Website Migration Checklist

Initial Project Set-up

Inventory current site / review analytics so can know if something is off post migration

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Agree on criteria for successful migration / acceptance testing

Successful acceptance will trigger decommissioning of files on current servers.

Establish rollback plan and if / when key functionality should be disabled prior to migration; Agree to criteria for what conditions for roll-back

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Determine a mutually beneficial date / time to move site and communications strategy

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Ensure appropriate parties have access

DNS entries can take time to propagate. DNS entries recorded.
Fallback email if issues with domain
Google Analytics / Google Webmaster Tools / Google Search Console

Communicate agreed to strategy

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Advance Preparations

Package data for export

TIP: If moving from WordPress, install a plugin for exporting data to CSV.

Configure initial project settings

Places to start include setting a project name, fav icon, timezone, password protection, and Webflow branding.

Freeze all emails, newsletters, and other activities

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Transfer domain(s) / DNS entries from existing registrar / host to new registrar / host

DNS entries can take time to propagate.

Archive existing site and associated data

Screencaptures of existing site
Download existing site

Migration

Put Up Maintenance Mode Message

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Update DNS and Forwards

DNS entries can take time to propagate.

Spot Check Content

If development servers were used, make them unavailable. Otherwise, during spot testing could end up inadvertently in a dev environment if something was overlooked.

Confirm Third-Party Integrations

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Set-up redirects if migration involves moving / removing pages

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Revisit Initial Project Settings

If moving to Webflow, for example, update the setting to add a project to the Webflow Showcase

Remove Maintenance Mode Message

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Notify appropriate individuals of migration status

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Post-Launch

Confirm Back-up Processes Working

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Check logs to ensure no detected issues

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Verify Google Analytics and Google Webmaster Tools to ensure data is being recorded

Establish new reports, if appropriate

Verify indexing by Google

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Initial Project Set-up

Advance Preparations

Migration

Post-Launch

Additional Resources