Magento 1 was officially sunsetted on June 30th, 2020. While Magento 1. x is still accessible, Adobe recommends merchants upgrade to Magento 2 to receive ongoing support and security updates. In this article, we will walk you through the process of migrating from Magento 1 to Magento 2. From what to prepare for the migration to post-migration tips and best practices, this comprehensive Magento 2 migration checklist has everything you need.
Introduction
Table of Contents
In 2015, Magento (an Adobe Company) caused a stir among the community with two significant announcements. The first one was the introduction of Magento 2, an upgrade to the 1. x version. Boasting a modern and modular setup, the new architecture is said to be more secure, powerful, and scalable.
In parallel, Adobe announced the End of Life date for Magento 1, which was set in June 2020. While the old version is still usable after its sunset date, Adobe no longer offers official support, security patches, and quality fixes for stores running on Magento 1. x.
Magento 1 End of Life has put many online stores at risk. A report shows that nearly 2,000 Magento 1 sites were hacked just within a few months after the cut-off date. As a result, many merchants rush to migrate to Magento 2.
This comprehensive Magento 2 migration checklist acts as a quick start guide for merchants. From what to prepare to the tips and best practices, you will find all the necessary information for a smooth migration here.
Pre-Migration Phase
This Magento 2 migration checklist is divided into three phases: pre-migration, data migration, and post-migration phases. This section guides you on how to prepare for the migration, from planning for the migration and backing up data, to installing Magento 2 and setting up a development environment.
Create The Migration Plan
Having a well-prepared plan is the key to a successful migration. It acts as a roadmap for the whole process.
Here’s what you need to do before performing the migration.
- Audit Magento 1 store: List all the components, themes, extensions, and customizations in your store. Decide on the most important functionalities and features.
- Define migration scope: This refers to the extent of the migration. Do you need to migrate the entire store or only specific parts? Out of such sections as products, categories, customer data, orders, and extensions, which components are most important to you?
- Consider the migration goals: A clear goal keeps things on track. What do you expect to achieve after the migration? Is it for enhanced performance, stronger security, better scalability, or updated features?
- Plan for data migration: Evaluate the scope of the data that needs transferring. Find out how to avoid data loss during the migration.
- Evaluate theme, extensions, and customizations: Look for outdated or unnecessary modules. Eliminate and replace them with compatible extensions.
- Build your migration team: Determine the roles and the number of team members needed, including developers, designers, testers, and a project manager. If the in-house team lacks specific expertise, consider hiring external specialists.
- Create a detailed roadmap: A detailed roadmap helps with planning each step, allocating resources and keeping things on track. Define milestones, deadlines, and specific tasks.
- Set a realistic timeline: Consider store size and complexity, data volume, customizations and extensions, and team experience, and create a practical timeline. Spare time for thorough testing and unexpected issues to avoid last-minute scrambling.
- Plan the budget and migration costs: In addition to initial migration expenses, think about the hidden costs for new extensions, hardware upgrades, development and testing, training, and post-migration support.
- Conduct a risk evaluation: Prepare for such potential risks as data loss, downtime, compatibility issues, and performance degradation. Develop a risk management plan.
Back Up Your Magento 1 Store Data
As important as it is, a backup is often overlooked when it comes to migration. Migration can be tricky, and you might lose data due to corruption. A backup keeps your data safe in case something goes wrong.
You can back up different parts of Magento, such as your database, media files, and file system. To do so, go to your server’s control panel, find a tool like phpMyAdmin, export your data and compress the media files and file system into a .gz or .tgz format.
Keep in mind this “3-2-1” backup rule:
- Keep 3 copies: 1 main copy and 2 backups
- Use 2 different storage types (like your computer and the cloud)
- Store 1 backup off-site in case of disasters
After backing up, you’ll find the files in the var/backups folder.
Install Magento 2
Magento 2 installations can be downloaded in two ways, that is, by either using SSH or Composer.
- Via SSH: You have to connect to your server and manually upload the extension files.
- Via Composer: All you need to do is run the command, and it will automatically manage the extension.
If you aren’t sure how to do it yet, check our guide on how to install Magento 2 extensions for detailed instructions.
Set Up A Separate Development Environment
Although it is not necessary, having a separate development environment can help you carry out the testing phase without causing disruptions on the main site. This environment can be set up by using a source control system such as Git.
Before you start, here’s the technical stuff in need:
- Operating system based on Linux such as Ubuntu or Debian
- Web server like Apache 2.4 or Nginx 1.8
- PHP 7.4 version
- Database version MySQL 8.0 or MariaDB 10.4 for Magento Commerce Cloud
- Finding the Elastic Search version 7.6.x for the software
- The PHP Composer Program for the project’s dependency manager
Data Migration Phase
Now that you have everything in preparation, it’s time to move your data to Magento 2. Speaking of which, Adobe Commerce has this powerful Data Migration Tool that automatically transfers things like products, customers, orders, and store settings.
Before migrating, make sure the version of the Data Migration Tool matches your target Magento 2 version. For instance, to upgrade to Magento 2.2.0, you have to use the Data Migration Tool version 2.2.0.
Technical expertise is also required due to the complexities of the migration process. If technical know-how isn’t your thing, we recommend you seek help from professionals. A reliable Magento 2 migration service like BSS Commerce can help you save time and ensure a smooth, hassle-free transition.
Migrate Theme
Magento 2 introduces a different way of organizing files and writing code from Magento 1. Consequently, migrating Magento themes requires extra effort to make them compatible with the new architecture.
Below are some of the most common practices for migrating Magento themes:
- Download and install new, ready-made themes for Magento 2, both free and paid.
- Change the look of the existing design framework so that it is more of a Magento 2 one.
- Analyze other successful eCommerce sites, pick out elements that work and redesign your theme to make your store look more up-to-date and competitive.
- Go for a custom theme that caters uniquely to your brand and needs.
Migrate Extensions
Similarly, you need to adapt and redevelop extensions to make it compatible with the new Magento version. Some practices involve:
- Updating the codebase
- Adjusting configurations
- Checking for compatibility
In case there is no direct Magento 2 version of the extension available, consider finding an alternative or developing a custom extension.
Migrate Customizations
If you have customizations in your Magento 1 store, be sure to confirm that the changes you’ve made are compatible with the updated structure and coding guidelines of Magento 2. Revise any custom components, scripts or connections that aren’t working correctly.
The entire migration process will take somewhere around several hours or even days, depending on the size of your Magento 1 website and the amount of data being transferred.
Post-Migration Phase
The migration process should not be completed without thorough testing and optimization. That’s why we include the post-migration phase in our Magento 2 migration checklist.
Check The Migration Result
Thoroughly test your website to make sure everything is in place. Review the frontend, backend, and any third-party integrations. Does every feature and functionality work as expected? If not, go back and check for any issues or errors.
Perform The SEO Optimization
During the migration, your URLs, metadata, and site structure can be affected. Thus, it is important to re-optimize your site to maintain search engine rankings.
Here are some SEO optimization practices for Magento 2:
- Set up proper 301 redirects to prevent broken links.
- Update your sitemap and submit it to search engines.
- Review all title tags, meta descriptions, header tags, internal links, and canonical tags
- Optimize your page load speed.
For more SEO optimization tips and best practices, feel free to check out our comprehensive Magento 2 SEO Guide here.
Configure Store Settings
Don’t forget to configure all the essential store settings. Set up your payment gateway, configure shipping methods, and customize tax settings to align with business requirements.
Test How The Store Works
Last but not least, thorough testing to make sure everything functions correctly. Some features to pay attention to include the shopping cart, checkout process, payment gateways, and product search.
Also, pay attention to performance and security aspects:
- Is your store good at handling high traffic?
- How are the fast page loads?
- Are there any security vulnerabilities? Check for outdated software, SQL injection, and cross-site scripting.
- What are the store’s limits?
Conclusion
So we have covered the key aspects of migrating, from the pre-migration phase to the post-migration phase. We hope that this ultimate Magento 2 migration checklist has provided you with all the essential information to plan and perform your migration effectively.
In essence, transferring your Magento 1 store data to Magento 2 is a complex process. It is important to approach each step methodically and proactively address potential challenges. We hope you achieve a successful migration.
And if you’re looking to enhance your Magento store’s performance comprehensively and drive better sales, don’t forget to visit BSS Commerce for additional resources and professional migration services.
