With the release of Magento 2, companies are faced with whether to stick with Magento 1 or upgrade to the latest version. Choosing the correct version is essential to ensure your online store runs smoothly, is secure, and can handle growth.
In this guide, SYSINT will compare Magento 1 and Magento 2, highlighting the advantages of Magento 2 and showcasing its features. We also share pieces of knowledge about Magento 2 and data migration, along with third-party systems integration.
Magento 1 vs. Magento 2: Which is better?
There are several critical differences between Magento 1 and Magento 2 that businesses should be aware of.
- Performance: Magento 2 is faster than Magento 1, with faster page load times and improved database performance.
- Security: Magento 2 has improved security features, including two-factor authentication and password hashing algorithms.
- Scalability: Magento 2 can handle more orders per hour and more products than Magento 1, making it a better choice for growing businesses.
Advantages of Magento 2 over Magento 1
Upgrading to Magento 2 comes with several advantages for businesses.
- Improved page load times: Magento 2's architecture is designed to load pages faster than Magento 1, improving the user experience and reducing bounce rates.
- Streamlined checkout process: Magento 2's checkout process is more simplified and user-friendly, reducing cart abandonment and increasing conversions.
- Better admin interface: Magento 2's admin interface is more intuitive and user-friendly than Magento 1, reducing the learning curve for new users.
- Database performance: Magento 2's database performance is improved over Magento 1, with faster query execution times and better indexing. This means your online store can handle more concurrent users and complex queries without slowing down.
- Caching: Magento 2 has improved caching capabilities compared to Magento 1, with built-in full-page caching and support for Varnish caching out-of-the-box. This can significantly improve page load times and reduce server load.
- Improved indexing: Magento 2's indexing process is more efficient than Magento 1, allowing for faster product updates and better search performance. This means your online store can handle a more extensive catalog of products without slowing down.
- Modular architecture: Magento 2's modular architecture makes it easier to customize and extend the platform, allowing businesses to add new features and functionality as their needs evolve. Your online store can grow and adapt to changing business requirements without sacrificing performance. Magento 2 has improved the overall architecture, especially security: Regular updates to the software make Magento 2 much safer than the older version.
However, it's important to note that speed can also be affected by server configuration, third-party extensions, and website design, so it's essential to work with an experienced Magento developer or agency to optimize your online store for speed.
Features of Magento 2:
Magento 2 comes with several new features that businesses can take advantage of.
Improved search
Magento 2 has significantly improved its search functionality compared to Magento 1. Here are some of the key improvements:
- Better search algorithms: Magento 2 uses Elasticsearch as its default search engine, providing more advanced search algorithms than Magento 1. Elasticsearch is a powerful search engine that can handle complex queries and provide more accurate search results.
- Synonyms and stop words: If a customer searches for a synonym or a stop word, Magento 2 can still provide relevant search results. This can help improve your search results accuracy and provide a better user experience for your customers.
- Faster indexing: Magento 2's search indexing process is faster than Magento 1. This means your search results will be updated more quickly when you change your product catalog.
- Improved search suggestions: Magento 2's search suggestions feature provides better suggestions for search terms as the customer types in the search box. This can guide the customer toward relevant search results and improve their overall experience on your site. Magento 2's improved search functionality can improve the accuracy and relevance of your search results, making it easier for customers to find the products they are looking for. This can help to increase customer satisfaction and drive sales for your business.
Mobile responsiveness
Mobile responsiveness is a crucial feature of Magento 2. The platform is designed to be mobile-friendly and responsive, so your online store will automatically adjust to different screen sizes and devices. Magento 2's mobile responsiveness is achieved through responsive design, flexible grid systems, and optimized images. In addition, Magento 2 also includes mobile-friendly checkout pages, which make it easier for customers to complete their purchases on their mobile devices. This can help to reduce cart abandonment and improve your conversion rates. Overall, Magento 2's mobile responsiveness is a crucial advantage for merchants who want to provide a seamless shopping experience for their customers across all devices.
Better integration with third-party services
Magento 2 offers better integration with third-party services than Magento 1. Here are some of the reasons why:
- Improved APIs: Magento 2 has improved APIs, including the REST API and SOAP API, making integrating with third-party services easier. These APIs offer better performance, more effortless authentication, and more features than Magento 1.
- Better payment gateway integration: Magento 2 has better integration, including support for PayPal Express Checkout, Braintree, and Authorize.net. These payment gateways are easy to integrate with Magento 2 and provide a seamless checkout experience for your customers.
- Improved extensions marketplace: Magento 2 has an enhanced extensions marketplace, which makes it easier to find and install third-party extensions. The new version is more user-friendly and provides better search and filtering options than Magento 1.
- Better integration with Google services: Magento 2 has better integration with Google services, including Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, and Google AdWords. This makes tracking your website's performance and optimizing your marketing campaigns easier. Magento 2's improved APIs, payment gateway integration, extensions marketplace, and integration with Google services make integrating with third-party services easier than with Magento 1. This means that you can easily extend the functionality of your Magento store and provide a better user experience for your customers.
Multi-store management features
Magento 2 offers several advanced multi-store management features that make it easier for merchants to manage multiple stores from a single Magento installation. Here are some of the key features:
- Multiple websites and stores: Magento 2 allows you to create numerous websites and stores within a single installation. This means you can manage multiple storefronts from a single admin panel, making managing your inventory, orders, and customer data easier.
- Store hierarchy: Magento 2 allows you to create a store hierarchy, which makes it easy to manage multiple stores and store views. This means you can create a parent store and assign child stores to it, then assign store views to each child store. This hierarchy can manage inventory, prices, and other store-specific settings.
- Store-specific pricing: Magento 2 allows you to set different product prices based on the store view. This means that you can offer different prices for the same product in various stores, which can be helpful if you have different pricing strategies for other regions or customer groups.
- Shared customer data: Magento 2 allows you to share customer data across multiple stores. This means that customers can create a single account and use it to purchase in various stores. This simplifies the checkout process and makes it easier for customers to manage their accounts.
- Customizable storefronts: Magento 2 allows you to create custom storefronts for each store view. This means you can customize each store's look and feel to match your customers' needs. You can also create custom landing pages and promotional banners for each store view.
Magento 2's multi-store management features make it an ideal choice for merchants who need to manage multiple stores from a single installation. These features allow greater flexibility, efficiency, and control over your ecommerce operations.
Migration from Magento 1 to Magento 2
Migrating from Magento 1 to Magento 2 involves transferring your data, settings, and customizations from your Magento 1 store to a new Magento 2 store. The process can be complex and time-consuming, but it's necessary to take advantage of the new features and improved performance of Magento 2. The migration process involves several steps, including:
- Setting up a new Magento 2 store
- Transferring your existing data, including products, orders, customers, and settings
- Rebuilding your customizations and extensions using Magento 2's new architecture
- Testing and validating the new store to ensure that everything works correctly
Magento 1 to Magento 2 upgrade process
The upgrade process from Magento 1 to Magento 2 is significant and requires careful planning and execution. It involves migrating your data and customizations to a new Magento 2 store and rebuilding your store's themes, extensions, and custom code. To upgrade from Magento 1 to Magento 2, you should follow these steps:
- Evaluate your current store and determine which data, extensions, and customizations need to be migrated to Magento 2
- Set up a new Magento 2 store and install any necessary extensions
- Migrate your data from Magento 1 to Magento 2
- Rebuild your store's themes, extensions, and custom code using Magento 2's new architecture
- Test and validate the new store to ensure that everything works correctly
Magento 2 data migration and integration with other systems
Magento 2 provides several tools and options for migrating data from other systems, such as ERP and CRM systems. These tools include the Magento 2 Data Migration Tool, which allows you to migrate your data from Magento 1 to Magento 2, and other data migration tools for specific systems.
Magento 2 also offers integration with third-party systems and services, such as payment gateways, shipping providers, and marketing automation platforms. These integrations can help you streamline your business processes and provide a better customer experience. Overall, Magento 2 offers a range of options and tools for data migration and integration with other systems, making it easier to manage your online store and grow your business.
According to our experience and the researched sources, the main differences between Magento 1 and Magento 2 are improved performance, functionality, support, and enhanced security in the later version. Magento 2 is faster, more SEO-friendly, and more user-friendly than Magento 1. The latest version of Magento 2 has filled all the gaps in the older version by introducing new features and functions. Magento 2 supports the latest PHP, which improves the site's overall speed, and it can handle more orders per hour and page loads faster than Magento 1. Magento 2 can handle 10 million page views within an hour, whereas Magento 1 would stop at two hundred thousand. [1][2][3][4][5]
SYSTEM Integration provides Magento development services to businesses across various industries. We offer custom Magento development, theme design and customization, extension development and integration, migration and upgrades, performance optimization, security and maintenance, and SEO and digital marketing services. We have broad experience working with different versions of Magento, including Magento 1.X, Magento 2.X, Magento Enterprise, and Magento Cloud.
Our Magento support services include backup services starting at $40/hour, security monitoring, performance audits, Magento upgrades, IT infrastructure monitoring, and more. We offer two pricing plans, including a "Pay as you go" option and a Pro Pre-paid package billed monthly, which includes additional features such as security monitoring, performance audits, and IT infrastructure monitoring. We take a comprehensive approach to maintenance, including corrective, preventive, risk-based, and condition-based maintenance strategies.
Sources:
- https://serverguy.com/magento/magento-1-vs-magento-2/
- https://meetanshi.com/blog/magento-1-vs-magento-2-major-differences/
- https://litextension.com/blog/magento-1-vs-magento-2/
- https://www.bigcommerce.com/blog/magento-1-vs-magento-2/
- https://www.cloudways.com/blog/magento-1-vs-magento-2/
