Why Magento in 2025?

Magento has evolved a lot over the years, and it’s still one of the best open-source e-commerce platforms around. Here’s why developers continue to swear by it:

• Flexibility and Control: Magento gives you complete control over your store’s functionality, design, and customisation. You can tweak everything from product pages to checkout flows.
• Scalability: Magento scales from small shops to enterprise-level stores. If you’re anticipating big growth, this platform can easily handle the load.
• Open-Source Power: With Magento’s open-source model, there are no restrictions. You can build as much or as little as you want, integrating it with practically anything—from payment gateways to CRMs.
• Built-in SEO: SEO is baked into Magento, with tools that allow you to optimise your store’s structure, product pages, and URLs right out of the box.

Ready to get started? Let’s break it down step by step.

Step 1: Prepare Your Hosting Environment

Before you start the installation process, it’s important to set up your hosting environment correctly. Magento requires a robust server setup to function at its best. Here’s what you need to keep in mind:

Minimum System Requirements:

• PHP: Magento 2.4.x requires PHP 7.4 or later. Make sure you’re running a compatible version to avoid any hiccups.
• Database: Magento supports MySQL 5.7 or MariaDB 10.4 (or later) for handling your data.
• Elasticsearch: Required for search functionality in Magento 2.4 and later.
• Web Server: Apache 2.4+ or Nginx 1.8+ will do the trick, but Nginx is preferred for better performance.
• Redis: For caching and session storage, Redis is highly recommended for optimum performance.

Hosting Considerations:

• Dedicated or VPS Hosting: Magento is resource-intensive, so a solid VPS or dedicated server is often a good choice. Shared hosting may not cut it for high-traffic stores.
• Magento-Optimised Hosting: If you want a hassle-free experience, opt for hosting providers like SiteGround, Nexcess, or Cloudways that offer Magento-optimised environments.

Step 2: Install Magento Using Composer

Installing Magento with Composer is the preferred method, as it manages all the necessary dependencies and keeps everything up to date. Here’s how to do it:

1. Install Composer

First, make sure Composer is installed on your server. If it’s not, run the following command to install it:

curl -sS https://getcomposer.org/installer | php

2. Create the Magento Project

Once Composer is set up, navigate to your desired installation directory and run the following command to install Magento:

composer create-project --repository=https://repo.magento.com/ magento/project-community-edition magento2

This will install Magento and all its required components in the magento2 folder.

3. Set File Permissions

To avoid permission errors, ensure that all the necessary directories and files have the correct permissions. Run:

find var generated vendor pub/static pub/media app/etc -type d -exec chmod 770 {} \;
find var generated vendor pub/static pub/media app/etc -type f -exec chmod 660 {} \;

4. Install Magento

Now, you’re ready to run the Magento installation command. Go to the magento2 folder and execute:

php bin/magento setup:install \
    --base-url=http://yourdomain.com \
    --db-host=localhost \
    --db-name=magento_db \
    --db-user=magento_user \
    --db-password=yourpassword \
    --admin-firstname=Admin \
    --admin-lastname=User \
    --admin-email=admin@yourdomain.com \
    --admin-user=admin \
    --admin-password=admin123 \
    --language=en_GB \
    --currency=GBP \
    --timezone=Europe/London \
    --use-rewrites=1

Replace the placeholders with your actual values (e.g., database name, admin credentials). This will install Magento with your chosen configuration.

 Step 3: Configure Your Magento Store

After Magento is installed, it’s time to get into the nitty-gritty of configuration. Here are some key settings you’ll need to configure:

1. General Store Settings

Head over to Stores > Configuration > General > Store Information to add basic details like your store’s name, contact information, and logo.

2. Tax Settings

If you’re in the UK or another country with VAT, you’ll want to configure your tax settings. Go to Stores > Configuration > Sales > Tax and define your tax rules based on your location.

3. Payment Methods

Magento supports a range of payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfers. Set these up under Stores > Configuration > Sales > Payment Methods.

4. Shipping Methods

Next, you’ll need to configure shipping methods. This is done under Stores > Configuration > Sales > Shipping Methods. You can choose flat rate, free shipping, or integrate with third-party shipping providers.

5. SSL Configuration

Make sure your site is secure. In Stores > Configuration > Web, enable SSL for secure transactions. This will ensure that your customer data is always protected.

 Step 4: Customising Your Store

Magento is a powerhouse when it comes to customisation. You can either install a pre-built theme or develop your own.

1. Choosing a Theme

Magento comes with a default theme, but you can easily swap it out for a more customised look. Head to Content > Design > Themes to upload a theme or install one from the marketplace.

2. Adding Extensions

Magento has a massive library of extensions to enhance your store’s functionality. Whether you need extra payment gateways, improved SEO tools, or enhanced customer management, you can find extensions on the Magento Marketplace.

To install an extension via Composer:

composer require vendor/extension-name
php bin/magento setup:upgrade

Step 5: Optimise for Speed

Magento is a bit of a beast, and if you want it to run smoothly, speed optimisations are a must.

1. Enable Caching

Magento has built-in caching capabilities, and you should enable full-page caching (FPC) with Varnish or Redis. This can be done in Stores > Configuration > Advanced > System.

2. Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN)

A CDN can greatly improve your site’s loading speed by distributing static content like images and scripts across multiple servers globally. Services like Cloudflare or AWS CloudFront are great options.

3. Database Optimisation

Make sure to regularly optimise your database by clearing old logs, expired sessions, and unnecessary data. Magento can get sluggish if the database is bloated.

Step 6: Test and Launch

Before launching, you’ll want to do a thorough test of your store:

• Test Checkout Process: Make sure the payment methods, shipping options, and order confirmations work smoothly.
• Check Mobile Responsiveness: A large percentage of shoppers now use mobile, so ensure your site works well on all devices.
• Test Site Speed: Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to check if your site loads quickly. Optimise images and scripts if needed.

Once everything is tested, you’re ready to launch! 🎉

You’re Ready to Go!

Setting up Magento might seem like a hefty task, but once you’ve followed the steps, you’ll realise just how powerful and flexible the platform is. With its open-source nature, vast customisation options, and scalability, Magento is a top choice for any developer looking to create a high-performance e-commerce store in 2025.

Now that your store is live, don’t forget to regularly update your Magento installation, optimise performance, and monitor user feedback. The e-commerce world is always evolving, and with Magento on your side, you’ll be ready for whatever comes next!

Good luck, and happy coding!