EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW. Upgrading to Magento 2

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1 EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW Upgrading to Magento 2

2 Upgrading to Magento 2: Facts and Important Considerations Upgrading to Magento 2 (M2) is not as simple as running a script or issuing a few basic commands. Migrating is a complex process that must be planned. This executive overview is written for retailers who want a high-level snapshot of a typical M2 migration including key considerations, benefits, time and costs Smart Solutions. 1

3 CONSIDER THIS AN OPPORTUNITY A few busy retailers would prefer to remain status quo but you should consider your migration an opportunity to rethink the big picture and refine your online strategies. Are certain features no longer useful to your customers? Are there ways to take advantage of new technologies and marketing strategies? Should you consider streamlining business processes and operations to maximize profits? A migration to Magento 2 will deliver a better platform built using the latest technologies, faster performance, improved checkout, enhanced features and a responsive, easier-to-use administrator interface. 50% FASTER Page loads as compared to M1 135K MORE ORDERS Per hour as compared to using M1 38% FASTER Checkout as compared to M Smart Solutions. 2

4 WHAT IS THE MAGENTO 1 SUPPORT DEADLINE? Originally set to expire in November 2018, Magento has postponed the Magento 1 (M1) end of life and announced that support won t end in the foreseeable future. Magento has promised to give retailers at least 18 months notice before the next deadline. What does end of life mean? It means that Magento will no longer release security patches and no new M1 features or software versions will be published. DO I REALLY NEED TO THINK ABOUT MIGRATION RIGHT NOW? Yes. Keep in mind that every retailer running on M1 will need to migrate eventually. Don t wait too long to do so. As the end of life date gets closer, many businesses may find themselves in a crunch to get it done and will be waiting in line behind other last-minute retailers. If you decide to wait, set a target date, plan your strategy and budget for it. Moving to M2 will be busy enough as it is. Why complicate the process by waiting too long and dealing with the stress of a tight deadline? IS MAGENTO 2 STABLE? Magento 2 has been around long enough that most bugs and kinks have been worked out in the newer versions. Most popular extensions and third-party integrations have been redeveloped to support this new platform and are already available for M Smart Solutions. 3

5 WHAT ARE SOME BENEFITS OF MOVING TO MAGENTO 2? WILL THIS MOVE IMPACT MY SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION? There are many reasons why M2 makes sense. The set of core features available to you depends on whether you are running Open Source or Commerce Edition but, in general, there are several key benefits to Magento 2. Enhanced performance If not managed properly, migrating to Magento 2 may carry some SEO risks. If there are any changes made to your URL structures, you must implement 301 redirects to map old pages to the new. 301 redirects tell Google that the page still exists and point to the new location. Redirects will ensure that you do not lose any hard-earned rankings. A streamlined, easier checkout process Modern technologies A newly designed, intuitive admin interface Customizable dashboards so you can access your most important data quickly Built-in mobile responsiveness as a core feature 2018 Smart Solutions. 4

6 ARE THERE OTHER KEY CONSIDERATIONS? Migrating sooner rather than later might save you money. Keep in mind that if you are active with development and site improvements, you will likely have to rebuild or reintegrate when you move to Magento 2. The sooner you move to M2, the less likely it will be that you have to pay twice for development work. Ensure that you have the time and resources to devote to the project once it starts. Although we do what we can to make the process easy for clients, you will be called upon to review theme concepts, test the site, evaluate extensions and participate in QA of content migration or assist with data cleansing. If you are not happy with your current web host, you might want to take this opportunity to move to a provider who specializes in Magento for increased performance, improved security and better technical support. Consider migrating during your slower season. If you have not waited until the last minute, you will have the luxury of setting a schedule that least impacts your daily business operations. If your existing site uses third-party modules or integrates with back office systems, this is an opportunity to evaluate these integrations. Before you begin any migration task, you will need to ensure that your current configuration can be replicated on M2. Do you need to evaluate alternatives or consider improvements? 2018 Smart Solutions. 5

7 WHAT WILL IT COST? The varying nature of Magento projects makes it difficult to predict exact costs. Whether you choose Open Source or Commerce Edition will also be a factor. Most reputable agencies will perform a site evaluation to assess your functional requirements, number and types of extensions, 3rd party integrations, catalog definition and need for custom programming before providing an estimate. If you receive a price quote from a company that has not audited your current installation and discussed your business goals and requirements, you may be setting yourself up for disappointment and cost or schedule overruns. Cost will also depend on your web team s experience and skills. Successful projects require a well-rounded team of designers, managers, search engine optimization specialists and developers. An experienced Magento agency will suggest options and ways to lower costs if necessary. Quotes from web companies may vary widely. Although it may be tempting to go for the lowest price, be cautious. You should consider experience, time zones, communication barriers, availability and ongoing support. Remember, you get what you pay for. HOW LONG WILL A MIGRATION TAKE? The amount of time it will take to move your website to Magento 2 will depend on many factors: the number of customizations, store complexity, extensions required and data migration requirements. Migration for a typical store with minimal third-party integrations is 3 6 months Smart Solutions. 6

8 WHAT BASIC STEPS ARE INVOLVED? Although people talk about upgrading or migrating to Magento 2, it is essentially a rebuild. Magento 2 comes with a completely different architecture and database design. Magento has developed tools that make components of the migration easier but most of your new site will be built from the ground up. Clone existing Magento 1 store and use this version for migration tasks Take the Next Step! Our core expertise is Magento! Contact us for a demo of Magento 2 and get all of you questions answered by one of our Magento experts. Call or getinfo@smartwebdev.com. Install Magento 2 Implement theme Install extensions Migrate or rewrite any code customizations Move Magento settings and data (products, categories, orders, store configurations & settings, etc.) Implement integrations with third-party modules or systems Test, test, test Optimize new store SEO setup and prepare 301 redirects Go live 2018 Smart Solutions. 7

9 ABOUT SMART SOLUTIONS Magento Development Agency Smart Solutions is a full-service ecommerce agency specializing in Magento. We partner with B2B and B2C merchants to help them stay ahead of the competition, meet increasing customer demands and improve business efficiencies. Not ready to migrate yet? Sign up to receive our Magento tips, trends, news and technology updates to maximize your online presence and improve your business productivity Smart Solutions 2661 Riva Road, Suite 620 Annapolis, MD getinfo@smartwebdev.com