The Ultimate Checklist to Migrate Wordpress

Migration Mistakes Are More Common Than You Think

Migrating a WordPress website isn’t something to take lightly, especially when it’s a high-traffic brand site or part of a client portfolio. It’s a risk surface. Done wrong, it costs revenue, tanks SEO and erodes trust. Done right, it’s invisible.

Here’s how to make sure your migration goes unnoticed; in exactly the way it should.

Know What You’re Migrating and Why That Matters

Not all migrations are created equal. There’s a big difference between a full website migration (moving everything from one server or host to another) and a data-only migration (moving content like posts, pages or product data between environments). Confusing the two is a common mistake and it’s often where things go wrong. Before you start, clarify:

• • Are there live users or sales happening during migration?

• • Are you migrating the full site (files + database)?

• • Are you changing domains?

• • Where is the website hosted?

• • Is there a backup in place and what type of backup?

Your responses should assist in formulating your migration plan.

Backup Everything & Test the Backup

A migration is only as safe as its rollback plan. And for that, you need more than a backup, you need a tested recovery path. That means backing up:

• The entire WordPress directory (wp-content, plugins, themes)
• The database (via phpMyAdmin or WP CLI)
• Any media files stored outside the default folders

Then test it. Restore it to a staging environment and verify that the site runs as expected. If you can’t restore it cleanly, it’s not a real backup.

Not sure what to back up or how to test it? Octala offers professional guidance and tailored backup solutions to ensure your migration has zero blind spots.

Don’t Assume Plugin Compatibility

Plugins and themes can behave differently in new environments. Version mismatches, depreciated functions, or PHP conflicts are common culprits. Before you hit go:

• Audit active plugins and themes
• Check for updates
• Review changelogs and PHP version requirements

Better yet; replicate your environment locally or on staging first.

Map and Maintain Your SEO Footprint

One of the biggest hidden risks in a migration is search visibility loss. Here’s where most brands slip:

• URLs change without proper 301 redirects
• XML sitemaps go missing
• Robots.txt blocks search engines
• Analytics or tracking scripts break

Create a redirect map. Keep canonical URLs consistent where possible and monitor rankings immediately after go-live.

Test the Site Post-Migration (Like a User Would)

Once the migration is complete, test everything, not just what developers care about:

• Can users log in, register, or buy?
• Are forms submitting correctly?
• Are internal links working?
• Is performance consistent?

Use real browsers (and clear your cache), mobile devices and multiple accounts. Don’t rely on a single green checkmark in your dev console.

Secure the New Environment

Migrations often lower your guard but this is the time to tighten it. Check:

• File permissions
• Disabled indexing for staging versions
• Admin accounts (remove unused ones)
• Security plugins and firewall rules

Need Help Now? Contact Octala

WordPress migrations fail when they’re rushed, untested, or assumed to be ‘simple’. But with the right checklist and the right people; they’re seamless.

Need a second set of eyes before launch? Octala works with agencies and in-house teams to ensure zero data loss, no SEO damage, and a smooth user experience.

Book a consultation to back up your site properly, verify your migration plan, and go live without surprises.