The benefits of upgrading Magento to the most recent version

Magento 2 migrations and upgrades are like a journey that every forward-thinking eCommerce platform must undertake. That’s because, if you want to succeed in the online market, staying static is not an option for your store.

Regardless of whether you are upgrading from Magento 2.4.5 to 2.4.6 and beyond or performing small, continual transitions to this platform, such modifications can certainly contribute to the triumph of your store.

But what exactly are the benefits of switching to the newest Magento version?

Enhanced performance and speed of your eCommerce

With its optimized codebase and advanced architecture, Magento 2.4.6 sites load significantly faster than before. This increased speed boosts user satisfaction and positively impacts your site’s SEO ratings.

Streamlined checkout process on the platform

The checkout process is more streamlined and reduces the steps and time required to move from the cart to completion. It minimizes cart abandonment and enhances shopping experiences. Also, the checkout is highly customizable, so you can tailor the process to meet clients’ needs better.

Better security of your online store

This upgrade introduces advanced security measures and regular updates to safeguard your online store against potential threats such as hacks and cyber-attacks. This fortified security framework also protects your data and builds trust among your customers.

New features and extensions

With the Magento 2.4.6 update, you also gain access to a wealth of new features and extensions that can significantly expand the functionality of your store. From improved reporting and analytics to more efficient product management tools, you can streamline operations and enhance the overall quality of service.

Infrastructure improvements

Magento 2 latest update boasts a robust and scalable infrastructure that is designed to support eCommerce stores of all sizes. Its enhanced indexing helps speed up query performance, while its modular architecture allows for greater flexibility and scalability. This means that your store will be able to handle peak traffic volumes smoothly and continue to grow without technical limitations.

The cost of a Magento 2 upgrade

First, Magento 2.4.6 is available in two different options:

• Community – open-source and free
• Enterprise (Adobe Commerce) – paid

This is where the first costs come in, but there are more to follow. They can vary widely depending on several factors including the complexity of your current store, the level of custom functionality you require, and the amount of data that needs to be migrated, etc.

Here's a breakdown of the main components that can influence the cost:

• complexity and size of your current store
• customization needs
• theme and design
• extensions and integrations
• data migration
• testing and quality assurance
• SEO and performance optimization

Add to that your valuable time, resource utilization, potential obstacles or mistakes, and the costs can quickly increase. But they don't have to if you work with the right Magento 2 development partner.

Given these variables, the cost of upgrading to Magento 2.4.6 can range from a few thousand dollars for smaller, less complex stores to tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars for large, highly customized eCommerce sites.

Most common Magento upgrade mistakes

Before you start the process of upgrading the Magento store, you must know what common mistakes to avoid, as they can turn the whole venture into a headache and unnecessarily drive the cost up.

Here are some popular pitfalls to watch out for.

• Lack of adequate planning – starting the upgrade without a roadmap can lead to unexpected issues.
• No backups - forgetting this step is one of the most serious mistakes by which you can lose what you have built so far.
• Ignoring extension compatibility – failing to check if your current extensions are compatible with Magento 2.4.6 can result in broken features and functionality gaps.
• Underestimating the time and effort required for data migration – underestimating the time and effort required for data migration can lead to data loss or inconsistencies.
• Not testing thoroughly – skipping comprehensive testing, including functionality, usability, and performance testing, can lead to unexpected issues on your live site.

Avoiding them can make your Magento upgrade a smooth and successful transition, and allow you to harness the full potential of this powerful eCommerce platform.

How to upgrade to Magento 2 to the latest version: a step-by-step process

So, how to start the process? If you already have a software team you may take the steps below. If you don’t have one, or if you feel like you want to take a second opinion, feel free to reach out to us (or learn more about how to choose the best Magento development company) .

Step 1: Backup your store

Before initiating the upgrade process, back up your Magento store – its files, folders, and database. Double-check that you have a backup of your store, as this protects against any potential data loss during the transition. Utilize reliable backup solutions and verify the integrity of these backups before proceeding.

Step 2: Review and audit your current store

Conduct a thorough review of your current Magento setup. Audit custom code and all third-party extensions to identify what needs to be migrated, updated, or possibly discarded. Similarly, assess your current theme and decide on adapting a new one from Magento 2 latest version or developing a custom one in order to maintain your brand's visual identity.

Step 3: Prepare environment

Next, you should enable maintenance mode on your store. This prevents any changes to your data during the migration process and ensures consistency. It can also inform your customers about the ongoing update. Thanks to this, you will be able to resolve any arising issues without impacting your live site's availability or the user experience.

Step 4: Upgrade via Composer or manually

Depending on your technical expertise and specific circumstances, you may choose to upgrade to the newest Magento 2 version either via Composer or manually. Using Composer is recommended for its ease of managing dependencies and version control. However, a manual upgrade might be necessary in certain scenarios, such as if you need custom configuration.

Step 5: Migrate data

Now it's time to transfer the data to the new system. Doing it manually will take you a long time, and you risk missing or damaging some data. As such, it’s recommended to utilize the Magento Data Migration Tool. This is specifically designed to facilitate a smoother migration of products, customers, orders, and other critical records while minimizing the risk of data loss.

Step 6: Choose extensions and themes

Identify and install the necessary extensions that will replace your current ones. Also, implement your chosen Magento theme, ensure it aligns with your brand's aesthetic, and check if it’s responsive across devices. If you need a custom theme then develop and apply it, paying close attention to the user experience and keeping design consistency in mind.

Step 7: Test to assure quality

Engage in comprehensive testing within your staging environment. Cover all aspects of store functionality – the checkout process, payment gateway integrations, and user navigation. Such quality assurance is vital for an upgraded Magento store, as it confirms whether or not your new store meets all of the operational requirements and offers a seamless experience.

Step 8: Go live

After thorough testing and optimization, and once you're confident in the performance and functionality of your new Magento store, proceed to make it live. Perform a final synchronization of any recent data from your online store so that all information is up-to-date.

Step 9: Ongoing support

Once your Magento store is live, you should monitor it carefully to address any issues promptly. Also, be prepared to make any necessary adjustments based on user feedback and performance metrics. Ongoing support and optimization are key to maintaining a successful eCommerce presence.

Best practices for updating the Magento store to the latest version

We already covered the process of updating your Magento store, but we have also listed best practices that will further help you in this task.

Don't hurry

Rushing through the update process can lead to oversights and mistakes. Take your time to plan and execute the update meticulously. Rushing can result in downtime, broken functionality, and customer dissatisfaction. A well-executed update is worth the extra time invested.

Train and educate your team

Your team should be well familiarized with the new Magento 2 environment. Thus, bet on their training and education, and you could rely on them, eliminate inefficiencies, and manage your store effectively.

Communicate with stakeholders

Keep your stakeholders informed throughout the update process. This includes internal teams, external partners, and even customers if the update will result in noticeable changes. Transparent communication can help manage expectations and minimize surprises.

Review and optimize the database

During the update, take the opportunity to review and optimize your database. This can improve the overall performance of your store. Consider removing unnecessary data, such as logs and outdated records, to reduce database size and enhance efficiency.

Document the process

Maintain detailed documentation of the update process, including the steps taken, issues encountered, and resolutions applied. This documentation may be valuable for future updates and troubleshooting.

Don't forget about post-upgrade evaluation

Once the upgrade is complete, don't forget to evaluate its success. Monitor your store's performance, gather user feedback, and address any issues promptly to ensure long-term success.

Evaluate costs

The initial costs might seem daunting and high, but the long-term benefits of a more robust, secure, and scalable platform like Magento justify the investment. So, before you dive into Magento 2 migration and upgrades, make sure you are aware of all the costs.

Seek professional help if you are not 100% that you have one

The transition to Magento 2.4.6 involves many steps, so attempting this upgrade without the requisite experience and knowledge can lead to unpleasant consequences.

However, a specialized Magento development company like Polcode brings the necessary technical expertise, strategic foresight, and a proven methodology to ensure a smooth, efficient upgrade process with no disruptions.

So If you are not a specialist in this field or don’t have an in-house tech team specialized in Magento that you can rely upon, consider hiring one that will do everything for you.

What’s more, the beta version of Magento 2.4.7 is ready, so in a while, it will become a reality for all stores based on this platform. Thus, choose a partner that can handle any update and that you can rely on.

Grow further your eCommerce

After upgrading to the latest version of Magento, new needs may arise over time, such as data migration, adding modern custom features, or changing the design. All to enhance your online store's support, growth, and adaptability.

We recognize that each business faces its own set of challenges and opportunities, and our comprehensive Magento services are designed to meet these diverse needs, whether it's:

• Tailored migrations and updates to keep your platform current
• Advanced Magento 2 development for cutting-edge functionality
• Intuitive UX/UI design for engaging customer experiences
• Performance optimization for faster, smoother online shopping
• Ongoing support and maintenance for peak operational efficiency

Your problems receive the right care with a team that values a consultative approach, can address your business challenges with operational excellence, and prioritizes your eCommerce growth and the unique vision of your company.

Take advantage of our Magento 2 upgrade services and improve your business

For every eCommerce platform whose aim is to sell more, grow its customer base, and exceed sales targets, understanding and embracing the reality of Magento migrations and upgrades is non-negotiable. These regular enhancements keep your store optimized and secure, patch vulnerabilities, and guarantee you're leveraging the latest technological advancements.

As a CTO responsible for the development of an eCommerce platform for your medium-sized business, or large enterprise, you undoubtedly want updates to the newest version of Magento to go smoothly.