How Website Developers Handle Site Migrations
Moving your website from one host, platform, or CMS to another can feel daunting. But with the right developer, a site migration can be smooth, safe, and even beneficial for performance and SEO. It’s all about process.
Whether you’re switching from WordPress to a custom CMS, moving to a faster host, or upgrading your domain structure, developers follow a detailed checklist to preserve everything that matters—your content, rankings, analytics, and functionality.
Key Steps in a Professional Website Migration
1. Audit and Backup Before any files move, your developer will perform a full site audit and create backups of your database, content, media, and configurations. This ensures nothing is lost and offers a rollback point in case anything breaks.
2. Set Up the New Environment This involves configuring the new hosting platform, installing SSL certificates, preparing the CMS (if applicable), and testing server settings. It’s essentially laying the foundation before construction begins.
3. Content and File Transfer Your developer will migrate all HTML, CSS, images, media, forms, and database content—while restructuring elements for optimal performance or new layouts if needed. File paths and internal links may also be updated.
4. URL Mapping and Redirects If your URL structure changes (e.g., from /services to /our-services), 301 redirects must be put in place to prevent SEO damage and broken links. Developers create a redirect map to ensure a seamless handoff.
5. Testing in a Staging Environment Before anything goes live, the site is reviewed in a staging (private) environment. Developers check for formatting issues, missing content, broken scripts, or plugin conflicts—then fix them before pushing to production.
6. DNS Switch and Go-Live Once everything is ready, DNS records are updated to point your domain to the new host. Developers often schedule this during low-traffic hours to reduce disruption.
7. Post-Migration QA After launch, developers recheck functionality, crawl errors, SSL setup, Google Search Console, and analytics tracking to verify everything is working. Any issues are resolved immediately.
When to Migrate a Website
Schedule Your Free Custom Website and we’ll review your existing setup, provide a detailed migration plan, and handle the move with zero downtime or SEO loss.
Need a redesign during your move? Start here: 5 Web Design Mistakes That Are Costing You Customers.
Want a strategy for your area? Don’t miss 5 Web Design Priorities for Stamford CT Small Businesses.
Running a business in the Bronx? 5 Website Design Features Every Highbridge, Bronx Business Needs in 2025 shows what to include.
For Massachusetts companies, check out 5 Website Design Features Every Massachusetts Business Should Prioritize.
And in Rhode Island, see 5 Website Design Features Every Rhode Island Business Needs in 2025.
Whether you’re switching from WordPress to a custom CMS, moving to a faster host, or upgrading your domain structure, developers follow a detailed checklist to preserve everything that matters—your content, rankings, analytics, and functionality.
Key Steps in a Professional Website Migration
1. Audit and Backup Before any files move, your developer will perform a full site audit and create backups of your database, content, media, and configurations. This ensures nothing is lost and offers a rollback point in case anything breaks.
2. Set Up the New Environment This involves configuring the new hosting platform, installing SSL certificates, preparing the CMS (if applicable), and testing server settings. It’s essentially laying the foundation before construction begins.
3. Content and File Transfer Your developer will migrate all HTML, CSS, images, media, forms, and database content—while restructuring elements for optimal performance or new layouts if needed. File paths and internal links may also be updated.
4. URL Mapping and Redirects If your URL structure changes (e.g., from /services to /our-services), 301 redirects must be put in place to prevent SEO damage and broken links. Developers create a redirect map to ensure a seamless handoff.
5. Testing in a Staging Environment Before anything goes live, the site is reviewed in a staging (private) environment. Developers check for formatting issues, missing content, broken scripts, or plugin conflicts—then fix them before pushing to production.
6. DNS Switch and Go-Live Once everything is ready, DNS records are updated to point your domain to the new host. Developers often schedule this during low-traffic hours to reduce disruption.
7. Post-Migration QA After launch, developers recheck functionality, crawl errors, SSL setup, Google Search Console, and analytics tracking to verify everything is working. Any issues are resolved immediately.
When to Migrate a Website
- Hosting is slow, outdated, or unreliable
- Your CMS no longer supports your needs
- You’re rebranding or changing your domain name
- You need a more secure or scalable environment
Schedule Your Free Custom Website and we’ll review your existing setup, provide a detailed migration plan, and handle the move with zero downtime or SEO loss.
Need a redesign during your move? Start here: 5 Web Design Mistakes That Are Costing You Customers.
Want a strategy for your area? Don’t miss 5 Web Design Priorities for Stamford CT Small Businesses.
Running a business in the Bronx? 5 Website Design Features Every Highbridge, Bronx Business Needs in 2025 shows what to include.
For Massachusetts companies, check out 5 Website Design Features Every Massachusetts Business Should Prioritize.
And in Rhode Island, see 5 Website Design Features Every Rhode Island Business Needs in 2025.