As Magento mavericks, we know that the ecommerce platform is a godsend for all online retailers. What we don’t know is why so many organisations still insist on using Magento 1 (M1) instead of upgrading to Magento 2. Perhaps most horrifyingly, these businesses are leaving gaping security weaknesses on their websites, especially since support for Magento 1 will end in June 2020. Businesses have had plenty of time to make the transition; the original support end date was November 2018.
What’s the harm in keeping Magento 1?
Some businesses underestimate the potentially devastating effect of putting off upgrading Magento. When Magneto 1 has no more support, new security patches won’t be available. Cybersecurity must constantly update to deal with the hundreds of new threats that come out each day. Using Magento 1 will leave you more susceptible to security breaches. It goes without saying but we’ll say it anyway – customers will leave in droves if they discover your website has a security vulnerability.
The other key risk to consider is the potential to fall behind your competitors. If your competitors upgrade to Magento 2, they will offer your potential customers a much smoother and faster shopping experience. Why would they go back to your clunkier website?
Why upgrade to Magento 2
There are so many advantages to upgrading. Magneto 2 loads much more rapidly; on average, it runs 20% faster than its predecessor. Your customers will be pleased to know that it improves the checkout service. Instead of the six-step process customers had to go slog through in Magento 1, there are just two steps. Returning customers can also use Instant Purchase. This not only saves a user’s previous payment details, but it also increases sales.
Magento 2 comes with a slick new admin interface. It’s a lot more user-friendly and less confusing, so less technical users can use it. It’s also a lot simpler to implement upgrades and maintenance, saving you more precious time.
The world is glued to their mobile phones and Magento 2 capitalises on this. Mobile functionality is a top priority, so your website will be as mobile responsive as possible.
As the rate of mobile usage increases, so does the proliferation of virtual assistants. This means the number of voice searches has risen astronomically. Already, 62% of survey respondents with a voice-enabled speaker have made a purchase through voice capabilities. To capitalise on voice commerce, Magento 2 has a module to let customers search your shop by speaking. This will also make your shop more accessible to those who can’t use a mouse and keyboard.
Love to crunch the numbers in detail? You’ll love Magento 2! It has better reporting than before, with 20 useful reports in the Magento Admin. This displays the data under three main categories: orders, customers and products, and updates constantly to give you the freshest data set.
Magento 2 is faster, offers better protection against security hazards and far more user-friendly than Magento 1. If you want to update your version of Magento and improve your business, get in touch with us for a painless transition.
