Phase 1: Setting Up Your New Platform

Setting up a new Magento 2 platform is often part of a larger eCommerce platform migration process. 

To go with the schedule and be able to launch the new platform, you first need to carefully and extensively examine your current situation and understand any risks, goals, and opportunities. 

Only then can you move on to configuring the new platform - in our case, Magento 2. This usually involves designing and developing a Magento template and writing new or adopting ready-made plugins. 

But one step at a time.

If you haven't already installed the Magento 2 platform, check if your server and hosting environment meet the platform’s minimum requirements and support essential extensions. Magento 2 needs PHP 7.4+, and it works best with MySQL or MariaDB for your database and Elasticsearch as a search engine. 

Download the Magento 2 package and use the Magento CLI to complete the installation. After that, set up your hosting environment with SSL certificates and caching for better security and performance (e.g., Redis or Varnish). Next, configure your store with essential options like timezone, currency, and tax settings.

Design and Develop a Magento 2 Template

A Magento template defines how your online store looks and operates, from the layout of your product pages to the checkout flow. Building it means crafting an experience that guides users smoothly from browsing to purchasing.

With such a template, you can customize your pages faster and maintain consistency in your online store.

How do you design a Magento 2 template? 

Here are steps:

1. Create a Custom Theme Directory: Magento themes are stored in app/design/frontend/[Vendor]/[Theme]. Create a new directory for your custom theme here. Within this directory, you’ll organize everything from layout files to templates, style sheets, and JavaScript. 

2. Provide Basics and Register Theme: Define your theme’s basics by creating two files:

• theme.xml: This file details your theme, including its name and parent theme (if you are inheriting designs).

• registration.php: This registers your theme with Magento and allows it to be activated within the Admin panel.

3. PHTML and XML Layout Files: Once these basics are in place, you can dive into PHTML files, where you define the structure of your website’s frontend. These files are PHP-based and control everything from headers to product layouts. 

For layout adjustments, you will work with XML files, where you can define page structures and assign blocks and containers. For example, modifying cms_index_index.xml allows you to control the layout of the homepage.

4. Test, Deploy, Improve: Use Magento’s CLI (Command Line Interface) to deploy your theme. Test your theme to spot errors before going live. This command-line interface is for tasks like flushing the cache, compiling files, and ensuring your theme updates are applied smoothly.

The best part about Magento 2 is how flexible its theme system is. You can easily modify everything and align your online store's design with your business needs and brand identity.

So, in short, customizing templates in Magento 2 involves:

• working with PHTML files

• using XML for layout updates

• theme deployment via the Magento CLI

Integrate Plugins and Custom Functionalities

Now, it's time to add extra functionality. That’s where Magento plugins come into play – they expand the capabilities of your Magento store without needing to reinvent the wheel. With thousands of options available in the Magento Marketplace, you will likely find the right solution.

How to install plugins?

With Composer, a tool designed to manage dependencies in PHP projects.

• Open your terminal: Connect to your Magento 2 store via SSH or any other terminal that gives you access to your server. 

• Enable maintenance mode: bin/magento maintenance:enable

• Use Composer to install the plugin: Run a command like composer require vendor/module-name, replacing vendor/module-name with the actual name of the extension you want to install.

• Enable the module: Activate the plugin by running php bin/magento module:enable Vendor_Module.

Run setup and deployment commands: Finally, execute the following commands to complete the setup:

php bin/magento setup:upgrade to register the module and update the database
php bin/magento setup:di:compile to compile dependency injection configurations
php bin/magento setup:static-content:deploy to deploy static files for the module. 

Then, plugins will work properly across the frontend and backend.

• Disable maintenance mode: bin/magento maintenance:disable

• Clear the cache: To ensure all changes take effect, run php bin/magento cache:clean and php bin/magento cache:flush.

• Verify in Admin Panel: Finally, head to the Magento Admin Panel to verify that the plugin has been installed correctly. Navigate to Stores > Configuration and check that the new extension is listed and its settings are configurable.

Note💡 

The plugins will not be visible in the Admin Panel if it does not contain any changes to show in the admin panel.

To check if the plugin is active, run the command below:
php bin/magento module:status Vendor_ModuleName

Sometimes, your business may need unique functionalities that standard plugins don’t provide. What’s then?

Magento 2’s modular structure makes it possible to develop custom modules. 

With dependency injection, you can build flexible modules that easily interact with other parts of Magento. For instance, develop a custom shipping module to meet specific regional requirements. 

Phase 2: Data Import – Integral to Migration

At this stage, you need to plan and execute the data migration process itself. What data should you import?

Essential and Optional Data to Migrate

At the core of any migration process is product data. 

Your product catalog, along with pricing and stock levels, is fundamental for your store. If you offer subscriptions, transfer all plans, too. Pay special attention to active subscriptions so customers can have continued access to them despite the transition.

The migration should also include optional data, like customer accounts, previous orders, and returns. Although the import of this data is optional, it doesn't mean it's not important. After all, a history of orders enhances customer service and internal operations like refunds.

Also, consider migrating additional data like product reviews and wishlists, which contribute to user experience as well.

Some problems with passwords may arise during the migration stage. So, inform your customers of any required actions, such as resetting passwords after migration.

Note 💡

Migrating structured data, such as products, is relatively easy because it can be prepared in advance. Constraints exist with live data from the old platform, such as current orders, inventory levels, and products in delivery. It's best to freeze or limit activity on the old platform so that all live data is updated before being transferred.

How to Migrate

If you're migrating from Magento 1 to Magento 2, use a handy feature that helps streamline this process – Data Migration Tool.

Valuable data such as product catalogs, customer details, and orders must all be carried over without interruptions or errors. The goal is to guarantee that all the business-critical information remains intact and functions perfectly on Magento 2.

The Data Migration Tool allows you to transfer key elements such as products, orders, customer accounts, and configurations from the old platform to the new one. It ensures that your data is mapped correctly to the Magento 2 structure so you can avoid issues with data formats and relationships.

However, if you're migrating from a platform other than Magento or prefer a more controlled approach, bet on manual data import. 

Magento 2 makes it possible to import product catalogs, customer lists, and other data via CSV files or APIs. This method gives you more control over the data you're importing, especially if your source data doesn’t match Magento’s structure perfectly.

• For example, you can create a CSV file with all your product details (names, SKUs, prices, and descriptions) and upload it via Magento’s admin panel. 

• If you have access to APIs, you can also use Magento's API framework to import data directly from your old system, allowing for real-time data syncing.

Regardless of the method you choose, prepare your data for import. Clean it up, map fields correctly, and test small batches.

Phase 3: Preparing for Go-Live

Preparing to go live is the most risky phase of the migration process. You need here, as usual, the right planning and addressing a few considerations.

Data Migration Readiness

Check and confirm that all data migration scripts, such as customer information, recent orders, and inventory levels, have been thoroughly tested and prepared. If your migration scripts are robust and error-free, you will minimize the risk of discrepancies in your new store. 

Action point: Double-check the accuracy of your data and note any potential inconsistencies before moving on to the next step.

Redirection Configuration

If URLs change during the migration process, configure appropriate redirects. Then, you'll maintain a smooth user experience and SEO rankings. Make sure all necessary 301 redirects are in place to avoid non-working links or navigation problems. Also, check that the redirection configuration is comprehensive enough to cover any URL changes.

Choosing the Optimal Migration Window

The best time for migration differs according to the industry (B2C or B2B), geographic location, and peak order times. However, you can choose a migration window during off-peak hours. You may also start the migration at a time of day when traffic is lowest or on the weekend – if orders are fewer.  

Tip: If you're in a fast-paced environment that requires a quick turnaround, pre-scripted processes, and fully prepared migration tasks will help minimize downtime and business disruption.

Prepare a Detailed Roll-out Go-To Scenario

Plan the sequence of activities on launch day. 

First, block access to the old platform so that no further transactions or updates are performed during the data migration. Then immediately carry out the data migration process and activate the new platform. This is also the time to implement or migrate any integrations you have, such as payment gateways, CRM systems, or analytics tools (if you're sure they work properly with the new platform, of course).

Finally, launch any marketing campaigns that will accompany the new store. Notify customers about the new platform with promotional emails or campaigns that drive traffic to the updated store. Then, you will keep customers engaged during the launch phase.

Conclusion

Setting up the Magento 2 platform involves a series of carefully planned steps, both technical and practical. Each phase requires time, accuracy, and testing so that it can be completed well. Thus, take your time and follow each step carefully.

Remember that configuring your Magento store is just the beginning. To make your store run smoothly, constantly monitor its performance, optimize it, and implement user feedback. Then, your platform will be better every day.

If you need help, rely on a technology partner and its specialists.