End of Life Drupal 7 move to 
WordPress

Migrating your website from Drupal to WordPress can seem like a daunting task, but with the right preparation and guidance, it can be a smooth and rewarding process. In this blog post, we will walk you through the steps to successfully move from Drupal to WordPress, ensuring that your data is preserved, your SEO remains intact, and your website’s functionality is maintained.

Why Move from Drupal to WordPress?

Before we dive into the process, let’s briefly discuss why you might want to move from Drupal to WordPress. While both platforms are powerful content management systems (CMS), they cater to different needs and user experiences.

**Ease of Use:** WordPress is known for its user-friendly interface, making it easier for non-developers to manage and update content. Drupal, on the other hand, has a steeper learning curve and is more suited for developers.

**Community and Support:** WordPress boasts a larger community and more extensive support resources. This means more plugins, themes, and tutorials are available, making it easier to find solutions to any issues you might encounter.

**Customization and Flexibility:** While both CMS platforms are highly customizable, WordPress offers a more extensive range of plugins and themes, allowing for greater flexibility in design and functionality.

Preparing for the Migration

Before you start the migration process, it’s crucial to prepare adequately. Here are the steps you should take to ensure a smooth transition:

**Backup Your Drupal Site:** Before making any changes, ensure you have a complete backup of your Drupal site. This includes all your files, databases, and configurations. You can use tools like Drush or Backup and Migrate to create a backup.

**Set Up a New WordPress Site:** Install WordPress on your new hosting environment. This can be done manually or through one-click installers provided by most hosting providers. Make sure your new WordPress site is set up and ready to receive the migrated content.

**Choose a Suitable Theme:** Select a WordPress theme that closely matches the design of your existing Drupal site. This will help maintain a consistent look and feel for your users. You can customize the theme later to better match your brand.

### Migrating Content

The next step is to migrate your content from Drupal to WordPress. This includes posts, pages, categories, tags, and media files. There are several plugins and tools available to help with this process, such as FG Drupal to WordPress.

**Install the FG Drupal to WordPress Plugin:** Go to your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Plugins > Add New, and search for “FG Drupal to WordPress.” Install and activate the plugin.

**Configure the Plugin Settings:** Once activated, go to Tools > Import and click on “Run Importer” under FG Drupal to WordPress. Enter the necessary details, such as your Drupal database information and FTP credentials.

**Start the Import Process:** Click on “Test the connection” to ensure the plugin can connect to your Drupal site. If the connection is successful, click on “Start / Resume the Import” to begin the migration process. The plugin will import your content into WordPress.

**Verify the Imported Content:** After the import is complete, check your WordPress site to ensure all your content has been successfully migrated. This includes posts, pages, categories, tags, and media files. Make any necessary adjustments to align the content with your new theme.

Handling SEO and Permalinks

One of the critical aspects of migrating from Drupal to WordPress is ensuring that your SEO remains intact. Here are some steps to help you maintain your SEO rankings:

**Set Up Permalinks:** In WordPress, go to Settings > Permalinks and choose a structure that closely matches your Drupal URL structure. This will help preserve your existing URLs and prevent broken links.

**Redirect Old URLs:** Use a plugin like Redirection to set up 301 redirects from your old Drupal URLs to your new WordPress URLs. This will ensure that visitors and search engines are directed to the correct pages on your new site.

**Update Your Sitemap:** Generate a new sitemap for your WordPress site using a plugin like Yoast SEO or Google XML Sitemaps. Submit the new sitemap to search engines to ensure they index your new site correctly.

Customizing Your WordPress Site

Now that your content is migrated and your SEO is intact, it’s time to customize your WordPress site to match your brand and functionality requirements.

**Install Necessary Plugins:** WordPress offers a vast array of plugins to extend the functionality of your site. Install plugins that match the features you had on your Drupal site, such as contact forms, social media integration, and e-commerce functionality.

**Customize Your Theme:** Use the WordPress Customizer to adjust your theme’s settings, such as colors, fonts, and layouts. You can also add custom CSS to further tweak the design to match your brand.

**Set Up Widgets and Menus:** Configure your site’s widgets and menus to ensure easy navigation for your users. WordPress makes it easy to drag and drop widgets into different areas of your site and create custom menus.

Testing and Launch

Before you launch your new WordPress site, it’s essential to test everything thoroughly. Here are some steps to ensure a successful launch:

**Test All Functionality:** Check all the features and functionality of your new site, including forms, links, and interactive elements. Ensure everything works as expected.

**Check for Broken Links:** Use a plugin like Broken Link Checker to scan your site for any broken links. Fix any issues before going live.

**Test on Different Devices and Browsers:** Ensure your site is responsive and works well on various devices and browsers. This will provide a consistent experience for all users.

**Launch Your Site:** Once you’re confident everything is working correctly, it’s time to launch your new WordPress site. Update your DNS settings to point to your new hosting environment and monitor the site for any issues.

 Post-Migration Maintenance

After launching your new WordPress site, it’s essential to perform regular maintenance to keep it running smoothly. Here are some tips for post-migration maintenance:

**Regular Backups:** Set up regular backups of your WordPress site to ensure you can quickly restore it in case of any issues. Use a plugin like UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy for automated backups.

**Update Plugins and Themes:** Keep your plugins and themes up to date to ensure compatibility with the latest WordPress version and to protect against security vulnerabilities.

**Monitor Site Performance:** Use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to monitor your site’s performance and identify any issues that need addressing.

**Optimize for Speed:** Use caching plugins like W3 Total Cache or WP Super Cache to improve your site’s loading speed. Optimize your images and use a Content Delivery Network (CDN) to further enhance performance.

By following these steps and maintaining your new WordPress site, you’ll ensure a successful transition from Drupal and enjoy the benefits of a user-friendly and flexible content management system. Move from Drupal to WordPress let us show you how to make this migration a seamless experience, allowing you to focus on creating great content and engaging with your audience.