If your business is still operating on Magento 1, you’re likely already aware of the risks: unsupported software, growing security vulnerabilities, and limited access to modern features. Since Adobe officially ended support in June 2020, continuing on Magento 1 has become increasingly unsustainable for most online retailers. That’s why partnering with a reliable Magento migration agency is essential to ensure a smooth, secure, and future-ready transition.
We outline the essential points you should review before hiring a Magento migration partner, from technical capability and SEO considerations to long-term support and transparency.
What a Magento Migration Agency Should Deliver
A Magento migration is more than just moving files and products from one version to another. It involves careful planning, data integrity checks, extension compatibility, SEO preservation, and sometimes even a full frontend redesign.
1. Data Integrity and Migration Accuracy
Data migration is foundational. Product catalogs, customer profiles, order history, and content pages all need to be transferred accurately and in a format that Magento 2 can support. The agency should not only migrate data but also audit and clean it during the process to eliminate redundancies and outdated entries.
2. Extension Audit and Replacements
Magento 1 extensions are not compatible with Magento 2. A reliable agency will:
- Review your current extensions
- Identify which ones have Magento 2 equivalents
- Suggest better-performing alternatives where available
- Develop custom solutions if needed, especially for unique business logic
Additionally, migrating the frontend often involves adopting a new theme or building one from scratch. Magento 2’s architecture allows for better design performance, but only when handled with experience.
3. SEO and URL Structure Preservation
One of the most overlooked areas in Magento migrations is SEO continuity. A quality agency will map existing URLs with 301 redirects, preserve on-page SEO elements like meta titles and structured data, and conduct thorough pre- and post-migration testing to avoid ranking drops.
Key Areas to Review Before Hiring a Magento Migration Agency
Not all Magento agencies specialise in migrations. Here are the most important factors to evaluate before making your decision.
1. Verified Experience with Magento 2 Migrations
Look for agencies with a portfolio of successful Magento 2 migration projects. Ask for:
- Case studies with measurable outcomes
- Clients in your industry or with similar business models
- Examples involving complex data structures or third-party integrations
Magento development experience alone isn’t enough. Migration projects involve different challenges, especially when large-scale data, performance tuning, and SEO retention are part of the equation.
2. Technical Capability for Custom Requirements
Does your current store rely on custom code, unique checkout flows, or legacy integrations? Your agency must demonstrate the ability to rebuild or refactor those features for Magento 2 without compromising performance or user experience.
They should be comfortable working with:
- Custom modules
- ERP/CRM integrations via REST or GraphQL APIs
- Payment gateways with compliance considerations (e.g. PSD2, SCA)
Agencies with certified Magento developers or Adobe Commerce Solution Partners often have stronger internal technical standards.
3. A Detailed Migration Roadmap
Transparency in planning is critical. Before the project begins, your agency should provide a clear migration roadmap that includes:
- Technical discovery phase
- Data migration and extension compatibility checks
- UI/UX development or redesign (if applicable)
- QA testing and performance audits
- Launch and post-migration support
Timelines vary based on project complexity, but most full Magento migrations take 8–12 weeks. Be cautious of overly ambitious delivery promises.
4. SEO Continuity Planning
Preserving your existing SEO performance is non-negotiable. A Magento migration agency should be able to:
- Map and test all redirects (from old URLs to new structure)
- Audit current SEO metadata and replicate it on Magento 2
- Optimise for Core Web Vitals and page speed
- Run pre- and post-launch technical SEO audits
Search engine visibility is a valuable business asset, and it should not be put at risk during a website migration.
5. Post-Migration Support and Maintenance
What happens after your site goes live? A responsible agency won’t leave you without support. Look for partners that offer:
- Ongoing performance monitoring
- Bug resolution SLAs
- Support packages for future enhancements
- Regular security and patch updates
You’ll want to avoid reactive maintenance by building a relationship with an agency that proactively ensures site stability and growth.
Common Magento Migration Mistakes to Avoid
Before you move forward, be aware of the common pitfalls that cause issues for online retailers during Magento migrations:
- Skipping extension audits: Carrying over incompatible or outdated modules leads to performance issues.
- Neglecting SEO mapping: Losing URL structure and metadata impacts visibility and traffic.
- Overlooking testing phases: Rushed migrations often result in broken features post-launch.
- Choosing cost over capability: Lower upfront costs from inexperienced agencies can result in higher expenses down the line due to missed functionality and poor execution.
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Magento Migration Agency
The right Magento migration agency will act as a long-term partner, helping you maintain performance, improve customer experience, and preserve your online presence.
Before you commit, evaluate their portfolio, ask in-depth questions, and review their migration process in detail. It’s worth taking the time to get this right.
If you’re planning a move to Magento 2 and want a trusted team to guide the process, contact 5MS for a consultation. We’ve supported retailers across sectors with tailored migration strategies that protect data, performance, and SEO integrity.