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Migrate to a Different CMS

What You Need Before You Start

This guide shows you how to migrate your website to a different CMS, such as moving from WordPress to Drupal. It is for owners and developers planning a move between content management systems, and the platform types are explained in types of content management systems. Before you start, you need a full export of your content and files, a list of plugins or extensions in use, and a test environment on the new platform.

Steps to Migrate Your Site

  1. Inventory your content and features. List content types, custom fields, categories, user accounts, forms and every plugin or extension. Each one needs a replacement on the new platform, a rebuild or a decision to drop it.
  2. Map fields and content types. Decide how each old content type becomes a type on the new platform. For example, WordPress custom post types and fields need a matching structure in the target system. Plan how to handle any field the new platform cannot store.
  3. Map every URL to its new address. Build a spreadsheet of old and new addresses. If the permalink structure changes, set a permanent (HTTP 301) redirect for each old URL, so visitors and search engines reach the right page.
  4. Import into a test copy first. Move the content, media and user accounts to a separate copy of the new site. Check the results page by page, fix errors and repeat the import until the output is clean.
  5. Rebuild the design and features. Themes, templates and plugin functions are platform-specific, so rebuild them on the new platform rather than copying files across.
  6. Test, switch and monitor. Check forms, search, logins and redirects on the test copy. Then point the domain at the new site during a quiet period, and watch errors and traffic for several weeks.

Common Mistakes and When to Ask for Help

  • Skipping the URL map. Without redirects, bookmarks, links and search results lead to error pages.
  • Copying shortcodes or page-builder layouts unchanged. They often need to be rebuilt or converted on the new platform.
  • Assuming passwords carry over. Password storage formats differ, so users may need to reset theirs.
  • Switching live before testing. Problems found after launch are harder and more costly to fix.

Ask a developer for help with custom fields, complex plugins or a custom design. Ask your current host's support team for help with exporting the database and files if the tools are unclear.

Can I migrate a CMS website myself?

Small, simple sites can sometimes be moved with export and import tools. Any site with custom fields, many plugins or specific design needs usually requires a developer. Whatever the approach, test the result on a separate copy before switching the live domain.

Will a CMS migration hurt my search rankings?

It can, if URLs change without redirects or content is lost or altered. A careful migration maps every old URL to a new one, keeps titles and descriptions, and monitors search traffic after launch. When it is done well, the effect is usually small and short-lived.

How long does a CMS migration take?

It depends on the amount of content, the number of custom features and how much of the design must be rebuilt. A small site with simple content can move in a few weeks, while a large site with many custom types can take months. Allow time for testing, which is often the longest stage.