Replatforming in 2025: How to plan a successful e-commerce migration

Introduction Replatforming can seem like a daunting task, but with the right planning, it can be a powerful step toward growth and scalability. Nearly 46% of online retailers consider replatforming a priority, and doing it right means avoiding traffic loss, downtime, and SEO pitfalls. In this guide, we outline the key steps, from securing stakeholder […]

Introduction

Replatforming can seem like a daunting task, but with the right planning, it can be a powerful step toward growth and scalability. Nearly 46% of online retailers consider replatforming a priority, and doing it right means avoiding traffic loss, downtime, and SEO pitfalls. In this guide, we outline the key steps, from securing stakeholder buy-in and setting a realistic budget to executing data migration, preserving SEO, and thorough testing, to help you plan a successful e-commerce migration in 2025.

Why replatforming matters

E-commerce platforms evolve quickly and keeping up with new features, security updates, and performance enhancements is crucial. Replatforming not only ensures that you have access to the latest technology but also prepares your business for future growth. Migrating to a more scalable system can improve user experience, reduce operational risks, and open up new opportunities for innovation.

Gaining stakeholder buy-in

Successful migrations begin with clear communication among all stakeholders. Ensure that executives, technical teams, and marketing departments understand the long-term benefits of switching platforms. Present a detailed migration plan that outlines how the process will affect operations and how potential disruptions will be minimized. A well-prepared proposal can build the necessary support and secure the budget needed for a smooth transition.

Budgeting for the migration

A replatforming project involves costs that go beyond the new platform licensing fees. Budget for additional expenses such as:

  • Development and design resources
  • Data migration tools and services
  • Temporary hosting and infrastructure upgrades
  • Post-migration testing and troubleshooting

By planning a detailed budget that accounts for both expected and unexpected costs, you can reduce financial risks and set realistic expectations for the project’s return on investment.

Data migration strategies

Data is the lifeblood of your e-commerce store. The migration process should include a detailed inventory of all product data, customer records, order histories, and content. Some key points to consider are:

  • Cleanse your data before migration to remove duplicates or outdated entries.
  • Choose a migration tool that supports your current and target platforms.
  • Plan for incremental migrations to test data integrity at each stage.
  • Ensure that backups are made so that you can revert to previous states if needed.

A careful data migration strategy minimizes the risk of loss and ensures a seamless transition to the new system.

Preserving SEO during migration

One of the most challenging aspects of replatforming is maintaining your search engine rankings. To protect your SEO, consider the following:

  • Set up proper 301 redirects from old URLs to new ones.
  • Update your sitemap and submit it to search engines.
  • Monitor Google Search Console for any crawling or indexing issues after the migration.
  • Keep an eye on your Core Web Vitals and page load times during the transition.

By taking proactive measures, you can avoid significant drops in organic traffic and ensure continuity in your search performance.

Thorough testing and quality assurance

Before and after the migration, comprehensive testing is essential. Create a detailed testing plan that covers:

  • Functionality testing to verify that all features work as expected.
  • Load testing to ensure the new platform can handle high traffic volumes.
  • SEO audits to confirm that URL structures, metadata, and redirects are correct.
  • User experience testing to identify any glitches that could impact conversions.

Performing these tests in a staging environment before going live will help you identify issues and resolve them without affecting your customers.

Minimizing downtime and risk

A well-planned migration should aim for minimal downtime. Strategies to achieve this include:

  • Scheduling the migration during off-peak hours.
  • Using a phased rollout approach to switch over gradually.
  • Having a rollback plan in place in case unexpected issues arise.

Effective communication with your customers is also important. Inform them of any planned maintenance and provide status updates to maintain trust and minimize frustration.

Creating your migration roadmap

Develop a clear roadmap that outlines all phases of the migration process, from initial planning to post-launch monitoring. Your roadmap should include:

  • A timeline with specific milestones and deadlines.
  • Assigned roles and responsibilities for each team member.
  • Contingency plans for potential setbacks.
  • Regular progress reviews to ensure the project stays on track.

A detailed roadmap will help ensure a smooth migration process and give decision-makers the confidence to tackle the platform switch.

Conclusion

Replatforming in 2025 is a strategic move that can unlock new growth and scalability for your e-commerce business. By gaining stakeholder buy-in, planning a realistic budget, executing a careful data migration, preserving SEO, and thoroughly testing every aspect of your new platform, you can minimize risks and avoid common pitfalls. With a clear migration roadmap in hand, you are well on your way to a successful replatforming project that drives long-term results.

Ready to build a better ecommerce shop? Contact MageMontreal today to get expert replatforming solutions that drive results.