Magento Migration Tools: How to Choose the Right One?

With the dawn of the Magento 1 era, it is exceptionally important to consider your further steps. It is possible to stick to the older versions of the software. But you'll find yourself experiencing a number of problems, including the lack of updates, security patches, minimal to none developers' help, etc. Contrarily, you can upgrade your current store to the latest Magento 2.x (which is highly recommended). Therefore, in today's post, we'll cover the most popular Magento migration tools and provide you with helpful tips to simplify your replatforming experience.

Magento Data Migration Tool - a Solution for Techies

The official Magento DevDocs suggest users take advantage of the Data migration tool. This command-line interface works in three modes (settings, data, and delta) and helps merchants transfer data entities from Magento 1 to Magento 2.

 

Note: using the Magento data migration tool requires in-depth tech knowledge and coding skills.

So, what is the strategy of using this tool?

Download Magento migration tool

To initiate the process, set up the Magento 2 store and install the Magento data migration tool. Also, ensure that the versions of the software match.

To download the tool, go to repo.magento.com or GitHub.

If you've uploaded it from the repo.magento.com, don't forget to update composer.json in the Magento root installation directory with the following commands:

composer config repositories.magento composer https://repo.magento.com

composer require magento/data-migration-tool:"version"

In case you've used the version GitHub, use the commands:

composer config repositories.data-migration-tool git https://github.com/magento/data-migration-tool

composer require magento/data-migration-tool:"version"

Keep in mind that "version" must be the same as the version of the Magento 2 codebase.

Parametrize the transfer

Now, it’s time to configure the migration. The location of the mapping and configuration files depends on the type of platform you're moving from.

Magento Open Source:

/vendor/magento/data-migration-tool/etc/opensource-to-opensource: Configuration and scripts for migrating from Magento Open Source 1 to Magento Open Source 2

Magento Commerce:

/vendor/magento/data-migration-tool/etc/opensource-to-commerce: Configuration and scripts for migrating from Magento Open Source 1 to Magento Commerce 2

/vendor/magento/data-migration-tool/etc/commerce-to-commerce: Configuration and scripts for migrating from Magento Commerce 1 to Magento Commerce 2

It is possible to configure the data migration tool in two ways:

• By using a separate module (the company recommends it),
• Change the configuration in the vendor folder.

Further info on how to configure the Magento data migration tool can be found here.

Cart2Cart Data Migration: Everything You Need to Know

Perform the transfer using Data Migration Tool

Please remember not to:

• Change anything in the Magento 1 Admin,
• Modify codes,
• Alter the Magento 2 Admin and storefront.

Settings migration

To begin the transfer of settings, run:

bin/magento migrate:settings [-r|--reset] [-a|--auto] {"path to config.xml"}

Where:

[-r|--reset] starts migration from the beginning

[-a|--auto] prevents migration from stopping when encountering errors

{"path to config.xml"} is the absolute file system path to the migration tool's config.xml file;

Once you receive the Migration completed message, it is safe to proceed to the next stage of your current migration.

Data migration

To run the data migration, enter the following:

bin/magento migrate:data [-r|--reset] [-a|--auto] {"path to config.xml"}

More detailed info on data migration can be found here.

Manual data migration

Due to the platform's peculiarities, you will need to migrate some of the data manually:

• Media,
• Storefront design,
• Admin user accounts,
• Access Control Lists (ACLs).

Post-migration activities

After the migration process is over, you will need to:

• Put the Magento 1 store in maintenance mode,
• Start Magento 2 cron jobs,
• Handle the M2 cache and reindex data,
• Change DNS, load balancers, etc.

As you can see, Magento import using the data migration tool is a long and complicated process. It demands lots of technical knowledge and coding skills. There's a high probability that something can go wrong, and you will damage the whole store's structure. What is worse, some critical changes can be irreversible. Therefore, if you're not confident enough in what you're about to do, it's better to look for an alternative.

Magento product import for the partial store transfer

There's a growing tendency among the eMerchants to avoid the time-consuming procedure of transferring the whole store. Thus, to migrate only some entities, they use the Magento import option through the CSV product upload sheet. Keep reading to find out more about this method!

Import products from Magento 1

To start uploading your store’s files login to your Magento 1, go to System → Import/Export → Export.

Click on the drop-down menu and choose the Export settings option.

Select all the product attributes that you wish to export to your Magento 2 store and press Continue.

 

Please note that all the Magento 2 attributes and attribute sets should be identical to those of your Magento 1 store.

Download and modify the CSV file

Log in to your Magento 2. Go to System → Data transfer → Import.

Choose the products entity type from the drop-down menu and download the file.

Compare the two CSV files and modify the one that you downloaded from Magento 2.

Upload products to Magento 2 store

To perform the Magento 2 product import, go to System → Data transfer → Import.

Select the Products entity type in the Import settings.

Choose the desired Import Behavior option.

Click on the Choose File button and upload the CSV file from your computer.

Press the Check data button and start importing Magento product import.

It is evident that this method of Magento import is much easier to comprehend. It is suitable for both novice and experienced online business owners. Consider, though, that this is just the fragmentary transfer. In case you want to move your Magento 1 products, product categories, customers, orders, etc. to Magento 2, we advise you to consider another option.

Magento migration tool - an automated solution

Migrating from Magento 1 to Magento 2 is clearly not one of the most straightforward tasks. Using the Magento data import tool may be complicated even for those familiar with coding and working from the command line. That is why automated migration tools are considered to be the perfect solution for techies and non-techies alike. Magento migration services like Cart2Cart help merchants save time and money by moving their stores across platforms error- and trouble-free. The migration process is intuitive and requires minimal human involvement. Moreover, users get access to the round the clock support.

So, if you wish to perform the Magento 1 to Magento 2 import using the automated migration tool, follow these steps:

Configure Source and Target carts

Simply choose Magento (the Source cart) from the drop-down menu. Provide your current store's URL. Install the Connection Bridge to the root folder. This will link the two stores.

Repeat the same procedure with the Target cart.

 

No need to worry about the stores' versions. The system will define them automatedly.

Choose data entities and additional options

An automated migration tool's huge advantage is that it lets you move the desired store's content just within a few clicks and with minimal effort. It is possible to choose either separate data types or move the whole store by ticking the "Select all" box.

Also, it is possible to configure your migration with the help of additional options. They add more functionality and make the process even more seamless. For example, you can create 301 redirects, migrate customers' passwords, preserve order ID's, etc.

Run a Demo migration

This option is free, so we recommend you not to skip it. Thus, you'll be able to test the service in action and move a limited number of data (up to 30 entities) to Magento 2. The whole process takes about 30 minutes.

Launch Full migration

The Full migration of your Magento 1 to Magento 2 store usually takes a few hours. The overall duration depends on the number of entities you are planning to move. Moreover, there's no store's downtime, so you can safely return to your ordinary business activities.

Now all is left to do is wait and configure your store after the migration is over.

Automated store migration is the most user-friendly way of moving data across platforms. The tool is equipped with simple guidelines, so even novice users can easily cope with it. Moreover, it guarantees the store's integrity and no data loss during the transfer.

Summing Up

Having analyzed the three most popular Magento migration tools, it is fair to say that each of them has its pros and cons. If you’re good at programming and the fear of damaging your store doesn’t frighten you off, try performing the migration by yourself. The extensive documentation will surely be of assistance. Contrarily, if you’re planning to move only some of the store’s entities, go with the import-export method. It’s much safer, less time-consuming, and doesn’t require lots of tech knowledge. And, lastly, if you wish to move your store to Magento 2 with minimum effort, time and money spent, we advise you to choose an automated migration tool. It’s risk-free and totally secure.

So, to sum it up, no need to postpone the Magento 1 store upgrade till it’s too late. Act today and benefit from it tomorrow!

Make sure to try our free Demo migration option to test the service in action.