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Moving a website: a practical migration checklist

Writer: Roland Daniells
Roland Daniells
Mar 29, 2023
2 min read

Updated: Oct 21

Plan a website move around content, URLs, domain access, email, redirects and testing, with a rollback route before launch.

Illustration accompanying moving a website: a practical migration checklist

Know what is moving

Changing hosting is different from changing platforms, domains or page URLs. List the pages, files, forms, products, integrations and accounts involved. Check who controls the domain, DNS and email before any change. A hosted builder may require a rebuild rather than a simple file-and-database transfer.

Create an inventory and recovery plan

Record important URLs and any available search or analytics data. Save the content and assets you are entitled to retain, and arrange platform-appropriate backups or exports. Test how recovery would work. Agree who can make changes and when the old setup may safely be retired.

Map URLs and protect working journeys

Where URLs must change, map each important old address to the relevant new page and plan permanent redirects. Update internal links and avoid sending every old page to the homepage. Preserve useful case studies, testimonials and articles. Google advises preparing and testing the new site before a URL move.

Prepare the new site before switching

Check mobile layouts, forms, confirmation messages, key integrations and HTTPS. Review titles, canonicals and temporary indexing restrictions. Plan domain or DNS changes with the person responsible for email so website work does not accidentally interrupt mail. Keep a record of the original settings.

Launch, monitor and retain a rollback route

After the switch, test the public URLs and enquiry process again. Check redirects, sitemap availability and Search Console issues over time. A move can affect crawling and rankings; immediate stability is not guaranteed. Keep the recovery plan and old account until the agreed checks are complete.

Reviewed and updated 21 October 2026. The original publication date is retained.

 
 
 

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  2. 02 / AGREE

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  5. 05 / LAUNCH

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Wix suits businesses that want visual editing and managed website tools. WordPress supports a flexible content-led website, with hosting, plugins and maintenance agreed around the setup.

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Ongoing SEO is scoped separately from a website build. Explore local SEO.

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Targets, access requirements and reporting frequency are agreed in the proposal. No ranking, traffic increase or perfect performance score is guaranteed.

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Rogue’s Gallery Racing

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Copy and photography

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Practical advice on websites, local SEO and business photography, plus stories from the TW Web Design project archive. Written for independent businesses in Reigate, Redhill, Dorking and across Surrey.