5 ways to avoid WordPress migration mistakes

WordPress is one of the most widely used content management systems in the world. Although it is based on PHP and MySQL, the functionality is optimized to allow anyone to work on them efficiently. Even someone with a fundamental knowledge of programming easily manages complex websites using WordPress’ friendly themes and dashboard. The plugin architecture and innovative template system have made WordPress one of the most preferred platforms.

The reason WordPress is the go-to choice for a website CMS boils down to its efficiency. After years of its existence, there has not been another company that has been able to compete with them. Over 35 percent of all websites use WordPress CMS on the internet. The platform has been around for so many years. It is close to impossible for any other platform to draw a similar trust factor with its users.

The ideal advantage is that it is open source. This allows coders to modify the websites and create new avenues without having to pay for registration or trademarks. They are straightforward to use even for an amateur user and can be learned within a few hours.

The most significant advantage of WordPress is its SEO friendly nature. These websites come with an inbuilt blog template that makes it easy to format content. Developing SEO friendly content for website helps a lot in ranking. The dashboard is the most user-friendly way to place content without having to worry about the knowledge of code. The servers keep the site well structures and make sure the page-ranking is not affected because of technical issues. 

How do you host a WordPress website? 

When it comes to hosting WordPress, there are two ways to do it. One is by logging into WordPress and make the website as the templates they allow. This way, you can also pay for a domain and hosting that is offered by WordPress. This method is simple and can be used if you are running a personal blog or a portfolio website. 

If you are looking to manage a business from your website, then it is advised to buy a domain and hosting from a reliable online platform and install the WordPress server on that. Most hosting platforms provide you a WordPress application for free and can be installed using the c-panel. This technique allows more flexibility to make changes to the website or migrate it when needed. The other advantage of this is that when you pass the site to a new developer, they will be able to navigate through it easily. 

What is website Migration on WordPress? 

Once you have a website live there, a reason could arise that could trigger discomfort with its functionality. At such a time, one can move the website to a different platform. This move could be to a new domain or a new hosting plan. Sometimes you could also wish to change there company branding needing you to move all the contents of the website to a different name, in such a situation; WordPress has made it very easy to do a loss-free-migration. 

What are the reasons for website migration? 

Here are the reasons why you should consider migrating your website. 

• Re-branding.

This is one of the main reasons many move the site. If you are deciding to re-brand and need to move the contents to a new page, then you do not need to build a new website from scratch. Using migration, you can transfer the contents to a new domain and then make changes to the existing content. 

• Unreliable hosting.

If your hosting platform is coming in the way of website functions, you can consider changing to a different service. For this, you will need to move your website to a new server that you purchased. 

• Not Responsive websites. 

Over time, some sites can become slow to new mobile and tablet screens. If the responsive features and the fluidity of the website are affected on your present plan — then swap a new platform. 

How do I migrate to my new WordPress website? 

When migrating a website, there are two approaches to do this. 

• Via Plugin.

You can use one of the many plugins available on the WP dashboard. These plugins help make a smooth migration. The apps like “Duplicator” can be used to import a copy of the site and then upload them on the new website to have a seamless transfer of data. 

• Via Export Feature.

The WordPress dashboard itself comes equipped with an Exporter than can be used to download the whole website into a single XML file. Once this export is done, you can use upload this XML file on the new WordPress website and allow it to sync the data. Some of the front end features will not transfer, so they need to be re-done on the new site. 

Here are a few common mistakes that people make while migration of websites. 

• Improper Planning. 

Make sure all the steps examined before processing the migration. The migration does not mean to move the files. It also includes the SEO and the user traffic to the website. Plan this objectively and from a business point of view and not just a technical point of view. 

• Bad SEO output. 

Make sure you consult with many experts on SEO before making this move. The ranking of a website can be highly compromised with irregular migration. This flaw means, failing to drive the same listing on search engines as before. 

• Lack of testing. 

Make sure the new hosting network is the right fit for your website. Do not transfer on a whim or for a cheaper server. Any data loss on migration could affect either website function. 

5 ways to avoid WordPress migration mistakes

• Announce Before. 

If you are a business owner, be sure your clients are aware of the new changes. Make sure you provide enough warming to active users about the migration and keep the old website open for redirection. Once the site is moved, do not disable the old website — keep it alive and record traffic flow to that website. 

• Backup the site. Twice. 

You can never be too safe. Make sure you take enough backups of your whole website, so there is no data loss. Sometimes the new site could be unable to read a data type or a format. This means you will have to re-enter this information on the new website manually. Also, in case the PHP time-out during the process, the site could hang, and you could lose information. Having a backup on a cloud and a hard disk is a good idea. 

• Avoid Duplication. 

Once you migrate, there is a possibility that the content on the site could be cloned. This could result in two types of the same content on the internet, which is the worst way to push down SEO ranking. Google is very particular about duplication and could result in awful penalties. 

• Cross-check backlinks. 

When the domain of the website changes, so do the backlinks. Make sure all the links are cross-checked and corrected when needed. Vet each blog, post, and page thoroughly and fix any discrepancies that you spot. 

• Secure the new website. 

Once you move the website to a new domina, your SSL certification will not move. The migration is only limited to the information on the website. Once you have tested your new site, make sure you get the “https//” updated. Failing to have sufficient certification will lead to lousy website ranking.