Migrating from Magento 1 to Magento 2 is a must for any online store to stay competitive, secure and efficient in 2025. Magento 1 is no longer supported and that’s why it’s an upgrade for e-commerce stores. This guide will walk you through the entire Magento 1 to Magento 2 migration process, benefits, tools and best practices. But remember, Magento 1 to Magento 2 migration is a painful process full of issues. Using a professional migration service can make it much smoother. The migration cost can vary significantly depending on the complexity of your store and the services you choose, ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.
Introduction
Magento 1 to Magento 2 migration is a complex process that requires planning and execution. The migration involves transferring data, settings, and custom functionality to migrate Magento 1 to Magento 2. You need to understand the benefits of migrating to Magento 2, improved performance, security and scalability. In this guide we’ll walk you through the migration process, the key steps and considerations to make it smooth.
Why Magento 1 Is Obsolete
Magento 1 reached its end of life in June 2020, it no longer receives security patches or official support. Running on Magento 1 exposes your store to security vulnerabilities, outdated technology and poor performance. Many Magento 1 stores are facing issues with slower loading times and incompatibility with modern payment gateways which can hurt customer experience and sales. Migrating to Magento 2 addresses these security concerns as Adobe has stopped supporting Magento 1. Moreover Magento 1 and Magento 2 have different database architecture so a direct transfer is not possible.
Accurately transferring customer data, including account credentials, addresses, and order histories, is crucial to maintain trust and continuity during the transition. The migration involves transferring product data, customer details and order history to Magento 2. It’s crucial to migrate customers and their data accurately to ensure business continuity. Manual migration using built-in tools is time consuming and prone to formatting issues so it’s essential to consider other options.
Understanding Magento 2
Magento 2 is a powerful e-commerce platform with many features and improvements over Magento 1. You need to understand the architecture and functionality of Magento 2 to migrate successfully. Magento 2 supports latest PHP versions, Apache and Nginx, making it more secure and faster. Also Magento 2 has improved mobile responsiveness so it’s ideal for online stores. The platform’s scalability and performance capabilities will handle more traffic and transactions and provide better user experience to your customers. Having a deep understanding of the Magento platform is essential for a successful migration and to fully leverage its capabilities.
Magento 1 vs Magento 2 Migration Comparison Table
Feature/Aspect | Magento 1 | Magento 2 |
---|---|---|
Support Status | End of life since June 2020; no security patches or official support | Actively supported with regular security patches and updates |
Performance | Slower page load times and server response | Faster performance with improved caching and indexing |
Architecture | Older architecture with limited scalability | Modern, modular architecture supporting scalability and customization |
Mobile Compatibility | Limited mobile responsiveness | Fully responsive themes and support for Progressive Web Applications (PWAs) |
Admin Interface | Less intuitive and outdated | User-friendly, simpler backend interface for easier store management |
Extensions and Themes | Large number of extensions but many outdated | Requires new extensions and themes; Magento Marketplace offers compatible options |
Migration Complexity | N/A | Complex migration process requiring data migration tools and manual adjustments |
Security | Vulnerable due to discontinued support | Enhanced security with ongoing patches and improvements |
SEO Features | Basic SEO tools | Advanced SEO capabilities, better URL management, and metadata handling |
Checkout Process | Basic checkout with fewer payment options | Improved checkout with multiple payment methods and better user experience |
Customization | Custom code possible but less flexible | More flexible customization with updated frameworks and tools |
Database Structure | Different from Magento 2; direct data transfer not possible | New database architecture requiring migration tools for data transfer |
Cost of Migration | N/A | Migration cost varies, typically $500 to $2500 depending on complexity |
Community and Marketplace | Large but declining community and extension ecosystem | Growing community with active development and extensive marketplace offerings |
This table highlights the key differences between Magento 1 and Magento 2, emphasizing why migration is essential for maintaining a competitive, secure, and efficient e-commerce store in 2025.
Benefits of Migrating to Magento 2 in 2025
Upgrading to Magento 2 has many benefits:
- Faster Performance: Magento 2 loads pages faster.
- More Secure: Regular security patches will protect your store from emerging threats.
- Mobile Friendly Design: Magento 2 has responsive themes and supports Progressive Web Applications (PWAs).
- Simpler Admin: Backend is more intuitive so store management is easier.
- More Features: Improved checkout process, multiple payment options and better SEO tools.
- Better Store’s User Experience: Migrating to Magento 2 gives you a more secure and faster platform which is essential for effective user experience and revenue generation. Accurate and efficient migration of customer details is crucial for enhancing the overall store’s user experience.
For example, after migrating to Magento 2, a fashion retailer saw 30% increase in site speed and huge mobile conversions.
1. Pre-Migration Checklist
Before you start your Magento migration, make sure you are prepared to avoid data loss or downtime. Creating a migration plan is key to avoiding SEO pitfalls and downtime, so you can have a smooth transition to Magento 2. During the setup of the Data Migration Tool, you will need developer authentication keys, where the public key is the username and the private key is the password. During the setup of the Data Migration Tool, you will need to click the ‘Create a New Access Key button’ to obtain the necessary authentication keys.
Data Backup
Make a full backup of your Magento 1 store, including the database and media files. This will allow you to restore your store if something goes wrong during migration. Data integrity during the backup process is crucial to transfer all data correctly and avoid issues like incomplete records or broken storefronts.
Module/Extension Audit
Review all installed modules and extensions. Many Magento 1 extensions are not compatible with Magento 2, so find replacements or plan for custom development. Also review and potentially develop new custom code for Magento 2 compatibility. During the Magento 1 to Magento 2 migration, outdated data should be removed from the database to have a clean and efficient transition. Custom functionality requires manual adjustments when migrating from Magento 1 to Magento 2. Utilize the Code Migration Toolkit to ensure compatibility and address potential structural differences between Magento 1 and Magento 2.
Theme Compatibility
Magento 1 themes cannot be migrated to Magento 2. Review your current theme and decide if you will rebuild it or choose a new Magento 2 theme from the Magento Marketplace. Developers can customize a Magento 2 theme or buy one from the Magento Marketplace. Migrating CMS pages is crucial to maintain site structure and content, use Magento 2 Page Builder to create and edit these pages after migration. Use the ‘Create New Migration button’ in your automated tool to initiate the migration process and begin transferring your theme data.
2. Migration Planning
Migration planning is a critical step in the Magento 1 to Magento 2 migration process. Make sure you assess your current environment and migration scope to determine the best approach for your store. This includes evaluating the complexity of your store, identifying potential risks and determining the resources needed for the migration. A well planned migration will ensure a smooth transition and minimal downtime. Consider creating a project plan that outlines each phase of the migration, from data transfer to testing and optimization. This will help you anticipate challenges and allocate resources accordingly. Understanding the various migration processes and potential challenges will help you plan effectively and ensure a successful transition.
3. Migration Process Overview
Tools: Magento Data Migration Tool and LitExtension
Use Magento migration tools to automate data transfer. The Magento Data Migration Tool is an official CLI-based tool that transfers store data, settings and configurations. Make sure to match the data migration tool version with the specific Magento version you are using before installation. Alternatively Lit Extension offers automated migration services with incremental data migration.
Incremental migration allows you to capture data updates during the migration process. Lit Extension offers automated migration services for transferring business data between Magento versions, starting from $79, which can save you money compared to hiring developers. Hiring a developer for migration can cost between $50-$80 per hour. Magento 2 Data Migration Tool helps to migrate settings and data using CLI commands, it’s a must-have for a successful migration. To configure the data migration tool, make sure you create a config.xml file and follow the steps to set up the migration from M1 Open Source to M2 Open Source.
Step-by-Step Process
- Install Magento 2 on your server.
- Configure the Data Migration Tool with your Magento 1 database credentials and migration settings. Ensure you create a config.xml file in the relevant directory.
- Run the migration commands to transfer products, customers, orders, and store settings. Execute the following commands to complete the data migration process.
- Manually migrate media files and custom data.
- Rebuild or install your Magento 2 theme.
- Install compatible extensions.
- Test the new store thoroughly.
For example, running the following command in the Magento 2 root directory starts the data migration process:
bash php bin/magento migrate:settings path-to-config.xml
4. Theme & Extension Migration
Rebuilding Themes in Magento 2
Since Magento 2 uses a different theming system, rebuild your theme using Magento 2’s layout XML files and LESS/CSS structure. This way you can have a modern, responsive design optimized for performance.
Also migrating sample data is important for theme development as it helps to set up the environment and make sure all elements are displayed correctly. Ensure that all necessary configuration files are properly set up to facilitate the migration process.
Choosing Compatible or Better Extensions
Magento 2 extensions are different from Magento 1 due to architecture changes. Search the Magento Marketplace for updated or improved extensions that fit your store. Don’t try to migrate old Magento 1 extensions directly as they won’t work. Access to the migration page is important to manage extension migration properly.
5. Testing After Migration
Functional Testing
Test all store functionalities including product browsing, checkout, payment gateways and customer account features to make sure everything works as expected. After migration it’s important to test the new Magento 2 site thoroughly to make sure everything works and fix any potential issues. Testing the new site post migration is important to identify and fix any SEO issues. Also make sure all migrated data is working correctly during testing.
Performance Benchmarking
Compare page load times and server response before and after migration. Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights and GTmetrix help identify performance improvements or bottlenecks.
These improvements significantly enhance the store’s user experience, ensuring customer satisfaction and retention.
6. SEO & URL Structure Preservation
301 Redirects
Set up 301 redirects from old Magento 1 URLs to new Magento 2 URLs to preserve search engine rankings and avoid broken links. The migration process should handle redirects properly so users and search engines find the new content seamlessly. Check Google Search Console for 404 errors before migration to make sure no broken links. Ensure that you use the same version of both the Magento 2 store and the Data Migration Tool to prevent any compatibility issues during the migration process.
XML Sitemaps and Canonical Tags
Generate new XML sitemaps and make sure canonical tags are set correctly to avoid duplicate content issues. Verify these in Google Search Console to keep SEO healthy. Meta data (title tags and meta descriptions) must be preserved to keep SEO value during migration.
7. Common Migration Challenges
During the migration you may encounter common issues like data loss, technical issues and compatibility problems. Be aware of these and have a plan in place to tackle them. This means using a reliable data migration tool, testing the migration process and having a backup plan in case of unexpected issues. Also make sure your store’s custom functionality and third party extensions are compatible with Magento 2. Testing the migrated data and functionality regularly will help you identify and fix issues early and make the transition smoother. Hiring professionals with technical expertise can help you navigate these challenges and ensure a smooth migration.
8. Security Considerations
Security is top priority during migration. Make sure your store’s data and settings are secure and protected from unauthorized access. This means using secure protocols for data transfer, encrypting sensitive data and configuring access keys and authentication keys. Also keep your store’s software and extensions up to date with latest security patches to prevent vulnerabilities. By prioritizing security you can make the migration to Magento 2 safe and successful. Implementing robust security will protect your store from threats and keep your data intact during the migration process. Enable maintenance mode during critical processes to temporarily restrict customer access and ensure updates or backups can be performed without disruptions.
9. Post-Migration Optimization Tips
- Turn on Magento 2 caching and set up cron jobs for better performance.
- Keep your store up to date with the latest security patches.
- Monitor Google Analytics and Google Search Console to see traffic and fix issues. You need to analyze Google Analytics data carefully to identify key landing pages before migration to ensure a smooth transition.
- Optimize images and media files to speed up loading.
- Consider Progressive Web Applications (PWAs) for better mobile experience. Also, the site should be optimized post migration for good user experience and SEO. Businesses may incur additional costs if issues arise during migration. Make sure to specify an encryption key in the config file of Magento Data Migration Tool to migrate store settings and data securely.
Key Considerations When Migrating Magento 1 to Magento 2
When you migrate from Magento 1 to Magento 2, follow these key steps for a smooth transition:
- Assess your current Magento 1 store to identify data, extensions, and custom features that need migration.
- Understand that Magento 2 has a different architecture, so themes and extensions cannot be directly transferred.
- Plan to rebuild your theme and find compatible extensions or develop custom ones for Magento 2.
- Back up all your data, including customer information, orders, and product details, to prevent data loss.
- Use reliable migration tools like the Magento Data Migration Tool or professional migration services to automate and accelerate data transfer.
- Preserve SEO by setting up proper URL redirects and maintaining metadata to protect search engine rankings.
- Thoroughly test your Magento 2 store before going live to identify and fix any issues.
- Ensure a smooth user experience on Magento 2 by validating all migrated data and functionalities.
The process to migrate Magento involves several steps and considerations to ensure data integrity and a successful transition.
Benefits of Migrating Magento 1 to Magento 2
Benefits of Migrating Magento 1 to Magento 2
- Faster Performance: Magento 2 loads pages quickly and improves server response times, boosting customer satisfaction and conversion rates.
- Enhanced Security: Regular security patches protect your store from vulnerabilities left by Magento 1’s end of life.
- Mobile Friendly: Magento 2 features a modern, responsive design and supports Progressive Web Applications (PWAs) for a seamless experience on all devices.
- Simpler Admin Interface: The user-friendly backend saves time and reduces errors in store management.
- More Payment Options: Supports a wider range of payment methods to meet diverse customer needs.
- Advanced SEO Features: Built-in tools help attract and retain more customers by improving search engine rankings.
- Future Proof: Upgrading to Magento 2 ensures your store stays competitive and scalable in the evolving e-commerce landscape.
While the migration cost can be significant, the long-term benefits of improved performance, security, and scalability make it a worthwhile investment.
Conclusion
Migrating from Magento 1 to Magento 2 in 2025 is no longer optional—it’s mandatory for security, performance and growth. Follow this Magento 2 upgrade guide and use the right migration tools to minimize the disruption. Magento migration projects take 1 to 3 months depending on the store and migration approach. The total cost of migration can be up to $500 to $2500 if you hire professionals depending on the project scope. Planning to upgrade Magento is key to future growth.
Ready to upgrade your Magento store? Contact us today for a free audit or consultation to start your Magento migration project and unlock the full potential of Magento 2.