Magento 1 to Magento 2 Migration: Quick-start Guide For Merchants

With the official announcement from Magento to cease support for Magento 1, store owners are all planning on upgrading to Magento 2. However, it is essential to note that the process of Magento 1 to Magento 2 migration is not easy as it may sound. We understand that it is fiercely difficult for merchants to figure out where to start with their Magento website conversion.

Hence, we will provide businesses with a step-to-step guide to move to Magento 2. With this guide, they could quickly understand the migration process and easily make a plan for their online shopping site transformation.

Let’s get started!

Magento 1 To Magento 2 Migration Process

#1 Design/ theme migration

Magento 2 has made many improvements in website structure and functions compared to Magento 1. Thus, the theme from the Magento 1 website is not applicable to Magento 2.

There are 3 ways to solve this problem.

The first solution, which is also the quickest and cheapest one, is to buy a ready-made theme and apply it on the Magento 2 website.

It takes only a few days to install and configure the new theme.

For shops that gained a large number of online customers, they are often unwilling to change the design of their site. In this case, they can consider the second solution, which is developing a new theme with the same design as the Magento 1 website. However, the process of Magento 1 to Magento 2 migration might cause some slight differences in the site design.

In this way, it usually takes one month to finish the process.

The most expensive solution is to build a brand-new design. Firms need to work with a web designer to create a new storefront for their site. The developer then codes the website according to the new design.

This method requires 2 – 3 months to finish the design for Magento 2 website. 

Magento businesses should depend on their budget and requirement to choose the appropriate option for Magento 2 migration.

#2 Extension migration

Similar to the theme, extensions from Magento 1 website cannot be used on Magento 2.

Merchants can buy new Magento 2 extensions that have the same functions as those from their old site.

In case there are no extensions like the ones they need, hiring a developer to develop custom functions is the answer. However, this solution would cost firms a large amount of money.

Thus, it is crucial to check the existing features on Magento 2 and available extensions sold online to save money.

#3 Custom function migration

The problems of Magento 2 migration for the custom function is the same as theme and extension. Store owners cannot migrate custom code from their Magento 1 website.

To fix this issue, firms use the same way as for extension migration to convert Magento 2 custom function.

The first and most affordable solution is finding the extensions available on the market.

If there are no extensions that meet your demand, merchants can work with the developer to get their custom function developed.

Another tip for this is that store owners can check with new features of Magento 2. There might be ones that have similar functions with the custom functions business has in Magento 1 site.

#4 Data migration

For Magento 1 to Magento 2 migration, transferring data is also a crucial part of the process. The data on the website (products, customers, orders, SKUs, URLs…) is of great importance to the growth of any business.

Therefore, losing data in the migration to Magento 2 could cause merchants serious consequences. For instance, failing to migrate log-in information of purchasers would probably lead to a decrease in sales and a lousy reputation for the e-commerce website.

Hence, firms must find a Magento migration company with high qualifications and professional service.

A tip to safely convert data from Magento 1 to Magento 2 is to back up data from the Magento 1 website at the beginning.

Dividing the data migration process into small steps can also help businesses avoid losing data. First, data are transferred from the Magento 1 website to the Magento 2 development website. After finishing the migration process on the development server, developers finally move the whole database to the live server. 

#5 Setting migration

The configuration is the final part of Magento 1 to Magento 2 migration. It includes migrating email templates, store information, CMS pages, payment, shipping,… to the Magento 2 site.

The only problem is that most settings have to be done manually. 

Wrap Up

Overall, Magento 1 to Magento 2 migration requires migration in 5 parts: design, extension, custom function, data, and settings. This article is the primary knowledge merchants need to know before starting Magento conversion for their website.

Choosing an agency having many years of experience and successful projects also determines the quality of the business Magento 2 online shopping site. Thus, firms should take time to research the companies providing Magento migration service to make their investment worth it.