Migrating a website means moving it to a new host, another platform or a new domain. Done properly, the operation remains invisible to your visitors.
Done poorly, a migration will tank your SEO (your visibility in Google). What protects this visibility, are redirects: gateways that send your old addresses to the new ones.
| The essentials |
|---|
| The heart of a successful migration is the redirect plan: each old address points to the new one. The budget ranges from free (simple hosting change) to $5,000 CAD and more (complete platform change). Three types exist: changing your host, platform, or domain name. Without method, your Google rankings drop. They're preserved by preparing each redirect carefully. |
Website migration: what are we talking about?
A migration is a change of technical environment for your site. The content, texts, and images stay the same, but their support changes.
It's often confused with a redesign. Yet a migration touches neither the design nor the texts: it only changes the technical support of the site.
| Quick definition |
|---|
| We talk about migration when a site changes host, platform, or domain name, without changing content. The host preserves the site's files; the domain name is its address, like mysite.com. Content and SEO follow, provided the operation is well prepared. |
When should you migrate your site?
A migration shouldn't be decided lightly. Several situations make it unavoidable for a growing business.
- Your hosting or subscription costs are increasing without added value.
- Your tool locks you in as soon as you want to evolve.
- Your site is slow, and a better host would make it faster.
- You need features that your tool doesn't allow.
- You want to regain full control of your site and your data.
It's this last reason that pushes most companies to migrate today. They leave a closed platform for a custom website, which is freer and more scalable. They regain control of their tool, their data, and their growth.
| Expert Insight |
|---|
| Don't migrate to follow a trend. Migrate when your current tool costs you more than it brings in. Start from your real costs and technical limitations: the right type of migration will become clear. |
The three main types of migration
Migrating hosts has nothing in common with changing platforms. Depending on what you change, risk and budget vary significantly. It ranges from a simple technical operation to a true project.
Host migration. You keep the same site, but it moves to a different server. The simplest of the three, often with no visible impact. A common case: moving to a faster server, or switching providers to reduce costs.
Platform migration. You move from one tool to another, for example from WordPress to a custom site. The riskiest for SEO, because every page address can change.
Domain name migration. You change the site's address, often during a rebrand or image change. It requires strict redirects to avoid starting from scratch on Google.
| Type of migration | SEO risk | Redirect effort |
|---|---|---|
| Host change | Low | Minimal |
| Platform change | High | Significant |
| Domain name change | High | Rigorous |
| Good to know |
|---|
| A migration sometimes combines all three at once, for example during a complete site overhaul. The more elements you change simultaneously, the more precise your redirect plan needs to be. |
Migration vs. redesign: don't confuse them
Both projects are similar, but address different needs. Migration changes the technical infrastructure, whereas a redesign rethinks the site itself.
Often, a redesign actually includes a migration. If you rebuild your site on a new platform, you're running both projects at the same time. A single redirect plan then protects everything.
How to migrate without losing your SEO rankings: the method
A successful migration follows a proven method. SEO is protected before, during and after the transfer.
Step 1 — The inventory. List all your pages and their current addresses. Nothing should be forgotten, especially your best-ranked pages. A simple file or inventory tool is enough to catalog everything.
Step 2 — The redirection plan. Link each old address to its new one. A permanent redirection, called 301, transfers the value gained by the old page to the new one. Without it, your old addresses become dead ends.
Step 3 — The transfer. Move the site, its contents and media to the new environment, without publishing it right away. Work on a test version, invisible to the public and search engines.
Step 4 — The tests. Go through the test site with a fine-tooth comb: redirections in place, forms that work, images that display. Fix everything before the switch, while there's still time.
Step 5 — Going live and monitoring. Publish, activate redirections, then monitor your SEO in the following weeks. Keep an eye on your rankings and any potential errors for a few weeks.
| ⚠️ Warning |
|---|
| Keep the old site active until each redirection is verified under real conditions. For a domain name change, report it in Search Console, Google's free tracking tool. For other migrations, 301 redirections guide search engines. |
The budget for a website migration
The cost of a migration depends mainly on what changes. Budget anywhere from zero dollars for a simple hosting change, to several thousand for a complete platform change. The benchmarks below apply to the Quebec context.
| Type of migration | Created by | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Host change | Often Included | $0 to $500 |
| Platform change | Freelancer or Partner | $1,000 to $5,000 |
| Migration with Redesign | Specialized Team | $5,000 and Up |
Many hosting providers offer free migration to attract new clients.The real cost appearswhen changing platforms. You then need to transfer, test, and redirect each page one by one.
| Real-world example |
|---|
| Switching hosts is often resolved in a few hours, sometimes at no cost. Migrating from WordPress to a custom-built site takes several days of work and a complete redirect plan. In both cases, SEO monitoring continues for a few weeks after the switch. |
What Causes Migration Failures
Migrations that go wrong almost always fallinto the same traps. Identifying them before you start saves you from traffic loss and weeks of recovery.
- Forgetting the redirect plan, the most common mistake.
- Migrating without a complete inventory of old pages.
- Deleting the old site too soon.
- Failing to test forms and links after the transfer.
- Neglecting SEO monitoring after the migration.
| Key takeaways |
|---|
| Everything happens before the migration: page inventory, then redirect plan. Without a redirect for each old page, traffic drops. Changing hosting remains simple; switching platforms requires real methodology. When in doubt, a specialized partner secures the transfer. |
Migrate yourself or entrust to a partner?
The right answer varies depending on what you're migrating and your comfort with technology. A simple hosting change is often manageable on your own, and your provider's guides walk you through step by step.
Changing platforms is riskier. A single redirect error can cost months of SEO, and a specialized partner secures every step.
If your site generates clients, support from a complete team is often worth its cost. You're protecting an asset, not just a site, and you keep time for your business.
Migrate without losing your traffic: let's talk about your project →
Website migration: your frequently asked questions
Does a migration cause SEO loss?
No, as long as each address is transferred via a 301 redirect. Your strong pages keep the authority they've gained. A slight drop can occur while Google re-explores the new site.
Does a migration take several days?
It varies: a few hours for a hosting change to several days for a platform change. SEO monitoring continues for a few weeks.
Can a site be migrated without downtime?
Yes. By preparing the new site in parallel and switching at the right time, your visitors experience no interruption. This is the recommended method.
Do I need to notify Google of a migration?
It depends on the type of migration. For a domain name change, report it in Search Console. For a migration on the same domain, 301 redirects are enough to guide Google.
Migration or redesign: what should I do first?
If your site is outdated, it's worth combining both : redesign and migrate in one go. If the site works for you but is changing platforms, migration alone is enough.
What happens to my old page addresses after migration?
They remain useful thanks to redirects : each old address automatically sends the visitor, and Google, to the new page. You lose neither your links nor your rankings.
How much does a website migration cost?
From free for a hosting change to $5,000 CAD and more for a complete platform change. Each additional page to redirect increases the cost.
