento is going up day by day

Should you move to Magento 2?

That really depends on your current site and how it’s performing currently. If you are running on older version of Magento (Version before 1.9 CE) with any performance issues, you should start exploring about migration to the new version

It’s obvious that you cannot let go of your old site, its data, third party extensions used and any custom feature that was implemented for Magento 1

This is the perfect tutorial for you if you were caught off guard with Magento 2 release or still stuck with older 1.x versions and wants to use the latest 2.x for its amazing features and performance

Magento 2 migration process can be separated in 4 parts: Data, Extensions, Theme and Customizations. Here’s a checklist for you if you plan to migrate from Magento 1 to Magento 2.

Backup…!

It’s always best to be safe than sorry. Take complete backup of your Magento 1 store so if anything goes wrong during migration process, you still have your original files and database to restore to.

Setup Magento 2

To start with migration first you will need to setup Magento 2 default theme as base where you can transfer data from Magento 1. Install the latest version and test it thoroughly to make sure everything is working fine on the new blank setup before you start migrating everything from older version.

Theme and Customizations

Magento 2 has complete new framework than Magento 1 so the theme of previous 1.x version will not work. You will have to create new theme for Magento 2 if you have used custom theme and if the provider of previously purchased theme does not provide updated theme for Magento 2.

Same goes for all the customizations done in theme or design files. For this part, You will require help from professional Magento 2 Developers. You can check our Complete guide on magento 2 development best practices to get familiar with new coding standards and get started with theme creation on magneto 2

Third party Extensions and Custom code

Make sure that you have made a note of the current extensions and customizations done on your Magento 1 store. Due to the new architecture that Magento 2 follows, old extensions of version 1.x and any customizations done in code base will not work on latest version.

So you would need to purchase all the extensions for Magento 2 and get help from experienced magento development company to implement all the custom features on magento 2

If you are using any third party accounting or inventory management system on your Magento 1 store, Please consult with them if their system is updated to support magento 2 or not.

Also, Magento provides a way to transfer Magento 1 extensions and custom code to Magento 2 with a solution of Code Migration Toolkit.

Data migration

Once the fresh Magento 2 store theme is ready, you need to export the Magento 1 database and import it into the same server MySQL instance as Magento 2 setup. Make sure that both databases have different users and access level to ensure the original database of Magento1 stays intact during the migration process.

Note down database name, database username and password of both databases as you will need it in next step. After this follow the Magento’s guide of migration to start migration process to efficiently move all of your products, customers, and order data, store configurations, promotions and more to Magento 2.

Remove outdated and redundant data from your Magento 1 database like logs, order quotes, recently viewed or compared products, visitors, event-specific categories, promotional rules, etc.

You need to consider SEO for the Magento 2 site as in tune with the SEO of your Magento 1 website so you don’t lose search rank for your business keywords

Conclusion

It is always beneficial to prepare a sound migration plan with qualified Magento specialists so you can identify any technical challenges before you start the migration process and arrange necessary resources well in advance

We all know, Any major upgrade will have its own challenges and on the other side, you are going to reap great benefits of the new system

Contact our magento 2 migration specialist today to prepare your free migration plan

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