If you haven't migrated from Magento 1, where have you been?
Magento 2 was released in 2015, and around 37,000 live sites are still on Magento 1. We understand migrating is no quick decision and comes with its costs; however, moving from the original M1 platform to Magento 2 (M2) provides merchants with several significant benefits.
Here’s a breakdown of the 8 key advantages of the migration:
1. Improved Performance and Scalability
Magento 2 is built with performance enhancements, resulting in quicker page loads and better overall site speed. It also efficiently supports more extensive product catalogues and high-traffic sites, making it suitable for growing businesses to scale.
Those opting to stay on Magento 1 will see reduced improvements to web design and features as developer creating extensions will focus on the new Magento
2. Enhanced User Experience
With the evolution of eCommerce and shopping habits, M2 has a mobile-first approach; it ensures that online stores are fully responsive and optimised for mobile devices.
Magento 2 also offers a streamlined and improved two-step checkout process, which reduces cart abandonment rates and enhances the customer experience. In addition, it supports more payment gateways than those available on the original platform.
Learn more about Magento checkout options here.
3. Robust Architecture
M2 has a more modular architecture, making it easier to customise and maintain. Developers can create and manage modules without affecting core functionalities.
Improvements have been made to the admin panel to make it more user-friendly and allow for easier management of products, orders, and customers.
4. Security Enhancements
Magento 1 reached its end of life in June 2020, and updates will no longer support websites still on M1. This can be critical to your business, as outdated security can risk your data and compliance.
Magento 2 regularly receives security patches and updates, enhancing security features and improving protocols, encryption, and authentication mechanisms. This keeps your site and customers' data safe.
5. Advanced Features and Functionality
Magento 2 supports new technologies and practices, including Progressive Web Apps (PWAs), enhanced SEO capabilities, and improved API integrations, so your business can adapt to ever-changing technologies.
Migrating also provides better support functionalities for B2B and B2C businesses, catering to both markets. These include advanced pricing and customer segmentation.
6. Integration and Ecosystem
M2 offers improved API support, facilitating third-party integration and allowing for streamlined applications, services, and enhancements to the store's overall ecosystem.
The number of available extensions and themes for M2 continues to grow, providing merchants with broader options to enhance their stores.
A significant optimisation that can be made to your Magento store is the use of Hyvä Themes. This frontend theme has been a game changer, improving performance, speed and user experience.
7. Community
With an active Magento community, patrons have shifted their focus to M2, which has led to a wealth of resources, extensions, and support. If you're looking to join Magento communities, take a look at the following:
- Mage-OS
- Hyvä Themes
- Reddit Magento Community
8. Marketing and Analytics Tools
Magento 2 have made enhancements to its marketing tools, including improvements to marketing automation, customer segmentation, and personalised promotions.
Analytics can be crucial to business decision-making. With integrated analytics, merchants have access to better reporting tools and data, helping them make data-driven decisions.
Conclusion
Migrating to Magento 2 is not just about keeping up with technology; it’s about future-proofing your business. The shift provides opportunities for better performance, enhanced security, and a more flexible platform that can adapt to evolving market demands.
Due to the complexities of the platforms, the move to Magento 2 can take some time; finding an agency or provider that can support this process will help this run smoothly.
Are you looking for an agency that can integrate with your team and support your migration to Magento 2?
Phoebe Dodd
Designer & Content Creator
Phoebe is a Designer and Content Creator who has worked in design since 2019 and has been with Develo since 2020. Phoebe’s favourite aspect of Content Creation is creating engaging graphics and videos that blend storytelling and marketing. Her biggest achievement from working at Develo is enforcing humanised content in a B2B business that engages with our target audience. Outside of work, she can be found competing in cross country and athletics, or walking her Romanian rescue dog, Lyla.
Develo is a leading Magento agency and eCommerce web development company based in Birmingham, in the UK, serving clients globally since 2010. Our Blog covers topics around the array of services our certified Magento Developers offer, including Hyvä themes development, Adobe Commerce, Magento Punchout catalogues, ERP integrations and much more. To speak to a friendly member of the team about your next project, contact us here.
