Website Migration Checklist: Make It Successful & Hassle-free

A website migration may sound simple, but in reality, it’s not. One wrong move can affect how your site looks, loads, or ranks on search engines. That’s why for a migration, you can't just rely on technical know-how. Indeed, you need a clear plan.

A well-structured website migration checklist can help you stay on track from start to finish. It reduces guesswork, avoids common errors, and ensures nothing important slips through the cracks. 

But, where to get the right checklist, right? Okay, bring your notebook or open the note app to list down the complete checklist that we're going to share right below.

What Is A Website Migration?

A website migration means making major changes to your site’s setup, like changing the domain, moving to a new host, or redesigning the structure. It’s a big change that includes shifting content and pages.

The process is about moving website files, databases, and settings to a new environment while ensuring everything works correctly. A smooth migration requires planning, testing, and monitoring.

You might need a website migration when rebranding, changing hosting providers, improving site speed, or switching from HTTP to HTTPS. Businesses also migrate sites to upgrade design, boost SEO, or improve user experience.

Checklist to Follow Before Migration 

Before starting the main migration task, you have some essential tasks to do. They are mostly about security measures and part of planning.  

1. Audit Existing Website Structure

Before you start, remember to check how your current website is built. Look at your menus, internal links, and page connections. This knowledge will help you understand what should stay, what needs fixing, and what can be improved during migration.

You should also check how users move through your website. Figure out what works well and what causes confusion. Make a list of those facts to plan a better structure after migration.

2. Create a Full Site Backup

Always make a complete backup before starting the migration. If anything goes wrong, a backup will let you restore the old version. Don't forget to save your files, database, images, and other important content in a safe place.

We always advise keeping multiple backup copies, including one offline. It's also important to use trusted tools or ask your hosting provider for help. A backup is your safety net, so never skip this step before you begin the migration.

3. Create a List of All Current URLs

Make a complete list of every URL on your website. This list should include pages, posts, product listings, and even special landing pages. This list will help you track changes and avoid broken links after migration. Also, you'll find it useful when setting up redirects. 

4. Document Current SEO Performance

Before you migrate your website, track its performance in search engines. Check the rankings, backlinks, and organic traffic. This information will show you which pages have a strong performance and which ones need attention later.

It’s also useful for comparing performance after migration. If your SEO drops, you can find the reason faster. In this case, you can use different tools like Google Search Console or any of the best free SEO tools you prefer to collect this data.

5. Set Up a Staging Environment

A staging environment is like a test copy of your website. Here, you can try everything without affecting your live site. You can test designs, content, and features to spot issues in the early stage. Using a staging environment reduces the risk of problems during migration. 

6. Plan URL Structure & Redirect Strategy

Next, you need to plan how your new URLs will look. Keep them short, clear, and easy to understand. At this phase, decide which old URLs will change and how they will redirect to the new ones. Also, mapping old URLs to new ones properly is one of the most important parts of migration.

7. Review Current Content Inventory

Remember to check all the content on your website. Don't leave a single content, including blog posts, product pages, and media. Now is the time to find what is still useful, what needs editing, and what can be removed.

When you clean up your content, the site will be lighter and easier to manage. At this phase, you can take notes so your team knows what to keep or improve while moving.

8. Prepare Updated Design & Layout

Use migration as an opportunity to refresh your website’s design. Choose a clean and user-friendly layout that works well on all devices. Here, try to utilize better calls to action, faster loading sections, and easier navigation. 

Also, check the website design checklist for perfection.

9. List All Integrated Third-Party Tools

Make a list of every external tool or service connected to your website. The list must include email marketing tools, live chat, analytics, and payment gateways. You’ll need to reconnect these tools after migration, so don't leave anything important.

10. Confirm SSL Certificate Requirements

Security is very important. So, make sure you know how your SSL certificate works and whether it will transfer to the new hosting setup. If not, get a new one ready before launch.

Never ever ignore the SSL certificate as it protects your visitors and helps your search ranking. Also, never launch a site without this certificate. Eventually, we suggest planning this step early so there’s no gap in protection during migration.

11. Assign Migration Tasks to Team Members

Website migration is not a simple task, and no one person can do it properly; you may need an entire team. So, divide the work among your team to avoid confusion. Assign clear roles, like backup management, content transfer, testing, and SEO checks. Use a shared checklist to track progress.

Before you migrate the website, you must prepare it. Make sure to incorporate the must-have elements that make a good website.

Checklist to Follow During the Migration

When you are fully prepared after completing the previous checklist, you can start migrating the website. For that, follow the checklist below:

1. Migrate Website Files & Databases

First, transfer all website files, media, and databases to the new server or platform. In this case, use trusted tools to avoid data loss. Make sure every folder, plugin, and content file is moved completely. Double-check that everything is in the correct location.

2. Implement 301 Redirects

Set up 301 redirects for all changed URLs using your prepared list. This step protects SEO and makes sure visitors reach the right pages. Test the redirects after applying them to avoid any broken paths or lost traffic during and after the switch.

3. Rebuild Navigation Menus

Next, recreate the website's main and footer navigation menus in the new environment. Ensure that all links go to the correct updated pages. Also, keep the structure user-friendly and close to the original if it worked well, or improve it for better user flow.

4. Configure New Permalink Structure

Now, you have to set your desired URL structure in the new system. If you’re changing permalink settings, make sure they’re SEO-friendly and match your planned format. Update any internal links and navigation menus that can be affected by this structure change.

5. Set Up Tracking & Analytics

Reconnect tools like Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and any other tracking services. Confirm that the tracking codes are properly placed on all pages. This strategy lets you monitor performance and quickly detect any traffic issues after launch.

6. Optimize Images & Media Assets

Don't let the media grab a huge storage space on the website. Compress them for better speed without reducing quality. Use proper formats and naming conventions before re-uploading them if necessary.

7. Test Internal Links & Buttons

Click through all internal links and buttons to check if they lead to the right places. Fix any broken or outdated links immediately if you find any. Make sure that the navigation is smooth and error-free for both users and search engine crawlers.

8. Configure Robots.txt & Sitemap.xml

Now, update and upload your robots.txt file to guide search engines on which parts of the website to crawl. Create a fresh XML sitemap and submit it to search engines. These files support better indexing and help control visibility of your content.

9. Review Metadata & Title Tags

Go through your pages and make sure each has the correct title tags and meta descriptions. These meta parts usually play a big role in search engine rankings and user click-through. It's high time to make any improvements before search engines re-crawl your site.

10. Migrate Forms & Interactive Features

At this phase, you have to transfer all contact forms, calculators, and other interactive tools. Test each one to confirm they work correctly. Also, verify that form submissions are being received properly and that any email notifications or integrations are still functioning.

11. Integrate Third-Party Tools

Reconnect all third-party tools like email services, chat systems, and CRM software. Test each integration to confirm it’s working as expected. If new login details or APIs are required, update them right away to avoid any service interruptions.

12. Test On Multiple Browsers & Devices

Open your website on popular browsers like Chrome, Safari, and Firefox. Also test on different screen sizes, including desktop, tablet, and mobile. Check for layout issues, loading errors, or broken design elements across all platforms.

13. Double Check Mobile Responsiveness

Make sure your site looks and functions properly on mobile devices. Test key pages, menus, and buttons to ensure everything is touch-friendly and readable. Mobile users should have a smooth experience without zooming or scrolling issues.

14. Launch The New Site From Staging

You have completed all necessary tasks and testing parts. Now, you can move the site from the staging environment to live. Make sure to perform a final check right after launch. Announce the migration internally and begin monitoring site performance, traffic, and user behavior from the moment it's live.

Checklist to Follow After Migration

Migration is done, and it doesn’t mean you can take a break. Your website is still at risk of many threats. Make sure to cover the next checklist after the migration if you don’t want your effort to go the wrong way.

1. Verify Site In Search Consoles

After the migration is done, the first thing to do is to add and verify your new website in Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools. This step lets search engines recognize your site and monitor how it's performing. 

Without this step, you’ll miss out on important crawl data, performance issues, and keyword visibility reports.

2. Submit New Sitemap

Next, submit your updated XML sitemap to search engines through their webmaster tools. It'll let you know what pages to crawl and help speed up indexing. Make sure the sitemap includes only the live and updated URLs and that there are no old or redirected links.

3. Monitor Index Coverage & Crawl Stats

Keep an eye on crawl stats and index coverage reports in Search Console. These metrics show how search engines are accessing and indexing your site. Look for errors like excluded pages, crawl blocks, or slow crawl speeds that may affect visibility.

4. Check Redirect Functionality

Now, test your 301 redirects to make sure they work as planned. Each old URL should go to the correct new page without errors. If any redirect fails, fix it ASAP so that you don't have to lose visitors.

5. Track Keyword Rankings & Traffic

Monitor your keyword positions and organic traffic daily for at least a few weeks. Some drop is completely normal after migration, but a sharp decline may signal problems. In this case, use tools like Google Search Console or third-party platforms to track these changes.

6. Run Performance & Speed Tests

Check your website speed and performance using tools like PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix. Pay attention to loading time, core web vitals, and overall usability. 

7. Monitor For Broken Links & 404s

Scan your website regularly for broken links and 404 errors using tools like Screaming Frog or Ahrefs. Fix them as soon as possible. Broken links confuse users and make your site look unreliable and poorly maintained.

8. Collect User Feedback

This is optional, but you can ask users for honest feedback about the new site experience. Use email, surveys, or live chat to gather insights. This strategy helps you find overlooked issues like confusing layouts, missing content, or broken features from a real visitor’s point of view.

9. Schedule Post-Launch Audit

The final task is to plan a full post-launch audit about one to two weeks after going live. This audit should include SEO checks, content verification, performance tests, and user feedback reviews. It's important to ensure that everything is working well after the initial transition period.

Website Migration Mistakes

Even if you make a great plan following all the checklists, you can still fall for some traps and ruin the whole thing. The following mistakes are very devastating yet so common. Don’t make these mistakes:

FAQs

What is website domain migration?

Website domain migration means moving your website from one domain name to another, while keeping the same content. It requires planning to avoid traffic loss and SEO issues.

What is DNS migration?

DNS migration is about changing your domain’s DNS settings to point to a new server or host. It helps your website load from a new location without affecting users.

Can a website migration affect SEO?

Yes, a website migration can affect SEO if not handled properly. Migration can cause ranking drops and traffic loss. Proper redirects, sitemap updates, and SEO checks can keep your rankings safe.

End Note

Undoubtedly, website migration is a big and complicated task. It’s a detailed process that needs careful planning, testing, and follow-up. Missing a single step can badly affect your traffic, SEO, or user experience.

However, it's not anything like quantum physics, and if you have a proper plan with the mentioned checklist before, during, and after migration, you can avoid costly mistakes and ensure a smooth transition. 

Always test everything and monitor performance closely after launch. Give your best shot while planning, so that the rest will go easily.