Evaluating the Migration Process Against Initial Goals

Every migration is performed with specific goals – improving performance, reducing costs, enabling new features, streamlining operations, etc. 

Now that you’re in Magento 2, reflect on whether you’ve achieved what you set out to do.

First, this evaluation shows you if the migration process has been successful. If things haven’t gone as planned, you’ll want to identify areas where further work is necessary. 

Second, keep in mind that just because the platform is live doesn’t mean it’s perfect. There might be some fine-tuning required, and this is your chance to catch anything that’s out of place. 

Third, understanding where you stand helps you focus on future improvements.

So, what exactly should you do after upgrading to Magento 2?

Here are the steps:

1. Compare Performance Metrics: Examine the performance metrics you initially set out to address. Use monitoring tools to measure how well the new platform works compared to your old one.

2. Listen to Customers: Next, gather customer feedback. Take it seriously, as their experience is often the best indicator of success.

3. Check for Operational Efficiency: Evaluate how the eCommerce platform has impacted your internal operations. For instance, ask questions like, are your team members now working more efficiently? Is the system easier to manage? Have the new features improved your workflow, or are there areas that need further attention?

4. Assess Scalability and Flexibility: If you’re growing rapidly, this is an essential aspect to review. If you’ve integrated any third-party tools, check if they function seamlessly within the platform.

5. Analyze Costs: Also, analyze if the new platform is providing the cost savings or benefits you expected.

6. Security & Compliance Check: Verify whether the platform meets security standards and complies with relevant regulations. A smooth migration doesn’t mean you can overlook potential vulnerabilities.

This may seem like a lot to grasp, but we have some tips to simplify the process. 

For example, create a post-migration checklist. Go through each point and see if you’ve hit your targets in Magento 2. If you didn’t, determine why and create an action plan to address any shortcomings.

Moreover, involve multiple teams, so you don’t leave the evaluation to your IT team alone. Include customer service, marketing, and even finance teams. As a result, you’ll get a comprehensive view of how the platform is performing.

Use benchmarks and compare your new platform’s performance with eCommerce industry norms. You will see whether you’re ahead of or lagging behind competitors.

Post-migration evaluation shouldn’t be a one-time thing. Thus, you can set a recurring schedule to review your Magento 2 store regularly, for example, monthly or quarterly, so you can continuously optimize.

Focusing on Improvements and Updates

A seamless migration to Magento 2 brings the potential for vast improvements in performance, scalability, and customer experience. 

But to maximize these benefits, you must focus on several key areas after the migration.

For example, keeping your platform secure and updated guarantees its long-term sustainability and resilience against cyber threats.

Therefore, in addition to verifying that the migration process agrees with your goals and objectives, you should invest in:

Ongoing Maintenance

Any downtime, slow load times, or glitches can significantly affect customer experience and revenue. Fortunately, regular maintenance, be it routine updates, checking for errors, or monitoring system performance, takes care of your platform. It can:

• prevent minor issues from becoming major headaches

• keep your platform fast, reliable, and user-friendly

• reduce costs

In other words, if you assumed that immediate maintenance wasn't important, you've just discovered otherwise.

What ongoing maintenance of eCommerce platforms includes:

1. Regular updates to the core platform.

2. Monitoring and adjusting site speed, server performance, and caching.

3. Checking that product lists, inventory levels, and SKUs are accurate.

4. Verifying the ordering process, including payment gateways and shipping integration.

5. Optimizing product descriptions and checking if the platform is optimized for search engine algorithms.

6. Maintaining and updating customer service channels, e.g., chatbots, and help centers.

7. Optimizing databases for better performance, including removing outdated data.

Magento 2 has a maintenance mode – a feature that temporarily restricts access to your online store while you perform tasks such as maintenance, upgrades, or reconfigurations. Thus, you can implement quick fixes before customer complaints surface.

Security Revisions

The last thing you want for your eCommerce business is to become a victim of a data breach or hacking attempt. Cybercriminals target legacy systems because they're easier to infiltrate, but they can also break into new platforms. 

The best defense against these risks is regular security updates. 

If you want to be protected, keep your Magento 2 up-to-date with the latest security patches and SSL certificates. Follow them, and you will protect your store from hacking, data theft, and malicious attacks.

What to focus on during security updates:

• Regularly assess the security of the platform and any external integrations or plugins.

• Schedule regular backups to recover data quickly in case of a breach.

• Review permissions and limit access to critical parts of your platform.

• Implement and monitor firewalls and intrusion detection systems.

• Perform regular security audits.

Example: 

Many websites, platforms, and apps have experienced hacks due to poor security. This led to a loss of customer data, financial penalties, and severe reputational damage. Prioritize regular security updates to minimize these risks.

Exploring New Opportunities 

With a newly migrated platform comes the ability to explore new business avenues, products, or services. The opportunities on a Magento 2 platform far exceed those available on outdated systems. You can (or even should) explore them to stay competitive and able to respond quickly to changing market demands.

Steps to take on:

• Use analytics tools to gain insights into customer behavior. This will help identify trends, preferences, and areas where new services or products could be introduced.

• Automate repetitive tasks such as email marketing, inventory updates, and customer support to focus on higher-level strategic initiatives.

• Expand into different sales channels, like integrating with social commerce platforms or adding a subscription model to create new revenue streams.

• Experiment with new features such as personalized product recommendations, upselling tactics, or loyalty programs to increase customer engagement.

Training and Consulting

Even with the best technology, your eCommerce platform’s success depends on how well your team understands and uses it. However, thanks to training and consulting, they can learn about new tools, features, and updates.

Well-trained employees can troubleshoot minor issues, optimize workflows, and better serve customers. Training also helps your team adapt to any changes in the platform and new business processes. 

Thus, provide your team with:

• A detailed walkthrough of the Magento 2 interface, tools, features, plugins, or extensions added during the migration.

• Instructions on managing product, order, and customer data within the new system.

• Guidelines on maintaining platform security, including password management and handling sensitive information.

• Regular training on identifying and solving common platform issues.

• Access to expert consulting for handling specific questions and long-term strategy planning.

Maintenance in Magento 2: Best Practices

Looking to maximize the potential of Magento 2 and build a foundation for long-term success? 

So, follow these best practices for more efficient maintenance on this platform.

• Performance
  Magento 2 is resource-heavy, so optimizing performance is essential to avoid slow speeds. You can, for example:
  Enable full-page caching. Go to Stores > Configuration > Advanced > System and enable Varnish caching for faster performance.
  Optimize images. Use tools like TinyPNG to compress images before uploading, reducing page load times.
  Work with Magento’s coding standards and use staging environments to avoid live-site issues.
  Responsive Design. Make your theme mobile-friendly by checking Content > Design > Configuration.

• Security
  Prevent potential data breaches and strengthen security in Magento 2 with:
  2FA. Go to  Stores > Configuration > Security > 2FA, and protect admin logins.
  SSL encryption. Make sure SSL is enabled under Stores > Configuration > Web > Base URLs (Secure).
  Scheduled updates. Always backup your site in System > Backups before applying any Magento or extension updates.

• Scalability and growth
  Magento 2 is built for growth, so prepare it for future demands. To guarantee your store scales effectively, you can, for example:
  Plan for traffic peaks. Upgrade hosting or use cloud-based solutions to handle traffic surges.
  Cleanup database. Clear logs in System > Tools > Logs to keep your database light.

Polcode Use Case

For most of Polcode's clients, Magento 2 is the ultimate solution for eCommerce growth. 

We’ve never encountered a case where moving from Magento 2 to another platform was necessary. Why? 

Because Magento 2 offers unparalleled versatility and robust features that can handle the most complex eCommerce needs. 

Once clients migrate to Magento 2, the opportunities for scaling their business become limitless. 

Magento 2 can adapt seamlessly, no matter if the aim is to expand into new markets or introduce new products. Magento's flexibility allows all businesses to tap into new geographic regions and diversify into various industries. 

With Magento 2 in place, our clients have the tools to not only manage their current operations but also pursue future growth, all without needing to look for a new platform.

Conclusion

You have worked very hard during the migration to another platform. 

Now, don't let your efforts go to waste due to a lack of proper maintenance. 

Take advantage of our best practices and tips, and you will be better prepared to scale your business, explore new opportunities, and, more importantly, protect your Magento 2 store.

Working with a Magento-specific development partner can make the entire process more efficient. Get help from specialists, stay proactive, and keep evolving your store to meet your long-term business goals.