MIGRATION GUIDE
WordPress to Serverless Migration Checklist
Complete step-by-step checklist for planning and executing your WordPress migration without losing functionality, SEO rankings, or data.
Migration Process Overview
Pre-Migration Planning
1-2 weeksAudit current WordPress site performance and costs
Document all plugins and their functionality
Inventory content types (pages, posts, media, custom fields)
Review current hosting setup and traffic patterns
Identify critical business functions and dependencies
Set migration timeline and success criteria
Plan for temporary downtime and user communication
Technical Assessment
3-5 daysExport WordPress database and analyze structure
Catalog all media files and their usage
Review SEO settings and URL structure
Document custom code and theme modifications
Test backup and restore procedures
Identify potential migration challenges
Choose target architecture (serverless, JAMstack, etc.)
Development & Testing
2-4 weeksSet up development environment for new architecture
Migrate content and preserve URL structure
Implement equivalent functionality for critical plugins
Optimize images and media for modern web standards
Set up analytics and tracking
Configure SEO metadata and redirects
Perform comprehensive testing across devices and browsers
Go-Live & Optimization
1 weekUpdate DNS settings and configure CDN
Implement 301 redirects for all existing URLs
Monitor site performance and fix any issues
Update Google Search Console and analytics
Test all forms and interactive elements
Verify SSL certificates and security settings
Document new maintenance procedures
Critical Pre-Launch Verification
These checks are essential before going live to ensure a successful migration without losing traffic, rankings, or functionality.
SEO Preservation
All URLs redirect properly (301 redirects)
Meta titles and descriptions preserved
Structured data markup maintained
XML sitemap updated and submitted
Google Search Console verified
Functionality Testing
Contact forms working and sending emails
E-commerce functionality (if applicable)
User authentication and accounts
Search functionality
Newsletter signups and integrations
Performance Verification
Page load times under 3 seconds
Mobile responsiveness across devices
Core Web Vitals scores improved
CDN properly configured
Image optimization working
Common Migration Pitfalls to Avoid
SEO Disasters
Broken redirects, missing meta data, and URL structure changes can devastate search rankings.
Prevention: Map all URLs, implement 301 redirects, and preserve all SEO metadata.
Functionality Loss
Critical features like contact forms, e-commerce, or user accounts stop working.
Prevention: Test all functionality thoroughly in staging environment before launch.
Performance Regression
New site loads slower than WordPress due to poor optimization or architecture choices.
Prevention: Optimize images, implement proper caching, and choose appropriate hosting.
Extended Downtime
Poor planning leads to days or weeks of site unavailability during migration.
Prevention: Use staging environments and plan for minimal downtime during DNS changes.