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Codemotives

Commerce & CMS Builds

Careful WordPress Migrations

Move a WordPress site to a new host or domain, or into WordPress from another platform, with testing and rollback planned in advance.

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Overview

WordPress Migration

WordPress migrations go wrong in predictable ways: serialized data breaks, media paths change, plugins behave differently on a new server, and email or SSL settings get lost. Codemotives follows a repeatable process: inventory, full backup, staging copy, test, then a timed cutover with a rollback option. Each stage has a checkpoint, so problems are caught before the live switch.

We cover host-to-host moves, domain changes, multisite splits and merges, and migrations into WordPress from Drupal, Joomla, Wix, Squarespace or custom systems. This page is specific to WordPress; broader platform moves have their own page. We protect search visibility through redirects and metadata checks, but cannot promise that rankings stay fixed through any large change.

Context

Problems we solve

  • 01

    Broken data and links

    Search-and-replace mistakes corrupt serialized data. We use safe tools like WP-CLI for URL changes.

  • 02

    Host differences

    PHP versions, limits and caching differ by host. We match and test the environment before cutover.

  • 03

    Plugin incompatibility

    Some plugins fail on new servers or PHP versions. We test each and plan replacements.

  • 04

    Email and SSL interruptions

    DNS changes can disrupt mail and certificates. We document and preserve those records.

Capabilities

What we deliver

  1. 01

    Pre-migration audit

    Review of plugins, theme, PHP version, database size, media and integrations.

  2. 02

    Safe database and file move

    Full backup and transfer with serialized-safe URL replacement.

  3. 03

    Staging validation

    Forms, checkout, search, and user flows tested before the live switch.

  4. 04

    Cross-platform import

    Content, users and media imported from other CMS platforms and mapped to WordPress structures.

  5. 05

    Redirects and SEO checks

    301 mapping, canonical, sitemap and robots checks after the move.

  6. 06

    Cutover and aftercare

    Scheduled DNS switch, monitoring and quick fixes in the following days.

Where it fits

  • Moving to managed WordPress hosting
  • Domain change after rebrand
  • Joomla or Drupal to WordPress
  • Multisite network consolidation
  • Upgrading old PHP and plugins during move

Technologies we use

  • WordPress
  • WP-CLI
  • MySQL
  • Duplicator
  • Cloudflare
  • PHP
  • Apache
  • Nginx

Approach

How we deliver

  1. 1

    Discover

    We learn your goals, users, constraints and existing systems before proposing anything.

  2. 2

    Plan

    Scope, priorities, architecture and milestones are agreed so everyone knows what ships when.

  3. 3

    Design

    User flows, interfaces and technical design are shaped and reviewed with you early.

  4. 4

    Build

    Work is delivered in short iterations with regular demos, so progress is always visible.

  5. 5

    Test

    Functional, integration and performance checks run throughout, not only at the end.

  6. 6

    Launch & support

    We deploy, monitor and keep improving the product after it goes live.

FAQs

Common questions

Have a question that is not covered here? Get in touch.

How long will the site be down?

Often only minutes during DNS propagation, because the new site is built and tested in advance. Sites with frequent orders or form submissions need extra planning.

What if something goes wrong?

We keep the original site and a full backup intact, so you can switch back. Rollback is part of the plan, not an afterthought.

Can you move us from Wix or Squarespace?

Yes, though content export from builders is limited. Some pages need rebuilding, and design cannot be copied directly.

Explore

Keep exploring

Let's build what's next

Tell us about your idea, product or legacy system. Send us a message and we will help you scope the right next step.

Get in touch