Decision time... Life after Magento 1

The countdown is on, Magento 1 will reach end of life in June 2020. If you are one of the estimated 180k stores still operating on Magento 1 decision time is looming. But don’t panic, we’ve put together some FAQs to outline some of the factors those still running Magento 1 ought to consider to help you make the best decision to futureproof your business.

What does ‘End of Life’ really mean?

Magento 1 is not going anywhere, it will still be accessible and usable by both merchants and developers BUT it will no longer receive official support and security updates from either Magento or Adobe which puts your business at potential risk. With an initial release date of March 2008, it’s unsurprising that Magento 1 is now outdated. It lacks many modern features and simply can’t compete with current alternatives.

Shouldn’t we just upgrade to Magento 2?

It may appear that the most obvious option for those still on Magento 1 is to upgrade to Magento 2... Yes, it is faster, more secure and more easily scaled than Magento 1 BUT the associated cost and time demands for re-platforming make it, in our opinion, a bad decision for the majority of businesses. For many Magento 1 stores running customized extensions and code, there’s a strong chance that upgrading will mean an entire (costly) store redesign anyway.

What does a store redesign and migration from Magento 1 entail?

If you are in a position to invest in a full redesign, we would recommend speaking to agencies who can create value for your business at the same time, by highlighting untapped business potential and performance opportunities for you. We love this consultancy element at the start of any new eCommerce project; the opportunity to discover new revenue channels, products, services and business models based on technology, innovation and creativity. We are driven by a culture of testing and constantly strive for continuous improvement of digital products, services and conversions.

What alternative eCommerce platforms are there?

Every new eCommerce project we take on goes through an initial consultancy stage to consider current and future business requirements. Only then can we decide if we can utilise off-the-shelf software such as Shopify or if we would advise going down a bespoke route using our Laravel / Nova framework. Dewsign is one of only a handful of agencies in the South West accredited as Shopify Experts. Many clients find it a fantastic platform, especially for a simpler 'pick and pack' type eCommerce business with product variants, subscriptions and booking options. It is also a cost-effective solution for businesses on a tighter budget.

Is it worth the investment?

It is undeniable, making a move from Magento 1 will cost your business both time and money, so it is important to consider your budget and how much you can invest in each area before committing to any course of action. We are always happy to hear from potential new clients looking to invest digitally in their business. Making the decision to upgrade their digital platform is one of the most valuable investments an eCommerce business can make. At Dewsign, we pride ourselves that a decade later clients are still running earlier versions of our bespoke eCommerce platform ten years after we originally built their website. Highlighting the robust and scalable nature of our design and delivery process for bespoke eCommerce application development. It’s worth the investment.

Can’t we just stay on Magento 1?

You will know from the warning messages appearing on your store that staying on M1 may pose a significant risk to your business. Since Magento 1 will no longer receive official support (including security updates) after June 2020, you’ll need to find an alternate source to keep your site secure. With official support disappearing, you’ll need to source a developer or agency that can help you to address security vulnerabilities as they are discovered. It is also vital to host with a provider that has stated they will keep up to date with the latest threats to Magento sites.

If you’ve decided that staying on Magento 1 sounds like the right choice for you, it’s vital you take measures to future proof your store. Firstly, update, update update. Bring your PHP version up to 7.2, bring your Magento version up to 1.9, and ensure that any extensions are also running the latest version. If this is your decision 'Good Luck'!