Magento 1 to Magento 2 Migration Cost: A Comprehensive Guide

Magento 1 has long been a trusted E-commerce platform, supporting over 48,000 websites in the United States and about 142,000 businesses in establishing and expanding their online presence. However, with the official end-of-life of Magento 1 in June 2020, migration to Magento 2 has become a crucial step for businesses still operating on Magento 1.

This guide will explore the components of Magento 1 to Magento 2 migration cost to give you a clear understanding of how much might be needed for a successful Magento migration.

If you're looking for assistance in setting up your online business, Emerline experts have got you covered. With over 12 years of experience in the market and with E-commerce development services, we are ready to assist you with a seamless Magento 1 to 2 migration and custom Magento development services.

Possible Methods for Magento 2 Migration

There are different methods available for Magento 1 to 2 migration. Same as in the case of any E-commerce migration, the method suitable for you depends on factors such as the complexity of your store, the amount of data to be transferred, your specific business needs, etc. Following are the primary methods for Magento 2 migration.

1. Manual migration

Manual migration involves recreating your Magento 1 store on the Magento 2 platform from scratch. This process takes a lot of time and resources as it requires manually transferring product data, customer information, order histories, and other relevant content. However, it presents an opportunity to review and optimize your store's structure and data along the way.

2. Using a Data Migration Tool

Magento provides an official Data Migration Tool designed to automate the data transfer process. This tool is particularly useful for migrating products, customers, orders, settings, and other essential data. 

While the Magento 2 migration tool simplifies the process compared to manual migration, it still requires a good understanding of Magento's database structure and can be complex for large and highly customized stores.

3. Hiring a Magento migration service

Enlisting the services of a professional Magento migration company can save you time, effort, and complications. These companies specialize in Magento migrations and can handle the entire process, from data migration to theme and extension transfers. This option is suitable for businesses that prefer a hands-off approach and want to ensure a seamless transition.

4. Hybrid approach

In some cases, it’s possible to combine the elements of manual migration and automated tools. While manual migration allows for more flexibility and customization, you can also leverage the convenience of automated migration tools for certain aspects of the process.

Components of Magento 1 to Magento 2 Migration

Regardless of the migration method you choose, understanding the components that contribute to the overall Magento 1 to Magento 2 migration cost is essential. Let’s explore these components so you’ll have a comprehensive view of the expenses associated with migrating from Magento 1 to Magento 2.

Theme migration

Magento 1 themes are not directly compatible with Magento 2. So, you need to get a new theme that matches your store’s design or create a new theme from scratch. But before you choose any method, you’ll need to identify the core design elements and functionalities you want to retain and ensure your new theme option is suitable to achieve them.

You can buy a ready-made theme from the Magento Marketplace or third-party providers like ThemeForest for anywhere between $50 - $500, depending on the complexity of the theme. Most ready-made themes provide prompts to guide you through the installation process. But if you need to hire a Magento developer, you may spend somewhere between $750 - $1500 for the setup and configuration.

Contrarily, creating a new theme from scratch requires that you hire a dedicated Magento developer and that can cost between $3,000 to $10,000. Although significantly more expensive, it offers more flexibility for improving the design and functionalities of your store.

Custom function migration

If your Magento 1 store includes custom functionality, such as unique features, extensions, or custom-coded scripts, migrating these elements to Magento 2 is crucial. The cost of hiring a developer or a Magento migration company for custom function migration depends on the requirements and complexity of the work. Testing and debugging are necessary to ensure that custom functions work correctly in the new environment.

Extension migration

Like themes, Magento 1 extensions are not compatible with Magento 2. However, you can install the Magento 2 equivalent of the extensions to replace them. Installing an extension during a Magento 1 to 2 migration may cost around $50 - $500 for purchasing the extensions and up to $500 for installation and configuration. Factors that affect this cost include the number of extensions, level of customization, etc.

Data migration

This is arguably the most critical component in a Magento 2 migration checklist. Data migration involves transferring sensitive business and customer data such as order history, product catalogs, customer accounts, etc. And any loss or alteration in this data may have severe consequences on your business. 

Hence, it’s recommended that you hire an experienced Magento migration company to handle the process to prevent data loss and other possible complications. A typical Magento migration agency charges for Magento data migration services based on the amount of data involved or a fixed price package. Either way, data migration costs around $500 to $1000.

Settings migration

Migrating configurations and settings such as payment methods, tax settings, shipping, user roles, and permissions is essential for maintaining the functionality and user access levels of your store. This process costs within $500 to $1000.

Magento license

Magento, now known as Adobe Commerce, offers two main packages: Magento Open Source and Adobe Commerce.

Magento Open Source is free to install and use but requires manual installation of essentials such as domain, hosting, security certificates, add-ons, and extensions. Due to the technical nature of the installations, it might be best to hire a Magento 1 to Magento 2 migration service or developer for a seamless Magento 2 migration.

Adobe Commerce offers two pricing packages: Adobe Commerce Pro and Managed Services. While the Adobe Commerce Pro offers the necessary features and functions you need to run a successful E-commerce store, the Adobe Commerce Managed Service provides everything under the Commerce Pro, plus additional advanced features such as custom site monitoring, planned event management support, etc.

The cost of both packages under Adobe Commerce depends on factors such as your annual Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) and Average Order Value (AOV).

Other costs

Apart from the core Magento 2 migration components, there may be extra expenses for other activities such as SEO optimization, third-party integrations, Magento 2 migration service consultation, QA/testing, website management and general optimization, etc.

Magento migration cost summary

Migration Type	Cost
Theme migration	$50 - $10.000
Custom function migration	Varies
Extension migration	$50 - $500
Data migration	$500 - $1000
Settings migration	$500 - $1000
Magento license	Varies
Other costs	Varies

Factors to Consider Before Choosing a Magento Migration Company

Choosing the right Magento migration company is an important decision that determines the success of your Magento migration from 1 to 2. Here are several important factors to consider before choosing a company for Magento 2 migration.

Experience and expertise

It’s best to hire a company with a proven track record of successful Magento 1 to Magento 2 migrations, especially with projects similar to yours in complexity. Find out if their team includes certified Magento developers who are experienced in both Magento 1 and Magento 2.

Reviews

Research the company's reputation by reading reviews and testimonials from previous clients. Previous feedback on their customer support, project management, and technical expertise will give you an insight into their capabilities.

Services offered

Some companies provide a comprehensive package, while others may specialize in specific aspects of migration. Determine if the company’s migration services cover the requirements of your project.

Communication and transparency

Choose a company that maintains clear and transparent communication channels. For a successful migration to Magento 2, you need to be clear about their project management approach, timelines, and how they handle potential challenges. Also, ensure that all terms, deliverables, and expectations are clearly outlined in the contract before proceeding.

Cost

Before you contract a company for  Magento 1 to Magento 2 migration services, get detailed information about the pricing and ensure it aligns with your budget. Beware of companies offering significantly lower prices, as that might indicate a compromise in quality and expertise.

Customer support

Find out if the company offers post-migration support and maintenance services. A good Magento migration company should be available to address different types of issues that might arise after the migration is complete and offer ongoing support.

Types of Magento Migration Service

Most Magento migration companies offer two main service options for Magento migration: full-service migration and custom migration service. Each service option offers different levels of support and involvement in the migration process.

Full-service migration

A full-service migration offers end-to-end support, including data migration, theme migration, extension migration, custom development, testing, and post-migration support. This option is suitable for large and complex stores that want a hands-off approach.

Custom migration service

For businesses with complex requirements, custom migration solutions offer services tailored to specific migration needs. This might involve migrating custom functionalities, complex themes, and specialized integrations.

Conclusion

Magento 1 to Magento 2 migration is not only a necessary step to ensure security and boost performance but also an opportunity to enhance your E-commerce store's capabilities. By understanding the components of migration and their possible costs, the options for migration companies, and the types of migration services available, you're better equipped to make informed decisions for a successful migration.

To make the upgrade process smooth, the Emerline team is here to support you with Magento migration and full-cycle solutions for your E-commerce business.