How Salesforce Classic to Lightning Migration Drives Measurable Business Growth

Salesforce Lightning isn’t just a new interface; it’s a game changer for how enterprises manage sales, service, and customer relationships.

Sticking with Salesforce Classic means missing out on powerful tools designed to boost productivity, streamline processes, and deliver deeper insights.

The shift to Lightning is no longer optional; it’s essential for organizations aiming to stay competitive and agile in today’s fast-paced business environment.

Even Salesforce itself emphasis on migrating from classic version to lighting version in its updates, to stay competitive in market.

This blog breaks down the critical steps for a successful migration, from assessing readiness and optimizing processes to managing user adoption and overcoming common challenges.

We’ll guide you through best practices and real-world examples, helping you navigate the complexities of moving from Classic to Lightning with confidence and clarity.

Understanding the Foundation: Classic vs. Lightning

Before diving into strategy, let’s establish what we’re actually discussing when we talk about this migration.

Salesforce Classic: The Legacy Platform

• Salesforce Classic served its purpose well for over a decade
• This traditional interface provided functional CRM capabilities with a straightforward, if somewhat static, user experience
• Think of it as the reliable workhorse that got the job done but now struggles to meet modern business demands
• Classic’s limitations become apparent quickly: slower performance, limited customization options, and minimal access to Salesforce’s latest innovations
• Most critically, it operates on outdated architecture that can’t support the advanced features modern businesses require

Salesforce Lightning Experience: The Modern Standard

• Lightning Experience represents Salesforce’s vision for the future of CRM
• This isn’t simply a visual refresh—it’s a complete reimagining of how users interact with customer data and business processes
• Lightning consists of three interconnected components: the Lightning Experience interface, the Lightning Platform for custom app development, and the AppExchange ecosystem for third-party integrations
• They create a cohesive, powerful environment designed for today’s fast-paced business world

The Critical Differences

The contrast between these platforms extends far beyond aesthetics.

• Lightning delivers faster load times, intuitive drag-and-drop customization, and built-in AI capabilities through Einstein Analytics.
• While Classic requires developer intervention for basic customizations, Lightning empowers administrators to modify interfaces without writing code.
• Lightning receives continuous updates and new features through Salesforce’s seasonal releases.
• Classic users, meanwhile, remain frozen in time, missing hundreds of innovations that could transform their operations.

For a detailed side-by-side breakdown, view Salesforce’s official comparison between Classic and Lightning.

Why Migration Matters Now

The decision to migrate isn’t a choice—it’s a business necessity disguised as a Salesforce migration service.

The Hidden Costs of Staying Behind

Every day your organization remains on Classic, you accumulate technical debt and a competitive disadvantage missing out on Salesforce data management best practices.

• Performance issues alone create significant productivity drains
• Users waste time navigating between windows for basic reporting functions, while slower system responses add up to hours of lost productivity across your organization
• The impact becomes substantial when you multiply these inefficiencies across hundreds or thousands of users
• Security represents another growing concern
• Classic’s centralized security model creates single points of failure that could expose your entire system to cyberattacks.
• As security threats evolve, operating on legacy architecture becomes increasingly risky.
• Perhaps most critically, Classic users forfeit access to modern business intelligence capabilities
• Without Einstein AI, your teams lack the predictive insights needed for informed decision-making, churn prevention, and workflow automation that competitors leverage daily.

Unlocking Lightning’s Transformative Value

The benefits of migration extend far beyond solving Classic’s limitations—they fundamentally transform how your organization operates.

• Lightning’s intuitive design dramatically improves lighting adoption and satisfaction.
• The clean, responsive interface reduces training time and increases productivity from day one.
• Mobile compatibility ensures your team can access critical information anywhere, supporting today’s flexible work environments.
• The drag-and-drop customization capabilities deserve special attention.
• Administrators can modify page layouts, create custom apps, and adjust workflows without involving developers.
• This flexibility allows organizations to adapt quickly to changing business needs while reducing IT costs.

Measurable Productivity Gains

The numbers speak for themselves.

• Organizations migrating to Lightning report a 41% increase in productivity, 21% higher win rates, and 23% faster time to close deals supported by Salesforce CPQ benefits.
• These aren’t marginal improvements—they’re game-changing results that directly impact your bottom line
• Users complete tasks 20% faster in Lightning, with median session times improving significantly
• Considering these efficiency gains across your entire sales organization, the cumulative impact becomes substantial

Advanced Analytics and AI-Driven Insights

• Einstein AI transforms how your organization approaches customer relationships and revenue forecasting.
• This comprehensive AI technology provides predictive insights for churn prevention, lead scoring, and opportunity management that simply aren’t available in Classic.
• The improved reporting capabilities eliminate the frustration of switching between windows for fundamental data analysis.
• Real-time insights with customizable filters enable faster, more informed decision-making across all levels of your organization.

Robust Security Enhancements

• Lightning’s LockerService provides component-level security isolation, limiting the impact of potential security breaches.
• Instead of system-wide vulnerabilities, issues remain contained to specific components, significantly reducing risk exposure.

Improved Collaboration and Future-Ready Scalability

• Features like Chatter feeds and Kanban boards streamline internal communication and project management.
• These collaboration tools enhance transparency and enable teams to work more effectively together.
• Most importantly, Lightning provides a scalable foundation that grows with your organization.
• Continuous updates ensure you stay current with the latest features and security enhancements, eliminating the need for additional migration projects.

Navigating the Migration Journey: A Strategic Approach

Understanding the benefits is one thing—executing a successful migration requires careful planning and strategic thinking.

Preparing for Success

Migration success starts long before you touch any settings in Salesforce.

Conducting a Comprehensive Readiness Assessment

• Begin with Salesforce’s built-in readiness tools to identify potential compatibility issues, at-risk customizations, and third-party applications that require attention.
• This assessment reveals the scope of work required and helps you anticipate challenges before they become problems.
• Pay particular attention to custom Visualforce pages, JavaScript buttons, and complex workflows that may need modification or replacement in Lightning.
• Understanding these dependencies early prevents surprises during implementation.

Optimizing Your Foundation

• Migration presents an excellent opportunity to clean house. Remove duplicate data, archive outdated records, and streamline complex workflows that have accumulated over time.
• This preparation reduces migration complexity and improves system performance from day one.
• Securing stakeholder buy-in requires clear communication about benefits, timelines, and expectations.
• Address concerns proactively and ensure leadership understands the migration’s strategic importance and practical implications.

Executing Your Migration Strategy

Successful migrations follow a structured, phased approach that minimizes risk while maximizing user adoption.

Testing and Sandbox Migration

• Never attempt migration directly in production. Start by migrating your organization to a Salesforce sandbox environment where you can test functionality, identify issues, and gather feedback safely.
• Use this sandbox environment to configure Lightning settings, modify customizations, and address compatibility issues.
• Extensive testing in a controlled climate prevents production problems and builds confidence in your migration plan.

Phased Rollout and Implementation

• Deploy Lightning in stages, starting with individual departments or user groups. This approach allows you to refine configurations based on real-world feedback while limiting the impact of any unexpected issues.
• Update custom elements like Visualforce pages and JavaScript buttons to Lightning components and quick actions.
• While this requires some development work, the long-term benefits far outweigh the initial investment.

Post-Migration Optimization

• Migration doesn’t end when users log into Lightning for the first time. Continuous monitoring, feedback collection, and optimization ensure you realize the full benefits of your investment.
• Track performance metrics, gather user feedback, and adjust based on usage patterns.
• Regular optimization keeps your system running smoothly and maximizes user satisfaction.

Using Essential Tools and Partners

You don’t have to navigate this journey alone. Several tools and services can significantly simplify your migration process.

Digital Adoption Platforms

• Digital Adoption Platforms like WalkMe address the user adoption challenge by providing in-app guidance directly within Salesforce Lightning.
• Features like Smart Walk-Thrus offer interactive step-by-step guidance, while SmartTips provide contextual help exactly when users need it.
• Organizations using these platforms report 20% reductions in training time and 25% fewer user errors.
• This “moment of need” support dramatically improves user adoption and reduces the burden on your training resources.

Test Automation Solutions

• Test automation becomes critical for complex migrations involving multiple customizations and integrations.
• No-code test automation platforms enable business users to participate in User Acceptance Testing without technical expertise.
• These platforms offer AI-driven test discovery, pre-built test libraries, and self-healing scripts that adapt to interface changes.
• Comprehensive testing across all Salesforce clouds and integrated applications ensures your migration stays on schedule and within budget.

Real-World Experiences: What Others Are Saying

Experience moving from classic to lightning
byu/slightlyridiculousme insalesforce

Final Thoughts

Migrating from Salesforce Classic to Lightning is not just a technical upgrade—it’s a strategic move that drives measurable improvements in productivity, user experience, and business outcomes.

Organizations that approach this transition with thorough readiness assessments, phased execution, and robust user adoption strategies position themselves to unlock Lightning’s full potential, from AI-driven insights to enhanced security and scalability.

Now is the time to take decisive action: evaluate your current Salesforce environment, engage stakeholders, and build a detailed migration plan that addresses your unique customizations and workflows.

Doing so will transform your CRM into a future-ready platform that supports growth, innovation, and competitive advantage.

Migrating from Salesforce Classic to Lightning is a strategic move that improves productivity and user experience. Hiring expert Salesforce developers and getting benefit from managed services ensures a smooth transition.

Folio3 is the best partner to guide you through this journey, delivering best migration and ongoing support and maintenance.

Key Aspects of the Migration

Readiness Assessment

• Use Salesforce tools like Lightning Experience Readiness Report, Lightning Experience Visualforce Check, and Optimizer Report
• Assess the organization’s compatibility with Lightning

Planning and Strategy

• Follow a phased rollout approach
• Migrate one app or user group at a time to minimize disruption

Customization and Integrations

• Update or replace Classic customizations with Lightning components or equivalent features

Training and Change Management

• Train users on the new interface and features
• Prevent users from reverting to Classic by supporting adoption

Testing

• Conduct thorough testing in a sandbox environment
• Identify and fix issues before the full rollout
• A video demonstrates the four-step transition process from Classic to Lightning

Benefits of Lightning Experience

Improved User Experience

• Modern and intuitive interface
• Includes Kanban views, enhanced dashboards, and drag-and-drop functionality

Increased Productivity

• Global actions and Lightning components streamline workflows

Mobile Optimization

• Mobile-friendly design
• Delivers a consistent experience across all devices

Future Innovation

• All new Salesforce innovations focus on Lightning
• Ensures long-term growth and development
• A video explains the importance of testing in a sandbox during migration

Challenges and Considerations

Custom Code Compatibility

• Custom buttons, Visualforce pages, and Apex code may need adjustments or rewrites

Third-Party App Compatibility

• Ensure all AppExchange apps are Lightning-ready
• Consider alternatives if needed

User Adoption

• Strong change management and training are required
• Helps users fully embrace Lightning

Potential for Rollbacks

• Without proper training or issue resolution, users may revert to Classic

FAQs

What is the major difference between Salesforce Classic and Lightning?

Salesforce Lightning has a fresh, easy-to-use design with more helpful tools, while Classic looks older and is simpler. Lightning works better on phones and lets you customize things more easily.

 When did Salesforce switch to Lightning?

Salesforce started using Lightning in October 2015 and has been moving users to it since then. They focus on adding new features to Lightning instead of Classic.

When would it be more beneficial to use the Salesforce Classic interface over lightning?

Classic is better if your company uses old setups that don’t work well in Lightning yet. It’s also good if users prefer the old look and don’t want to learn a new system right away.