Almost every organization has to go through the daunting task of website migration once in a while. It is very easy to create new websites using WordPress today. But the same cannot be said about site migration using the manual process.
Migration itself is a very complicated process. It involves handling numerous data in the form of images, posts, platform content location, design, etc. to name a few. The higher risks of a poorly carried out-migration are loss of valuable ranking that you have built so far, loss of parts of the website, and so much more. Thus, migration is something that needs your whole-hearted conviction.
Before you carry out-migration, you need to consider several factors viz. are :
- Backup – it helps to secure and safeguard all your efforts till now.
- Analyse – conduct a thorough analysis of the risks involved in migration. All the factors like traffic loss, revenue loss, lead fall, and keyword ranking drops, etc. needs full consideration. Only at a minimum risk-loss ratio should you go for a migration
- Redirect – carry out 301 redirections and ensure that each URL that you have now redirects into the new one.
- Canonicalize- it helps you to pass over the SEO value of similar looking pages into the most critical and traffic-driving pages.
- UAT – User Acceptance Testing is an indispensable way to check all parameters on content, URLs, etc.
Now, the real question is what the best WordPress plugins for website migration are.
Duplicator
Snap Creek has made some significant contributions to the world of WordPress plugins for website migration, and the Duplicator is one of them.
The Duplicator has both versions free as well as paid Pro version. The Duplicator allows you to clone, move, migrate WordPress sites between various hosts or domains amazing zero downtime( means you will have your site working without any interruption during the migration.)
While using Duplicator, prompt will guide you through a three-step wizard that lets you set the package installer, identify server issues, archive database, and other file types. The Duplicator provides at each stage a detailed report of possible errors and glitches that may occur after the installation.
You will need to have the essential technical know-how to work with the Duplicator. However, all the necessary support is provided in the PRO version, and it also allows scheduling your backups and supports Google Drive Dropbox, package templates, etc.
UpdraftPlus
Considered as one of the top-ranking WordPress plugins for website migration and is available in both paid and free versions.
They urge that backups are the best way to secure your WordPress website against any sudden attacks, errors or crashes. The backup creation involves rounding up files, directories, etc. that you intend to backup. Once the backup is made, you can upload it to your newly migrated site with ease. Just with a click, you can modify or replace your themes, plugins, uploads, and content directories.
Like Duplicator, Updraftplus has all its features available in the premium version. The premium version lets you use additional storage locations, database encryption, multisite, and premium support and handle licenses for multiple sites. The one-click tool allows you to migrate and clone a website and replicate it to a new location.
The defining feature of UpDraftPlus is that it doesn’t need the kind of technical expertise as demanded by Duplicator. The pretty straight interface lets you do things in a matter of a click, be it migration or cloning. It also packs the tools for the website administrators in the form of variety in encryption and storage. It should be the ideal choice for massive site migrations.
BackupBuddy
Considered as one of the top-ranking plugins for website migration and is available in both paid and free versions.
They urge that backups are the best way to secure your WordPress website against any sudden attacks, errors or crashes. The backup creation involves rounding up files, directories, etc. that you intend to backup. Once the backup is made, you can upload it to your newly migrated site with ease. Just with a click, you can modify or replace your themes, plugins, uploads, and content directories.
Like Duplicator, Updraftplus has all its features available in the premium version. The premium version lets you use additional storage locations, database encryption, multisite, and premium support and handle licenses for multiple sites. The one-click tool allows you to migrate and clone a website and replicate it to a new location.
The defining feature of UpDraftPlus is that it doesn’t need the kind of technical expertise as demanded by Duplicator. The pretty straight interface lets you do things in a matter of a click, be it migration or cloning. It also packs the tools for the website administrators in the form of variety in encryption and storage. It should be the ideal choice for massive site migrations.
WP Migrate DB
The WP Migrate DB is different from other plugins when it comes to migration. The WordPress plugins for website migration discussed so far exports the files into packages or archives while migrating. But this plugin converts the website database as an SQL file. It also runs a ‘find and replace’ function for the URLs and data, and the serialized data save in the form of SQL. The only thing then you will have to do is import the SQL file with the help of a database management tool like phpMyAdmin.
If you have a Personal Pro license, then you can add some attractive features to your migration process as well. Like backing up the database before you migrate, pull a database into an installation using the Free WordPress Migration plugin without the need for a separate database administration tool and the option to pause/ resume migration during the process.
WP Migrate DB should be the ideal tool for you if you are working locally and intend to migrate current data from the production site or want to move a local site to a production site.
All in One WP Migration
Developed by ServMask, it is a natural choice when you are looking for a plugin that can bypass the server upload size limit up to 512 MB. It supports the popular WordPress hosting providers like Bluehost, GoDaddy, WP Engine, Dreamhost, etc.
All in One WP Migration lets you move media elements, plugins, themes, and your WordPress database. The find/replace feature helps you repair broken links and files after the migration to the new site. The plugin carries a built-in facility to migrate to the cloud with Dropbox, One Drive, Google Drive, etc.
The outstanding thing about this plugin is its mobile optimization that lets you backup and migrates WordPress when you are not present physically in the location.
Now you can make migration decisions with greater confidence. The time of plugins that can ease your migraines has finally come. Use the above plugins to make a move with greater security and agility.
