Website Migration Checklist

Website Migration Checklist

Migrating a website — whether to a new host, domain, or platform — requires careful planning to avoid downtime, data loss, and SEO damage. Follow this checklist to ensure a smooth transition.

Pre-Migration Planning

• Define the scope: Are you changing hosts, domains, CMS platforms, or all three?
• Choose your migration date: Pick a low-traffic period to minimize impact.
• Create a full backup: Back up all files, databases, emails, and configurations.
• Inventory your content: Document all pages, posts, media, forms, and custom functionality.
• Map your URLs: Create a spreadsheet matching old URLs to their new equivalents.
• Lower DNS TTL: Reduce your DNS Time-to-Live to 300 seconds (5 minutes) a few days before migration to speed up propagation.
• Note current analytics: Record baseline traffic, rankings, and performance metrics.

During Migration

• Set up the new environment: Configure hosting, install CMS, and set up databases on the new server.
• Transfer files: Upload website files via FTP, SSH, or your host’s migration tool. 10Corp and many providers offer free migration assistance.
• Import the database: Export from the old server and import to the new one via phpMyAdmin or command line.
• Update configuration files: Change database credentials, site URLs, and paths in config files (wp-config.php, .env, etc.).
• Test on the new server: Use a temporary URL or hosts file modification to preview the site before switching DNS.
• Set up SSL: Install an SSL certificate on the new server.
• Configure email: Recreate email accounts and migrate mailboxes if applicable.

DNS Switch

• Update DNS records: Point your domain’s A record (and AAAA if using IPv6) to the new server’s IP address.
• Update nameservers if changing DNS providers.
• Wait for propagation: DNS changes can take up to 24–48 hours to propagate globally.
• Monitor both servers: Keep the old server active until propagation is complete.

Post-Migration Verification

• Test all pages: Click through every major page and verify content displays correctly.
• Check forms: Test contact forms, search, login, and checkout functionality.
• Verify media: Ensure images, videos, and downloads work.
• Test redirects: Confirm all 301 redirects from old URLs to new URLs are working.
• Check SSL: Verify HTTPS works across the entire site with no mixed-content warnings.
• Verify email: Send and receive test emails.
• Submit updated sitemap: Upload the new sitemap to Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools.
• Monitor analytics: Watch for traffic drops or crawl errors over the following days.
• Update external links: Update social media profiles, directory listings, and any other external references.

SEO Preservation

• Implement 301 redirects for any URLs that have changed.
• Keep the same URL structure whenever possible.
• Re-submit your sitemap to search engines.
• Use Google Search Console’s Change of Address tool if changing domains.
• Monitor search rankings for your top keywords over the following weeks.

Common Pitfalls

• Forgetting to transfer .htaccess or server configuration rules.
• Not updating hardcoded URLs in the database (use a search-replace tool).
• Canceling the old hosting account before verifying the migration is complete.
• Overlooking email migration.