Move Your WordPress Website Safely
Moving a WordPress website involves more than transferring files from one server to another.
Hosting, databases, domains, DNS, SSL certificates, email, redirects, analytics and caching can all be affected during a migration. A poorly managed move can result in downtime, broken functionality or lost search visibility.
Erikson Media provides WordPress migration services designed to move websites safely while minimizing disruption to customers and search engines.
Our migration services are part of our broader WordPress Services.
When Should You Migrate a WordPress Website?
There are several reasons a business may need to move its website.
Common situations include:
- Moving to a new hosting provider
- Upgrading to better hosting infrastructure
- Moving away from an old web agency
- Consolidating website management
- Changing domain names
- Moving from staging to production
- Separating a website from an existing hosting account
- Improving website performance or reliability
- Taking control of business-owned digital assets
Whatever the reason, the objective is the same: move the website while preserving its functionality, data and visibility.
Our WordPress Migration Process
Every migration is different, but a typical project includes:
- Review the existing website and hosting environment
- Create a complete website backup
- Prepare the new hosting environment
- Transfer WordPress files and database
- Configure the new installation
- Update domain and DNS settings
- Configure SSL
- Test website functionality
- Verify forms and tracking
- Check redirects and URLs
- Review website performance
- Monitor the website after launch
Planning the migration before changing DNS helps reduce the risk of unnecessary downtime.
WordPress Hosting Migration
Businesses often migrate WordPress because their existing hosting has become slow, unreliable, expensive or difficult to manage.
Moving to a better hosting environment can improve reliability and provide a stronger foundation for security, backups and performance.
After migration, Erikson Media can continue managing the website through our Managed WordPress services.
Domain Migration
Changing a website’s domain requires additional planning.
Existing URLs may already have backlinks, search rankings and traffic. Simply moving the content to a new domain without properly redirecting the old URLs can damage those assets.
A domain migration may require:
Old URL → 301 Redirect → New URL
We map important URLs, configure redirects and verify the new domain so visitors and search engines can transition to the new location.
Protecting SEO During a Migration
Search visibility should be considered before the website is moved.
We review important URLs and avoid unnecessary structural changes during a straightforward hosting migration.
When URLs or domains must change, redirects and indexing signals need to be handled correctly.
Key considerations include:
- Existing URL structure
- 301 redirects
- Internal links
- Canonical URLs
- XML sitemaps
- Robots directives
- Search Console
- Analytics
- Broken links
- Indexation
Businesses with significant local search visibility can also integrate the migration with our Local SEO Services.
Migrating Without Losing Website Data
A WordPress website contains several components that need to remain synchronized.
These can include:
- WordPress core files
- Themes
- Plugins
- Media files
- Database content
- Users
- Forms
- Configuration settings
- Custom code
We create a backup before migration and verify the transferred website before completing the transition.
DNS and SSL Configuration
A website migration often requires changes outside WordPress itself.
DNS determines where the domain sends visitors, while SSL provides the secure HTTPS connection expected by modern browsers and search engines.
We coordinate these components as part of the migration to help ensure the domain resolves correctly and the website remains securely accessible.
Forms, Analytics and Tracking
A website can appear to work normally after migration while important systems have stopped functioning.
We check critical functionality such as contact forms, analytics and conversion tracking after the move.
For businesses using more advanced measurement systems, our Lead Tracking services can help connect website enquiries with their acquisition sources.
Migration and Website Redesign
A migration does not necessarily require a redesign.
If the existing website is performing well, moving it without making major structural changes is often the safer approach.
However, migration can also be an opportunity to replace an outdated or difficult-to-manage website.
If the underlying website needs significant improvement, our WordPress Redesign service can combine the migration with a broader rebuild.
Migration and Performance Optimization
Moving to better infrastructure may improve website performance, but hosting is only one part of WordPress performance.
Themes, plugins, images, scripts, caching and database configuration can also affect speed.
After migration, additional improvements can be made through WordPress Speed Optimization.
After the Migration
Once the website has been moved successfully, ongoing maintenance becomes the next priority.
Updates, backups, security monitoring and technical support help protect the website and reduce the likelihood of future problems.
Our Managed WordPress Services can take responsibility for the website after the migration is complete.
Planning a WordPress Migration?
Whether you’re changing hosting providers, moving to a new domain or taking control of an existing website, Erikson Media can manage the technical migration from start to finish.
View Our Work or request a quote to discuss your WordPress migration.