Magento 1 to Magento 2 Migration: A Step-by-Step Guide to Upgrade

According to BuildWith, over 146,000 e-commerce resources are running on Magento in 2023, which is impressive considering the trend toward custom CMS solutions. Even Forbes recognizes the platform’s quality (although it doesn’t include Adobe Commerce in its top rankings).

• The platform debuted in 2007 as an Open Source product, but in 2018, Adobe acquired it and transformed it into a commercial product.

Currently, there are two versions of Magento: one developed under Adobe’s guidance and the other modernized by the community. Even in its initial iteration in 2023, a significant portion of businesses is already using it.

• However, if you want to use the platform more effectively and gain functional benefits, it’s worth considering a Magento 1 to Magento 2 migration.

The experts at GetTrusted have analyzed the advantages of the latest version of the platform and prepared a detailed guide on migrating from Magento 1 to Magento 2 process.

From the material, you will learn the following:

• Why and how to migrate from Magento 1 to Magento 2?
• What are the peculiarities of data migration from Magento 1 to Magento 2?
• How to migrate Magento 1 to Magento 2 using different methods?

Why Migrate Magento 1 to Magento 2?

Even if your e-commerce resource is functioning well, without any major performance issues, and the functionality seems sufficient at first glance, it’s not a reason to dismiss upgrading the platform.

There are at least 5 objective reasons to migrate from Magento 1 to Magento 2:

1. Relevance. The first iteration hasn’t received updates since 2020. Consequently, there will be no security enhancements, new features, or support for your store based on it.
2. Security. The second iteration has a more advanced information security system than the first one. This means you will gain modern capabilities to protect your corporate data by upgrading. 
3. Functionality. The platform’s functionality has at least tripled in the next generation. Moreover, new features and tools are being added every quarter.
4. Support. The second iteration offers expanded support for both the open-source and commercial versions. You’ll receive timely and qualified assistance.
5. Scalability. The first iteration focuses more on SMBs, while the second doesn’t have clearly defined business size and complexity limitations.

That’s why upgrading from Magento 1 to Magento 2 is worth considering. Doing it in advance is important since the migration process can be complex and time-consuming. Additionally, several migration options are available, each offering a slightly different upgrading experience.You can seek Magento consultation if you need assistance with the process.

What Are the Methods of Migrating a Store From Magento 1 to Magento 2?

Modern commercial platforms, including Magento, are optimized for non-technical business managers. You can perform basic configurations and system deployments even without programming skills. However, regardless of the case, upgrading should be done professionally. Magento website developers offer several migration options so that you can choose the most convenient method for yourself.

Methods to upgrade Magento 1 to Magento 2:

• Manual (traditional) method. Requires knowledge of migration methods and techniques, development skills, or assistance from specialized professionals (either in-house or external developers).
• Using the Magento migration tool. Utilizing the platform’s built-in tool for transferring and optimizing data between iterations (indexing).
• Through Magento 1 to Magento 2 migration service. Collaborating with services or dedicated experts who independently handle database migration, configuration creation, and fine-tuning settings.

Each method has its own effectiveness. However, if you need more skills in reconfiguring the store for the new iteration, we recommend using one of the latter two methods. This will significantly reduce resource and time expenses while ensuring proper migration quality.

Before starting the transformation process, it’s important to prepare for the operation sufficiently.

What Should You Consider Before Magento 1 to Magento 2 Migration?

Migration is a complex and time-consuming process that can negatively impact the efficiency and operations of your business. Moreover, you risk halting your online store’s operations in case of any issues until they are fully resolved.

The experts at GetTrusted have prepared a series of recommendations for preparing for the digital resource migration process to the next iteration:

• Consultation with experts: If you lack sufficient experience in technical processes, seek assistance from professionals. They will assess your digital resource and help create a roadmap and migration plan.
• Operational resource duplication: Use a copy of your store for business transformation while keeping the operational website functioning. This ensures the functionality of your company while the platform is being updated.
• Analysis of site structure and specifics: Evaluate the scale of your current solution, its peculiarities, formats, and sets of information. Consider them during the preparation for migration to timely update data for the new iteration.
• Research on app and compatibility: Platform extensions (apps, APIs, payment integrations, etc.) may not be supported in the next CMS generation. Therefore, it is advisable to assess their compatibility in advance and prepare alternatives if needed.
• Data optimization: Magento 1 to 2 migration involves several challenges, one of which is the compatibility of data types and formats. Studying the platform differences is necessary to convert the data in advance.

Additionally, it’s important to determine future hosting, create project documentation, and more. The process involves a comprehensive set of tasks and comprises many stages (steps).

Steps to Migrate From Magento 1 to Magento 2

Your store should support key functionality throughout the entire migration process. It is necessary to use its duplicate for the migration from Magento 1 to Magento 2. Moreover, this will allow for comprehensive testing of the future digital resource, fine-tuning and optimizing it.

The process consists of clearly defined steps that ensure the sequence and coherence of the store’s transformation.

Plan the migration

First and foremost, you should create a roadmap for the transition between platforms or hire experts for this purpose. A structured and detailed plan eliminates most potential migration issues and enables a more efficient execution.

GetTrusted experts have prepared a step-by-step plan template for transforming your digital business into the latest platform. It will help you understand the basics and serve as a guide for organizing an effective store transfer between iterations.

Install Magento 2 on the server

To begin, download the latest version onto the server. Then extract the files from the archive into the root directory of Magento. Update permissions and run the setup wizard.

Go to the URL of your Magento 2-based store in your browser. Then follow the instructions that appear on the screen.

During the configuration, you need to complete the following steps:

1. Database integration.
2. Store administrative control.
3. Key settings (time zone, currency, modules).
4. Installation and testing of the resource’s functionality.

It would also be beneficial to migrate existing design templates (with further customization), eliminating the need to create a new layout.

Design and theme migration from Magento 1 to Magento 2

Full migration of design themes between platform iterations is not possible for technical reasons. However, Magento offers a range of solutions to help you quickly configure the store’s visualization:

• Stock templates Luma and Blank (both customizable).
• Manual creation of visualization (based on templates).
• Purchase and use of ready-made themes from the platform’s store.

Choose the optimal option and integrate the selected theme into your store. Only then can you proceed with the migration process.

Customization migration

If you have followed GetTrusted’s recommendations, you have prepared a migration plan in advance, where you have identified key priorities for transferring data from the source.

If not, then at the convert Magento 1 to Magento 2 stage, you need to review the existing data in the old version and select the essential ones that need to be transferred. Based on them, you can identify compatibility issues with formats, entities, tags, and so on and prepare to address them.

Magento 2 extension migration

It’s impossible to directly transfer extensions to the new platform version (at least, not all are compatible). However, you can choose similar extensions from the updated store and adapt the data from the old apps to them.

For this, you’ll need the assistance of experts like GetTrusted, who can perform a comprehensive platform migration, including transferring data from outdated extensions to their modern counterparts.

Magento 1 to Magento 2 data migration

If you’ve decided to tackle the data migration independently, be prepared for a lengthy and meticulous process. Beforehand, create a duplicate of your main store to work on, allowing you to fine-tune the key algorithms for the Magento 1 to Magento 2 data migration without disrupting your current business processes.

Look at this step-by-step guide to understand the migration process and its crucial stages.

Check the functionality of your tools

By using the appropriate tool, such as the Magento data migration tool, ensure it is properly configured and connected to your servers. To diagnose your tools, refer to the detailed instructions on the official platform website.

Disable platform functionality

Deactivate your store (specifically, its duplicate). This step is necessary to prevent external influences on the information during migration, meaning it won’t be read/written by platform modules. This way, you can avoid potential data transfer issues and loss or damage from technical reasons.

Stop current processes

In addition to disabling the resource, closing ongoing processes such as transactions, requests, external integrations, and so on is advisable. This is also necessary to minimize the risks of copying information and address potential issues (as well as errors that may arise directly in the migration tool).

Transfer existing settings and resources

Follow the tool’s recommendations and copy the current store settings (which can be further edited if needed). Ensure that APIs and external integrations are moved to their respective containers and indexed with the updated platform iteration.

Migrate digital content and media files

Copy critical files to the appropriate Magento 2 server directories. Use the official resource’s guidelines regarding formats and structure of digital content. This primarily includes media files, text documents, spreadsheets, script files, modules, etc.

Perform bulk data migration and optimization

Convert outdated file types into modern counterparts using built-in or external tools. Ensure their encoding, types, and extensions meet the platform’s requirements. Remove obsolete files, pages, configurations, and more. The key is to prevent the updated system from being burdened with remnants that could negatively impact performance.

Initiate information indexing

Conduct content indexing to ensure the platform and search engines understand the information properly. Register all entities, data, tables, and other files and directories. This way, you can efficiently conduct SEO for your website’s content, verify information compatibility, and more.

Edit data

If any issues or incorrect file content display arise, perform additional optimization. Align the structure with platform standards, and clean up the resource’s content from digital remnants and unnecessary files. Adjust tables, scripts, scenarios, APIs, modules, and so on as needed.

Testing and debugging

You should conduct comprehensive store testing to ensure the migrated data’s functionality. This can be done using built-in tools that work according to templates and specialized services. However, the best solution would be to delegate this task to industry experts who will thoroughly analyze the IT solution and fix any errors.

Launch Magento 2 on the server

Once you are confident that the data has been transferred and the platform recognizes and processes it, you can migrate data from Magento 1 to Magento 2. To do this, you need to transfer the data from the working version of the platform similarly, meaning you initiate the operation from scratch.

• You can immediately deactivate the old store and activate the new one (already created and tested). However, this is not the best practice because you will have to repeat the previous operations for future updates.

Therefore, the best approach is to interact simultaneously with both store versions: the working version that performs core business tasks and the test version where you can check new functionality, updates, and experiment.

Update Magento With an Automated Tool

You can also use a built-in tool to migrate from Magento 1 to Magento 2, allowing quick and secure data transfer between iterations. However, you may need to manually adapt the new platform’s data in some cases.

• To automate the data copying process, deploy and configure the toolkit, log in to the platform, and follow the steps outlined in the instructions on the official website.

If you encounter any issues during the process, you can always seek assistance from the experts at GetTrusted or even hand over your project for implementation.

Conclusion

To appreciate the benefits of a modern e-commerce platform, you should migrate to Magento 2. It provides ample scalability potential, flexible customization, and convenient functionality.

The migration process can be done manually (if you have sufficient experience) or outsourced. The latter has significant advantages, for example:

• Swift and high-quality Magento 2 data migration.
• Reduced Magento 1 to Magento 2 migration cost.
• Efficient adaptation of extension data and their integration with counterparts.
• Elimination of delays and disruptions to core business processes.
• Minimize the load on brand resources.

By entrusting your migration project to the experts at GetTrusted, you will receive comprehensive and expert service that eliminates all potential risks associated with transforming your online commerce platform.

Contact the team manager for consultation and project discussions. They will be happy to assist you.

Migrate Magento 1 to Magento 2 FAQs

What is Magento migration?

Magento migration is transferring key data from an outdated version of the platform to its modern iteration without making significant changes to the structure or code of the IT solution.

How much does it cost to migrate from Magento 1 to Magento 2?

The project cost typically ranges from $2,000 to $5,000 but can vary depending on factors such as timelines, scale, and the current state of the IT platform.

What are the benefits of migrating from Magento 1 to Magento 2?

The main advantage is updating your online store: add new functionality, modern security algorithms, support for advanced modules, visual styles, and scalability potential.

Are there any risks or challenges involved in migrating from Magento 1 to Magento 2?

There are various potential risks, from simple data damage during the transfer to the loss of functionality in the updated version of the store. However, all these risks can be mitigated if you trust the project to the professionals at GetTrusted.

How to ensure a smooth transition and minimize disruptions during migration?

Hand over the migration project to experts. The GetTrusted team will take care of the process, ensuring that you only see the migration once it is completed—in the form of benefits from a more efficient and reliable platform version.