How do you plan a website migration and what is the role of SEO?

Are you planning a website move for SEO? To a new domain name, server or content management system? Then this article is prefect for you! The key facts you need to take to plan and execute a successful migration are discussed. With a special focus on SEO. In this article, we will show you how best to apply this and what is involved in the process.

What is a website migration?

A website migration is a move of your website from one environment, to another. This can be due to various reasons, such as changing the domain name, upgrading to a new version of the content management system or moving to another hosting provider. A website migration involves transferring the files, databases, content and settings of the current website to the new environment. This process will require careful planning, preparation and execution, as the website must continue to function properly after the migration. In addition, care must be taken to ensure that there is no negative impact on the SEO area. With a migration, better performance, better user experience and greater growth of the online presence can be achieved.

What do you think about while moving your website for SEO?

As already mentioned, the migration needs to be carefully planned and prepared. This process involves a number of important aspects.

1. Content: All web pages, images, videos and other media will need to be transferred correctly to the new environment. Also check that internal links still work and adjust them if necessary.
2. URL structure: If the website's URL structure is changed, it is important to set up redirects from the old URLs to the new ones. This will prevent broken links.
3. SEO: As already briefly mentioned, the SEO must be taken into account. Ensure that all key keywords, meta tags and other SEO elements are retained. Keep an eye on any developments after the migration.
4. Functionalities: Before you start the migration, check that all website functionalities are correctly transferred to the new environment. Think about forms, integrations or other systems.
5. Testing: Perform extensive testing on the new website to ensure that everything is working properly. In doing so, test both the front-end and the back-end. This prevents all kinds of problems before the website goes live.
6. Communication: Inform users of your website, such as customers and relevant stakeholders. Include clear instructions or changes that will affect them, so they are aware of the changes.

By paying attention to these 6 points, a detailed migration plan will follow, ensuring a smooth and proper migration.

What is the role of SEO during a migration?

In a website migration, SEO also plays a crucial role. Several aspects come into play here, performing a keywordonder search, ensuring proper content transfer, implementing URL redirects, technical optimisation and tracking organic search performance. By carrying this out, there will be no negative impact on the website's SEO.

To make sure you don't overlook anything, you can use the SEO migration roadmap. This roadmap will help perform the most important SEO tasks during migration. In addition, you can read more about the specific aspects of SEO on our page on SEO website migration.

How long does a website migration take on average?

A website migration can vary greatly in duration, this is due to several factors. Consider the size, complexity of the website, the chosen migration process and the resources available. A website migration can take several weeks to months. The most important part of this is that sufficient time goes into the preparation, testing and resolution of any problems. The size of the migration and the number of people working on it also play a role in the length of the migration.

What takes the most time during a website migration?

During a migration, there are a number of tasks that take up a lot of time. These include content transfer, setting up redirects, design and branding, testing and quality assurance. Of course, with proper planning and the right experts, time can be saved in these processes. An important aspect is the use of a redirect file to ensure that old pages are correctly redirected to new URLs. In addition, it is important to the importance of URL structure during a migration can be well understood.

Why hiring a SEO agency saves you a lot of time

Hiring an experienced SEO agency on a website migration can save you a lot of time. A SEO agency has the knowledge and expertise to make a migration run smoothly and identify and resolve potential issues. We can help create a comprehensive plan, perform technical optimisation, analyse a keyword strategy and monitor post-migration performance. By engaging us, you can focus on the most important processes, while you can count on us to handle the migration properly. So take a look at our SEO migration services page.

Getting started!

A website migration can be a tricky process, but with the right planning, preparation and onder support from a SEO agency, the process can go smoothly. The experienced team at Onder is here to help you every step of the migration process. Contact us today to find out how we can help you achieve a successful website migration.