WordPress Migration Checklist: What To Do Before, During and After the Process

Are you planning to migrate your WordPress site? A well-planned move prevents broken links, lost traffic, and frustrated visitors. If you’re switching hosts, upgrading servers, or re-branding, the proper preparation makes all the difference.

This isn’t about just transferring files. It’s about maintaining your search visibility, keeping your site secure, and ensuring zero downtime for users. Miss one critical step, and you could face weeks of troubleshooting.

In this blog, we’ll give you a proven WordPress migration checklist that we use at our WordPress development company. We’ll tell you what to do before, during, and after migration. So, let’s dive in!

What is WordPress Migration?

WordPress migration is the process by which you transfer a site from one host to another. This involves migrating all of the files, databases, themes and plugins, while leaving all of the content intact.

Whether it is moving web hosts, upgrading servers, or changing new domains during the entire migration process, this is the way to ensure that the site remains fully operational. With proper migration, any of these transfers can be accomplished without any downtime, loss of data, or negative effects on the user’s experience.

The migration involves the careful migration of your core components such as the installation of WordPress, wp-content folder and SQL database. These all must be configured accordingly in the destination so that your site not only appears properly but also functions as before.

This includes updating file permissions, reconfiguring database connections, and ensuring all internal links remain intact.

Professional migrations also address critical technical aspects like SSL certificates, email configurations, and server compatibility.

Businesses typically migrate WordPress sites for several strategic reasons. They may want to do it for WordPress security, server optimizations, or preparing for significant traffic growth. Regardless of the reason, each migration type requires specific technical considerations to prevent operational disruptions.

That’s why following a structured migration checklist is essential. It helps maintain your site’s integrity while preventing common pitfalls that could impact your online presence and business operations.

What to Do Before Migrating Your WordPress Site?

Before starting WordPress migration, proper preparation is crucial. Let us look at the essential steps to take before moving your site.

1. Plan Your Migration and Notify Your Users

The first step is a detailed migration timeline covering all steps in the migration process. This should review potential windows for downtime and, consequently, pick a low-traffic time frame to have the least disruption. All technical requirements and dependencies should be documented so there are no last-minute surprises during the migration.

Clear communication should be made with users about the changes via email newsletters and announcements posted on the website. Improvements that they could expect and the effects on their experience of the migration should be presented in detail. Reasonable expectations could be set regarding service downtime.

Assign clear roles and responsibilities to your team members for a coordinated effort. Designate someone to handle technical aspects, another for user communication, and a project manager to oversee the entire process. This preparation prevents confusion during critical moments.

2. Put Your WordPress Site in Maintenance Mode

Activate maintenance mode before making any changes to prevent users from interacting with a partially migrated site. Use a professional maintenance mode plugin that displays a custom message explaining the temporary unavailability. This protects the user experience during the transition.

Your maintenance page should include your brand elements and a progress indicator if possible. Add contact information so concerned users can reach out with urgent inquiries. This maintains trust while your site is temporarily unavailable.

Remember to test your maintenance mode page before going live. Check how it appears on different devices and browsers. Ensure it doesn’t interfere with your admin access so you can continue working on the migration in the background.

3. Backup Your Site

Create complete backups of both your files and database before making any changes. Use reliable backup plugins that offer one-click restoration options. Store backups in multiple secure locations, including cloud storage and local devices.

Verify your backups by performing test restores on a staging environment. Check that all media files, plugins, and custom configurations are properly preserved. This verification step is crucial for ensuring your safety net actually works.

Document the backup process, including timestamps and version details. This creates an audit trail you can reference if needed. Consider setting up automated backups during the migration period for added protection.

4. Perform an SEO Audit of Your Site

Document all existing SEO elements, including meta tags, alt text, and URL structures. Use tools like Screaming Frog to crawl your site and identify all ranking factors that need preservation. This creates a baseline to compare against post-migration.

Pay special attention to high-value pages that drive organic traffic. Note their current rankings for target keywords. Check for existing backlinks that contribute to your domain authority and plan to preserve them.

Identify and document any technical SEO issues that should be addressed during migration. This includes broken links, slow-loading pages, or missing schema markup. Migration presents an ideal opportunity to fix these existing problems.

5. Disable Caching, Firewall, and Redirect Plugins

Temporarily deactivate all caching plugins to prevent serving outdated content during migration. Clear existing cache files and disable automatic caching features. This ensures you’re working with live, current data throughout the process.

Turn off security plugins and firewalls that might block migration activities. Create exceptions for your IP address to maintain admin access. Remember to note your current security settings for easy reconfiguration later.

Disable any redirect plugins to prevent conflicts with new URL structures. Document existing redirect rules so you can re-implement them precisely after migration. This prevents broken links and preserves SEO value.

6. Don’t Let Search Engines Index Your New Site

Use the WordPress reading settings to stop search engines from indexing the site during migration. This prevents duplicate content issues and protects your SEO rankings while work is in progress.

Implement password protection or IP restrictions for the staging environment if you’re using one. This creates an additional barrier against premature indexing while allowing your team to access the site.

Monitor search engine crawl activity using Google Search Console during the migration period. Be prepared to request removal of any accidentally indexed pages to maintain clean search results.

With these pre-migration tasks completed, you will build a solid foundation for your WordPress move. You’ve protected your data, preserved your SEO value, and minimized potential disruptions.

What to Do During Migration?

Once you’ve prepped your site for migration, you can start the migration.

1. Make Sure That Your Domain is Pointing to the New Host

First, update your domain’s DNS settings to point to your new hosting provider. This typically involves changing nameservers or A records in your domain registrar’s control panel. The changes might take up to 48 hours to propagate globally, so plan accordingly.

Double-check the new host’s IP address and nameserver details before making changes. Use tools like DNS Checker to verify propagation status across different locations. Avoid making multiple changes in quick succession, as this can cause confusion and delays.

Keep your old hosting active during this transition period to prevent downtime. Only cancel the old service after confirming the new site is fully functional and receiving traffic. This safety net ensures visitors always reach a working version of your site.

2. Ensure WordPress is Installed on Your Site

Verify that WordPress is properly installed on your new hosting environment before transferring files. Most hosts offer one-click installations, but manual setups may be needed for custom configurations. Check that the WordPress version matches your original site to avoid compatibility issues.

Confirm the database connection is working by logging into the WordPress admin dashboard. Test basic functions like creating a test post or page to ensure core features are operational. This early verification prevents bigger problems later in the migration process.

If you’re doing a manual migration, carefully upload your wp-config.php file with the correct database credentials. Pay special attention to table prefixes if you used custom ones on your original installation. These small details often cause the most frustrating roadblocks.

3. Set Up Redirects When Migrating to a New Site and Test Them

Create a comprehensive list of all old URLs that need redirecting to new locations. This is especially crucial if you’re changing your site structure or permalink format. Use 301 redirects to preserve SEO value when pages have permanently moved.

Implement redirects at the server level (via .htaccess) for best performance, or use a reliable redirection plugin if server access is limited. Test each redirect thoroughly by accessing old URLs and verifying they properly route to the correct new pages.

Pay special attention to high-traffic pages and those with existing backlinks. Broken redirects can significantly impact user experience and search rankings. Keep a log of all redirects implemented for future reference and troubleshooting.

4. Ensure Your New Site is Crawlable and Indexable

Remove any “discourage search engines” settings you activated before migration. Check your robots.txt file to confirm search engines can access important sections of your site. This ensures your content can be properly discovered and ranked.

Verify that your sitemap is updated and submitted to search consoles. Check for noindex tags that might have accidentally been left on pages during development. These small oversights can significantly delay your SEO recovery post-migration.

Use Google Search Console’s URL inspection tool to test how Google sees your pages. Look for crawl errors or indexing issues that need immediate attention. Early detection of these problems makes them much easier to fix before they impact your rankings.

With these steps completed, your WordPress migration is well underway. You’ve pointed your domain, verified installations, set up redirects, and ensured search engines can find your new site.

What to Do After Migration?

The migration is done, but your work isn’t quite finished yet. This post-migration phase is where you’ll verify everything works perfectly and catch any issues before they impact your visitors.

1. Test Your Site for Overall Functionality

Go through every page of your website like a first-time visitor would. Click all buttons, test forms, and check that images load properly. Don’t forget to test on mobile devices since many users browse that way. Make sure shopping carts, login areas, and contact forms work exactly as they should.

Check that all your plugins are active and functioning correctly after the move. Some features might need reconfiguration in the new environment. Pay special attention to security plugins, caching tools, and any custom functionality that makes your site unique.

Have team members from different departments test the site too. The marketing team might spot issues with landing pages that developers overlook. The customer service team can verify that client-facing features work perfectly. This collaborative approach catches more problems.

2. Look For 404 Errors

Use a broken link checker tool to scan your entire site for missing pages. These often appear after migration when URLs change or files don’t transfer properly. Focus first on fixing 404s on important pages that drive traffic or conversions.

Set up proper redirects for any broken links you find. Permanent 301 redirects work best for maintaining SEO value. Keep a spreadsheet of all redirects you create for future reference and troubleshooting needs.

Monitor your 404 errors in Google Search Console regularly after migration. New broken links sometimes appear days later as search engines recrawl your site. Addressing these quickly prevents negative impacts on user experience and rankings.

3. Check Site Speed

Run speed tests using tools like GTmetrix or PageSpeed Insights from multiple locations. Compare results to your pre-migration benchmarks to spot any performance drops. Pay attention to load times on your most visited pages first.

Optimize images that might have lost compression during transfer. Check if caching is properly configured in your new environment. Sometimes server settings need adjustment to match your old site’s performance levels.

Review your hosting resource usage if speeds remain slow. You might need to upgrade your plan or optimize database queries. Fast load times keep visitors engaged and help maintain your search rankings.

4. Perform an SEO Audit Again to Find Errors

Verify all meta titles, descriptions, and alt text have been transferred correctly. Check that canonical URLs point to the right locations. These small elements greatly impact how search engines understand and rank your content.

Ensure your XML sitemap is updated and submitted to search consoles. Look for accidental noindex tags that might hide pages from search results. Test how search engine crawlers see your pages using inspection tools.

Compare your current technical SEO health to pre-migration reports. Fix any issues that appeared during the move, like broken internal links or missing schema markup. This protects the SEO value you’ve worked hard to build.

5. Track Keyword Ranking and Traffic & Conversions

Monitor your search rankings daily for the first few weeks after migration. Significant drops might indicate technical issues needing immediate attention. Focus on your most valuable keywords that drive business results.

Analyze Google Analytics for changes in traffic patterns. Look for unusual dips in organic visits that could signal indexing problems. Set up conversion tracking to ensure leads and sales aren’t affected by the move.

Keep tracking performance for at least a month after migration. Some ranking fluctuations are normal as search engines adjust to your new setup. Document all changes to understand the migration’s long-term impact.

6. Close Your Old Hosting

Wait at least two weeks before cancelling your old hosting account. This gives you time to confirm everything works perfectly on the new server. Keep a final backup from your old host just in case you need to reference anything.

Double-check that all emails, databases, and files are fully migrated before closing. Some elements, like email accounts or subdomains, might need manual transfer. Verify that nothing important remains on the old server.

Formally cancel your old hosting service through their proper channels. Request confirmation in writing and check for any final billing adjustments. This clean break prevents unexpected charges while ensuring you’ve left nothing valuable behind.

With these post-migration checks complete, you can officially declare your WordPress migration a success. You’ve tested functionality, protected your SEO, optimized performance, and properly retired your old hosting.

Why is WordPress Migration Important?

WordPress migration is more than just moving your website. It is done to improve performance, security, and scalability. Here’s why it matters:

Better Performance & User Experience

• Faster load times: Upgrading to better hosting can cut loading speeds in half, reducing bounce rates.
• Improved reliability: A stable server means fewer crashes during traffic spikes.
• Mobile optimization: Modern hosting ensures smooth performance across all devices.

Enhanced Security & Protection

• Stronger defenses: Newer hosting often includes advanced firewalls and malware scanning.
• Regular updates: Migrating ensures your site runs on the latest, most secure software.
• SSL & HTTPS compliance: Many hosts now include free SSL certificates for better security.

SEO Preservation & Growth

• No ranking drops: Proper migration keeps your search engine rankings intact.
• Faster indexing: Optimized hosting helps search engines crawl your site more efficiently.
• Fix old SEO issues: Migration is a chance to clean up broken links and improve site structure.

Business Growth & Scalability

• Handles more traffic: A better server supports increased visitors without slowdowns.
• Future-proofing: Upgrading now prevents emergency moves later when your site grows.
• New features & integrations: Modern hosting supports the latest WordPress plugins and tools.

Cost & Maintenance Efficiency

• Reduced downtime risks: Planned migration prevents unexpected crashes.
• Better support: Premium hosts offer faster, more reliable customer service.
• Long-term savings: Investing in good hosting now avoids costly fixes later.

Simply put, a well-planned WordPress migration helps in improving your site’s speed, security, and potential for growth. Waiting until your site struggles means lost visitors and revenue. Do it right, and your website will work better for you, not against you.

How WordPress Migration Impacts SEO?

A WordPress migration can make or break your search rankings if not handled carefully. Here’s what happens to your SEO during and after the move and how to avoid common pitfalls.

Temporary Ranking Fluctuations Are Normal

• Search engines need time to recrawl and re-index your site in its new location.
• You might see small ranking drops for a few days but it usually stabilizes.
• If rankings don’t recover within 2-4 weeks, there’s likely an issue to fix.

Broken Links

• If URLs change without proper redirects (301s), you lose link equity.
• Google penalizes sites with too many 404 errors, hurting rankings.
• Always audit internal links post-migration to ensure nothing’s broken.

Site Speed & Performance Matter More Than Ever

• A slow-loading site after migration can tank rankings.
• Test speed using Google PageSpeed Insights and fix issues fast.
• Optimize images, enable caching, and use a CDN if needed.

SSL & HTTPS Must Stay Secure

• If your SSL certificate doesn’t transfer correctly, Google marks your site as “Not Secure.”
• Check that all pages load over HTTPS—mixed content errors hurt SEO.
• Update Google Search Console with your new HTTPS site.

Don’t Let Google Index a Half-Migrated Site

• If search engines crawl your site mid-migration, they might index broken pages.
• Use “Discourage search engines” in WordPress settings during the move.
• Lift this restriction only after everything’s verified.

Backlinks Need Protection

• If you’re changing domains, set up 301 redirects for all old URLs.
• Inform websites linking to you about the change; some might update their links.
• Monitor referring domains in Google Search Console to ensure no link value is lost.

But the good thing is that migration can actually improve your site’s SEO

If you perform WordPress migration the right way, it will:

• Fix old SEO issues (like poor site structure).
• Improve site speed with better hosting.
• Optimize URLs for cleaner, keyword-friendly links.

SEO doesn’t have to suffer after migration if you plan carefully. Test everything, fix errors fast, and monitor rankings closely. Within a month, your site should be stronger than before.

Troubleshooting Common Post-Migration Errors

Errors can occur if the migration isn’t done the right way. But don’t worry, most post-migration issues have straightforward fixes if you know where to look.

• Database Connection Errors: An “Error establishing database connection” message typically means WordPress can’t talk to your database. First, verify that all credentials in your wp-config.php file match what your host provided. Database name, username, and password must be correct. Talk to your hosting provider if you still see the error.
• Missing Images and Media Files: It looks unprofessional if there are broken image icons across your site. It happens when file paths change during migration. The fastest fix is to use a database search/replace tool to update old URLs to your new domain. Always verify your backup before deleting anything from the old server.
• White Screen Issue: When your site loads a blank white page, start by enabling WordPress debugging in your wp-config file. It will reveal the specific error. Common culprits include plugin conflicts (try disabling them via FTP) or exhausted memory limits (your host can increase PHP memory).
• Mixed Content Warnings: Those “Not Secure” browser warnings after moving to HTTPS mean some elements still load over HTTP. Use a mixed content scanner to identify problematic images, scripts, or iframes. While plugins can force HTTPS site-wide, manually updating links in your content provides the most reliable long-term solution.
• 404 Errors on Pretty Permalinks: If only your homepage loads while other pages return 404s, your permalink structure needs refreshing. Go to Settings > Permalinks and click Save to fix this by regenerating rewrite rules. For stubborn cases, you may need to manually edit the .htaccess file with correct directives for your new server environment.
• Login and Admin Access Issues: Can’t access wp-admin after migration? First, try resetting your password. If that doesn’t work, check user tables transferred completely by comparing old and new databases. Sometimes admin capabilities get lost during migration and need reassigning through phpMyAdmin or by creating a new admin user.
• Unexpected Performance Drops: A slower site after migration usually indicates server configuration differences. Start by comparing PHP versions and caching setups between old and new hosts. Disable all caching plugins initially, then re-enable one by one to identify conflicts. Server-level caching like OPcache often needs reconfiguration.

In short, the key to successful troubleshooting is patience and process. Make one change at a time, document everything you try, and always work from fresh backups. Most migration-related issues can be resolved within an hour when you know these essential fixes.

FAQs on WordPress Migration Checklist

Let’s Summarize

WordPress migration doesn’t have to be intimidating. Like moving to a better office space, the temporary effort pays off with improved performance, security, and room to grow. To do it right, you should plan well and inform your user.

Follow the checklist, take your time with testing, and don’t hesitate to ask your hosting provider for help. Many of the worst migration horror stories come from rushed jobs. Yours doesn’t have to be one of them.

Planning to migrate your WordPress site but don’t know where to start? Our experts can help you!