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Let’s be honest: Drupal is a fantastic platform. It’s fast, customisable, and works wonders for building rich websites and web apps. But the truth is, Drupal isn’t for everyone.
Why Migrate from Drupal Site to WordPress?
Why? Because running and managing a Drupal website can be expensive. Customisation isn’t easy unless you have a skilled Drupal developer on board. Unlike WordPress, Drupal doesn’t have a user-friendly dashboard with plugins or extensions that make life simple.
Managing a Drupal website requires a dedicated system administrator to handle updates and maintenance. And let’s face it—these updates can sometimes cause issues if not done correctly. That’s why many people who start with Drupal end up switching to a more cost-effective and manageable platform like WordPress.
So, if you’ve decided it’s time to migrate your site, this guide will walk you through the best way to move from Drupal to WordPress without losing data or compromising functionality. Once the migration is complete, you can hit the ground running with your marketing activities.
Let’s get started!
Migrating from Drupal to WordPress
Many people trying to migrate their Drupal website to WordPress usually come to us asking for advice on how to do it the best and correct way possible. The goal is to ensure you don’t lose access to your data and follow best practices for moving everything. We always start with a pre-migration checklist.
Pre-Migration Checklist
1. Assess Your Current Website
Start with a complete audit of your Drupal website. Review and document all the URLs on your site. Plan how to map and replicate your URL structure in WordPress to maintain hierarchy and avoid SEO issues.
2. Backup Everything
Before making any changes, back up your entire Drupal website, including content (pages, posts, media) and database configurations. Save the backup on a third-party disaster recovery site (DR site). This ensures that if anything goes wrong during the migration, you can easily restore your website.
3. Prepare Your WordPress Hosting provider
You’ll need a reliable hosting solution to set up your WordPress site. Choose a hosting provider that supports WordPress installation and offers good speed and security features. Install WordPress on this hosting environment to get started.
4. Define Your Migration Goals
Identify what content you want to move from Drupal to WordPress. Decide which features of your current website should remain and how they will be replicated on WordPress. If you’re considering a redesign, choose whether you’ll keep the existing Drupal theme or opt for a new WordPress theme.
5. Begin the Migration
Once you’ve prepared everything, start the migration process. Use tools like FG Drupal to WordPress to import your content, replicate functionality, and map your URL structure. Ensure all content, features, and designs transition seamlessly to WordPress.
Read More: Joomla to WordPress Migration
Step-by-Step Migration from Drupal to WordPress
Now that we have completed the pre-migration checklist, the next step is to migrate the website from Drupal to WordPress.
1. Export Drupal Content and Import to WordPress
First, ensure that WordPress is already installed on your hosting environment and is ready to use. Begin by exporting the data from your Drupal website. This data will typically be exported in CSV or XLSX format and will include all the website’s content. Media files such as images and videos need to be exported separately. Additionally, export third-party scripts like Google Analytics, Google Search Console, Hotjar, or any other tools used to monitor your website’s performance.
2. Use Plugin FG Drupal to WordPress for Migration
Once everything is exported, proceed to import this data into WordPress. Use the built-in WordPress importer tool to migrate the data. For Drupal-specific migrations, you can use the FG Drupal to WordPress plugin, which automates most of the migration process. This plugin is highly efficient and has a premium version that can migrate additional features like comments, users, admin accounts, custom fields, and navigation menus.
3. Customise/Design the Theme of the Website
After importing the data, the next step is styling your website to match its previous design or to create a new layout. Use WordPress page builders or themes to achieve your desired look. If you lack experience or time, hiring a custom WordPress agency can ensure a professional layout while minimising the risk of data loss or styling errors.
4. Redirect Domain to New WordPress Site
Once your website is migrated and styled, thoroughly check it for errors or performance issues. This testing should be done before the site is live. After resolving any issues, update your DNS settings to point to the new hosting account. This step ensures that your domain opens the new WordPress site instead of the old Drupal one.
5. Request Reindexing by Search Engines
Keep in mind that during this transition, search engines will need to re-index your website due to the changes in URL mappings. This process can take 15–20 days, during which you might see temporary fluctuations in organic traffic. Properly mapping URLs and maintaining a clear site structure will help minimize these effects and ensure a smoother transition.
Read More: Drupal vs WordPress – Which is the Best CMS for Australian Marketers?
Post-Migration Steps for Drupal to WordPress
Congratulations! Now that you have migrated your website to WordPress, it’s time to go through the post-migration checklist to ensure that the website is functioning properly and without any errors.
1. Check Website Performance
Start by checking the performance of the website to confirm it’s working optimally. You can use performance testing tools such as GTmetrix, Pingdom, Google PageSpeed Insights, or any other reliable tool to evaluate core web vitals. These tools will provide you with insights into how the website is performing post-migration and help identify any issues that may affect its load time or overall user experience.
2. Check for Proper Indexing and SEO
In the post-migration phase, which typically occurs 7 to 10 days after the migration, you should check whether pages are being indexed properly. Ideally, some of the pages should already be indexed in search engines. If the pages are not being indexed or the website is receiving no traffic from organic search, there could be an issue with SEO settings. Review all the content to ensure it’s being indexed correctly by search engines like Google and Bing. You can check this by verifying that the pages are visible in the sitemap and are indexed in the Google Search Console. If pages are not getting indexed, it might be a sign of a technical SEO problem that needs to be addressed.
3. Check for Code or Style Breakages
After migration, it’s common for minor errors to occur, especially regarding the design and layout of the website. Sometimes, the styling or sizing of the website might break on different screen sizes. This could result in an inconsistent look across various devices. Therefore, it’s essential to thoroughly test the website across mobile, tablet, and desktop versions to ensure the design is responsive and everything displays correctly. If the design or layout isn’t working as expected, it will need to be adjusted.
4. Check Website Structure and Navigation
Verify that the website structure and hierarchy are intact. This includes ensuring that internal and external links, as well as menu pages, are functioning properly. No page should show error codes such as 404, 301, 501, or 502. Broken links or missing pages could indicate deeper issues with the migration, and resolving them is critical for user experience and SEO. Double-check the navigation menus, internal links, and overall site architecture to make sure everything is properly aligned and working without errors.
Read More: A Complete Website Migration Checklist for Australian Marketers
Common Challenges of Drupal to WordPress Migration
1. Handling Large Amounts of Data
Challenge: Migrating large datasets like text content, media files, and site architecture can be time-consuming and prone to errors.
Solution:
- Backup Data Properly: Before migration, create a comprehensive backup of all site data, ensuring it’s stored on a disaster recovery (DR) site or third-party cloud storage.
- Segment Data: Break data into manageable segments (e.g., CSV files for text, separate folders for media like videos and images).
- Backup Site Architecture: Include the site’s sitemap and architecture to maintain consistency during the migration process.
- Test Backup Recovery: Ensure you can restore the backup effectively before proceeding.
2. Ranking Depreciation
Challenge: Changing platforms can disrupt link structures and SEO configurations, negatively impacting search rankings and traffic.
Solution:
- Maintain Permalink Structure: Ensure the URL structure from Drupal is replicated in WordPress. Use redirections for any unavoidable changes to minimize broken links.
- Map Redirects: Use a redirect tool or plugin to create 301 redirects for old URLs that change after migration.
- Retain Metadata: Preserve titles, meta descriptions, and other SEO-critical elements in the new setup.
- Monitor SEO Performance: Use tools like Google Search Console to track and resolve ranking issues post-migration.
3. Website Customisation and Compatibility
Challenge: WordPress themes and plugins may not match the customizations available in Drupal, affecting functionality and user experience.
Solution:
- Choose a Compatible Theme: Replicate the Drupal theme on WordPress if possible. For a redesign, select a WordPress theme that matches or improves upon the original site’s design and features.
- Hire Professionals for Customisation: If you require significant changes, consider hiring a web development agency with experience in both Drupal and WordPress migrations.
- Optimise for Content Updates: Be prepared to add, revise, or remove content as needed to fit the new WordPress structure and maintain a seamless user experience.
When migrating your Drupal website to WordPress, there are several tools and plugins that can simplify the process and ensure a smooth transition. Based on my experience, here are some of the best ones:
1. FG Drupal to WordPress Plugin
This plugin is a game-changer for migrations. Available as both a Drupal extension and a WordPress plugin, it allows you to migrate most of your website’s data seamlessly without any data loss. It’s straightforward to use and highly effective, making it a top choice for moving content from Drupal to WordPress.
2. SEO Optimisation Tools
Drupal doesn’t offer many built-in SEO tools, but WordPress has plenty to choose from. SEO plugins like Yoast SEO, All in One SEO, and similar tools are excellent for optimising your website. They help you manage your site hierarchy, fix URL structures, and improve your overall search engine performance during and after the migration.
3. Custom Post Type UI Plugin
Drupal websites often include custom content types beyond simple pages and posts, such as tickets, portfolios, case studies, or white papers. To handle these effectively in WordPress, you’ll need the Custom Post Type UI plugin. This tool allows you to create and manage custom post types so that your imported content is organized into the correct categories without overcomplicating things.
These tools cover all the essential aspects of migrating a Drupal website to WordPress. They ensure your content, structure, and functionality are preserved, making the transition as smooth as possible.
Read More: The Dos and Don’ts of Website Migration
Questions Regarding Drupal to WordPress Migration
Are there any tools that you can use to Migrate Drupal to WordPress?
There aren’t any direct tools that can migrate a Drupal website to WordPress without your involvement. While tools like FG Drupal to WordPress Migrator can help, they aren’t plug-and-play solutions. This plugin works with Drupal 4 and above, but you’ll need to check its compatibility with your specific Drupal version. It’s also available as a WordPress plugin, making it easier to transfer data.
However, be prepared to get hands-on with the migration process. Tools like FG Migrator might export unwanted elements, such as scripts or incomplete content, which can result in messy imports to WordPress. To avoid this, you’ll need to manually review and clean up the data during the migration.
So, the short answer is no—there aren’t fully automated tools for this. You’ll either need to hire a WordPress migration agency or a freelancer to handle it for you if you don’t have the time or expertise. Otherwise, you can take it on yourself and call in a professional if you hit a roadblock.
How much time does it take for Drupal to WordPress migration?
The time it takes to migrate a Drupal website to WordPress largely depends on the complexity of the site.
While some migrations can be completed in a few hours, the real challenge isn’t just moving the data—it’s ensuring everything is exported and imported without data loss or functional issues.
Drupal is often used for high-end websites like web apps, e-commerce stores, or enterprise solutions with extensive content and advanced functionality. When migrating to WordPress, it’s essential to ensure that all these features are fully transferred and functional. Before migrating, you’ll need to set up the WordPress environment. This includes installing the necessary plugins, and themes, and ensuring that all required functionalities are supported.
For web applications or highly customised websites, you might need to configure WordPress as a headless CMS. This approach uses WordPress for front-end management while handling back-end functionality through frameworks like Laravel or other PHP solutions. Post-migration, you’ll need to test everything thoroughly. Issues like broken links, missing content, or malfunctioning features often arise and must be resolved before the site goes live.
For a standard website, the migration process typically takes 4 to 6 weeks. This includes the actual transfer, setting up WordPress, and ensuring everything works correctly before launching the new site. For more complex websites, expect the timeline to increase depending on the custom features and integrations involved.
How to Maintain URL Structure When Migrating from Drupal to WordPress?
This is an important question to address because the URL structure in Drupal differs significantly from how it works in WordPress.
Drupal allows you to create a custom hierarchy for your URLs, while WordPress relies on a permalink structure, which typically includes categories or direct URLs tied to the main domain.
When migrating a website from Drupal to WordPress, the first step is to map out all your existing URLs. This is crucial to ensure every link is preserved and properly redirected post-migration. You’ll need to export these URLs into a file, preferably in CSV format, as it’s widely used for such purposes. Once the data is transferred to WordPress, you must carefully check that each link is properly attributed.
For example, if your Drupal site has a hierarchical structure such as “Blogs > Drupal Blog 1 > Pagination,” you’ll need to replicate this hierarchy in WordPress. This includes setting up categories, subcategories, and posts under the right sections to prevent indexing issues in search engines. Without this step, broken links or misaligned directories can disrupt your site’s SEO and user experience.
If the Drupal website already follows SEO best practices for URL structures, such as a clear hierarchy of domain > category > subcategory > page, the migration process will be much smoother. WordPress also offers a range of plugins to help manage URL structures, redirects, and SEO adjustments, making it easier to replicate and optimize your original setup.
By addressing the URL structure issues on WordPress during migration, you’ll ensure that the website remains functional, organized, and search engine-friendly.
Conclusion
Migrating your Drupal site to a WordPress website is a strategic move that can enhance usability, reduce operational costs, and open up a world of possibilities with the vast array of WordPress plugins and themes.
By following a structured migration process and utilizing tools like the FG Drupal to WordPress plugin, you can ensure a smooth transition without losing crucial data or SEO value.
Remember to maintain your URL structure and optimize your new WordPress site for performance and SEO to fully capitalise on the benefits of this switch. Whether you’re a small business, a large enterprise, or managing multiple websites, this migration can significantly improve your website’s functionality and user experience.
If you encounter challenges during the migration, consider consulting with a WordPress migration services agency to ensure a successful transition. Embrace the vibrant WordPress community and explore the endless possibilities that await your new WordPress installation.
How WP Creative Can Help Migrate Your Website from Drupal to WordPress?
Migrating your Drupal site to a WordPress website can be a daunting task, but with WP Creative, the process becomes seamless and stress-free. Our team of experienced professionals specialises in Drupal to WordPress migration, ensuring that your website’s data, functionality, and SEO value are preserved throughout the transition.
We handle everything from exporting your Drupal content, including media files and custom post types, to importing it into your new WordPress site. Our experts ensure that your existing Drupal database parameters are accurately transferred, maintaining the integrity of your data.
Get in touch with us today to migrate your Drupal website to WordPress
