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Website Migration

Move to a new platform, domain or host without losing search traffic, email or data, using redirect maps, careful DNS changes and post-launch checks.

A website migration is any change that moves pages, URLs, domains or hosting: a redesign on a new platform, a WordPress site rebuilt as a headless Next.js site, a store moving to Shopify, or a change of domain or host. 1REALTOUR plans and runs migrations so search rankings, email delivery, forms and tracking keep working after launch. Most migration damage comes from small things nobody wrote down, so our process starts with an inventory.

Types of migrations we handle

  • Platform moves, such as Wix or Squarespace to WordPress, or WooCommerce to Shopify
  • WordPress to a headless build on Next.js with Payload CMS
  • Domain changes, rebrands and merges of several sites into one
  • Hosting moves to faster or better-managed infrastructure
  • HTTP to HTTPS and URL structure cleanups
  • DNS and email moves between providers

Protecting search traffic

Inventory before anything moves

We crawl the current site and pull URLs from Search Console, analytics, sitemaps and backlink data. That list shows which pages earn traffic, leads and links, and those pages get the most attention.

A one-to-one redirect map

Every old URL is mapped to its closest new equivalent with a permanent server-side redirect. Google's site move guidance recommends redirecting straight to the final destination and keeping redirect chains short. We avoid sending everything to the home page, which loses the relevance of the original page.

Following Google's site move steps

For a domain or subdomain change, we submit the move with the Change of Address tool in Search Console. We update canonical tags, internal links and sitemaps to the new URLs, and keep Search Console verification working on both sites. Google recommends keeping redirects in place for at least one year, and we plan hosting so they stay that long or longer.

DNS, email and the details that break

Domain and email moves fail when a record is forgotten. Before changing nameservers or hosts, we copy every DNS record, lower record lifetimes ahead of the switch, and confirm MX, SPF, DKIM and DMARC records so email keeps flowing and passes authentication. Mailbox moves are scheduled so no messages are lost.

We also rebuild what lives outside the page content: contact forms and where they send, tracking tags and conversions, structured data, image paths, file downloads, store customer accounts and order history where the platforms allow it.

Launch and the weeks after

Launch happens at a quiet time with a rollback plan. Afterward we test every redirect in the map, watch server logs and Search Console for errors and unexpected status codes, submit new sitemaps, and compare traffic and leads against the baseline. Some ranking movement is normal during a move. Steady losses on specific pages point to a mapping or content problem we can fix.

What's included

  • Full URL and content inventory
  • Pre-migration SEO baseline
  • One-to-one 301 redirect map
  • Content and data migration
  • DNS record and email migration
  • Forms, tracking and structured data rebuilt
  • Search Console Change of Address when needed
  • Post-launch redirect testing and monitoring

How we work

  1. Step 1

    Inventory

    We crawl the old site and record every URL, DNS record, form, tag and integration.

  2. Step 2

    Map

    We build the redirect map and a migration plan with a rollback step.

  3. Step 3

    Stage

    We migrate content to a staging site and test redirects, forms and tracking there.

  4. Step 4

    Launch

    We switch DNS or hosting at a quiet time and verify email, SSL and redirects right away.

  5. Step 5

    Monitor

    We watch Search Console, logs and leads and fix issues as they appear.

Technologies we use

Industries we serve

Frequently asked questions

Will I lose Google rankings when I migrate my website?
A website migration can cause temporary ranking changes while Google recrawls the new URLs. Careful redirect mapping, updated internal links and sitemaps, and post-launch monitoring reduce the risk of lasting losses. 1REALTOUR follows Google's site move guidance for every migration.
What is a 301 redirect map?
A 301 redirect map is a list that pairs every old URL with its closest new URL and applies a permanent redirect between them. It sends visitors and search engines to the right page and helps transfer ranking signals from the old URL to the new one.
How long should redirects stay in place after a migration?
Google recommends keeping redirects after a site move for as long as possible, generally at least one year. 1REALTOUR plans hosting so redirects remain in place for that period or longer.
Can 1REALTOUR move my email when changing domains or hosts?
1REALTOUR moves DNS records and email settings during a migration, including MX, SPF, DKIM and DMARC records, and schedules mailbox moves to avoid lost messages. After the switch, 1REALTOUR sends test messages in both directions to confirm that email is delivered and passes authentication.
Can a WordPress site be migrated to Next.js and Payload CMS?
A WordPress site can be migrated to Next.js with Payload CMS. 1REALTOUR moves the content, rebuilds the templates, maps every URL with redirects and trains the team on the new editor.

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Whether you're launching a new business, redesigning your website, or looking for a long-term digital partner, we're ready to help you create a digital presence that supports sustainable business growth.

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