You are looking for a Dutch e-commerce agency that can modernize your slow Magento webshop. The answer is a partner that works structurally on performance, technical debt (tech debt) and professional development processes (CI/CD). For mid-sized companies this is not a luxury, it is a precondition for growth. A specialized agency tackles the core of the problem, often with a modern frontend such as Hyvä, and delivers a stable, scalable platform. Years of continuous development inevitably make many Magento shops complex, until every change becomes a risk. At elgentos commerce & configurators we help wholesalers and manufacturers take back control of their platform.
Why does a Magento webshop become slow and complex?
A slow Magento platform rarely has a single cause. It is the sum of technical choices and overdue maintenance. The usual suspects are technical debt, an outdated frontend and a lack of automated processes.
Technical debt builds up when you pick a quick, easy fix instead of the best structural approach. Over time that leads to an unstable codebase that is hard to maintain. Other factors:
- A heavy frontend: Older Magento 2 shops on the default Luma theme load a lot of unused JavaScript and CSS, which slows down page loads considerably.
- Piling up extensions: A sprawl of extensions of varying quality can cause conflicts and undermine performance.
- No CI/CD: Without a Continuous Integration & Deployment pipeline, every release is manual and risky. Updates get postponed, so security risks and technical debt pile up.
- Inefficient integrations: Slow or poorly implemented integrations with ERP or PIM systems can slow down the entire shop.
Many agencies sell 'speed' as a one-off optimization sprint. In reality, performance is not a project but an ongoing process that belongs in your development cycle. A fast shop is the result of good architecture, not a goal in itself.
How do you recognize an agency that can modernize your Magento shop?
A good agency does not sell vague promises. It has a concrete approach to the core problems. When you compare agencies, look for signs of a focus on architecture, automation and a structural approach to technical debt.
They look beyond the quick fix
A modernization project starts with an in-depth analysis of the current architecture. An agency that immediately wants to install extensions to 'boost' speed is treating symptoms. Ask about their long-term vision, such as a 'retrofit' with Hyvä Themes & Checkout or a phased 'rebuild'.
They automate deployments with CI/CD
A professional agency works with a CI/CD pipeline. Code changes are tested automatically and prepared for deployment. That minimizes human error, makes releases predictable and lowers the risk. Ask an agency how it handles testing, version control and releases. You can read how we do it in our methodology.
They have a clear approach to technical debt
Technical debt is unavoidable, but how an agency deals with it matters. A good partner makes the tech debt visible, quantifies the impact and draws up a plan to reduce it step by step. Is your Magento project stuck? Then this is often the underlying reason.
They specialize in performance optimization
A specialist can point out exactly where the bottlenecks are. They use tools such as Blackfire, New Relic and Xdebug for in-depth analysis and have experience configuring caching layers such as Varnish. Ask for concrete examples of how they solved Magento performance problems and the results they achieved.
Comparison: which type of agency fits you?
The term 'e-commerce agency' covers a lot of specializations. Not every agency is suited for a complex modernization project.
- Full-service digital agency: Offers everything: marketing, design, development. Often not deeply specialized. A fit for companies that want an all-in-one solution and have less complex technical requirements.
- Pure Magento builder: Focuses on building new Magento webshops. Sometimes less focus on maintenance and continuous development. A fit for new Magento projects or companies that need a standard B2C shop.
- B2B specialist: Deep knowledge of complex B2B processes, ERP/PIM integrations and custom development. A fit for wholesalers, manufacturers and larger SMEs with specific requirements such as customer-specific pricing and configurators.
- Performance consultant: Highly specialized in speed problems, but often does not build shops. A fit for companies that want a one-off audit or a 'second opinion' on their existing platform.
How elgentos modernizes slow Magento B2B platforms
At elgentos commerce & configurators we have focused on B2B e-commerce since 2011. We modernize Magento platforms with a pragmatic approach: standard where possible, custom where needed. Our approach rests on three pillars:
- Hyvä as the foundation: We were one of the first agencies in the Netherlands to embrace Hyvä Themes, and we wrote a book about it. A Hyvä frontend is up to ten times faster than a traditional Luma theme and easier to maintain.
- Focus on architecture: We build for the long term. That means clean code, stable integrations with your ERP and PIM, and a platform that grows along with your business.
- Predictable maintenance: With our Magento 2 Total Care subscription we take care of proactive maintenance, security updates and continuous development. Thanks to our automated CI/CD pipeline, releases are routine.
We are not a full-service agency but a team of technical specialists. We do one thing, and we do it well: solving complex B2B challenges with a scalable, modern Magento platform.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a 'retrofit' and a 'rebuild'?
A 'retrofit' replaces the frontend of your existing Magento shop, for example with Hyvä, while the backend and data stay in place. A 'rebuild' rebuilds the webshop from scratch. A retrofit is often faster and more cost-effective for modernization.
How long does it take to modernize a Magento webshop?
That depends heavily on the complexity and the state of the current shop. A Hyvä retrofit can take a few months, while a full rebuild with complex integrations can take six months to a year. A thorough analysis up front matters here.
What is CI/CD and why does it matter for my webshop?
CI/CD stands for Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment. It is an automated process for testing and publishing code changes. It makes releases faster, more reliable and less risky, so your webshop becomes more stable and can innovate faster.
Is Magento still a good choice for a B2B webshop?
Absolutely. For mid-sized B2B companies with complex catalogs, customer-specific pricing or integrations, Magento (now Adobe Commerce) offers a flexibility and scalability that many SaaS platforms cannot match. Implemented well, it is a very powerful platform for growth.
