If you use Magento for your eCommerce website platform, you’ve likely heard talk of a shift from Magento 1 to Magento 2 (now Adobe Commerce). Arguments are being made for both sides of the migration issue, and it is always a hard decision to shift from what you know to something new, even if it is a new and improved version of your current platform. So, you are likely asking the big question… “Do I need to migrate off Magento 1?”
Let us be the loud voice in the room telling you, YES! Plain and simple.
If you choose to remain on any version of Magento 1, you are putting your site and your customers at risk. Hackers have already begun to target the platform, and in mid-September, over 2,000 Magento 1 stores were attacked to intercept payment information and personal customer data. If that isn’t reason enough, consider the following:
Merchants on Magento 1 have two options – migrate to Magento 2 or explore alternatives. Whether your business is small and looking to grow, or you are a large brand considering your options, eCommerce website platform selection is crucial to ensure that both your short- and longer-term business goals can be achieved.
Evaluate a platform based on how it stacks up to support your business requirements, and choose the best fit for your business. Below are a few of the largest and most frequently used platforms in the eCommerce ecosystem.
Adobe Commerce is the premium licensed version of Magento. Adobe Commerce can be used either as a standard on-premise or self-hosted offering whereas Adobe Commerce Cloud is hosted and managed by Adobe on their AWS stack. Both premium versions come with Adobe technical support, account representatives, and a dedicated customer success manager.
Adobe Commerce is designed as an enterprise platform that allows B2C and B2B merchants of all sizes to deliver world-class shopping experiences. Named a leader in digital commerce by Gartner, Adobe Commerce gives you unparalleled agility and flexibility across all touchpoints.
Three major editions of the core product include Adobe Commerce, Adobe Commerce Cloud, and Magento Open Source. Magento Open Source is a free version of the software with limited built-in features and no direct support avenues.
BigCommerce is also a major player in the world of SaaS eCommerce platforms. It is designed to support any size business. Small, mid-market, and enterprise brands are backed by a cloud-based infrastructure, product management, and more.
BigCommerce is known for its ability to customize product presentation to maximize your online sales. And, you have your choice of payment solutions with no extra fees. Like Magento Commerce edition, the BigCommerce Enterprise plan unlocks advanced features and provides additional service and support.
Shopify, often used by smaller and developing retailers as well as some large brands, is one of the fastest-growing companies in tech today. Shopify offers a fully managed eCommerce site with an affordable start-up price and an easy-to-use administrative interface.
Shopify works well for businesses that are new to online commerce, stores with less complicated catalogs, shipping, and/or integrations, and business owners lacking coding expertise or in-house technical resources. With some simple steps and the use of a Shopify theme, you can get up and running quickly and often with a lower initial investment. For more advanced features, you will need to add additional apps or employ custom coding.
It is a SaaS platform (Software as a Service), meaning you don’t buy the platform license and hosting separately. Shopify is a subscription-based service that offers different plan options: Basic, Standard, Advanced, and Plus. A service fee is also collected for every online transaction. Shopify uses its own payment processing and by opting to use your processor of choice you will pay additional per-transaction fees, along with the standard credit card processing fees.
The best eCommerce platform for you is the one that successfully delivers on the outcomes and objectives you have set for your business. You need to consider your business’s competitive landscape. Selecting a platform can’t be based on overall popularity. You need to pick the solution that allows you to deliver on customer expectations, provide the right tools to sell your products, create amazing shopping experiences, scale your business, improve operations, and ultimately, increase sales.
To make a good decision you should ask these key questions:
While migrating off Magento 1 may seem daunting, look at it as an exciting opportunity to upgrade your eCommerce platform. You will likely find that you and your customers are thrilled with your decision to do so.
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