Website Migration Checklist 2025
The complete step-by-step checklist for migrating websites and domains. Preserve SEO rankings, ensure zero downtime, and maintain user experience throughout the process.
Migration Risk Statistics
Introduction to Website Migration
Website migration is one of the most high-risk activities in web management. Whether you're changing domains, hosting providers, or redesigning your site, proper planning and execution are critical to maintaining your online presence and search rankings.
Types of Website Migration
- • Changing primary domain name
- • Moving from subdomain to main domain
- • Consolidating multiple domains
- • International domain expansion
- • Rebranding with new domain
- • Moving to new hosting provider
- • Upgrading server infrastructure
- • Changing hosting plans
- • Moving to cloud platforms
- • Geographic server relocation
- • CMS platform changes
- • E-commerce platform migration
- • Framework upgrades
- • Database system changes
- • Technology stack overhaul
- • Complete website redesign
- • URL structure changes
- • Navigation restructuring
- • Content reorganization
- • User experience overhaul
Migration Success Factors
Comprehensive Planning
Detailed migration strategy with timelines, responsibilities, and contingency plans
SEO Preservation
Proper 301 redirects, sitemap updates, and search engine communication
Thorough Testing
Complete functionality, performance, and SEO testing before launch
Monitoring & Recovery
Continuous monitoring post-launch with rapid response to issues
Chapter 1: Migration Planning Phase
Successful migration starts with comprehensive planning. This phase determines the scope, timeline, resources, and risk mitigation strategies for your migration project.
Migration Strategy Definition
1. Project Definition
2. Current State Analysis
3. Risk Assessment
4. Team Assignment
Migration Timeline Framework
Planning, analysis, and preparation
Setup new environment and content migration
Testing, SEO setup, and final preparations
Launch and post-migration monitoring
Chapter 2: Pre-Migration Tasks
Pre-migration preparation is critical for success. This phase involves creating backups, analyzing the current site, and setting up the new environment before any content migration begins.
Complete Site Backup
Database Backup
File System Backup
Configuration Backup
SEO Baseline Documentation
Content Inventory & URL Mapping
Content Audit Tasks
URL Mapping Process
Ready to Migrate Successfully?
Follow this comprehensive checklist for a smooth migration process.