Lots of our readers are apprehensive that transferring a WordPress web site or switching to a special website positioning plugin will have an effect on their web site search rankings.
Search is the first visitors supply for many web sites, so that you wish to be extraordinarily cautious when migrating.
On this tutorial, we are going to share the last word WordPress website positioning migration guidelines. It is going to be certain that all of your website positioning settings are preserved in the course of the migration with out hurting any of your search rankings.
![A handy checklist to assist you during WordPress SEO migration A handy checklist to assist you during WordPress SEO migration](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/WordPress-SEO-migration-checklist-OG.png)
Here’s a record of subjects we are going to cowl on this information:
What Is website positioning Migration?
website positioning migration is a set of finest practices for sustaining search rankings and website positioning settings whereas transferring or making main adjustments to a web site.
Search is the #1 supply of visitors for many web sites. It could be unhealthy to lose some or all of that visitors throughout a migration.
Listed here are some widespread eventualities when you will have website positioning migration:
- Shifting a WordPress web site to a brand new area title
- Shifting your web site to a brand new WordPress internet hosting supplier
- Switching to a greater WordPress website positioning plugin
It is advisable to be certain that you are taking correct precautions to protect all of your web site information and website positioning.
Following this step-by-step guidelines will permit you to do correct WordPress website positioning migration with out shedding rankings and visitors.
Making ready Your Web site for Migration
First, it is advisable put together your WordPress web site for migration. You’ll do this by organising correct website positioning monitoring and making a whole web site backup.
Step 1: Monitor Your website positioning Efficiency
First, you wish to just remember to can correctly perceive how your web site is doing in search earlier than you start the migration.
This can aid you examine your search efficiency after the migration and decide if the migration had any unfavourable or optimistic affect in your visitors.
You’ll want two instruments to trace this information.
1. Set Up Google Analytics
The best approach to observe and monitor your web site visitors is by utilizing MonsterInsights. It helps you simply set up Google Analytics in your web site, which displays your web site visitors and exhibits you the place your customers are coming from.
![MonsterInsights MonsterInsights](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/monsterinsights-680-1.png)
![MonsterInsights MonsterInsights](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/monsterinsights-680-1.png)
For extra particulars, see our tutorial on the right way to set up Google Analytics in WordPress.
Word: In case you haven’t used Google Analytics earlier than, then it is going to take a while earlier than it begins displaying any information.
After you have arrange MonsterInsights, it is possible for you to to see your web site visitors efficiency by visiting the Insights » Stories web page.
![dashboard-reports-monsterinsights dashboard-reports-monsterinsights](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/dashboard-reports-monsterinsights.png)
![dashboard-reports-monsterinsights dashboard-reports-monsterinsights](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/dashboard-reports-monsterinsights.png)
For extra particulars, see our information on the right way to observe web site guests in WordPress.
2. Set Up Google Search Console
Google Search Console is a free device that helps web site house owners observe their efficiency in Google search outcomes.
First, you will have to enroll and add your web site to Google Search Console.
After that, you can be requested to confirm possession of your web site. You are able to do that by including a code snippet to your website’s header.
We suggest utilizing All in One SEO for WordPress to confirm your website’s possession. It makes it simple so as to add a Google Search Console verification code.
![All in One SEO - Google Search Console verification All in One SEO - Google Search Console verification](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/aioseo-gsc-verification.png)
![All in One SEO - Google Search Console verification All in One SEO - Google Search Console verification](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/aioseo-gsc-verification.png)
Extra importantly, All in One website positioning has probably the most highly effective XML sitemaps, which you’ll then add to your Google Search Console account to enhance how Google crawls your web site.
As soon as your web site is verified, it is possible for you to to entry a treasure trove of information. You possibly can see it in your Google Search Console dashboard beneath the Efficiency tab.
![Google Search Console performance Google Search Console performance](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/gsc-performance.png)
![Google Search Console performance Google Search Console performance](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/gsc-performance.png)
It is going to present you ways typically your website seems in search outcomes, what number of clicks you get, which key phrases you might be rating for, and search rating positions.
For extra particulars, see our tutorial on the right way to add your WordPress web site to Google Search Console.
3. Obtain XML Sitemaps
An XML sitemap lists all of your web site content material in XML format so serps like Google can simply uncover and index it.
WordPress generates a fundamental XML sitemap by default. Nonetheless, this sitemap is kind of fundamental and never customizable.
For higher XML sitemaps, we suggest utilizing All in One SEO For WordPress. It generates complete sitemaps that you may customise manually.
For particulars, see our tutorial on creating an XML sitemap in WordPress.
![XML sitemaps XML sitemaps](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/xmlsitemaps.png)
![XML sitemaps XML sitemaps](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/xmlsitemaps.png)
After you have created XML sitemaps, it is advisable obtain them to your laptop.
Merely open an XML sitemap and choose ‘Save as’ from the right-click menu.
![Save sitemaps Save sitemaps](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/save-sitemap.png)
![Save sitemaps Save sitemaps](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/save-sitemap.png)
Repeat the method to obtain all sitemap XML information.
3. Obtain URLs Utilizing Screaming Frog website positioning Spider (Paid)
Screaming Frog SEO Spider is an app for website positioning professionals. It lets you crawl any web site, like serps, and acquire necessary information for website positioning.
It crawls all of your web site URLs, exterior hyperlinks, picture URLs, JavaScript and CSS information, and extra.
Open the app in your laptop, go to File » Settings, and alter the ‘Storage Mode’ to ‘Database Storage’.
![Switch Screaming Frog Storage Mode Switch Screaming Frog Storage Mode](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/switch-storage-mode.png)
![Switch Screaming Frog Storage Mode Switch Screaming Frog Storage Mode](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/switch-storage-mode.png)
After that, it is advisable enter your web site URL within the prime bar and click on on the ‘Begin’ button.
Screaming Frog website positioning Spider will begin crawling your web site. Anticipate it to complete the crawl, which can take a while, relying in your web site’s dimension.
![Perform crawl to collect your website URLs Perform crawl to collect your website URLs](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/perform-crawl-seo-spider.png)
![Perform crawl to collect your website URLs Perform crawl to collect your website URLs](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/perform-crawl-seo-spider.png)
As soon as completed, your crawl information shall be saved within the app’s database.
After the migration, you’ll be able to crawl your web site once more after which examine the information to seek out lacking URLs, damaged hyperlinks, photographs, and different information.
Word: A free model of Screaming Frog software program is offered for obtain. Nonetheless, it’s restricted to 500 URLs, and most different options are locked. You’ll need the paid model to carry out a full crawl and unlock all options.
4. Examine with Semrush Website Audit (Paid)
Semrush is without doubt one of the finest website positioning platforms utilized by entrepreneurs and website positioning professionals.
You possibly can carry out a whole website audit earlier than and after the migration, which is able to spotlight the adjustments in your website positioning efficiency.
![Semrush site audit Semrush site audit](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/semrush-site-audit.png)
![Semrush site audit Semrush site audit](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/semrush-site-audit.png)
Semrush can even allow you to catch lacking information, damaged hyperlinks, URLs that aren’t indexable, 404 errors, and different website positioning warnings.
Word: Semrush has a free model, however it’s restricted. For a complete website positioning website audit, you’ll want a paid plan.
Step 2: Again Up Your Web site
A backup is without doubt one of the most necessary instruments in your arsenal for securing all of your information.
Typically, it is best to arrange automated backups in your web site so {that a} full, recent copy of your website is at all times safely saved. That is useful if one thing unhealthy occurs to your web site and it is advisable restore it rapidly.
You have to additionally create a whole WordPress backup earlier than initiating main website adjustments, reminiscent of a migration.
There are a number of WordPress backup plugins that you need to use.
We suggest utilizing Duplicator as a result of it’s a full backup and migration plugin for WordPress.
![Duplicator Duplicator](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/duplicator-website.png)
![Duplicator Duplicator](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/duplicator-website.png)
Making a backup utilizing Duplicator is tremendous simple.
First, it is advisable set up and activate the Duplicator plugin. For extra particulars, see our tutorial on the right way to set up a WordPress plugin.
Upon activation, go to the Duplicator » Packages web page and click on the ‘Create New’ button.
![Creating a new package in Duplicator Creating a new package in Duplicator](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/duplicator-create-new-package.png)
![Creating a new package in Duplicator Creating a new package in Duplicator](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/duplicator-create-new-package.png)
Duplicator will begin the brand new bundle wizard. Merely observe the on-screen directions to create the bundle.
After you have created a bundle, you’ll be able to obtain it to your laptop.
![Duplicator download package and installer files Duplicator download package and installer files](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/duplicator-download-both-files.png)
![Duplicator download package and installer files Duplicator download package and installer files](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/duplicator-download-both-files.png)
If you’re migrating your WordPress web site to a brand new server or area title, then you too can obtain the bundle and installer information to your laptop.
Step 3: Migrating Your WordPress Web site (Optionally available)
If you’re not migrating your WordPress web site to a brand new host or to a brand new area title, then you’ll be able to skip this step.
Now that you’ve got downloaded Duplicator packages to your laptop, you’ll be able to migrate your WordPress web site.
Migrating WordPress to a New Host
In case you haven’t already carried out so, you first want to enroll in a brand new host.
We suggest utilizing Bluehost. They’re one of many largest internet hosting firms on this planet and an formally really useful WordPress internet hosting supplier.
They provide WPBeginner customers a beneficiant low cost on internet hosting and a free area title. You will get began for $1.99 per thirty days.
You might be able to migrate your web site after you have arrange your new internet hosting account.
Observe the directions in our step-by-step tutorial on the right way to transfer WordPress to a brand new host.
Migrating WordPress to a New Area
This part is for customers migrating WordPress to a brand new area title.
Please maintain the next factors in thoughts earlier than migrating a web site to a brand new area title.
- Switching to a brand new area might briefly affect your search rankings as Google and different serps modify to the adjustments.
- Switching to a brand new area might also briefly scale back your search visitors. That is regular when switching domains.
Nonetheless, you’ll be able to scale back the affect and rapidly recuperate by correctly switching the area title and following this website positioning migration information.
Proceed with our step-by-step tutorial on transferring WordPress to a brand new area title.
As soon as you might be carried out, return to this information and observe the remaining steps.
Submit Migration website positioning Guidelines
After transferring your WordPress web site (both to a brand new host or a brand new area), it’s time to carry out the post-migration website positioning checks.
These steps will stop any unfavourable website positioning affect of the migration and repair potential points earlier than they turn into an issue.
Step 4. Setting Up Redirects
When you have migrated your WordPress website to a brand new area title, you have to redirect customers from the outdated area title to the brand new one.
This step is essential for a profitable website positioning migration.
These redirects correctly ship customers out of your outdated area to the brand new one, they usually additionally let serps know that your web site has moved to this new location.
There are two simple methods to do that in WordPress. We’ll present you each.
Methodology 1. Set Up Full Website Redirect Utilizing All in One website positioning for WordPress
For this technique, you’ll want the All in One SEO for WordPress. It’s the finest WordPress website positioning plugin in the marketplace and lets you optimize your WordPress web site for website positioning.
First, it is advisable set up and activate the All in One SEO for WordPress plugin in your outdated area. For extra particulars, see our step-by-step information on the right way to set up a WordPress plugin.
Word: You’ll want at the least the Professional model of the plugin to entry the redirect supervisor addon.
Upon activation in your outdated area, it is advisable go to the All in One website positioning » Redirects web page and click on on the ‘Activate Redirects’ button.
![Activate AIOSEO Redirects Activate AIOSEO Redirects](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/303aioseoactivateredirects.png)
![Activate AIOSEO Redirects Activate AIOSEO Redirects](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/303aioseoactivateredirects.png)
Subsequent, it is advisable swap to the ‘Full Website Redirect’ tab and activate the ‘Relocate Website’ toggle.
After that, it is advisable enter your new area title subsequent to the ‘Relocate to area’ possibility.
![All in One SEO full site redirect All in One SEO full site redirect](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/aioseo-full-site-redirect.png)
![All in One SEO full site redirect All in One SEO full site redirect](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/aioseo-full-site-redirect.png)
Don’t neglect to click on the ‘Save Modifications’ button to retailer your settings.
Methodology 2. Arrange Redirects Utilizing Redirection
You need to use this technique in case you are not utilizing All in One website positioning for WordPress.
First, set up and activate the Redirection plugin in your outdated area title. For extra particulars, see our tutorial on the right way to set up a WordPress plugin.
Upon activation, go to the Instruments » Redirection web page and swap to the Website tab.
![Redirection full site redirect Redirection full site redirect](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/redirection-site-redirect.png)
![Redirection full site redirect Redirection full site redirect](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/redirection-site-redirect.png)
Underneath the Relocate Website part, add your new area title and click on the Replace button to avoid wasting your settings.
The Redirection plugin will now redirect customers and serps to your area title.
Step 5. Examine URLS
Subsequent, it is advisable carry out a complete web site crawl to match all URLs on the brand new web site with the outdated information.
That is the information you collected in step one to benchmark your website positioning efficiency earlier than the migration.
1. Examine URLs Utilizing XML Sitemaps
Arrange XML sitemaps in your new web site utilizing All in One SEO. After that, obtain the XML Sitemaps to your laptop.
Merely examine the brand new sitemap URLs with the outdated sitemaps you downloaded earlier.
2. Examine URLs Utilizing Screaming Frog website positioning Spider
When you have a paid subscription to Screaming Frog website positioning Spider, then you’ll be able to examine the 2 crawls.
Open the App and carry out a full crawl of your new web site. After that, swap to the Mode » Examine tab and choose the present and former crawl.
![Compare crawls Compare crawls](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/compare-crawls-screaming-frog.png)
![Compare crawls Compare crawls](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/compare-crawls-screaming-frog.png)
You may as well carry out extra complete analyses by inspecting each crawls in numerous Modes, reminiscent of Listing and Spider mode.
Screaming Frog website positioning Spider web site has an in depth tutorial on comparing crawls.
3. Examine URLs Utilizing Semrush
One other simple approach to examine URLs is with Semrush utilizing the Website Audit device.
When you have arrange Semrush earlier than migration utilizing a paid subscription plan, then you’ll be able to examine it with the brand new craw post-migration.
![Semrush crawl issues Semrush crawl issues](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/semrush-crawl-issues.png)
![Semrush crawl issues Semrush crawl issues](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/semrush-crawl-issues.png)
Semrush will robotically report any points it finds beneath the Points tab.
You may as well examine earlier than and after crawls robotically.
![Compare crawls in Semrush Compare crawls in Semrush](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/compare-crawls-semrush.png)
![Compare crawls in Semrush Compare crawls in Semrush](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/compare-crawls-semrush.png)
All you must do is swap to the ‘Examine Crawls’ tab to match a previous crawl with the most recent crawl.
Step 6. Fixing Crawl Points and URLs
When evaluating URLs, you could come throughout some points. The commonest issues are:
- Lacking URLs – A submit or web page in your outdated website is unavailable in your new website. To repair this, you could must create a brand new submit or web page or create a redirect (see Step 4 for redirect instruments).
- Lacking Media – A picture, audio, or video file didn’t import. To repair this, attempt to manually import the lacking media file or arrange a redirect.
Undergo any points you discover and repair them manually if wanted.
Step 7. Migrating WordPress website positioning Information
WordPress website positioning plugins save necessary website positioning information in your WordPress database. This contains plugin settings, website positioning metadata, redirects, focus keyphrases, and extra.
Nonetheless, because you backed up your complete WordPress web site in the course of the migration, your website positioning plugin and all its website positioning information ought to begin figuring out of the field.
This step is for customers who wish to swap their WordPress website positioning plugin and wish to migrate website positioning information from one plugin to a different.
For instance, some time in the past, we switched from Yoast to All in One website positioning, and preserving all our website positioning information was essential in the course of the swap.
Fortunately, all good WordPress website positioning plugins include built-in website positioning information importers.
As an example, All in One website positioning will robotically detect different WordPress website positioning plugins and offers you an choice to import website positioning in the course of the setup wizard.
![All in One SEO prompting to import SEO data from Yoast SEO All in One SEO prompting to import SEO data from Yoast SEO](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/aioseo-import-seo-data-yoast.png)
![All in One SEO prompting to import SEO data from Yoast SEO All in One SEO prompting to import SEO data from Yoast SEO](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/aioseo-import-seo-data-yoast.png)
You may as well manually import website positioning information within the plugin settings.
Merely head over to the All in One website positioning » Instruments web page and swap to the ‘Import / Export’ tab.
![All in One SEO import SEO data All in One SEO import SEO data](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/aioseo-import-seo-data-1.png)
![All in One SEO import SEO data All in One SEO import SEO data](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/aioseo-import-seo-data-1.png)
Underneath the ‘Import Settings From Different Plugins’ part, select your older website positioning plugin after which verify ‘All Settings’.
Click on ‘Import’ to proceed, and All in One website positioning will import all of your website positioning information out of your earlier website positioning plugin.
Different WordPress website positioning plugins like Rank Math and Yoast website positioning even have built-in website positioning information importers and exporters that you need to use.
Step 8. Monitor website positioning Efficiency Submit Migration
Now that you’ve got utterly migrated WordPress whereas preserving website positioning, it is advisable guarantee that you’re monitoring necessary advertising information, together with analytics and Google Search Console.
In case you didn’t change your area title, then your older Google Analytics and Google Search Console integrations will proceed working.
Control these studies to watch your web site for any post-migration visitors loss or drop in search rankings.
Then again, in case you migrated WordPress to a brand new area title, you will have to reconfigure Google Analytics and Google Search Console.
Reconfigure Google Analytics
These utilizing MonsterInsights can go to the Insights » Settings web page and scroll all the way down to the Google Authentication part.
![MonsterInsights reconnect Google Analytics MonsterInsights reconnect Google Analytics](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/monsterinsights-reconnect-ga-1.png)
![MonsterInsights reconnect Google Analytics MonsterInsights reconnect Google Analytics](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/monsterinsights-reconnect-ga-1.png)
Click on the downward arrow to increase the Web site Profile part, after which click on the ‘Reconnect MonsterInsights’ button.
MonsterInsights will then reauthenticate your web site to Google Analytics and robotically add a brand new information stream configured together with your new area title.
Customers who’ve manually put in Google Analytics in WordPress might want to add their new Area Identify as a Information Stream in Google Analytics.
Login to your Google Analytics account and click on the gear icon on the backside left nook to modify to the admin view.
![Google Analytics data streams Google Analytics data streams](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/ga-data-streams.png)
![Google Analytics data streams Google Analytics data streams](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/ga-data-streams.png)
Subsequent, go to the Information assortment and modifications » Information streams after which click on on the ‘Add stream’ button.
Choose Internet as your stream kind, after which add your new area and web site title.
![Add new domain stream Add new domain stream](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/add-newdomain-stream.png)
![Add new domain stream Add new domain stream](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/add-newdomain-stream.png)
Click on the ‘Create stream’ button to avoid wasting your settings.
Google Analytics will now begin monitoring information out of your new area title.
Reconfigure Google Search Console
Subsequent, it is advisable reconfigure Google Search Console and inform Google concerning the change of handle.
Word: This step is necessary as a result of in any other case, Google might take into account your new website a mirror or duplicate, which is able to make it for much longer to rank in your new area title.
First, add your new area title as a brand new property in Google Search Console. Merely observe the directions in our information on the right way to add your website to Google Search Console.
Essential: Make sure you use the identical Google account you used in your outdated area title.
After including your new area to Google Search Console, swap to your outdated area title profile in Google Search Console.
![Google Search Console Change of Address tool Google Search Console Change of Address tool](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/gsc-change-of-address.png)
![Google Search Console Change of Address tool Google Search Console Change of Address tool](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/gsc-change-of-address.png)
On the subsequent display screen, you can be requested to arrange 301 redirects out of your outdated area to your new website handle. You could have already carried out that earlier, so you’ll be able to transfer on to the subsequent step. In case you missed that step, we propose going back and doing it now.
Beneath that, choose your new area title from the drop-down menu and click on on the ‘Validate & Replace’ button.
![Adding new domain to Google Search Console Adding new domain to Google Search Console](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/gsc-newdomain.png)
![Adding new domain to Google Search Console Adding new domain to Google Search Console](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/gsc-newdomain.png)
That’s all. You could have now knowledgeable Google concerning the change of handle.
This will take some time, however regularly, your new area will begin showing in search outcomes as an alternative of your outdated area title. Throughout this time, you received’t lose any visitors as a result of 301 redirects you arrange.
Incessantly Requested Questions About WordPress website positioning Migration
Following are a number of the mostly requested questions on website positioning migration for WordPress web sites.
1. How do you do an website positioning migration?
First, again up your web site and observe efficiency with Google Analytics and Google Search Console. Then, transfer your web site information, together with website positioning information.
If you’re migrating to a brand new area title, be certain that you arrange 301 redirects. Lastly, use the Change of Handle device in Google Search Console to inform Google concerning the new URL.
2. How can I migrate my web site with out shedding website positioning?
By organising correct redirects and utilizing the Google search console, you’ll be able to migrate your web site simply with out shedding website positioning.
3. Will area migration enhance website positioning visitors?
Relying on the area you utilize for migration, it might trigger a rise in website positioning visitors. As an example, in case your new area is extra related to your web site subjects or you might be utilizing a rustic area to achieve a extra focused viewers.
We hope this WordPress website positioning migration guidelines is useful in migrating your web sites. You might also need to try our full WordPress website positioning information for a extra detailed website positioning walkthrough and our professional picks of the most effective area title registrars in case you are seeking to swap to a brand new area title.
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