Website Migration Checklist – Move Your Site Safely

Key highlights

• Learn how to move your website to a new domain registrar or platform in simple steps.
• Create a checklist to ensure a smooth migration process without losing data.
• Prepare for pre and post migration for a strong digital presence.
• Be ready for the execution process with a quick list. 
• Minimize downtime and preserve your search rankings.
• Secure your site and enhance user experience.

Introduction

Have you ever moved to a new house? You probably had to pack everything carefully, update your address and ensure nothing got lost during the process. Website migration is quite similar! Whether you’re switching to a new domain, upgrading to a better hosting provider or redesigning your site for a fresh look, every step needs careful planning to ensure a smooth transition.

But just like moving houses, things can go wrong if you’re not prepared. Broken links, lost traffic and SEO drops are some common pitfalls associated with any type of website migration. Imagine your visitors clicking on a familiar page only to find an error message instead—frustrating, right? That’s why having a structured migration plan is crucial.

Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. This website migration checklist is your ultimate walk-through guide for every step. From backing up your data to setting up redirects and testing your new setup, you will find everything you need to know about website migration. With the right approach, you can make this move seamless, retain your rankings and even enhance your site’s performance.

Let’s dive in and ensure your website migration is a success!

Pre website migration checklist

Before we get into the technical stuff, let’s set the stage for an easy migration. A bit of planning helps avoid data loss and keeps downtime low. This step is about making a plan and collecting the tools needed for a successful website move.

Define the scope and goals

Before starting the migration, the first step is to clearly define why you’re moving your website. Are you upgrading to a better hosting provider for improved performance? Are you rebranding with a new domain? Knowing your goals will help you create a structured migration plan.

Key considerations:

• Maintain website functionality and SEO rankings.
• Ensure minimal downtime and a seamless user experience.
• Identify potential risks and create a contingency plan.

Choose the right hosting provider

The next step involves selecting a reliable hosting provider, which is critical for a smooth migration. A good host ensures faster performance, better security and reliable customer support.

Key features to look for:

• Speed & performance – Choose a hosting provider with SSD storage, CDN and optimized servers.
• Security – Look for built-in malware protection, SSL certificates and firewalls.
• Scalability – Ensure the plan you choose can grow with your website’s needs.
• 24/7 support – A knowledgeable support team can make migration easier.

To ensure you get the best of the hosting package, Bluehost stands out as a reliable option. Our migrate WordPress website solution offers free site migration, automatic backups and top-notch security. Whether you need VPS, shared hosting or dedicated servers, our flexible plans cater to all your business needs.

Begin by submitting a migration request form, and our cloud specialists will handle the entire process for you. Once done, use the Bluehost Website Migration Tool to make your migration process seamless and efficient. 

Backup your entire website

Before you change your entire site, make sure to back up all your website files and databases. This backup protects you if something goes wrong during the migration process, especially when using a content management system. It is also a good idea to keep your backup in a safe place, away from your hosting environment.

How to backup your site:

• Use Bluehost’s CodeGuard for automatic backup of your site.
• Manually download files via cPanel or FTP.
• Export your database using phpMyAdmin.

Read more: Handy Guide to Backing Up Your WordPress Website

Set up a staging environment

A staging environment is like a copy of your website. It lets you test any minor or major change safely without affecting your live site. This is important for finding and fixing problems before your users see them. Bluehost’s staging tool enables you to preview changes before pushing them live. 

Read more: How to Create a Staging WordPress Site

Inform stakeholders & plan for downtime

Let people know about your website migration plans. This includes your team, customers and partners. Even if a good migration should have little downtime, it’s important to think about possible problems. Provide a clear timeline for when the migration will take place and what they can expect during that period.  

For instance, notify them via email, social media or a pop-up on your site with a message like, “We’ll be migrating our website on [date and time]. You may experience brief downtime during this period, but we’ll be back shortly with an improved experience.”  

This proactive communication helps manage user expectations and reduces potential frustration. 

Besides this, remember to schedule migration during low-traffic hours. Also set up a maintenance mode page to inform visitors about the transition. 

Executing the website migration

Now that you have prepared everything, it is time to start putting your plan into action. In this phase, you will move your website’s files, databases and settings using tools provided by your current hosting provider.

Migrate your website using Bluehost’s migration tools

Bluehost provides migration products that help simplify your website transfer. You can use: 

• Bluehost free WordPress migration for effortless WordPress site transfers.
• cPanel migration for non-WordPress sites.
• Manual migration for full control over the transfer process.

To ensure a seamless transition, follow these steps:

1. Prepare your site for migration – Optimize your database, remove outdated plugins and check file integrity before initiating the move.
2. Use Bluehost migration services – If you’re using WordPress, take the benefit of using the Bluehost one-click migration plugin for fast and hassle-free transfer.
3. Manually migrate if needed – For custom-built websites, download your files via FTP and import your database usingphpMyAdmin.
4. Check website files and database – After completing the transfer, ensure all files and database configurations are intact. Fix any broken links or missing files. 
5. Adjust file permissions – Set the correct file and folder permissions to prevent access issues.

Updating DNS settings and domain transfers

Bluehost’s Free WordPress Migration offers an easy way to achieve effortless WordPress site transfers. Once you have registered, navigate to DNS settings following the below steps:

Steps to update DNS:

1. Log in to your domain registrar account.
2. Update the nameservers to Bluehost’s DNS (provided in your hosting account).
3. Allow 24-48 hours for propagation.
4. Check domain connectivity using tools like DNS Checker.

Configuring website settings & SSL certificate

After migration, ensure your website settings, permalinks and SSL certificate are correctly configured. Bluehost offers free SSL with all hosting plans. Activate it to secure your site and boost SEO rankings.

Verify the SSL/TLS settings to avoid technical issues and to ensure the site’s performance after the move. Also, update any site URL mapping and structure. Ensure all settings follow SEO best rules to not have a negative impact on search rankings. Plan this step carefully to stop any disruptions.

Post website migration checklist

Congratulations! You have moved your website to its new place. But before you relax, there are still some tasks left for the migration process. This stage is about making sure everything works well. It also helps your website do better with search engines and improve user experience.

Test website functionality

Test every part of your new site.

Ensure all pages, forms and functionalities are working correctly. Check for:

• Broken links and missing images.
• Contact forms and checkout processes (for eCommerce sites).
• Loading speed and responsiveness on mobile and desktop.

This way, you will find any broken links or issues that might hurt your user experience. Don’t forget to test your site speed on both desktop and mobile. This will help you make sure it works well. 

Check SEO & redirects

Verify the SSL/TLS settings to avoid technical issues. This will also help to ensure the site’s performance after migration. Also, update any site URL mapping and structure. Ensure all settings follow SEO best rules to avoid having a negative impact on search rankings. Plan this step carefully to stop any disruptions. 

Check that your meta descriptions are still meaningful. If they need changes for your new URLs, make those updates. Don’t forget to send your updated XML site map to Google Search Console. This helps Google index your new website and its pages quickly.

To ensure a smooth transition, check these:

• Set up 301 redirects: Send your outdated blog posts and old URLs to their new ones.
• Verify meta descriptions: Make sure they are still meaningful and change them for the new URLs if needed.
• Submit your XML sitemap: Let Google know about your new URLs and site layout by sending your updated XML sitemap through Google Search Console.

Monitor performance & security

Set up 301 redirects: Send your outdated blog posts and old URLs to their new ones.

• Page loading speed and improvement areas.
• Monitor how often people leave without taking action.
• Keep an eye on how many visitors convert into customers.
• Track bounce rate and see if there are any specific pages or sections of your site that are causing visitors to leave
• See which marketing channels are driving the most conversions.

Besides this, make sure your site is safe by putting in strong security measures. Use security plugins like Wordfence or Sucuri to protect your site from malicious attacks. Run regular security checks to guard against problems. For example, scan your site regularly for malware and vulnerabilities using tools like SiteLock or Sucuri. It is crucial to expand on monitoring performance and security to ensure the success and safety of your website post-migration.

Notify users & update business listings

Tell your users that your website has moved to ensure a smooth transition. Make sure to update your business details on all important sites to maintain consistency and accuracy. This includes:

• Google My Business
• Social media profiles
• Directories and external backlinks

Keeping this information up to date will help potential customers find you easily and improve your online presence.

Final thoughts

Migrating your website can be simple and easy. With careful planning, you can make the migration process smooth and free from stress. By using the steps in this website migration checklist, you can reduce any negative impact on your organic search rankings. You can also ensure a good user experience while you transition. 

Bluehost aids in streamlining the process of migration without you having to worry about missing out on any points from the checklist mentioned above. Our hosting service provides the best tools and features that together will ensure you a lasting digital success. 

Boost your online presence and reach your business goals today with Bluehost.

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