10 Steps for a Successful Magento 2 Migration in 2023 Updated

Magento 1 reached its official end on June 30, 2020, courtesy of Adobe. Once this date arrived, Adobe stopped giving out official updates or helping out with Magento 1 installations. So, if any problems like security issues or bugs show up in Magento 1, you won’t get any help from Adobe. This means websites that still run on Magento 1 might face security problems and might not work well with other software.

The main reason for this end-of-life thing for Magento 1 is to get people to switch to the newer and better Magento 2 platform. Magento 2 runs smoother, has cooler features, and is way better at keeping your stuff safe. Adobe really wants folks who use Magento 1 to move over to Magento 2. That way, they can keep getting help, stay secure, and use all the new things that come out.

Switching from Magento 1 to Magento 2 is a big deal. So, in this article, we’ll also give you a checklist to help you make the move to Magento 2 without any problems.

10 Steps for Your Magento 2 Migration Checklist

Step 1: Assess and Make a Plan

Step 2: Create a Development Space

Step 3: Transfer Your Data

Step 4: Migrate your theme

Step 5: Evaluate Extensions

Step 6: Migrate Customization

Step 7: Setup and Testing

Step 8: SEO Consider

Step 9: Test with Users

Step 10: Launch and Support After Migration

We will understand each step-in detail.

Step 1: Assess and Make a Plan

Before beginning the migration, it’s important to create a well-structured Migration Plan. This involves crafting a project roadmap before initiating any migration process. A migration plan should encompass the following components

Assessing Your Current Magento 1 Store: Let’s start by taking a good look at your current Magento 1 store. We’ll create a complete list of everything it has – extensions, customizations, and themes. Next, we’ll figure out which important functions and features should move over to Magento.

Define the Extent of Migration: Clearly outline the scope of your migration project. Decide whether you’ll be transferring the complete store or only specific sections like products, categories, customer data, orders, and extensions. Prioritize the most crucial elements for migration.

Define migration goal and timeline: Clearly state your migration objectives, whether they involve improving performance, adding more features, or boosting scalability. Create a practical timeline for your migration project, taking into account factors like data complexity, customization needs, and available resources.

Allocate Resources Wisely: Evaluate the resources required for the migration, which may include in-house or external development teams, designers, testers, and project managers. Distribute resources efficiently to guarantee a seamless migration process.

Think About Budget and Expenses: Examine the budget needed for the migration project, taking into account expenses like development costs, purchases of extensions or themes, infrastructure upgrades, and post-migration support. Allocate a budget that matches your migration objectives and guarantees a successful transition.

Evaluate Compatibility of Extensions and Themes: Examine how well your Magento 1 extensions and themes work with Magento 2. Check if there are Magento 2 versions available or look into alternative choices. Take into account the potential loss of specific functions and find suitable replacements, if necessary.

Prepare for Data Transfer: Assess the complexity and volume of the data you’ll be moving, including product catalogs, customer information, and order history. Recognize any data adjustments or cleanup tasks required before the migration. Explore data migration tools or extensions that can simplify this process.

Recognize Customization Needs: Gauge the level of customizations in your Magento 1 store and check if they work with Magento 2. Identify any custom modules, scripts, or integrations that need to be moved or redeveloped. Allocate resources and time accordingly for handling customization migration.

Step 2: Create a Development Space

It’s recommended to establish a dedicated Magento 2 development space where you can carry out the migration and implement required modifications without impacting the live store. Here are the essential steps to create a development environment:

Select Hosting and Environment:

• Pick an option using tools like XAMPP or WAMP for Windows or MAMP for macOS.
• Ensure that the environment matches Magento 2’s system requirements, including the PHP version, database, and other necessary dependencies.

Install Magento 2:

You can refer to our comprehensive guide on “How to Install Magento 2 via Composer.”

Copy Magento 1 Data (Optional):

Transfer data from Magento 1 if needed.

Install Development Tools (Optional):

Set up any necessary development tools if required.

Enable Developer Mode:

Activate the developer mode.

Install Composer Dependencies:

Install dependencies using Composer.

Configure Web Server and Permissions:

Ensure your web server meets the requirements (Apache 2.4 or Nginx 1.8) and configure permissions accordingly.

Backup Magento 2 Installation:

Make a copy of your Magento 2 setup for safekeeping.

Create a Development Plan:

Develop a migration plan, outlining tasks, timelines, and testing procedures in the development environment.

Step 3: Transfer Your Data

In the Magento 2 migration checklist, the third step involves transferring data. It’s advisable to move critical data like products, customers, orders, and categories from Magento 1 to Magento 2. Make use of data migration tools or extensions to ensure a seamless transfer while maintaining data accuracy.

Step 4: Migrate your theme

Adjust or create a new theme that works with Magento 2. Refashion or alter the design and layout of your Magento 1 theme to function effectively within the Magento 2 environment.

Step 5: Evaluate Extensions

See if your Magento 1 extensions work with Magento 2. Look for Magento 2 versions or consider alternative extensions. If needed, create or customize extensions to meet your requirements.

Also Read: https://www.evrig.com/blog/magento-2-migration/ 

Step 6: Migrate Customization

Examine and transfer any custom code or modifications from Magento 1 to Magento 2. Scrutinize and enhance custom modules, scripts, or integrations to guarantee compatibility and functionality in the new setting.

Step 7: Setup and Testing

Set up Magento 2 to align with your business needs, covering aspects like payment gateways, shipping methods, tax settings, and other configurations. Conduct comprehensive testing of the migrated store to ensure everything works correctly and to spot any potential issues.

Step 8: SEO Consider

Put in place effective URL redirects from the previous Magento 1 URLs to their corresponding pages in Magento 2. This helps maintain your search engine rankings and retains SEO value. Additionally, make sure to update metadata and SEO settings in Magento 2 for optimization.

Step 9: Test with Users

Carry out user acceptance testing (UAT) to engage stakeholders and users in examining the Magento 2 store. Tackle any feedback or problems identified during UAT to guarantee a seamless user experience.

Step 10: Launch and Support After Migration

Get ready for the migration to the live environment by completing configurations, synchronizing data, and making necessary preparations. Go ahead and launch the migrated Magento 2 store while keeping a close eye on its performance. Offer post-migration support to handle any potential issues and enhance the store for improved performance and user satisfaction.

Tips for a Successful Magento 2 Migration

To streamline your Magento 2 Migration, we’d like to offer you the following tips:

Examine the data and look for any inconsistencies or inaccuracies:

This step is vital, especially when upgrading from an older Magento version, as data corruption can sometimes accumulate over time. Ensure you fully understand the data you need to transfer and how Magento 2 will manage it.

Choose the data migration tool:

Various solutions are available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Be sure to pick the one that aligns best with your needs.

Double-check the configuration:

Successful migration also relies on having the right hardware and software configuration. Ensure your server meets Magento 2’s essential requirements, and have a backup strategy ready as a precaution.

Seek assistance from an experienced partner:

Collaborate with a capable partner, as attempting the Magento 1 to Magento 2 migration process on your own can lead to significant issues. Opt for a Magento development partner with expertise in Magento 2 migrations. They can aid in both the planning and execution of your migration, ensuring a smooth and trouble-free transition.

FAQs:

1) Why should I migrate to Magento 2?

Migrate to Magento 2 brings many advantages. It makes your online store work better, keeps it safe, and gives you cool new features to play with. Plus, you’ll get help for a long time. Sadly, Magento 1 is done for. No more security stuff or help for it. So, moving to Magento 2 is a must to keep your online store rocking.

2) What data should I migrate to Magento 2?

Make sure to move all the important stuff over, like customer details, products, categories, orders, payment methods, shipping settings, and how everything is set up. The key is to be super careful and make sure everything goes to the new Magento 2 store just right.

3) How can I ensure a smooth migration process?

To make everything go nice and easy when you switch, you need to plan and get ready. First, make a super-detailed plan for how the move will happen. Then, make a copy of all your data from Magento 1, just in case. Finally, test everything out on a test site before you actually make the switch. That way, you’ll know it’ll work perfectly.

4) What should I do after migration?

After you’ve made the switch, it’s important to do a lot of testing on the real site. You want to make sure everything is working just right, like checking for any broken links or missing stuff. Keep an eye on how well the site is doing and if there are any issues, fix them right away.

To avoid all this trouble, be sure to plan the move really well. Look carefully at your current store, and get help from experts who know all about Magento 2. Doing a practice move on a test site before the real one can also help you find and fix problems before they happen.