The Complete Guide for Migrating a Website to Webflow

Are you considering migrating a website to Webflow? Whether you are a business owner, a designer, or a developer, the process can be daunting. Fortunately, with a well-structured plan, the migration process can be smooth and successful. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk through the entire process of migrating a website to Webflow. Before we dive into the process, it’s important to note that the following checklist covers phases and steps to ensure a seamless migration.

Phase 1: Planning

The planning phase is crucial as it sets the foundation for a successful migration to Webflow. Here are the essential steps during this phase:

Step 1: Crawl Your Current Website for URLs

Using Screaming Frog SEO Spider

The first step in the planning phase is to crawl your current website for URLs. To do this, you can utilize tools such as the Screaming Frog SEO Spider. Follow these steps:

1. Download the Screaming Frog SEO Spider.
2. Initiate the crawl process by clicking on "Start" to let the tool crawl the entire website.
3. Once the crawl is completed, export the data by going to "Crawl" > "Data" > "Internal HTML," and then export the data as a CSV file for future use.

The exported data will help identify all the URLs on your current website, which is essential for the migration process.

Step 2: Analytics Benchmarking

Utilize Tools like Google Search Console, Google Analytics, SEMrush, and Ahrefs

Next, it's important to benchmark your website's current performance. You can use tools such as Google Search Console, Google Analytics, SEMrush, Ahrefs, or other analytics platforms to gather data on your website's current performance. This step provides a baseline for comparison post-migration, ensuring that critical metrics are tracked and maintained.

Step 3: Plan Out the Site Map

Using a URL Mapper to Organize URL Changes

With the CSV file of URLs from the Screaming Frog SEO Spider, you can plan out the site map. The URL mapping process involves identifying which pages will remain the same, which will have different URLs, and which will be deleted from the website. This is vital for maintaining proper redirection and preserving SEO equity during the migration.

Phase 2: Building the Webflow Website

Once the planning phase is completed, the next step involves building the website in Webflow. Here are the key steps to consider during this phase:

Step 1: Importing Blog Posts

Utilizing the CMS Collection in Webflow

To import blog posts, you can leverage the CMS collection in Webflow. Follow these steps:

1. Create a CMS collection if you don't have one.
2. Input all the necessary fields and data for the blog posts.
3. Navigate to the CMS collection, click on "Import," and upload the CSV file containing the blog posts. You may need to map the fields in the CSV file to the corresponding fields in the CMS collection.

Importing blog posts can significantly streamline the process, saving time and effort.

Step 2: Technical SEO Setup

Configuring Title Tags, Meta Descriptions, OG Images, Favicons, Alt Tags, and Headings

Ensure that all technical SEO aspects are correctly set up for every page on the website. This includes:

• Configuring title tags, meta descriptions, og images, and favicons through the Webflow interface.
• For CMS collections, create fields for title tags and meta descriptions and associate them with the individual template pages.

Additionally, maintain proper heading structure (H1 to H6) and ensure that images have appropriate alt tags for accessibility and SEO purposes.

Step 3: Implement 301 Redirects

Redirecting Pages that Changed or Were Deleted

Set up 301 redirects for pages that have changed URLs or have been deleted from the new website. In Webflow, you can navigate to the project settings, access the hosting tab, and add redirects for the old paths to the new redirect paths. It's crucial to handle redirects meticulously to preserve the site's SEO value and ensure a seamless user experience.

Step 4: Creating a Custom 404 Page

Designing a User-friendly 404 Page

Design and set up a custom 404 error page that aligns with the website's branding. The custom 404 page should provide a clear message, offer navigation back to the home page or relevant sections, and maintain a consistent user experience.

Step 5: Save Backups and Test URLs

Backing Up the Website and Testing 301 Redirects

Before publishing the website, it's imperative to save backups of the site. Backup processes may vary depending on the platform; for Webflow, utilize its backup features. Additionally, test all the website URLs to ensure that the 301 redirects are working correctly.

Phase 3: Testing and Auditing

Once the website is built in Webflow, thorough testing and auditing are essential to identify and rectify any issues. Here's how to approach this critical phase:

Step 1: Full Website Audit

Complete a comprehensive audit of the website, encompassing SEO elements, technical performance, and user experience. You can use tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, or the SEO Pro Chrome extension to audit title tags, meta descriptions, canonical URLs, headings, links, images, and schema markup. This audit helps ensure that the website meets technical excellence standards.

Step 2: Publish the Website and Submit the Sitemap

Publish the website and immediately submit the sitemap.xml to Google Search Console. The sitemap submission is crucial for search engines to properly index the new website.

Step 3: Monitor Website Performance

Continuously monitor and track the website's performance using tools like Google Analytics, Google Search Console, SEMrush, and Ahrefs. Check for any indexing issues, fluctuations in search performance, and user engagement metrics. Address any issues promptly to maintain the website's visibility and performance.

Phase 4: Final Checks and Optimizations

After the website is live, there are final checks and optimizations to ensure everything is functioning as intended. Here are the essential steps for this phase:

Step 1: Monitor Analytics and Paid Advertising

Monitor website analytics to track performance and user behavior. If the website is running paid advertising campaigns, ensure that the landing pages are set up correctly and are effectively driving conversions.

Step 2: Maintain Quality Assurance

Continuously review the website for any issues, ensure all functionalities are working as expected, and address any user-reported issues promptly. Quality assurance is critical for delivering a positive user experience.

Step 3: Long-term Maintenance

Plan for ongoing maintenance and keep an eye on any fluctuations that may occur after the migration. Regularly review the website's performance and user feedback to make necessary updates and improvements.

By following these four phases and the associated steps, you can effectively migrate a website to Webflow. Remember to allocate sufficient time for planning, testing, and post-migration optimizations to ensure a seamless and successful transition.

In conclusion, migrating a website to Webflow requires careful planning, technical proficiency, and continuous monitoring. Following a structured checklist and leveraging the capabilities of Webflow's platform can streamline the migration process and set the website up for long-term success. With attention to detail and a systematic approach, you can confidently move your website to Webflow while preserving its SEO value, user experience, and overall performance.

We hope this comprehensive guide has provided valuable insights into the migration process and serves as a helpful resource for anyone embarking on a website migration to Webflow. Happy migrating!