As of June 2020, Magento 1 is no longer officially supported, yet approximately 80,000 stores still rely on this outdated platform. The risks of remaining on Magento 1 are significant, including potential security vulnerabilities and compatibility issues. That’s why forward-thinking retailers ultimately decide to migrate to Magento 2.
Magento 1 to Magento 2 migration gives you a great chance to comply with today’s security standards and use the latest features. This article will guide you step-by-step through the data migration from Magento 1 to 2, so you can take full advantage of everything the new version has to offer.
Why Migrate from Magento 1 to 2
Magento no longer provides official support or updates for the 1st version, which includes important security patches. Continuing to use Magento 1 puts your store at risk for security issues, technical problems, and trouble with compatibility with other tools.
Here are the key reasons to move from Magento 1 to Magento 2:
- Security: Magento 1 no longer receives security patches or updates, which exposes your store to cyber threats and data breaches.
- Compatibility: Many new extensions and third-party integrations are exclusive to Magento 2, which limits the functionality and scalability of a Magento 1 store.
- Performance: Magento 2 provides faster page loads and improved performance, which enhance user experience and potentially increase conversion rates.
- Accessibility: Magento 2 improves accessibility standards, which allows web content to reach a broader audience, including those with disabilities.
- Admin Interface: The intuitive admin panel in Magento 2 simplifies store management and reduces the time needed for staff training.
- Checkout Process: A streamlined, user-friendly checkout process in Magento 2 helps reduce cart abandonment and improves customer satisfaction.
To sum up, Magento 2 offers tightened security and improved features for modern online stores, such as better checkout processes, an easy-to-use admin interface, mobile-friendly designs, and a reliable system that can grow with your business.
Planning Your Migration: Key Considerations
Before you start the migration process, you should take a few key steps that can help make the transition smoother and manage the Magento 1 to Magento 2 migration cost-effectively:
Set Up a Staging Environment
A staging environment replicates your live store so that the migration can happen without any impact on your real-time operations. This step is necessary to test changes and spot potential issues before they appear on the actual site. Simulating the migration process helps catch errors early and allows for fixes without disrupting the store.
Assess Your Current Magento 1 Store
Carefully evaluate your Magento 1 store, focusing on themes, extensions, customizations, and database size. This assessment will help determine what can be directly migrated, what needs adaptation, and what requires replacement.
Such an inventory audit streamlines your Magento 1 to Magento 2 data migration efforts and focuses resources on the most important areas. You should understand what you have, as it aids in budgeting and can reduce migration costs when you eliminate unnecessary features or extensions.
Backup Strategies
Your data's safety during migration depends on having an effective backup plan in place, so make sure you have a reliable backup solution for both Magento 1 and Magento 2 databases. This will guarantee that data integrity is maintained and any potential data loss is avoided as you migrate data from Magento 1 to Magento 2.
Perform regular backups and verify their integrity before progressing to each new step of the migration. If necessary, restore backups to prevent unexpected data loss.
Magento 2 Data Migration: Adobe's Official Tool Setup
Before you proceed with the setup, it's important to understand what the Magento 2 Data Migration Tool is and how it aids in a smooth transition between platforms.
What is the Magento 2 Data Migration Tool
The Magento 2 Data Migration Tool is an official utility that facilitates the transition from Magento 1 to Magento 2. It enables a seamless transfer of essential data, such as products, orders, and customer information, while maintaining data integrity and minimizing the risk of data loss through a structured approach.
While you can use the tool yourself, it is safer to entrust it to professionals, as the tool requires expert knowledge for correct configuration that helps avoid data loss during Magento 1 to 2 data migration.
Step-by-Step Guide to Installing and Configuring the Magento Data Migration Tool
1. System Requirements
Ensure your server meets the necessary requirements for Magento 2. Verify compatibility between your current Magento 1 version and Magento 2.
2. Composer Installation
Open your terminal or command prompt and navigate to your Magento 2 root directory. Use Composer to install the Data Migration Tool with the command:
composer require magento/data-migration-tool:[your version]
Replace [your version] with the specific version of Magento 2 you are using, e.g., `2.6`.
3. Verify Installation
Once installed, verify that the tool has been added by checking the `vendor/magento/data-migration-tool` directory in your Magento 2 installation.
4. Configuration
Navigate to the vendor/magento/data-migration-tool/etc folder and find the directory that matches your Magento version, such as `ce-to-ce` (for Community Edition) or `ee-to-ee` (for Enterprise Edition).
Walkthrough of Setting Up the config.xml File
1. Locate the config.xml File
- Navigate to the migration tool's version-specific directory.
- Find the
config.xml.distfile, then copy and rename it toconfig.xml.
2. Edit the config.xml File
Open the config.xml file in a text editor of your choice.
3. Configure Database Connections
Define the connection details for both the source (Magento 1) and destination (Magento 2) databases, including host, database name, username, and password.
5. Check with the Magento 2 Migration Checklist
Before beginning the data migration, ensure you have a comprehensive checklist that includes the following:
- A backup of your Magento 1 store
- Server and software requirements for Magento 2
- Compatibility analysis of third-party extensions
- A post-migration data verification and testing plan
6. Run the Data Migration
Return to your terminal or command prompt and run the migration commands step-by-step using Magento CLI:
php bin/magento migrate:settings
--reset vendor/magento/data-migration-tool/etc/<version>/config.xml
php bin/magento migrate:data
--reset vendor/magento/data-migration-tool/etc/<version>/config.xml
7. Verification
After running the migration, check your Magento 2 store to ensure all data has been correctly transferred. Test the functionality of your store to verify everything is working as expected.
Magento Data Migration Process: Step-by-Step Execution
To achieve a successful migration, follow several critical steps to ensure data integrity and minimal disruption to your online store operations.
1. Migrating Magento Settings
Start the migration process with the transfer of store configurations, which includes website settings and general Magento 1 store setups. The Magento 2 Data Migration Tool aids in this step, ensuring these configurations move seamlessly to Magento 2. Pay close attention to this phase to preserve the store's structure and foundational settings.
2. Migrating Magento Store Data
Next, focus on key e-commerce data migration: products, categories, customers, orders, reviews, and transactions. Use the Magento 2 Data Migration Tool's CLI commands to execute the transfer of this data. Monitor logs closely throughout this process to promptly identify and resolve any errors.
Product migration is an important step, where the Magento 2 Data Migration Tool assists in effectively importing products from Magento 1. It preserves SKU consistency, product details, descriptions, images, and custom attributes. Import/Export extensions can also be valuable in the data migration process, offering more flexibility for handling complex product data and bulk updates.
3. Migrating Incremental Magento Data
To guarantee ongoing operations with minimal interruptions, manage new orders and customer data that arise during the migration. The Magento 2 Data Migration Tool supports incremental migrations, allowing you to sync any changes made after the initial data transfer. This includes recent transactions, customer interactions, and updates to product information.
The last migration of incremental data should occur after your Magento 1 store has been fully prepared and all necessary data has been transferred. This final migration should take place just before the Magento 2 store goes live, ensuring that the most up-to-date orders, customer information, and other changes are reflected on your new platform.
4. Migrating Magento Themes
Magento 2 features a different architecture and theme structure compared to its predecessor. Hence, direct migration of Magento 1 themes might not be feasible. This incompatibility arises from Magento 2's upgraded front-end technology stack, which includes advanced features such as CSS3, HTML5, and greater modularity enabled by the use of RequireJS.
To take the most out of migration, many businesses moving from Magento 1 to Magento 2 also choose to implement the Hyvä theme along the way. Taking advantage of Magento 2's responsive design and customization options, Hyvä modernizes the store's appearance and significantly optimizes backend operations. This way, you get a double boost in speed and efficiency.
Read More: Migrating from Magento 1 to Magento 2 with Hyvä Implementation
5. Migrating Custom Magento Code
Custom Magento 1 code requires refactoring due to architectural differences. The switch to Magento 2 demands an adaptation to a new set of development standards, which includes a modern object-oriented programming approach and the use of dependency injection.
First, perform a comprehensive audit of your Magento 1 store’s custom features to identify those that directly impact business processes or customer experience. Once you identify these features, plan their migration strategically, rewriting them following Magento 2's coding standards and practices.
This process might involve restructuring code to maximize the new architecture's efficiencies, such as the integration of service contracts and the use of Magento's API Layer to enhance scalability and maintainability.
6. Migrating Magento Extensions
The extension migration process demands careful selection and validation to ensure consistent operations and improved site performance. Assess all current Magento 1 extensions and prioritize them based on their business functionality. Since many may not translate directly to Magento 2, check for Magento 2-compatible versions and search for Magento 2 alternatives.
As you configure the modules in your new setup, explore enhancements that boost user experience. This helps avoid function duplication and performance issues, creating a more streamlined, efficient e-commerce environment.
Troubleshooting Common Magento Migration Issues
Once you’ve completed all the steps described above, it’s time to conduct a thorough testing phase to detect and fix any possible issues. Here are the key aspects to test:
- Functionality – Validate that all system features operate as intended and ensure alignment with business requirements.
- Performance – Assess system capacity to handle expected loads and evaluate system stability under various stress conditions.
- Data Accuracy – Confirm precision and consistency of all migrated data. Check for integrity and completeness in data transfer.
- Customer Experience – Ensure a smooth and intuitive user interface. Verify that configurations and customizations enhance usability without compromising security.
Now, let's look at the 2 most popular issues you can encounter after the move and explore possible solutions you can try before reaching out to QA experts.
Incomplete Data Transfers
Data migration can sometimes result in missing or corrupted information, which can disrupt operations and impact the customer experience. To effectively address incomplete data transfers:
- Use Magento's Error Logs. Magento provides built-in logging capabilities that offer valuable insights into system failures. Regularly reviewing these logs can pinpoint missing records or integration issues.
- Employ Database Explorers. Tools such as phpMyAdmin or Magento's built-in database management tools can help identify data inconsistencies or missing elements by comparing the source and destination databases.
- Automate Data Validation. Implement automated scripts to cross-check critical data fields such as customer details, product attributes, and order history, ensuring nothing is overlooked.
Missing Extensions
During migration, some extensions may fail to install or function properly, leading to compatibility issues and feature gaps. To troubleshoot missing or non-functional extensions:
- Leverage the Development Console. Magento's command-line interface (CLI) provides real-time debugging capabilities. Running commands such as
bin/magento module:statushelps identify inactive extensions. - Reinstall or Replace Extensions. If certain extensions are no longer supported in Magento 2, consider alternative solutions or custom development to replicate the required functionalities.
- Check configuration settings. Ensure that extensions are properly configured in the Magento admin panel, and verify that all dependencies are correctly installed.
Post-Migration Best Practices for Magento 2 Stores
Migration marks a new operational phase for your Magento store, with enhanced features, improved performance, and increased security. But your work doesn’t end with the move. Here’s what you can and should do once the migration is complete:
Optimizing Performance
Enhance Magento 2’s capabilities with advanced caching mechanisms like Varnish to significantly reduce server load and improve page load times. Optimize your database with regular indexing and log cleaning to prevent clutter that can slow performance.
Utilize tools like Redis for session storage and Full Page Cache (FPC) for efficient delivery of static content. Conduct frequent performance audits to identify and eliminate bottlenecks.
Enhancing Security
Securing your Magento 2 site requires more than just SSL encryption. Keep the platform updated with the latest security patches to protect against vulnerabilities. Implement two-factor authentication (2FA), enforce strong password policies, and use IP whitelisting for enhanced protection.
Conduct regular security audits and utilize Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) to prevent unauthorized access and potential data breaches.
Maintenance and DevOps Strategies
Regular system backups and updates must be integral to your maintenance plan. Automate these processes to ensure their consistent execution without error.
Implement a structured deployment workflow (development/testing/staging/live) to ensure stability and minimize disruptions. Maintain detailed documentation of changes and updates to streamline troubleshooting and staff training, and conduct regular reviews to uphold peak performance and security.
Hiring Professional Help: When and Why to Involve Magento Developers
Migrating your online store from Magento 1 to Magento 2 is no small feat. This process involves many complexities, especially if your store features extensive customizations and intricate databases.
While it's tempting to manage this migration yourself, there are certain moments when professional Magento migration help is key to success.
- Complex Customizations: For heavily customized Magento 1 setups, professionals ensure customizations transfer seamlessly to Magento 2, maintaining functionality.
- Data Integrity: Professionals ensure accurate and intact data migration, efficiently handling large databases.
- Performance Optimization: Specialists enhance your site's performance using Magento 2 for faster loads and efficient checkouts.
- SEO and UX Management: Experts maintain search visibility and user experience, updating redirects and SEO settings smoothly.
- Testing and Quality Assurance: Rigorous automated and manual testing ensures your Magento 2 store functions correctly before launch.
- Cost-Effectiveness and ROI: Professional services save money long-term by avoiding disruptions, boosting sales, and improving ROI with Magento 2.
Magento 1 to 2 Migration Takeaways
Moving to Magento 2 is an opportunity to streamline operations, enhance customer experiences, and future-proof your business. Beyond the technical transition, it's a chance to reassess workflows, optimize performance, and align your store with legal and security standards.
With thoughtful execution – that is, focusing on strategic planning, expert use of migration tools, and rigorous testing – you can lay a strong foundation for long-term success on the latest version of Magento.
