5 Key Reasons to Replatform Your Online Store: Expert Advice
There are many reasons for migrating to a new e-commerce platform. While these differ from user to user, there are several indicators that can help determine whether you should consider replatforming.
Changing the platform is not an easy decision to make, and you may feel unsure about whether it’s the right move for such a change. We have compiled a list of five important reasons to re-platform your online store to make it easier for you to make an informed decision. Let’s examine replatforming and five common issues you may encounter that indicate it might be the time to migrate.
What is E-Commerce Replatforming?
Replatforming, also known as migration, is the process of moving an online store from one e-commerce hosting service to another. It involves transferring product and customer data, redesigning the website’s look, moving the necessary features and plugins, and much more. It is a process that demands time and resources but can bring significant benefits to your online store.
Reasons to Migrate Your Online Store
Investing in a platform that offers you better options and opportunities may be your key to business growth. Replatforming your online store can provide you with improved functionality, scalability, and features that were previously unavailable. Your new platform may also provide a better user experience and boost your conversion rates.
Seeking Magento 2 upgrade services can be an excellent solution for those using the previous version of the popular platform. For all the others, there are many companies offering e-commerce data migration services and full replatforming packages.
What else? Let’s examine five reasons why you should look into migrating.
Reason 1: Your Store Got Too Slow
If your store has grown to a level that your current e-commerce platform cannot handle, it is high time to consider migration. While you can stick to your current setup and try to optimize it to make it work, studies show that shoppers abandon websites that have long loading times.
A slow-loading website can result in a loss of potential customers and, consequently, revenue. This should not be taken lightly, as the effects it may have on your business may be difficult to recover from.
Choosing a platform that offers faster page load times will not only improve the customer experience, but also largely affect your search engine rankings, as Google prioritizes quick-loading websites.
Reason 2: You Want to Comply With the Latest Standards
Sometimes, e-commerce platforms get out of date and fail to meet the latest industry standards. For example, Magento 1 stopped receiving updates and support in June 2020, which means that online stores using this platform may face security vulnerabilities and compatibility issues. This, in turn, may make them non-compliant with the latest industry norms and local laws.
Even unintentional violations can result in legal consequences, so staying compliant is crucial for the success and reputation of your business. To ensure your store is not behind with the latest standards, consider moving to a platform that offers its users regular updates and security patches, such as Magento 2 (also known as Adobe Commerce).
Reason 3: Store Maintenance Costs Are Too High
If you find that your store maintenance is starting to drain your resources, you may want to consider a less expensive solution. Did the platform raise the service prices? Are you overspending on obligatory features that you never use but are included in your plan?
Whatever the reason for the high store maintenance costs, addressing the issue is crucial. And often, the best solution is to find a cheaper platform. There is a chance that another provider offers the same services for a lower price or can offer you a personalized solution that better fits your needs and budget.
You can reach out to a Magento support company or an e-commerce migration specialist to explore the alternatives and to make sure you get the best value for your money.
Reason 4: Your Platform Does Not Support Third-Party Services
It is disappointing when you find a great service or app only to find out it is not compatible with your current platform. Some platforms are very limited in terms of integrating third-party services and do not offer the flexibility you might need.
If your platform does not allow you to connect with the third-party services that are essential for your business operations, it is advisable that you look for an alternative that will not hinder your growth.
Magento 2 offers a wide array of extensions and third-party integrations, making it easier to customize and optimize your online store. Moving to a platform that offers more possibilities can help you expand your business and meet the unique needs of your customers.
Reason 5: Your E-Commerce Platform is Too Confusing
Are you frustrated with the unintuitive admin panel of your current e-commerce platform? Do you feel like you can’t find what you are looking for and that it takes too much time to figure out how to make simple changes? If so, it is unquestionably a sign to consider switching to another platform.
Even if you are not an experienced developer, your e-commerce platform should feel user-friendly and easy to navigate. Do not waste your time (and resources) on a platform that hinders your productivity and frustrates you. You may miss out on more business opportunities the longer it takes you and your developers to perform e-commerce data migration.
Moving to a New E-commerce Platform
It is never too late to switch to a new, better platform. Digital transformation in ecommerce demands swift and timely actions. Whichever provider you choose, there are experts out there who will help you make the move in a safe and secure way without the risk of losing data or customer trust.
Prices can differ significantly, so always research the options and compare them to find the best fit for your business needs and budget. Make sure you get the best value for your money and that your shop will be in good hands throughout the migration process. Regardless of the platform you ultimately decide on—Magento, Shopify, or WooCommerce—make sure it meets your needs. And remember: it is always a good time to upgrade your store.
Anna Hendricks
