WordPress to Webflow:
Enterprise migration checklist.
The prospect of migrating from WordPress to Webflow may seem daunting. But the benefits for enterprise teams are clear: greater agility to quickly create beautiful and engaging web experiences combined with the enterprise-grade performance and security you need.
Whether you’re exploring making the switch or have already started the migration process, the steps below will give you a good idea of what’s involved—and how to do it right.
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- Identify success metrics. Define measurable objectives, KPIs, and success criteria for your migration, incorporating stakeholder input early on.
- Conduct a functionality audit. Evaluate and document your current WordPress site's functionality, content structure, plugins, theme customizations and integrations. Prioritize what needs to be carried over.
- Develop a content and data migration plan. Identify how existing functionalities will be implemented in Webflow, considering aspects like SEO/AEO management, forms, personalization and digital asset management.
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- Define responsibilities and a project timeline. Create a RACI matrix, establish milestones, and implement a project management process (including any geo or localization needs) to track progress. Purge old and underperforming content and pages. Coordinate content freezes and stakeholder reviews.
- Conduct a content collections/fields audit. List all content for migration and identify which pages will be static and which will become part of a CMS Collection. Use Webflow CMS Collections to define fields and types to replace WordPress taxonomies and custom post types.
- Export and format CMS content. Use tools like WP All Export to export relevant data types (posts, pages, custom post types, media) into separate CSV files. Use Webflow MCP Server to accelerate this process.
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- Establish a design system. Use variables to store color, typography, and other system guidelines and leverage them to create reusable components and templates. Recreate your old site theme with new extensibility, or start from scratch, optionally leveraging Figma to keep Webflow in sync with a master document.
- Create or choose a Webflow CSS framework. Consider whether your team has the time and resources to create your own framework, which helps by adding structural, reusable components of your design system. If not, you may adopt an existing framework, such as Mast, Client-First or Lumos.
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- Conduct performance, URL, and sitemap analyses. Capture baseline performance metrics using tools like WebPageTest. Ensure all pre-migration URLs exist on Webflow or have 301 redirects, using tools like Screaming Frog for scanning.
- Conduct a user audit. Review existing WordPress user access and determine if all users still need access. Then create corresponding roles in Webflow, and invite users to your Webflow workspace.
- Establish required functionality with integrations. Set up necessary integrations (e.g., MOPS, ABM, media tags, analytics platform like Google Analytics or MixPanel) and configure Webflow features like Localization or Optimize.
- Implement your design system in Webflow. Either create a Style Guide project in Webflow or import your design system from an external tool like Figma.
- Configure CMS Collections. Create any CMS Collections you defined in your content audit and their corresponding fields within Webflow's CMS.
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- Import CMS content. Import your CMS content from the CSV files you created into Webflow. An early import allows for design work with real content, with a possible final import closer to switchover to capture any content changes that have occurred in the interim.
- Design pages and templates. Build static pages, page templates and CMS Collection templates using your design system and CSS framework for scalability.
- Configure sitemap, image compression and performance settings. Enable Webflow's autogenerated sitemap (or use a custom one), configure icons and canonical URLs, and compress images for performance.
- Implement 301 redirects and optimize metadata. Create a comprehensive redirect map and implement 301 redirects. Configure page titles and metadata for optimal SEO/AEO and social sharing.
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- Set up a staging environment for testing. Use Webflow's staging functionality or a subdomain for testing, implementing version control.
- Check content accuracy, design consistency, analytics tracking and SEO/AEO readiness. Verify all migrated content, including text formatting, image rendering, link functionality, analytics tracking and SEO/AEO elements.
- Ensure accessibility, mobile responsiveness and speed. Confirm the site is accessible to screen readers. Make sure it is responsive across devices and performs well at various connection speeds.
- Establish publishing workflows and approvals. Define clear workflows for quality control, including approval processes, editor permissions and content review checklists.
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- Go live with your new site. Add your custom domain to your production environment, verify ownership, publish from staging, and switch your DNS to point to Webflow.
- Train teams to manage the site. Create documentation for your site and provide comprehensive training, including hands-on training, to different user roles. Make reference materials available and easy to access.
Why choose Iron Horse for your Webflow migration?
Data-oriented approach.
We take a best practices driven comprehensive approach to ensure your migration is effective and meets your objectives.
Agile methodology.
Our agile approach allows us to iterate and pivot based on results, ensuring your project stays on track and delivers optimal outcomes efficiently.
Consultative partnership.
We use our Enterprise migration expertise and change management approach to partner with you to deliver a successful migration in a highly transparent and governed manner.
Webflow Enterprise Premium Partner.
Our strategic relationship with the Webflow team allows us to advise you to build a forward looking roadmap that continues innovation and delivers outcomes.
