Migrating from a hosting website building platform to a self-built content system, how to arrange the migration sequence to avoid losing indexing
How to arrange the migration order from a hosted website building platform to a self-built content system so as not to lose indexing? The order is: backup and list first, content import in the middle, 301 redirect at the end, and finally leave a two-week observation period. Reversing any step may cause the outcome of 'the page has been moved but the index has been broken'. Therefore, it is necessary to arrange the process before taking action.
Lock down two things before the migration
The first is a complete backup: Export all the contents that the old platform can export (articles, media, column structure) into a file archive as the original snapshot of this migration; the new system side should also have its own backup mechanism, covering data and static files, so that it can be rolled back at any time if the modification goes wrong. The second is the URL list: Export the对照表 of all pages and titles of the old site, which is both the check list for import and the draft for later jump mapping. Without these two things, it is like crossing the road blindfolded.
The two ways content is imported.
Supports batch import of two carriers: ZIP compressed packages are suitable for 'article with images' overall migration, a package can take the text and pictures together into the system; Excel tables are suitable for structured organization, titles, abstracts, column attribution, and publication time are arranged in columns and then imported, field mapping is clear and easy to batch correct. Most hosting platforms can export content files, the gap between the export format and these two methods can be filled by organizing a table once.
Check by title to see if it already exists to avoid duplicate搬运
Relocation often occurs in the state of 'halfway through the move': interruption, supplementary move, and rerun; one不小心，the same content might come in twice. The import interface comes into play here: the system provides /api/import/archive import capability, supporting a query by title to determine whether it already exists before deciding to skip or overwrite; executing the same batch of files repeatedly will not double the amount. Make 'query-import-check the number of items' into three fixed steps per batch; only then can we rest assured with breakpoint continuation.
301 redirect mapping from old address to new address
Continuous inclusion of key actions: Each old URL must have a destination. After the new system is enabled with pseudo-static, the address format is almost inevitably different from the old platform. Use 301 redirect management to establish a redirection mapping from old addresses to new addresses one by one. For sections with structural changes, batch assign rules based on directory prefixes. Two common mistakes: one is forgetting to map the list page and tag page when moving articles; the other is setting the 301 as a temporary redirect, which will reduce the weight transfer. After configuration, use a checklist to check: randomly access the old URL table, and confirm that each one falls to the correct new page.
| Stage | Action | Completion mark |
|---|---|---|
| The first week | Backup, URL list | The snapshot can be opened, the list can be retrieved |
| The first week | Batch import and duplicate check | The number of items matches the list |
| The second week | 301 mapping and inspection | All old addresses are accessible to new pages |
| The third week | Observation of inclusion and traffic | Index volume increases, no large-scale 404 errors |
Observation items for the next two weeks after switching
After the domain resolution is switched to the new site, keep an eye on four numbers: the status of the sitemap submission, the index volume curve, the 404 hits in the 301 redirect log, and the search traffic source. A drop in traffic within two weeks is normal climbing, but if it has not recovered after more than two weeks, it is a priority to check if there are any missed old addresses in the redirect mapping. Write the observation results back to the migration record and reuse them directly for the next revision.
Common questions
What if the old platform cannot export all content?Based on the URL list, crawl and organize page by page, using as much as possible, and rewrite the missing parts on the new site instead, which is convenient for conducting a content review round.
Should the old domain name be retained?Keep and point to the 301 redirect, it is the most worry-free inclusion insurance; don't break the domain name resolution for both.
Is it suitable to stop updating during the relocation period?It is recommended to only maintain and not add new content to the old site, and to publish the new site normally to avoid the mouthpiece splitting caused by the same content being updated at two places.