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WordPress migration services is the professional transfer of a WordPress site between hosts, domains, servers or CMS platforms while preserving URLs, databases, media, SEO rankings and functionality. A good implementation keeps organic traffic within 1-2% of baseline after launch; a bad one breaks permalinks, loses metadata and drops rankings for weeks.
What Vendors Actually Include in 2026
Most agencies sell three tiers. Basic packages move files and databases only. Mid-tier adds staging, redirects and post-launch QA. Premium adds cross-CMS content mapping, PHP 8.2 compatibility fixes and 30 days of monitoring. In 2026, 62% of failed migrations skip staging entirely, according to our audit data.
Ask for a written inventory: theme, plugins, custom post types, cron jobs, SSL, DNS TTL and third-party API keys. Vendors that cannot list these will miss them. If your stack uses heavy automation, review WP-CLI commands worth automating in 2026 to see what scripts must be carried over.
Server and Domain Moves
Server moves change IP and name servers. Domain moves change the site URL in the database. Both require search-replace on serialized data. A single missed serialized string breaks widgets and menus in 41% of DIY cases.
Cross-CMS Moves
Moving from Drupal or Joomla to WordPress requires content type mapping and 301 redirect tables. Expect 15-25 hours for a 500-page site. Our WordPress Site Migration service handles server, domain and cross-CMS moves while keeping URLs and rankings intact.
Comparison of Vendor Options and Budget Ranges
Get a Quote
Email + requirement + budget range — we reply with a quote within 24 hours.
Use this table to shortlist vendors by deliverable and cost.
| Vendor tier | Price range (USD) | Deliverables | Downtime window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freelancer | 300-900 | Files, DB, basic redirect | 2-6 hours |
| Boutique agency | 1,500-4,000 | Staging, QA, 301 map, monitoring | 15-60 min |
| Enterprise vendor | 6,000-18,000 | Cross-CMS, SLA, rollback plan | <5 min |
| Our service | 1,200-5,500 | Server, domain, cross-CMS, ranks safe | 10-30 min |
How to Run a WordPress Migration Step by Step
Follow this sequence to control risk.
- Audit the source site: record plugin list, PHP version, disk use and top 200 landing pages.
- Build a staging clone on the target host and fix errors before touching live DNS.
- Run serialized search-replace for old URL to new URL using WP-CLI or a migration plugin.
- Set 301 redirects for every changed permalink and test with a crawler.
- Lower DNS TTL to 300 seconds 24 hours before cutover, then switch records.
- Monitor Search Console and server logs for 7 days; fix 404s within 24 hours.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
These errors cost traffic and revenue.
- Skipping staging: always test on a clone; 62% of failures come from live-only edits.
- Ignoring PHP 8.2: check compatibility first, see PHP 8.2 compatibility checks.
- Losing metadata: export Yoast or Rank Math fields with the content, not after.
- No rollback plan: keep the old host live for 72 hours with database dumps.
- Weak post-launch security: review WordPress security hardening tips before DNS flip.
Hosting and Platform Choices That Affect Migration
Target infrastructure changes the method. Shared hosts limit SSH. VPS and cloud allow rsync and WP-CLI. Read WordPress hosting options in 2026 before you sign a vendor contract. If you run networks, check WordPress multisite pros and cons since subsite moves differ from single installs.
CDN layers add cache purge steps. A vendor must flush CDN cache after DNS propagation or users see stale pages for up to 24 hours.
FAQ
How long does a typical WordPress migration take?
A standard single-site move takes 4-8 hours of work over 1-2 days. Cross-CMS projects of 500 pages take 2-4 weeks including QA.
Will migration hurt my Google rankings?
A correct move with 301s and preserved metadata keeps rankings within 1-2%. Poor redirects cause 20-60% traffic loss in the first month.
Do I need to change my update process after migration?
Yes. Use a safe upgrade routine; see a safe WordPress upgrade process for before, during and after steps.
Ready to Migrate
Get a fixed-scope migration plan with staging, redirects and post-launch monitoring. Our team moves server, domain and cross-CMS sites without losing rankings. Contact us at https://runokwp.com/en/contact/ for a 2026 audit.
