Salesforce Classic has been around for more than a decade, but it’s quickly becoming outdated. In fact, Salesforce reports that over 80% of customers now use Lightning Experience as their primary interface, and all new features are built exclusively for Lightning.
That means staying on Classic isn’t just about comfort, it risks missing out on productivity gains, new AI capabilities, and future Salesforce innovation.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through why migrating from Salesforce Classic to Lightning matters, the challenges to expect, and the step-by-step process to make your transition smooth.
Salesforce Lightning is the modern user interface and development framework that has replaced Salesforce Classic. It’s designed to make the CRM faster, more intuitive, and more customizable for both admins and end users.
Where Classic offered a basic, list-driven interface, Lightning delivers a modern, app-based experience with drag-and-drop builders, dynamic pages, and mobile-first design.
Key differences between Classic and Lightning:
Pro tip: If Classic was about “keeping records,” Lightning is about using data to act, making it a game-changer for productivity and decision-making.
Migrating from Classic to Lightning doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By breaking the process into clear phases, you can minimize disruption and maximize adoption.
Start by assessing your current Salesforce setup.
This step identifies what works, what doesn’t, and what needs updating (estimated timeline: 1 week):
Pro tip: Create an inventory of your org’s customizations early—this saves time later when testing Lightning compatibility.
Next, map out your approach.
A clear roadmap keeps the project aligned and on track (estimated timeline: 1–2 weeks):
Now it’s time to adapt Salesforce for Lightning. Use this stage to rebuild and streamline workflows (Estimated timeline: 2–4 weeks):
Pro tip: Don’t just “lift and shift” Classic layouts, take advantage of Lightning’s flexibility to simplify processes.
Get your team ready to adopt the new experience.
Training ensures users feel confident from day one (estimated timeline: 1–2 weeks):
Don’t launch to everyone at once.
A phased rollout lowers risk and allows for refinement (estimated timeline: 2–6 weeks):
Finally, track adoption and continuously optimize.
Lightning migration is an ongoing process:
Pro tip: Celebrate quick wins, showing how Lightning saves time or improves reporting helps drive lasting adoption.
Salesforce has made it pretty clear: all new updates and features are built for Lightning only.
You should migrate because you will:
Stronger reporting & analytics: Interactive dashboards give managers real-time visibility into pipelines and team performance
Not every Salesforce org can handle a Lightning migration on its own. For complex setups, custom integrations, or large user bases, bringing in migration services can save time, reduce risk, and ensure adoption.
A Salesforce-certified consulting partner can help with every stage of the migration:
Migrating from Salesforce Classic to Lightning is more than a technical project, it’s about empowering your team with the tools they need to work faster and smarter. With the right planning, services, and adoption strategies, you can ensure a smooth transition and unlock Lightning’s full potential.
Cirrus Insight helps make that shift seamless by reducing manual work and improving adoption.
With Cirrus Insight, your team can:
Bottom line: Salesforce Lightning migration sets the stage, and Cirrus Insight helps your team make the most of it every day.
Salesforce has not announced a shutdown date for Classic, but no new features are being added. All innovation is focused on Lightning, which means staying on Classic puts you behind competitors.
It depends on your Salesforce org. Small organizations with minimal customizations may complete migration in a few weeks, while large enterprises with complex workflows may take several months.
Yes. Users can switch between Classic and Lightning during the transition period. However, long-term success depends on fully adopting Lightning, since Classic is no longer updated.
No. Your core Salesforce data remains intact. What may require adjustment are page layouts, workflows, and Visualforce pages, which sometimes need reconfiguration for Lightning.
Costs vary based on the complexity of your org, number of users, and whether you hire migration services. A small business might manage internally, while enterprises often invest in Salesforce-certified partners.
If your Salesforce org is simple, in-house admins may be able to manage. For larger, customized environments, migration services help avoid downtime, maintain data quality, and ensure adoption.