Website Migration and Rebuilds Without Losing Content, Links or Visibility

Every project starts with an inventory. We list all pages and posts, media files, forms and where their entries go, plugins and what each does, integrations such as CRMs and payment gateways, scheduled tasks, email setups, redirects already in place, tracking tags and the current performance of the site. We also record which pages receive traffic and links, using analytics, Search Console and a crawl of the site. This inventory becomes the checklist against which the new site is tested, and it often reveals forgotten items that would otherwise break silently.

Next comes the plan. We decide what moves as it is, what is improved and what is retired. For each old URL we choose its destination on the new site, creating a redirect map so that visitors and search engines are sent to the right place with a permanent redirect. Pages that are merged or removed redirect to the closest relevant replacement, not blindly to the homepage. Where the URL structure changes, we assess the effect carefully, because changing URLs always carries some risk, and keep the old structure where it is already good.

Work then takes place on a private staging copy. Content is moved by automated tools where reliable, and checked manually where formatting matters. Media is optimised, internal links are updated, forms and integrations are rebuilt and tested with real submissions, and tracking is reinstalled. The staging site is blocked from search engines until launch. We test layouts on phones and desktops, speed, forms, search, menus, checkout flows and any special features, and we compare the new site against the inventory page by page. On launch day, we take backups of the old site, switch the domain or platform at a quiet time, check SSL and email, confirm redirects, submit updated sitemaps and verify analytics. For the following weeks we monitor error reports, crawl data, search performance and enquiries, correcting issues quickly. Some short-term fluctuation in search visibility is normal after major changes, and we explain this in advance. We cannot guarantee that traffic will not change, but a careful process greatly reduces avoidable losses. Throughout, you keep ownership of hosting, domain and files, and you receive documentation of what was moved, what changed and how the new site works.

Cost depends on size and complexity, so we quote after the inventory. The main factors are:

• Number of pages, posts, products and media files.
• Source and target platforms and how well they exchange data.
• Amount of redesign or restructuring.
• Integrations, forms and special features to rebuild.
• Redirect volume and SEO protection work.
• Testing depth and monitoring period.

A migration or rebuild can be a short, contained job or a long project, so we price it after seeing the current site. Moving a small site to a new platform with the same design is much simpler than rebuilding a large site with thousands of pages, custom features and several languages. The amount of content, the number of different page types and the state of the existing code usually matter more than how many visitors the site has.

The quote shows what is included: content and media transfer, setup of the new platform, rebuilding of templates, form and integration testing, redirect mapping and a monitoring period after launch. It also states what is not included, such as new content writing or extra features, so you can compare it fairly with other proposals. Hosting and licences are paid to their providers.

The cheapest-looking option is not always the lowest cost. A rushed migration that drops redirects or breaks forms can lose enquiries and search visibility, which is far more expensive to repair than to prevent. That is why the plan includes testing on a private copy, a launch checklist and checks after launch. We recommend spending effort where the risk is highest, such as high-traffic pages and pages that bring in leads.

To get an accurate quote, send us your current website address, the platform it runs on if you know it, the reason for the change and any features you want to add or drop. We will review the site and answer with a plan, a timeline and a written price.

For stores and membership sites, we also plan the timing of the switch. Orders, sign-ups and form entries made while the new site is being finished must not be lost, so we choose a quiet period, take a final copy of the data just before launch and check that new entries reach you afterwards.

We keep the old site available until the new one is confirmed stable. If something unexpected appears, there is a path back, and you are never left without a working website.

Email and third-party tools need the same care. Contact forms, newsletter sign-ups, payment gateways, booking tools, analytics and chat widgets are listed before the move, reconnected on the new site and tested one by one. We also record any tracking codes, so that reporting continues without a gap and you can compare before and after.

If you are unsure whether you need a migration or a full rebuild, we review the current site and explain both routes, with their costs, risks and benefits, so that you can decide with confidence.

See also website development, website redesign and modernization, web hosting, SEO services or contact us.