A Complete Website Migration Checklist for Australian Marketers


Website Migration Checklist

Table of Contents

Website migration is a nightmare!

All marketing managers hate it. And there is a reason for that. 

Website migration causes a lot of problems for businesses. Conversions go down. 

Performance drops – if migration is not done right. 

Organic rankings drop. 

Traffic fluctuates. 

In short, website migration impacts business.

As a WordPress development agency, we have spent hundreds of hours migrating websites to WordPress from all other known website development platforms/frameworks. 

Most of the customers who hate website migration come to us to get it done for them. And since we have been doing it for years, we have crafted a website migration checklist that helps us do migrations faster, easier, and without errors.

In this article, we are offering the same website migration checklist to you. So that it can come in handy when you start your website migration to WordPress.

That being said, let’s start with the pre-migration checks.

Pre-Migration Planning

1. Set Clear Objectives for Migration

  • When planning a website migration, it’s essential to define clear, detailed goals to guide the process. 
  • Are you only migrating the website to an already existing WordPress installation? Or are you starting from scratch? For the latter, start by evaluating the type of server that best fits your needs, whether it’s a VPS for cost-effectiveness and moderate scalability or a dedicated server for larger, high-traffic demands. 
  • Next, clarify the primary purpose of the migration: are you aiming to enhance scalability to handle growing site traffic, or is improved security the primary driver? With these goals clearly outlined, you’ll ensure the migration process aligns with your long-term needs.

2. Identify Stakeholders & Roles

When planning a website migration to WordPress, identify the departments and stakeholders who will be impacted, such as marketing, sales, business stakeholders, and C-level executives. 

It’s essential to communicate the potential for temporary disruptions to these groups, ensuring they understand the reasons behind the migration—such as improved scalability or enhanced security. This will help them prepare for interruptions, align with long-term goals, and support the transition smoothly.

3. Backup Current Website Data

Your priority is to ensure a complete backup of all data. Regular backups make your data accessible at any time and protect it in case of unforeseen issues during migration. With a reliable backup, you can restore any lost data and maintain continuity, even if the website encounters problems during the transition.

4. Audit Current Website Performance & Traffic

Conduct a thorough website audit before migration, and document the findings to track post-migration improvements. This includes monitoring performance metrics, indexing rates, and search rankings. The goal is to achieve measurable enhancements after migration, ensuring the site performs better in terms of speed, visibility, and search engine ranking.

5. Establish a Detailed Timeline

Establish a clear deadline for the migration, whether it’s one week or two, to ensure the site is ready for business operations. This timeline should be realistic, allowing for thorough testing and troubleshooting. Proper documentation throughout the migration process is essential to keep track of progress.

Checklist for Website Migration

1. Website Layout

When migrating your existing website to WordPress, it’s crucial to go for a custom theme installation.

You can hire a custom theme development agency that can create the same layout that you currently have, or an even better one.

Just make sure that the layout and architecture of the website is properly maintained.

Maintaining the original layout is vital, as it directly impacts user experience. A consistent user interface helps retain user familiarity, which can enhance conversion rates. Any discrepancies in layout during the migration could lead to business bottlenecks, affecting your site’s overall performance.

2. SEO Considerations

A few things you need to consider for SEO to maintain the rankings level after migrating include:

  • URL Mapping: Ensure that all URLs on the old site map directly to the new site. This consistency is crucial for preserving search engine rankings and user bookmarks.
  • Canonical Tags: Update all canonical tags to reflect the new site structure. This helps search engines understand which version of a page is the preferred one, avoiding duplicate content issues.
  • 301 Redirects: Implement all necessary 301 redirects to guide users and search engines from the old URLs to the corresponding new ones, preventing broken links and maintaining traffic flow.
  • Metadata Transfer: Ensure that all metadata, including page titles, descriptions, and keywords, is accurately transferred to the new site. This step is essential for retaining SEO value and ensuring proper indexing by search engines.

Contact the #1 SEO Agency in Sydney to enhance your online visibility and outrank your competition.

Content Audit

  • Content Backup: Ensure that all content is backed up and maintained in the same structure as it was published on the website. This organization will facilitate an easier migration process.
  • Redirection Strategy: Develop a redirection strategy to preserve SEO value. This should include 301 redirects for all relevant URLs to maintain traffic and rankings.
  • Content Review: Review all content for quality and relevance during the migration. This is an opportunity to update outdated information and improve the overall user experience.

Technical Review & Performance

  • Technical Crawl Errors: Check for any technical crawl errors on the site and create a comprehensive list to resolve them. This will help maintain site health and ensure search engines can index your content effectively.
  • Responsiveness: Keep the website’s responsiveness in mind during discussions to ensure it functions well across all devices. A mobile-friendly design is crucial for user experience.
  • SSL Certification: Ensure that SSL is properly set up on the new server to maintain secure connections. This is vital to prevent any impact on traffic and enhance user trust and experience.

Steps to Migrate Your Website to WordPress

Step 1: Set Up WordPress Hosting Environment

  • To ensure a successful website migration, start by choosing a reliable WordPress hosting provider. This will set a solid foundation for your site’s performance. 
  • Next, install WordPress using either a manual installation or a one-click setup, depending on your comfort level. 
  • Once installed, configure the server settings, paying attention to essential elements such as SSL certification for security, caching for improved speed, the appropriate PHP version for compatibility, and proper database setup to support your site’s functionality.

Step 2: Import and Configure WordPress Themes and Plugins

  • To complete the migration process, import existing website content into WordPress to ensure continuity. 
  • Next set up the theme so that the website looks just as you want it. As we discussed earlier, this is where you can get help from custom website development agencies to help with the website migration process.
  • Finally, add necessary plugins for SEO, security, backups, and performance to enhance the overall effectiveness and security of your site. These steps will help establish a robust WordPress environment that supports your business goals.

Step 3: DNS Change and Domain Pointing

To update DNS settings for migration, start by adjusting DNS records with your domain registrar to point to the new WordPress hosting server. 

  • Usually, updating A records, CNAME, or IP addresses will suffice. If needed, you might also need to change nameservers, but specifics are typically provided by your new host. 
  • For added help, contact their customer support—they can guide you through this step, making sure your transition is smooth and hassle-free.
  • DNS propagation typically takes around 24 hours, though some domains may update in as little as 2 hours. Once propagation is complete, your domain will point to the new host. If it takes longer than 24 hours, it’s best to contact customer support to troubleshoot any potential issues.
  • A common issue during website migration is that images or media assets from the previous site can end up as broken links on the new site, which negatively impacts traffic and conversions. 
  • To prevent this, make a copy of all link structures and hierarchy before migrating, and check each link on the new site to confirm proper mapping. 
  • Although some plugins can help automate or rewrite link structures, these often don’t cover everything, so manual verification is recommended to ensure everything works as expected post-migration.

Post-Migration Checks

Great news! Your website has successfully migrated. Now, let your new host know it’s time to run post-migration checks. These checks will confirm that everything is in place and functioning as expected.

 After completing the migration, the first post-migration task is to run a full diagnostic check on your site through a comprehensive crawl. This will involve using a tool like Screaming Frog to automatically scan each page, identifying errors or broken links. This site crawl will reveal pages that aren’t functioning properly, links that may be broken, and any default errors. Once the report is available, go through each flagged page and correct any issues manually or by using relevant tools to ensure everything works smoothly.

2. Verify Google Analytics, Search Console, and Tracking Codes

In your post-migration checklist, ensure that all tracking codes from your previous website, including Google Analytics, search console, HubSpot, and AdWords, are properly re-added. Websites typically use 10 to 20 tracking codes, so it’s crucial to verify their presence on the new version. I recommend utilizing a tag manager, like Google Tag Manager, which simplifies the process by allowing you to manage all codes from a single tag. This approach helps prevent any disconnections during the migration process.

3. Test Contact Forms, E-commerce Functionality, and CTAs

After your website migration, it’s essential to check all forms to ensure they are functioning correctly and parsing values accurately. Verify that all calls to action (CTAs) from the previous site are operational and that any URLs include the correct UTM parameters for tracking. Tracking issues are common post-migration, so thorough checks are crucial. Additionally, confirm that your eCommerce functionalities, including “Add to Cart,” order forms, and payment gateways, are working seamlessly to ensure a smooth shopping experience for users.

4. Review WordPress Security Settings and Backup Solutions

  • Finally, as part of your post-migration checklist, review all settings on your new WordPress site. Ensure that your backup solution—whether a plugin or another method—is active and functioning correctly according to your specified schedule. 
  • Check your security settings, including two-factor authentication (2FA), login limits, and plugin checks, to prevent unauthorized third-party additions. 
  • Lastly, confirm that everything is up to date, including themes, plugins, and any custom code, to maintain optimal performance and security.

Challenges During Migration

 Now that we have gone over the green checklist and the migration checklist it’s time to talk about the challenges that are connected to migration.

1. Handling WordPress Plugin

If you are migrating from a previous WordPress installation to a new one, there could be potential plugin conflicts arising during the migration process.

To prevent this, start by updating the WordPress framework on the new host to match the version on your current site. This ensures that the plugins installed on your existing site work correctly on the new one. 

If plugins still cause issues, you may need to update or reinstall them on the new site to maintain compatibility and functionality.

2. Managing Complex URL Structures

Another common issue during migration is dealing with complex URL structures, such as hyphenated URLs, parameters, or URLs with UTM codes. These types of URLs often aren’t transferred correctly during migration and may need to be manually rewritten on the new host. To manage this, compile a list of all URLs on each page, including specific parameters, so you can accurately replicate the URL structure on the new site. Fortunately, basic URL hierarchies typically migrate without issues in WordPress.

3. Retaining SEO Rankings and Traffic During Transition

 Another major issue after migration is the potential loss of SEO rankings or traffic, often caused by changes in URL structure or broken pages. If URLs change or pages don’t function correctly, they may stop appearing in search results, leading to keyword and ranking losses. To prevent this, manually test high-ranking pages to ensure they perform as expected post-migration. You can also use search engine rendering tools to view how search engines perceive both the previous and new versions of each page, maintaining SEO integrity.

4. Ensuring E-commerce (if applicable) or Form Functionality in WordPress

Lastly, ensure that the forms on your previous site are fully functional on the new one and that data is still being captured in the CRM. Sometimes forms break if they’re hard-coded or if there’s a CSS or functionality issue after migration. For eCommerce sites, check that essential functions like “Add to Cart,” order forms and payment gateways work correctly on the new host. These integrations, especially payment functionalities, often require manual reconfiguration and testing to ensure they work as expected post-migration.

Final Review and Monitoring

Now that our website has been migrated and we’ve completed all the host migration checks, it’s time to compare the new site with the old one. This comparison will help us identify any discrepancies in content, design, and functionality. 

1. Benchmark Post-Migration Performance Against Pre-Migration

First, check the performance of the new website using tools like GTmetrix, Pingdom, or Google PageSpeed Insights. Ensure that the performance is equal to or better than the previous website. If there are issues, investigate their cause, such as server settings, themes, or code conflicts. Address these factors promptly to prevent overburdening the site and compromising its performance post-migration. This proactive approach will help maintain or enhance your website’s speed and user experience.

2. Set Up Ongoing Monitoring for Traffic, SEO, and Website Health

Next, compare the traffic rankings and technical issues from before the migration to those occurring now. This process won’t yield immediate results; it typically takes 15 to 20 days for Google and other search engines to index the new website. Once this period is over, you’ll be better positioned to assess your traffic patterns, keyword rankings, and any technical issues that have arisen post-migration. Regular monitoring during this time will help identify areas that need attention or improvement.

Ready to Start Migration?

That’s it! You’ve now got a complete website migration checklist in your hands! We’ve covered each crucial step and every little detail you need to ensure a smooth transition. With this guide, you’re all set to migrate your website confidently whenever the need arises. Happy migrating!

Need Help with Website Migration to WordPress?

Feeling stuck with your website migration to WordPress? We can help! With nearly 12 years of experience in developing, designing, migrating, and maintaining websites—especially WordPress sites—we’re here to make the process seamless for you. If you’re encountering issues with your migration, look no further! We are the leading website development agency in Australia, ready to assist you every step of the way. Let’s get your website where it needs to be!

Contact us Today

Updated on: 12 November 2024 |

Web Development

Nirmal Gyanwali, Director of WP Creative

Nirmal Gyanwali

With over 16 years of experience in the web industry, Nirmal has built websites for a wide variety of businesses; from mom n’ pop shops to some of Australia’s leading brands. Nirmal brings his wealth of experience in managing teams to WP Creative along with his wife, Saba.