Migrating Your Website: The Ultimate Checklist
Published on 27th August 2024
Migrating a website is a big deal. Whether you’re rebranding, moving to the cloud, or just upgrading, there’s a lot that goes into a successful migration. It’s not just about switching servers - there are SEO, user experience, and technical factors to consider. One wrong move can lead to issues like lost rankings, 404 errors, or even missing content. To ensure everything goes smoothly and your site continues to perform well you need a solid plan. Here’s a comprehensive checklist to guide you through the process and help you confidently navigate each step.
The Ultimate Website Migration Checklist
1. Communication Plan
Before you start working on your website migration, make sure you have a solid communication plan in place. This is especially important when multiple people or teams are involved. Your plan should cover internal communication by informing your team about the migration schedule, its potential impact, and the people involved. This ensures everyone is on the same page and can quickly address any issues. It’s also important to set up external communication to notify your clients or customers about the upcoming changes and any potential downtime. Clear communication will help manage expectations and prevent frustration.
2. Preparing for migration
Preparation is key for a smooth migration. Begin by running a site crawler to generate a complete list of your existing pages; tools like Screaming Frog are excellent for this task. Next, create a backup of your site and database to ensure you have a safety net if something goes wrong. Also, a staging site should be set up to test the migration before it goes live. This allows you to identify and fix issues without affecting your live site.
3.Hosting, DNS, CDN, and mail setup
Get all your technical details sorted before making the switch. First, back up your site and database, then set up your hosting environment and transfer all your files. Update your DNS settings and CDN information to direct traffic to the new site. Finally, adjust your mail settings as needed to make sure email functionality remains uninterrupted.
4. Compile a list of redirects
A list of redirects is essential to preserve SEO and provide a smooth user experience. Start by documenting any existing redirects that need to be recreated on the new site. Plus, set up redirects for any new URLs or domain changes to prevent 404 errors and keep traffic flowing seamlessly.
5. Run benchmarks
Benchmarks are important for assessing the success of your migration. Track the page load speed to see how quickly your pages load before and after the migration. Monitor your page indexing rates to make sure your pages are being indexed properly. Keep an eye on keyword rankings to gauge your performance, and use this data to pinpoint and address any issues that may arise after the migration.
6. Look at your SEO structure
SEO remains a top priority during migration. Make sure that search engines can crawl your site by reviewing crawlability. Verify that custom URLs and canonical tags are configured correctly, and check the accuracy of your robots.txt file and sitemaps. It’s also important to make sure internal links are intact and that structured data is implemented properly.
7. Review key site pages
Pay special attention to your top-performing pages to make sure they’re functioning correctly. Focus on pages that generate the most revenue as these drive the highest sales or conversions. Also, review pages that have high search rankings. Thoroughly check these key pages to identify and address any issues early.
8. Re-scan your site with crawlers to compare
Run a site crawl to compare your old site with the new one. Look out for broken links, such as 404 errors, and make sure all redirects are working properly. Also, check that meta titles and descriptions have been correctly migrated. This comparison will help you identify any discrepancies or missing elements.
9. Carry out a site audit
Conduct a thorough audit of your site to ensure everything is in order. First, check that all redirects are functioning correctly and internal links are accurate. Next, review server performance and response times to make sure they’re up to standard. Finally, confirm that pages are properly indexed or set to no index as needed.
10. Get search console and webmaster tools set up
If you’re switching domains, make sure to update Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools. First, add and verify your new site in these tools. Next, submit your XML sitemaps to get them indexed correctly. Lastly, use Google’s Change of Address tool to notify Google of your new site address.
11. Test usability
After the migration, verify that your site’s functionality remains intact. First, check that all downloadable content is accessible. Then, make sure forms and checkout processes work smoothly. Finally, test the live chat feature and make sure that site navigation is user-friendly.
12. Track your analytics and clean up any issues
After the migration, closely monitor your analytics. Regularly check Google Search Console for any errors and warnings. Watch your traffic and keyword rankings to spot any significant drops. Address any problems that arise, such as improper redirects, slow load times, or missing meta tags.
13. Monitor after migration
After the migration, closely monitor your site. Keep an eye out for 403/404 errors and fix them if needed. Make sure your analytics, Search Console, and other tools are correctly set up. Check that all third-party licenses and integrations have been transferred and are working properly. Also, verify that your caching systems and email functions are working as they should.
Smooth migration for better results
By following these steps, you can keep your website migration smooth and avoid major hiccups. It might feel overwhelming, but taking it step by step will pay off. A successful migration not only helps you avoid problems but also sets you up for a faster, better-performing site that your users will love. With some planning and effort, you'll end up with a site that's ready to go and running smoothly for everyone.
At it’seeze, our team of skilled website migration specialists across the UK and Ireland is ready to assist you. With our expertise in seamless website migrations, we can ensure a smooth transition, helping you enhance your online presence with confidence. Contact us today to begin your migration journey.
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