What is content migration?
As the name suggests, content migration refers to the process of taking the content of one website and moving it to a different location.
If you wish to learn more about this topic, check out the FAQ section below:
Question #1: What is the purpose of content migration?
The main purpose of content migration is to transfer all or part of the content of one website to a different location. This is typically done as part of a website revamp or when the owner of a website decides to use a different hosting service.
In some cases, it is not just about copying and pasting your content as is. For example, if you are doing a full website revamp, then you are most likely also revising your entire website architecture to improve the overall user experience, make your website more SEO-friendly, or both.
This means that copying your content as is would not work. You will need to figure out where your existing content would go on the new site and maybe even make changes along the way.
The only time you can ever migrate your content as is is if you are simply moving the exact same version of your website to a different hosting platform.
Question #2: What are the keys to successful content migration?
The main key to successful content migration is to decide on the content architecture you will use and finalise your new site map first before moving anything. To do this, you will need to get clear on your reason for deciding to do content migration in the first place.
By doing this step first, you will know exactly which pieces of content to migrate and where to put them. Otherwise, things will get messy fast, especially if you have a massive website with a lot of pages.
Question #3: Do I need to keep all old content during content migration?
The short answer is no, you do not need to keep all old content during content migration. The only reason you would want to do so is if you are simply moving your existing website to a new hosting platform and want to keep everything as is. Otherwise, you should only migrate the pieces of content that would fit the new site architecture and site map you will be using.
Think of content migration as a chance to ‘declutter’ your website. You should leave behind any piece of content that does not actually provide any value (or is no longer relevant) to your customers.
Question #4: Do I copy content as is during content migration?
It depends.
If you are simply migrating your exact website to a different location, then yes, you should copy your content as is. After all, the goal here is to have the exact same website but on a different hosting platform.
If you are doing a website revamp, however, then you can use content migration as a chance to improve your existing content before they are posted on the new website. Below are some tweaks you can do:
- Proofread and revise blog posts
- Revise, update, and improve your web copy
- Replace outdated images and videos
- Explore better ways of delivering old content
- Improve the accessibility of old content
Question #5: What are the most common content migration issues to watch out for?
The most common content migration issues to watch out for include:
- Disorganisation and confusion
- Data loss
- Compatibility issues
Let us take a closer look at each one:
First, the larger the content migration project is, the more confusing and disorganised it can become. To prevent this, it is important to have a proper content migration plan in place before the project commences.
Second, it is also quite common for content migration projects to encounter data loss along the way. To fix this, aside from taking extra care every step of the way, make sure everything is backed up before the project starts.
Finally, moving your website from one platform to another exposes you to all sorts of compatibility issues. To fix this, make sure you figure out how to adapt your existing content to the new platform before you start migrating anything.