Service 06 of 09
Website & store migrations
Migrations for websites and online stores, from any platform to any platform: a new CMS, a new store platform, a new theme or a new host, without losing content, orders, customers or rankings.
The Problem
A migration touches everything at once: content, URLs, users, forms, memberships, email and DNS. For a store, add products, variations, customers, order history, subscriptions and payment settings. Most of what goes wrong shows up after launch, as broken links, missing products, damaged data or a drop in search traffic.
Moving between platforms also means rebuilding the templates and features the old platform handled for you, and deciding which of its plugins, apps or custom code still earn their place.
What I Do
I map the content, products, templates, apps or plugins and URL structure before moving anything, and agree with you what to keep, replace or drop.
For stores, I move products, variations, images, customers and order history, recreate shipping, tax and payment settings, and plan around anything that can't be exported, such as customer passwords or saved payment details.
For websites, I move content, media and users, rebuild templates on the new platform or a lighter theme where it helps, and check that nothing was damaged on the way.
Every changed URL gets a 301 redirect, and launch happens with DNS, SSL and caching ready, on Kinsta, SiteGround, GoDaddy Managed WordPress or the host you choose.
Deliverables
- A migration plan covering content, products, customers, URLs and launch steps.
- The new site or store on staging for your review.
- Content, products, customers, orders and form data migrated and checked.
- 301 redirects for every URL that changes, including product and category pages.
- Launch with DNS, SSL, caching and CDN configured.
- A post-launch check of checkout, forms, email, errors and search traffic.
Related work
- Global Atlanta: Moved a 30-year-old international business publication off Newspack to a custom GeneratePress build, then stabilized its performance, data and security.
Questions
Can you move our store from Shopify to WooCommerce, or the other way?
Yes. Products, variations, images, customers and order history move with the store, and product and category URLs are redirected. Customer passwords can't be exported from either platform, so customers set a new one on first login, and I plan how to tell them.
Will we lose our Google rankings if we migrate?
Not if URLs are kept or redirected and the content stays the same. I keep your URL structure wherever I can, add 301 redirects where it changes, and watch Search Console after launch.
Will the site or store go down during the move?
The new site is built and reviewed on staging, then switched over at a time you choose. For stores, I bring across any orders placed during the switch, so none are lost.
What happens to subscriptions, members and saved payment details?
Members and form entries move with the site. Active subscriptions need more care, because saved payment details usually stay with the payment provider, so I plan that part with your gateway before anything moves.
What can you migrate from?
Most platforms: WordPress, WooCommerce, Shopify, Drupal, custom PHP or Laravel builds, and hosted website builders. If the old platform can export content or has an API, it can move. I check what can and can't come across before quoting.
How much does a migration cost?
It depends on the size of the site or store and what moves with it. The plan comes first, so you get a scope and a quote before anything moves.
Further reading
Get a quote
Every project is different, so pricing comes after I understand yours. Here's how it goes:
- Tell me what you need. Email me what you want built or what's broken. Links, screenshots and the platform you're on help. I reply to every enquiry within one business day.
- Get a scope and a quote. I reply with questions, then a written scope and a quote. Nothing starts until you agree to it.
- Review on staging. I build or fix on a staging copy, and you review before anything changes on your live site or app.
- Launch and handover. We go live together and you get handover notes. Any bug in work I delivered, reported within 30 days of launch, is fixed free. I can keep looking after it after that.
I reply to every enquiry within one business day. Any bug in work I delivered, reported within 30 days of launch, is fixed free.