eCommerce Platform Migration: Trends 2025 and Beyond

The online sales environment evolves every year, and market players have to adapt to constantly changing game conditions. Moreover, sometimes, businesses must seriously consider eCommerce platform migration.

The reasons for such a decision may vary, from an initial wrong choice from the business perspective to an outdated tech stack. Be that as it may, you need to start your mission with an analysis of the latest eCommerce trends. Occupied with useful insights and understanding current customer expectations, you'll be able to choose a system that will allow you to compete in the market and even lead it.

If you want to see through this complex topic, pay attention to our detailed eCommerce platform migration checklist. It explores the compelling reasons why moving to a more fitting solution is no longer optional but a strategic imperative for continued success. Also, our piece examines possible pitfalls during the journey and the best way to avoid them.

eCommerce Platform Migration: Secure and Thrive in eCommerce

Let’s start by clarifying why you should migrate to another platform in the first place. Believe us, it goes far beyond popular eCommerce trends.  

Outdated eCommerce Platforms

The primary reason to start the eCommerce platform migration process is the obsolescence of the system you once chose. A striking example is Magento 1, which lost its support in early summer 2020, forcing many businesses to make an important decision: migrate or compromise.

We recommend the first option, and here's why!

Unmitigated Security Risks

Using unsupported platforms like Magento 1 creates a breeding ground for security vulnerabilities. Without regular eCommerce security updates and patches, your online store becomes susceptible to cyberattacks, jeopardizing sensitive customer data and financial information. This can lead to reputational damage, financial loss, and legal repercussions.

Missing Out on eCommerce Innovation

Staying on an outdated system means forfeiting access to crucial updates, including new features, bug fixes, and performance enhancements. These advancements are essential for smooth operation, a seamless user experience, and maintaining a competitive edge.

That’s why eCommerce platform migration is a real thing for forward-thinking companies. By moving to a supported platform like Magento 2, Shopify, or others, you can unlock the latest technologies and tools and elevate your online business.

Incompatibility with Modern eCommerce Integrations

An outdated system means it is no longer compatible with modern technologies and integrations, hindering your ability to adapt to the changing eCommerce landscape. Migrating to a more advanced platform allows you to leverage the power of innovative tools, extensions, and features, ultimately enhancing functionality and elevating the customer experience.

Losing Customers and Market Share

Users today expect a secure and convenient shopping experience. By staying with platforms like Magento 1, you risk falling behind competitors who have embraced newer platforms. This can result in a loss of customer trust and a decline in market share.

Unfitting Platforms

Sometimes, the issue isn’t that your platform is outdated—it's simply not the right fit. Even modern, feature-rich systems can fall short if they don’t align with your business model, customer expectations, or growth trajectory.

For example, a B2B business using a platform optimized for B2C may struggle with pricing logic, complex catalogs, or multi-tiered user roles. Or perhaps your store needs more flexible customization options than your current SaaS platform allows. In such cases, staying put limits your growth, no matter how popular or well-supported the chosen soluion is.

That’s why eCommerce platform migration is not just about replacing old tech — it’s about choosing a system that supports your unique workflows, marketing strategy, and scalability goals. Migrating from an unfitting platform enables your store to operate more efficiently, engage customers better, and unlock features that match your business’s current and future needs.

eCommerce Platform Migration Benefits

First, let's summarize the main advantages of eCommerce platform migration, whether it's moving to a more modern system or choosing a better-suited solution for your business.

• eCommerce innovation: You get access to all the latest updates, new features, modern eCommerce integrations, and more, which will allow you to provide customers with the best online shopping experience.
• Online store security: We’ve already explained the security risks of using an unsupported eCommerce platform. Sensitive data vulnerability is one of the main problems caused by Magento 1's end-of-life.
• Business model alignment: Migration allows you to move away from a platform that no longer fits your workflows, product complexity, or operational structure. Whether you're shifting from B2C to B2B, adopting subscriptions, or entering new markets — a better platform match is key to success.
• Operational efficiency: Choosing a better-suited platform reduces manual work, system limitations, and costly workarounds. You gain smoother internal processes, faster decision-making, and more reliable performance.
• Scalability and future-readiness: Whether you're adding new sales channels or expanding internationally, the right platform supports your next steps. Migration helps you future-proof your store rather than fight technical limitations.
• Total cost of ownership optimization: While migration has upfront costs, moving to a platform that requires fewer custom fixes and workarounds long-term can lower your total costs and increase ROI.
• High eCommerce competitiveness: All of the above increase customer loyalty and have a positive effect on your competitiveness. In the end, your online store is just one of many in the highly saturated eCommerce market.

With a smart approach and a structured eCommerce platform migration checklist, your business can gain not just a better website — but a strategic edge.

Okay, now it's time to discuss how to choose the right system for your online store.

Popular eCommerce Platform Migration Options

Of course, there are many eCommerce platforms to explore, but we suggest focusing on the three most popular options: WooCommerce, Shopify, and Magento 2, which replaced the outdated Magento 1.

Magento 2  

Magento 2 is a powerful, flexible solution designed for businesses that need full control over their eCommerce operations. It's best suited for mid-size to enterprise-level companies with complex product catalogs, advanced workflows, or unique business models.

What makes Magento 2 stand out is its highly customizable architecture. It gives development teams the freedom to tailor every aspect of the store, from product configurations to checkout processes and custom backend workflows.

• Enhanced performance and scalability: Magento 2 is built to support high traffic volumes and large product inventories. You can further boost speed and stability with solutions like Hyvä Theme—an innovation we explore later in this guide.
• Superior user experience: The platform features a responsive default theme and a modern admin panel, making store management more efficient and improving the customer journey across all devices.
• Advanced marketing and SEO tools: Magento 2 includes powerful built-in tools to create promotions, manage email campaigns, and improve search visibility — all without relying heavily on third-party plugins.
• Extensive customization and integration: Whether you're integrating with ERP systems, CRMs, or third-party services, Magento 2’s API-first approach makes it flexible and enterprise-ready.
• 2025 update: Magento 2.4.7 adds enhanced support for PHP 8.2, improved GraphQL performance, and new security features, making it even more robust for complex eCommerce operations.

However, Magento 2 requires a higher level of technical expertise compared to platforms like Shopify. Hosting, development, and ongoing support are essential parts of the setup, which is why partnering with an experienced team is highly recommended.

Need help migrating your online store to Magento 2? Welcome to Laconica: our company has been providing Magento 2 migration services for over 10 years!

Shopify  

If you have some worries about your technical expertise, Shopify is a compelling alternative. The eCommerce platform migration process itself is still better left to professionals, but online store maintenance is quite simple even for non-tech-savvy people.

As a hosted system, Shopify handles server support and security, allowing you to focus on running your business.

Here are some key benefits of choosing Shopify:

• Ease of use: Shopify's user-friendly interface makes it ideal for beginners in eCommerce.
• Scalability: Shopify offers various plans that can accommodate growing businesses.
• Wide range of apps and integrations: Extend the functionality of your store with a vast selection of apps and integrations available on the Shopify app store.
• Recent additions (2025): Shopify now includes AI-powered product recommendations, expanded B2B functionality (custom pricing, bulk orders), and an upgraded checkout API, making it more versatile than ever before.

However, it's important to note that Shopify doesn’t offer the same level of customization or flexibility as Magento 2.

WooCommerce

WooCommerce is a powerful, open-source solution built as a plugin for WordPress. It's an excellent option for businesses that prioritize content marketing or already use WordPress as their core platform. As part of the WordPress ecosystem, WooCommerce allows store owners to blend content and commerce seamlessly.

Here’s what makes WooCommerce appealing for eCommerce platform migration:

• Flexibility and customization: WooCommerce gives you full control over your store’s functionality, layout, and behavior. It supports various product types, multilingual setups, and complex workflows.
• Cost-effectiveness: Being open-source, WooCommerce has no licensing fees. You only pay for hosting, extensions, and any professional support you choose.
• Extensive plugin ecosystem: There are thousands of WordPress plugins and WooCommerce extensions that let you tailor your store for payment processing, shipping, SEO, CRM, analytics, and more.
• Strong SEO potential: Since it runs on WordPress, WooCommerce inherits its SEO strengths — perfect for brands relying on organic traffic.
• Recent improvements: The latest WooCommerce versions (up to 8.8 in 2025) feature better performance, block-based checkout, and deeper REST API enhancements, making it more developer-friendly and scalable than before.

However, WooCommerce does come with some limitations. You’ll need to manage hosting, updates, and security yourself — which can be resource-intensive if you don’t have in-house expertise.

Do you want to learn more about seamless eCommerce platform migration? Then check our special guide at the link!

Ultimately, the best platform for your online store depends on your specific needs and priorities. When making your decision, consider factors like your technical expertise, budget, desired level of customization, and future growth plans. We recommend consulting with experienced professionals who can help you choose the right fit for your unique business goals.

Challenges of Migrating eCommerce Stores

Moving your online store to a new system is a complex task, regardless of the solution you choose. While the potential benefits are numerous, you'll encounter several challenges along the way.

We invite you to discuss what you may face during your eCommerce platform migration process.

Data Migration Issues:

• Incomplete or inaccurate data: Ensure your Magento 1 data is clean and up-to-date before moving to another platform. Inconsistent product information, missing customer details, or outdated images can cause issues during eCommerce platform migration.
• Data format incompatibility: Magento 1 and Magento 2 might have different data structures. Utilize migration tools and expert assistance to handle data mapping and ensure seamless transfer.

Customizations and Extensions Compatibility:

• Custom code conflicts: Customizations built for Magento 1 may not function properly in Magento 2. Be prepared to rebuild or redesign specific functionalities to fit the new platform.
• Extension compatibility issues: Not all extensions from Magento 1 will have compatible versions for Magento 2. Evaluate alternatives or consider rebuilding crucial features.

Theme and Design Migration:

• Design inconsistencies: The new platform might require adjustments to your existing theme. Budget for potential design modifications to ensure a consistent user experience.
• Responsive design challenges: Migrating a responsive theme can be complex. Test thoroughly across different devices to ensure optimal user experience on all platforms.

Once again, if you've decided to go with Magento 2, consider implementing Hyvä Theme for your eCommerce platform migration. It’ll provide your online store with better speed and performance capabilities while maintaining the advanced level of customization that Magento 2 is so famous for.

SEO and URL Structure:

• URL changes: Migrating to Magento 2 or Shopify often involves changes to your store's URL structure. Implement proper redirects and SEO strategies to maintain your search engine ranking.
• Content migration: Ensure proper migration of product descriptions, blog posts, and other SEO-relevant content to avoid losing ranking and organic traffic.

Payment Gateways and Integrations:

• Payment gateway re-integration: You might need to re-establish connections with your payment gateway providers and reconfigure settings within the new platform.
• Third-party integration challenges: Not all third-party integrations compatible with Magento 1 will work seamlessly with Magento 2 and Shopify. Test all integrations thoroughly and identify potential workarounds.

Now the main question: is it possible to avoid these common pitfalls?

Sure, it’s quite possible! With our eCommerce platform migration checklist, you’ll make your journey really smooth and hassle-free.

How to Avoid Pitfalls During eCommerce Platform Migration

Your main goal when migrating your online store is to preserve all your data and avoid disruptions to your business. Ideally, you want to provide your customers with a smooth online shopping experience around the clock, even during this challenging time.

Plan and Prepare in Advance:

Don't underestimate the power of thorough planning. Define your goals, establish a project timeline, and assemble a competent team with the necessary skills. This pre-migration groundwork will minimize confusion and keep the process on track.

Conduct a Thorough Audit of the Current Online Store:

Before embarking on the journey, take a deep dive into your existing online store. Analyze its performance, identify any data inconsistencies, and assess the health of your extensions. This audit will help you determine the scope of the eCommerce platform migration and address any potential issues proactively.

Choose a Reliable Migration Tool or Service Provider:

Migrating your store effectively often requires specialized expertise. Consider engaging a professional migration service provider or leveraging a reputable migration tool. Ensure your chosen solution aligns with the specific needs of your store and offers adequate support throughout the process.

BTW!

Our advice is not to skimp on the services of a professional team that can ensure a smooth transition from your system to Magento 2, WooCommerce, or Shopify. No tool compares to real experts who can adapt to the sudden challenges that are often inevitable during migration.

Later in the article, we'll explain in more detail why professional assistance is the most optimal choice for the eCommerce platform migration process.

Test and Validate Before Going Live:

Before unleashing your new storefront to the world, rigorous testing is essential. Set up a staging environment to meticulously test the functionality, data integrity, and customer experience of the migrated store. This proactive approach helps iron out any wrinkles before they impact your business continuity.

Communicate with Customers and Stakeholders About the Migration:

Communication and transparency are also an important item on the eCommerce platform migration checklist.  So keep your customers and stakeholders informed about the upcoming migration and potential temporary disruptions. Provide clear timelines and address any concerns they may have. Open communication fosters trust and minimizes customer frustration during the transition.

Use Relevant eCommerce Innovations

Make the most of it when migrating to a more fitting system. For example, if you choose to move to Magento 2, consider leveraging cutting-edge solutions like Hyvä Theme.

Now, as promised, a few words about Hyvä and what makes it special. Why should you go for it?

Hyvä breaks the mold for Magento themes. Built from the ground up, it eliminates performance bottlenecks by removing unnecessary code and rewriting core components. This results in lightning-fast page loads and a noticeably smoother customer experience. You'll get a beautiful, fast, and efficient online store with extensive customization options.

Learn more about Hyvä Theme Development and its great benefits!

With this eCommerce platform migration checklist, you can move your online store to another system with confidence and minimize the risk of encountering pitfalls. Remember, careful planning, thorough testing, and clear communication are the cornerstones of a successful journey.

Expert Approach to eCommerce Platform Migration

As you’ve already understood, migrating an eCommerce platform can be a complex undertaking. While the potential WooCommerce, Shopify, and Magento 2 benefits are significant, navigating the technical intricacies and ensuring a smooth transition is still tricky. So, partnering with experienced migration experts might come in handy.

Here’s why you should hire true pros for your migration activities:

• Deep understanding of the platform: Experts possess in-depth knowledge of both Magento 1 and Magento 2, allowing them to effectively map data, configure settings, and navigate potential roadblocks.
• Proven methodology and tools: Experienced teams have established methodologies and utilize specialized tools to streamline the migration process, ensuring efficiency and accuracy.
• Customization and optimization: Professionals can tailor the migration to your specific needs, including data cleansing, extension compatibility, and performance optimization.

Remember, self-migration or relying on inexperienced providers can lead to costly missteps, such as:

• Data inconsistencies: Improper data migration can lead to product, customer, and order information inaccuracies, impacting the online shopping experience and requiring costly fixes.
• Poor online store security: Failing to address potential security gaps during the eCommerce platform migration process can expose your store to breaches and compromise sensitive data.
• Downtime and revenue loss: Unexpected technical issues may lead to extended downtime, disrupting sales and impacting your bottom line.

Conclusion

Now you know that migrating to a platform more tailored to your business needs is not just about keeping up with the latest trends; it's about safeguarding your company and unlocking new opportunities for growth. This way, you can ensure the security, innovation, and competitiveness required to thrive in the ever-evolving world of online sales.

If you need advice on how to choose the right system for your online store, feel free to contact our team. With our 10+ years of expertise, we are more than qualified to give you some valuable tips and guide you smoothly through eCommerce platform migration process.