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Writer's pictureWirya Hassan

Website Migration Checklist: All the Key Tasks to Maintain Organic Search Success


A website migration is a complex process which requires careful planning, preparation and execution. If you're thinking about migrating your website, there are many things that need to be considered upfront. This checklist will help you plan for and prepare for a successful migration.


You can use this checklist to make sure that you have all the elements of your website migration in place before starting the migration.


Checklist 1: Pre-Migration Planning

  • Define the goals and objectives of the website migration.

  • Identify the scope of the migration project.

  • Determine the timeline and budget for the migration.

  • Create a project plan and assign roles and responsibilities.

  • Establish communication channels and protocols.

  • Conduct a risk assessment and develop a contingency plan.

  • Identify key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure success.

  • Define the criteria for testing and validation.

  • Identify the tools and resources needed for the migration.

  • Obtain stakeholder buy-in and support.

Checklist 2: Website Content Migration

  • Create an inventory of all website content.

  • Develop a content migration plan and schedule.

  • Identify any duplicate or outdated content and remove it.

  • Migrate content to the new website using a consistent structure and format.

  • Ensure that all content is properly formatted and optimized for SEO.

  • Test all links and ensure that they are functioning properly.

  • Update any internal links to reflect the new website structure.

  • Ensure that all images and multimedia content are properly migrated.

  • Implement redirects for any old URLs that are no longer in use.

  • Verify that all content has been successfully migrated and is accessible on the new website.

Checklist 3: Website Design and Layout

  • Develop a new website design and layout.

  • Ensure that the new design is consistent with the brand identity and messaging.

  • Create wireframes and mockups to visualize the new design.

  • Test the new design on different devices and screen sizes.

  • Ensure that the new design is accessible and complies with web accessibility standards.

  • Implement the new design on the new website.

  • Test the new design to ensure that it functions properly.

  • Ensure that the new design is optimized for SEO.

  • Ensure that the new design is responsive and adapts to different screen sizes.

  • Obtain feedback from stakeholders and users to ensure that the new design meets their needs.

Checklist 4: Website Functionality

  • Identify all website functionality that needs to be migrated.

  • Develop a plan for migrating website functionality.

  • Test all website functionality on the new website.

  • Ensure that all website functionality is working properly.

  • Test all forms and ensure that they are submitting data correctly.

  • Ensure that all third-party integrations are working properly.

  • Verify that all website features are accessible and comply with web accessibility standards.

  • Ensure that all website functionality is optimized for SEO.

  • Test all website functionality on different devices and screen sizes.

  • Obtain feedback from stakeholders and users to ensure that website functionality meets their needs.

Checklist 5: Website Performance

  • Develop a plan for optimizing website performance.

  • Conduct a performance audit of the old website.

  • Identify areas of the website that need to be optimized for speed.

  • Implement website performance optimizations on the new website.

  • Test website performance on different devices and screen sizes.

  • Ensure that website performance is optimized for SEO.

  • Monitor website performance after migration and make adjustments as needed.

  • Ensure that website performance is consistent across different browsers.

  • Ensure that website performance meets industry standards.

  • Obtain feedback from stakeholders and users to ensure that website performance meets their needs.

Checklist 6: Website Security

  • Develop a plan for securing the new website.

  • Conduct a security audit of the old website.

  • Identify potential security vulnerabilities and risks.

  • Implement security measures on the new website, such as SSL certificates and firewalls.

  • Test website security to ensure that it is working properly.

  • Ensure that website security complies with industry standards and regulations.

  • Monitor website security after migration and make adjustments as needed.

  • Train website administrators and users on website security best practices.

  • Develop a plan for responding to security incidents.

  • Obtain feedback from stakeholders and users to ensure that website security meets their needs.

Checklist 7: Website Analytics

  • Develop a plan for migrating website analytics.

  • Ensure that all website analytics data is backed up and secure.

  • Migrate website analytics to the new website.

  • Verify that website analytics are working properly on the new website.

  • Ensure that website analytics are tracking all relevant data.

  • Develop a plan for analyzing website analytics data.

  • Monitor website analytics after migration and make adjustments as needed.

  • Ensure that website analytics are compliant with industry standards and regulations.

  • Train website administrators and users on website analytics best practices.

  • Obtain feedback from stakeholders and users to ensure that website analytics meet their needs.

Checklist 8: Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

  • Develop a plan for optimizing the new website for SEO.

  • Conduct an SEO audit of the old website.

  • Identify areas of the website that need to be optimized for SEO.

  • Implement SEO optimizations on the new website.

  • Test website SEO to ensure that it is working properly.

  • Ensure that website SEO complies with industry standards and regulations.

  • Monitor website SEO after migration and make adjustments as needed.

  • Train website administrators and users on SEO best practices.

  • Develop a plan for responding to changes in search engine algorithms.

  • Obtain feedback from stakeholders and users to ensure that website SEO meets their needs.

Checklist 9: Website Accessibility

  • Develop a plan for ensuring website accessibility.

  • Conduct an accessibility audit of the old website.

  • Identify areas of the website that need to be optimized for accessibility.

  • Implement accessibility optimizations on the new website.

  • Test website accessibility to ensure that it is working properly.

  • Ensure that website accessibility complies with industry standards and regulations.

  • Monitor website accessibility after migration and make adjustments as needed.

  • Train website administrators and users on accessibility best practices.

  • Develop a plan for responding to accessibility complaints or issues.

  • Obtain feedback from stakeholders and users to ensure that website accessibility meets their needs.

Checklist 10: User Experience (UX)

  • Develop a plan for optimizing the new website for user experience.

  • Conduct a user experience audit of the old website.

  • Identify areas of the website that need to be optimized for user experience.

  • Implement UX optimizations on the new website.

  • Test website UX to ensure that it is working properly.

  • Ensure that website UX complies with industry standards and regulations.

  • Monitor website UX after migration and make adjustments as needed.

  • Train website administrators and users on UX best practices.

  • Develop a plan for responding to user experience complaints or issues.

  • Obtain feedback from stakeholders and users to ensure that website UX meets their needs.

Checklist 11: Domain Name and Hosting

  • Develop a plan for migrating the domain name and hosting.

  • Ensure that the new hosting provider meets the website's requirements.

  • Migrate the domain name to the new hosting provider.

  • Verify that the domain name is working properly on the new hosting provider.

  • Ensure that the domain name is properly configured for email.

  • Ensure that the domain name is properly protected from spam and malware.

  • Monitor the domain name and hosting after migration and make adjustments as needed.

  • Ensure that the domain name and hosting are compliant with industry standards and regulations.

  • Train website administrators and users on domain name and hosting best practices.

  • Obtain feedback from stakeholders and users to ensure that the domain name and hosting meet their needs.

Checklist 12: Email Migration

  • Develop a plan for migrating email accounts.

  • Ensure that the new email provider meets the website's requirements.

  • Migrate email accounts to the new email provider.

  • Verify that email is working properly on the new email provider.

  • Ensure that email is properly configured for spam and malware protection.

  • Ensure that email is properly integrated with the website.

  • Monitor email after migration and make adjustments as needed.

  • Ensure that email is compliant with industry standards and regulations.

  • Train website administrators and users on email best practices.

  • Obtain feedback from stakeholders and users to ensure that email meets their needs.

Checklist 13: Backup and Recovery

  • Develop a plan for backup and recovery.

  • Ensure that all website data is backed up regularly.

  • Verify that backups are working properly and are secure.

  • Develop a plan for recovering website data in case of a disaster.

  • Test the recovery plan to ensure that it is working properly.

  • Ensure that backup and recovery complies with industry standards and regulations.

  • Monitor backup and recovery after migration and make adjustments as needed.

  • Train website administrators and users on backup and recovery best practices.

  • Develop a plan for responding to backup and recovery issues.

  • Obtain feedback from stakeholders and users to ensure that backup and recovery meets their needs.

Checklist 14: Testing and Validation

  • Develop a plan for testing and validation.

  • Identify the criteria for testing and validation.

  • Conduct testing and validation on the new website.

  • Verify that all website features and functionality are working properly.

  • Ensure that the website is compatible with different browsers and devices.

  • Ensure that the website complies with industry standards and regulations.

  • Monitor testing and validation after migration and make adjustments as needed.

  • Train website administrators and users on testing and validation best practices.

  • Develop a plan for responding to testing and validation issues.

  • Obtain feedback from stakeholders and users to ensure that testing and validation meets their needs.

Checklist 15: User Acceptance Testing (UAT)

  • Develop a plan for user acceptance testing.

  • Identify the criteria for user acceptance testing.

  • Conduct user acceptance testing on the new website.

  • Obtain feedback from stakeholders and users on the new website.

  • Verify that the new website meets the needs of stakeholders and users.

  • Ensure that the new website complies with industry standards and regulations.

  • Monitor user acceptance testing after migration and make adjustments as needed.

  • Train website administrators and users on user acceptance testing best practices.

  • Develop a plan for responding to user acceptance testing issues.

  • Obtain feedback from stakeholders and users to ensure that user acceptance testing meets their needs.

Checklist 16: Training and Support

  • Develop a plan for training and support.

  • Identify the training needs of website administrators and users.

  • Develop training materials and resources.

  • Provide training to website administrators and users.

  • Ensure that website administrators and users have access to support resources.

  • Monitor training and support after migration and make adjustments as needed.

  • Ensure that training and support comply with industry standards and regulations.

  • Train website administrators and users on training and support best practices.

  • Develop a plan for responding to training and support issues.

  • Obtain feedback from stakeholders and users to ensure that training and support meet their needs.

Checklist 17: Communication and Documentation

  • Develop a plan for communication and documentation.

  • Identify the communication needs of stakeholders and users.

  • Develop a communication plan and schedule.

  • Provide regular updates to stakeholders and users on the migration project.

  • Ensure that all documentation is up-to-date and accessible.

  • Ensure that all stakeholders and users have access to relevant documentation.

  • Monitor communication and documentation after migration and make adjustments as needed.

  • Ensure that communication and documentation comply with industry standards and regulations.

  • Train website administrators and users on communication and documentation best practices.

  • Develop a plan for responding to communication and documentation issues.

Checklist 18: Post-Migration Testing

  • Develop a plan for post-migration testing.

  • Conduct post-migration testing on the new website.

  • Verify that all website features and functionality are working properly.

  • Ensure that the website is compatible with different browsers and devices.

  • Ensure that the website complies with industry standards and regulations.

  • Monitor post-migration testing after migration and make adjustments as needed.

  • Train website administrators and users on post-migration testing best practices.

  • Develop a plan for responding to post-migration testing issues.

  • Obtain feedback from stakeholders and users to ensure that post-migration testing meets their needs.

  • Ensure that post-migration testing is conducted regularly to maintain website performance.

Checklist 19: Post-Migration Maintenance

  • Develop a plan for post-migration maintenance.

  • Identify the maintenance needs of the new website.

  • Develop a maintenance schedule and assign roles and responsibilities.

  • Conduct regular maintenance on the new website.

  • Ensure that all website features and functionality are working properly.

  • Ensure that the website is compatible with different browsers and devices.

  • Ensure that the website complies with industry standards and regulations.

  • Monitor post-migration maintenance after migration and make adjustments as needed.

  • Train website administrators and users on post-migration maintenance best practices.

  • Develop a plan for responding to post-migration maintenance issues.

Checklist 20: Continuous Improvement

  • Develop a plan for continuous improvement.

  • Identify areas of the website that need improvement.

  • Develop a plan for making improvements to the website.

  • Conduct regular audits and assessments of the website.

  • Obtain feedback from stakeholders and users on the website.

  • Monitor website performance and make adjustments as needed.

  • Ensure that the website complies with industry standards and regulations.

  • Train website administrators and users on continuous improvement best practices.

  • Develop a plan for responding to continuous improvement issues.

  • Ensure that continuous improvement is a part of the website's ongoing maintenance and development.




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