Magento migration: how to move your store

Magento migration is a complex process. Whether you're moving to a new server or upgrading to Magento 2, good planning is essential. This guide helps you through the process.

Types of migrations

Server migration

Moving to another hosting provider with the same Magento version.

When:

• Better performance needed
• Lower costs desired
• Provider issues

Version upgrade

From Magento 1 to Magento 2, or minor version updates.

When:

• End-of-life of current version
• New features needed
• Security patches require upgrade

Platform migration

From Magento to another platform (Shopify, WooCommerce).

When:

• Magento too complex
• Costs too high
• Different requirements

Server migration: step by step

Preparation

1. Make complete backup

   • Database dump
   • All files (pub/media, var, app/etc)
   • .htaccess and configuration files

2. Document current setup

   • PHP version
   • MySQL version
   • Installed extensions
   • Custom modifications

3. Test new server

   • Check requirements
   • Test PHP and MySQL versions

Execute migration

# 1. Enable maintenance mode
bin/magento maintenance:enable

# 2. Export database
mysqldump -u user -p database > backup.sql

# 3. Compress files
tar -czvf magento_files.tar.gz /var/www/magento

# 4. Transfer to new server
rsync -avz magento_files.tar.gz user@newserver:/var/www/

# 5. Import database on new server
mysql -u user -p database < backup.sql

# 6. Adjust config for new server
# Edit app/etc/env.php

# 7. Clear cache
bin/magento cache:flush

# 8. Change DNS
# Update A-records to new server IP

After migration

• Test all functionality
• Check orders and customer data
• Test checkout process
• Monitor performance
• Keep old server 2 weeks as backup

Magento 1 to 2 migration

This is the most complex migration.

What gets migrated

Data Migration Tool

Adobe offers an official migration tool.

Installation:

composer require magento/data-migration-tool

Configuration in: vendor/magento/data-migration-tool/etc/<edition>/

Migration step plan

1. Inventory extensions - Which are essential?
2. Find Magento 2 alternatives - For all extensions
3. Plan custom development - For unique functionality
4. Set up staging environment - With Magento 2
5. Test data migration - Multiple times
6. Migrate theme - Rebuild or buy new
7. Extensive testing - All functionality
8. Plan go-live - During low traffic period

Time indication

Common problems

URL structure changes:

• Set up 301 redirects for all old URLs
• Update sitemap
• Inform Google via Search Console

Passwords don't work:

• Magento 2 uses different hashing
• Customers must reset password

Performance issues:

• Reconfigure cache settings
• Run indexers
• Optimize database

Tips for successful migration

1. Plan well ahead - Minimum 2-3 months
2. Test extensively - On staging environment
3. Communicate with customers - Expected downtime
4. Keep backup ready - To be able to revert
5. Monitor after migration - First weeks intensively