Magento 2 Migration Checklist: Tips for Smooth Magento Migration
Magento 1 has reached its end of life (EOL) on June 30th, 2020.
To get the official security patches & releases, you have to migrate your store to the latest version of Magento 2.
The Magento 2 migration process is critical. You have to plan and test the migration to avoid extensive downtime or other issues.
We cover the Magento 2 migration checklist for a seamless migration.
Checklist for Magento 2 Migration
1. Create a Migration Plan
You have to create a project roadmap before starting the migration. It includes the stakeholders, project managers, and developers.
Review your site and specify the migration requirements.
A migration plan will include:
- Budget for the migration
- Project specifications
- Deadlines and a project timeline
- Magento 2 migration services or expertise
Review the Magento migration components:
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Site data
It includes product volume checks and categories, customer data, and orders. Check your site content like articles and other pages.
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Extensions
Check the existing Magento 1 plugins. You can list the incompatible plugins that have to be replaced for Magento 2.
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Themes and layouts
Analyze your site themes and layouts before migration. Look for new themes that will be compatible with Magento 2.
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Code customizing
There may be custom codes that are added to your Magento 1 site.
Review the site’s custom code with your Magento developer. Use the PHP Developer Guide to customize extensions for Magento 2.
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Project details
It would help describe how developers should work on the new site in detail. It includes site pages, new buttons, tabs, and blocks.
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Impact of SEO
Migrating data to Magento 2 can affect search engine rankings.
Identify the essential landing pages and keywords for your site. Use Magento SEO best practices to optimize site data for post-migration.
2. Create a Backup
Backups ensure that Magento 1 data is not lost during migration.
Magento lets you back up different parts of the system. It includes a file system, database, and media files.
- Database backup files are compressed in .gz format
- System backup, database, and media backups use the .tgz format
- Backups are stored in the
var/backupsdirectory
You can use the backup data to test the migration steps for Magento 2.
It is advised to use the backup rule of three:
- Make three copies of your Magento 1.x data
- Save the data in 2 different formats
- Keep one backup copy off-site
3. Set up a Separate Environment for Development
It is advised to create a separate environment for migration and development. That way, you can run your existing store without downtime.
Install and set up Magento 2 and configure the version control system (Git).
You have to get the following tech stack:
- Linux OS such as Ubuntu or Debian
- Apache 2.4 or Nginx 1.8
- PHP 7.4
- MySQL 8.0 -MariaDB 10.4 for Magento Commerce Cloud
- Elasticsearch 7.6.x
- PHP Composer
You can start the development work in the new environment.
4. Review Extensions and Custom Code
A lot of Magento 1 extensions may not be compatible with Magento 2.
You can find alternatives to the extensions on the Magento Marketplace. Some of the essential plugins include:
- Custom ERPs and CRMs
- Shipping solutions
- Payment systems integration
- One-click checkouts
You can also customize the extensions for Magento 2.
5. Custom Functionality for Magento 2
The existing Magento 1 store may be using some custom code. You can use a data migration tool to move the required code to Magento 2.
A highly customized site may take longer to migrate. It is easier to build new customizations for your Magento 2 store.
Check if the custom code is redundant to migrate from Magento 1.
6. Data Migration Tool
Magento has an official Data Migration Tool. It automates the transfer of data from Magento 1 to Magento 2.
The Magento data migration tool operates in three modes:
- Settings: Helps migrates configuration settings
- Data: Bulk migrates primary data in the database
- Delta transfers incremental data updates, added to Magento 1 storefront and Admin Panel.
The four essential steps of the data migration tool include:
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Installing the migration tool -You will require developer authentication keys. Retrieve them from your profile on Magento Marketplace.
The data migration tool has to match the same Magento version. For example -for Magento version 2.2.0, use the Data Migration Tool version 2.2.0.You can learn how to Install the Data Migration Tool here.
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Configuring the data migration tool - You then configure the settings and scripts of your store. You can set the destination points for data transfer.
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Settings migration -It helps transfer system settings like payment, tax, shipping settings, and so on.
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Data migration -Transfer product lists and categories. It also moves order data and customer info.
7. Frontend Design
Magento does not offer a standard tool to migrate themes and layouts. The frontend themes of Magento 1 may be incompatible with M2.
To move the M1 design manually, you must copy all HTML and CSS media.
We recommend updating the theme to access the new Magento 2 features.
You can purchase Magento 2 themes from Magento Marketplace. It also allows you to create a custom theme from scratch.
8. Testing and Synchronize Database
Test your site to ensure everything runs smoothly after migration. You can use a test environment to check the following components:
- Perform all custom actions on the store
- Test the checkout and payment process
- Review complex orders and shipping methods
- Use the discounts, cross-sells, and other features
- Check the extensions and new custom code
- Internal linking and canonical URLs.
- Review site design and SEO
Synchronize the database so no orders are left behind in migration.
9. Review the Site
Please review the site thoroughly before it goes live. You can put your Magento 1 store in maintenance mode.
Check the caching of the site and monitor the performance. You can start with Magento 2 cron jobs for the new site.
Troubleshoot the bugs you find during the review. After you test the site thoroughly, the website is ready for launch.
10. Magento 2 Go Live
The last stage on the migration checklist is site launch. Your team will smoothly move the site to a live environment if everything looks good.
Check out the Magento Go Live Checklist to ensure your site is ready for launch.
EndNote
Migrating to Magento 2 offers many security and performance improvements to merchants.
A highly customized store requires more expertise and planning.
Use the Magento migration checklist to get a clear outline of the process.
Learn more about the Magento platform on the MGT Commerce blog.
