Salesforce has evolved significantly, with Lightning Experience becoming the platform’s primary interface for innovation, automation and AI-powered CRM functionality.
Yet many organisations continue to rely on Salesforce Classic because of legacy processes, customisations and user familiarity.
If your business is still using Salesforce Classic, you may be wondering whether the benefits of migrating to Lightning outweigh the effort required.
In this guide, we compare Salesforce Classic and Salesforce Lightning, highlight the key differences and help you decide whether now is the right time to migrate.
What Is Salesforce Classic?
Salesforce Classic is the original Salesforce user interface used by organisations for many years.
While Salesforce Classic remains functional, it was designed for an earlier generation of CRM users and lacks many of the modern productivity, automation and AI features available in Lightning Experience.
Classic is often still used by organisations that:
- Have heavily customised legacy Salesforce environments
- Use older Visualforce components
- Have not reviewed their CRM strategy in several years
- Are reluctant to change established workflows
- Need support before moving users to a new interface
What Is Salesforce Lightning?
Salesforce Lightning Experience is Salesforce’s modern CRM interface.
It offers a more intuitive design, enhanced productivity tools, advanced reporting capabilities and access to Salesforce AI innovations.
Lightning is designed to improve user adoption while helping organisations automate processes and gain deeper business insights.
- Modern user interface
- Better mobile experience
- Advanced dashboards and reporting
- Dynamic page layouts
- Enhanced automation tools
- AI-powered functionality
- Greater scalability
Salesforce Classic vs Lightning: Key Differences
| Feature | Salesforce Classic | Salesforce Lightning |
|---|---|---|
| User interface | Traditional CRM interface | Modern, responsive interface |
| Mobile experience | Limited | Optimised for mobile users |
| Reporting | Basic reports and dashboards | Advanced dashboards and improved visualisation |
| Automation | More limited | Stronger automation through Salesforce Flow |
| AI features | Limited availability | Supports Salesforce AI and Einstein capabilities |
| Future enhancements | Minimal innovation focus | Primary focus for new Salesforce features |
| User productivity | Standard | Improved navigation and productivity tools |
For most organisations, Lightning provides a better long-term platform for growth, automation and innovation.
Why Businesses Are Migrating to Lightning
The biggest reason organisations migrate from Salesforce Classic to Lightning is future readiness.
Salesforce continues to invest heavily in Lightning Experience, which means businesses using Classic may miss out on new features, improved usability and better automation capabilities.
Improved productivity
Lightning helps users spend less time navigating screens and more time engaging with customers, candidates and internal teams.
Better reporting
Interactive dashboards help teams make faster, data-driven decisions.
Stronger automation
Salesforce Flow enables organisations to automate more complex business processes.
Enhanced user adoption
A cleaner and more intuitive interface can reduce friction and improve CRM engagement.
AI capabilities
Lightning provides access to Salesforce AI features that are increasingly important for sales, service, recruitment and operational teams.
Common Challenges During Salesforce Lightning Migration
While the benefits are substantial, a successful migration requires proper planning.
Legacy customisations
Older Salesforce customisations may need to be redesigned, rebuilt or optimised for Lightning.
Visualforce compatibility
Some Visualforce pages may need updates to function effectively in Lightning Experience.
Third-party integrations
Integrations should be reviewed and tested before full deployment.
User resistance
Change management and training are essential for successful adoption.
Data quality issues
Migration projects often uncover duplicate, outdated or incomplete records that need attention.
How to Know If It Is Time to Migrate
You should seriously consider moving to Salesforce Lightning if:
- Your users complain about usability
- Your reporting capabilities are limited
- Automation is difficult to manage
- You plan to implement Salesforce AI features
- You want better mobile access
- Your Salesforce setup feels outdated
- Upgrades and customisations are becoming increasingly complex
The longer organisations remain on Classic, the larger the technical debt often becomes.
Recommended Salesforce Classic to Lightning Migration Approach
1. Salesforce assessment
Review customisations, integrations, workflows, reports, dashboards and user requirements.
2. Lightning readiness check
Identify compatibility issues, migration risks and technical dependencies.
3. Pilot deployment
Launch Lightning with a smaller user group before rolling it out across the organisation.
4. User training
Ensure teams understand the new interface, workflows and productivity features.
5. Full rollout
Deploy Lightning across the organisation with a structured go-live plan.
6. Post-migration optimisation
Monitor adoption, resolve issues and improve workflows over time.
Why Work With TTC Group?
Migrating from Salesforce Classic to Lightning is more than a technical project. It requires careful planning, stakeholder engagement, testing and training to ensure long-term success.
TTC Group helps organisations:
- Assess Lightning readiness
- Plan Salesforce migration roadmaps
- Modernise customisations
- Optimise integrations
- Train end users
- Deliver successful Salesforce transformations
Whether you are planning a full migration or simply evaluating your options, our consultants can help you maximise the value of your Salesforce investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Salesforce Classic being discontinued?
Salesforce continues to support Classic, but most new innovation and platform development is focused on Lightning Experience.
Can I switch back to Classic after moving to Lightning?
In some environments users may still have access to Classic, but Salesforce encourages organisations to fully transition to Lightning.
How long does a Salesforce Lightning migration take?
Most Salesforce Lightning migration projects take between 4 and 12 weeks depending on complexity, integrations and customisations.
Is Salesforce Lightning faster than Classic?
For most users, Salesforce Lightning provides a more efficient experience, improved navigation and better productivity tools.
Does Salesforce Lightning support AI features?
Yes. Salesforce Einstein and newer AI capabilities are designed around Lightning Experience.
Ready to Migrate From Salesforce Classic to Lightning?
If your organisation is still operating on Salesforce Classic, now is the ideal time to evaluate your migration options.
Learn more about our Salesforce Classic to Lightning Migration Services or speak to TTC Group about your Salesforce roadmap.
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