Skip to content
    Moz logo Menu open Menu close
    • Products
      • Moz Pro
      • Moz Pro Home
      • Moz Local
      • Moz Local Home
      • STAT
      • Moz API
      • Moz API Home
      • Compare SEO Products
      • Moz Data
    • Free SEO Tools
      • Domain Analysis
      • Keyword Explorer
      • Link Explorer
      • Competitive Research
      • MozBar
      • More Free SEO Tools
    • Learn SEO
      • Beginner's Guide to SEO
      • SEO Learning Center
      • Moz Academy
      • MozCon
      • Webinars, Whitepapers, & Guides
    • Blog
    • Why Moz
      • Digital Marketers
      • Agency Solutions
      • Enterprise Solutions
      • Small Business Solutions
      • The Moz Story
      • New Releases
    • Log in
    • Log out
    • Products
      • Moz Pro

        Your all-in-one suite of SEO essentials.

      • Moz Local

        Raise your local SEO visibility with complete local SEO management.

      • STAT

        SERP tracking and analytics for enterprise SEO experts.

      • Moz API

        Power your SEO with our index of over 44 trillion links.

      • Compare SEO Products

        See which Moz SEO solution best meets your business needs.

      • Moz Data

        Power your SEO strategy & AI models with custom data solutions.

      Track AI Overviews in Keyword Research
      Moz Pro

      Track AI Overviews in Keyword Research

      Try it free!
    • Free SEO Tools
      • Domain Analysis

        Get top competitive SEO metrics like DA, top pages and more.

      • Keyword Explorer

        Find traffic-driving keywords with our 1.25 billion+ keyword index.

      • Link Explorer

        Explore over 40 trillion links for powerful backlink data.

      • Competitive Research

        Uncover valuable insights on your organic search competitors.

      • MozBar

        See top SEO metrics for free as you browse the web.

      • More Free SEO Tools

        Explore all the free SEO tools Moz has to offer.

      NEW Keyword Suggestions by Topic
      Moz Pro

      NEW Keyword Suggestions by Topic

      Learn more
    • Learn SEO
      • Beginner's Guide to SEO

        The #1 most popular introduction to SEO, trusted by millions.

      • SEO Learning Center

        Broaden your knowledge with SEO resources for all skill levels.

      • On-Demand Webinars

        Learn modern SEO best practices from industry experts.

      • How-To Guides

        Step-by-step guides to search success from the authority on SEO.

      • Moz Academy

        Upskill and get certified with on-demand courses & certifications.

      • MozCon

        Save on Early Bird tickets and join us in London or New York City

      Unlock flexible pricing & new endpoints
      Moz API

      Unlock flexible pricing & new endpoints

      Find your plan
    • Blog
    • Why Moz
      • Digital Marketers

        Simplify SEO tasks to save time and grow your traffic.

      • Small Business Solutions

        Uncover insights to make smarter marketing decisions in less time.

      • Agency Solutions

        Earn & keep valuable clients with unparalleled data & insights.

      • Enterprise Solutions

        Gain a competitive edge in the ever-changing world of search.

      • The Moz Story

        Moz was the first & remains the most trusted SEO company.

      • New Releases

        Get the scoop on the latest and greatest from Moz.

      Surface actionable competitive intel
      New Feature

      Surface actionable competitive intel

      Learn More
    • Log in
      • Moz Pro
      • Moz Local
      • Moz Local Dashboard
      • Moz API
      • Moz API Dashboard
      • Moz Academy
    • Avatar
      • Moz Home
      • Notifications
      • Account & Billing
      • Manage Users
      • Community Profile
      • My Q&A
      • My Videos
      • Log Out

    The Moz Q&A Forum

    • Forum
    • Questions
    • Users
    • Ask the Community

    Welcome to the Q&A Forum

    Browse the forum for helpful insights and fresh discussions about all things SEO.

    1. Home
    2. Digital Marketing
    3. Web Design
    4. Migration from HTML to Wordpress - SEO Implications?

    Moz Q&A is closed.

    After more than 13 years, and tens of thousands of questions, Moz Q&A closed on 12th December 2024. Whilst we’re not completely removing the content - many posts will still be possible to view - we have locked both new posts and new replies. More details here.

    Migration from HTML to Wordpress - SEO Implications?

    Web Design
    5
    11
    3703
    Loading More Posts
    • Oldest to Newest
    • Newest to Oldest
    • Most Votes
    Reply
    • Reply as question
    Log in to reply
    This topic has been deleted. Only users with question management privileges can see it.
    • CalicoKitty2000
      CalicoKitty2000 Subscriber last edited by

      I am in the process of having a wordpress site developed to replace my current HTML site. (I currently have my website in html and a blog in wordpress in a sub directory).  I am doing this in phases to try and preserve as much of my good rankings as possible.  My first phase is to replicate my site with the exact same pages, meta data, and site structure.  I'm hoping that google will see this as not much change and not change my rankings for the worse.  I also made it a goal that my site speed tests be at least equal to what they are now. We will have to 301 all of the URLs however since it will be going from /example.html to /example.  I believe my blog will also need to move into the root directory as well, so I need to 301 all of those pages.

      I plan to wait a couple months for Phase 2.  Phase 2 involves replacing old content (photo galleries), and introducing new content (virtual tours, videos, new pages, etc.) One of my reasons for moving to wordpress is to keep up with current trends a little easier since I have very little time.  (I am owner, website maintainer, SEO - all on my own).

      My question here is three parts.  1. Do you think this strategy will work to preserve my current rankings? 2. Do you have any lessons learned or advice to share with me to make this as smooth as possible? 3. Do I really need to wait to add new content?  I might get antsy and want to do it sooner!  🙂

      Thank you in advance!

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
      • Paul_Moeller
        Paul_Moeller last edited by

        I think it's a very dangerous idea to migrate your website to another platform on your own. No matter how diligently you do it, you won't be able to maintain your position in the search engines. I say this from personal experience.
        It is better to contact the professionals. This team is excellent at helping you migrate your site to WordPress (Heidelberg).

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • Adlanera
          Adlanera last edited by

          For lengthy-tail positions, typically you'll no longer see a dramatic drop. In truth, typically no drop in any respect. For some of the greater competitive positions, you most probably will see a mild loss.  Some businesses do see a dramatic drop--but maximum probable due to different elements like microphone reviews. Over time, count on to regain the positions of the one in case you recognition on UX.

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • CalicoKitty2000
            CalicoKitty2000 Subscriber @evolvingSEO last edited by

            Thank you!  I do plan to keep the internal linking the same, except the URL will change of course.  The site structure is staying the same, except the blog will be moving to the root directory instead of being in a sub directory.

            Thanks for the advice on the XML sitemap!

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
            • CalicoKitty2000
              CalicoKitty2000 Subscriber @KevinBudzynski last edited by

              Good to know!  Most of my searches are very specific, so I would say they are long-tail keywords.

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • evolvingSEO
                evolvingSEO @CalicoKitty2000 last edited by

                I'd say for any drops, 4-6 weeks is pretty reasonable. To agree with Kevin again, most drops are user error (not doing redirects correctly etc) or as he said, major design/UX changes.

                You may want to also be sure to implement an XML sitemap right away, and submit it to Search Console.

                Also try to keep your internal linking the same where possible (menus, breadcrumbs, sidebars etc).

                CalicoKitty2000 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • KevinBudzynski
                  KevinBudzynski @CalicoKitty2000 last edited by

                  For long-tail kw positions, generally you will not see a dramatic drop. In fact, many times no drop at all. For some of the more competitive positions, you most likely will see a slight loss.  Some companies do see a dramatic drop--but most likely because of other factors. Over time, expect to regain those positions if you focus on ux.

                  Dan's comments were spot on. I typically launch early on a saturday morning (2am or so) and make sure everything works. If you do launch, and the site blows up, you can always switch the 'a' record to the old site (assuming it is at a different server) and troubleshoot.

                  CalicoKitty2000 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                  • CalicoKitty2000
                    CalicoKitty2000 Subscriber @evolvingSEO last edited by

                    Thank you, this is also very helpful!  I've never used Screaming Frog SEO Spider, so I will look into this!  As for scheduling, that's why I am doing this in January.  We are a tourism business, so we will peak in Feb / Mar.  I'm hoping that 4-6 weeks will be enough to bounce back if we drop any.  I do run Google PPC as well, so if it does drop, I'll have to up my PPC campaign.  How long does it usually take to settle back out?

                    evolvingSEO 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • CalicoKitty2000
                      CalicoKitty2000 Subscriber @KevinBudzynski last edited by

                      Thank you!  That is very helpful.  I will test the 301s!  And thanks for letting me know to expect a 15% loss.  Will that come back over time?  I don't even want to lose one spot!  Haha!

                      KevinBudzynski 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • evolvingSEO
                        evolvingSEO last edited by

                        Hello! Kevin pretty much answered it but just wanted to add a few things:

                        1. To prioritize pages to check etc, export your top landings pages from Google Analytics. Run those through Screaming Frog SEO Spider in list most to check status codes and be sure they redirect. This way you're accounting for the highest trafficked content as a priority.

                        2. Schedule the exact switch for a low traffic time of day/week to be cautious.

                        To reiterate what Kevin said - having working redirects is the essential component here!

                        CalicoKitty2000 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • KevinBudzynski
                          KevinBudzynski last edited by

                          1. Do you think this strategy will work to preserve my current rankings? Yes, as long as the 301's are done properly and expect around a 15% loss.

                          2. Do you have any lessons learned or advice to share with me to make this as smooth as possible? Make sure to test the 301's before hand. Specifically, change your hosts file to the ip of domain. Next, go to google and do a site:yourdomainname.com and click on each result and make sure the redirects are done properly. Also, pay attention to Google Search Console, Analytics and etc for 404's and such. Make sure your .htaccess file isn't huge and add a new sitemap and etc.

                          3. Do I really need to wait to add new content?  I might get antsy and want to do it sooner!  🙂 No, but I would wait until the dust settles (more of a personal preference)  as you need to focus on the launch.

                          Sounds like you have it handled! It's all in the prep and how to handle issues post-launch in a time-sensitive matter. Good luck!

                          CalicoKitty2000 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                          • 1 / 1
                          • First post
                            Last post

                          Got a burning SEO question?

                          Subscribe to Moz Pro to gain full access to Q&A, answer questions, and ask your own.


                          Start my free trial


                          Browse Questions

                          Explore more categories

                          • Moz Tools

                            Chat with the community about the Moz tools.

                          • SEO Tactics

                            Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers

                          • Community

                            Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!

                          • Digital Marketing

                            Chat about tactics outside of SEO

                          • Research & Trends

                            Dive into research and trends in the search industry.

                          • Support

                            Connect on product support and feature requests.

                          • See all categories

                          Related Questions

                          • Billy_gym

                            How is Single Page Application (SPA) bad for SEO

                            Hi guys. I am quite inspired of SPA technique. It's really amazing when all your interaction with the site is going on the fly and you don't see any page reloads. I've started implementing the site with this instruction and already found nice guys to make the design. The only downside of the using SPA which I can see **is the **SEO part. That's because the URL does not really change and different pages don't have their unique URL addresses. 
                            Actually they have, but it looks like: yoursite.com/#/products yoursite.com/#/prices yoursite.com/#/contact So all of them goes after # and being just anchors. For Google this mean all of these pages is just yoursite.com/ My question is what is really proven method to implement the URL structure in Single Page Application, so all the pages indexed by Google correctly (sorry I don't mention the other search engines because of market share). The other question, of course, is examples. It will be great to see real life site examples, better authority sites, which use SPA technique and well indexed by search engines.

                            Web Design | | Billy_gym
                            1
                          • LauraFalls

                            Have an eBook. What is best practice for SEO?

                            Hello We have a free eBook - its a great resource and great piece of content. It is available to download on our website here - http://re-timer.com/the-product/how-to-sleep-better/ The book is available as a whole or as individual chapters (i.e. http://re-timer.com/app/uploads/2015/07/Chapter8.pdf?b0df38). The PDF chapters appear to be doing well in Google search for certain keywords. I can't measure this in GA though. I would like the eBook to assist the SEO of my website overall. If I create a web page and 'embedded' the PDF into it will Google still crawl this page? At the moment we are also using this to collect email addresses, this is a nice to have and it is OK if people get the eBook without doing this (if they find a chapter in Google they currently don't have to enter their email address). I'm sure lots of people have eBooks now. What is best practice and the best way to use this as a tool to maximise SEO for the whole website (http://re-timer.com)? Thank you! Laura

                            Web Design | | LauraFalls
                            1
                          • Mark_Ch

                            Wordpress: Pages vs Posts vs Portfolio

                            Hi All, I'm looking to put pen to paper and design my main structual template for my website. I will be creating the new site in Wordpress. My understanding of Wordpress is broken into the Static Pages, Posts and Portfolio. Static PAGE
                            Static one off content.
                            No tags, categories or archived Posts
                            content entries, which is listed in reverse chronological order.
                            Update post entry to maintain overall freshness of your website.
                            tags, categories & archived Portfolio
                            ????? Question What are the benefits of a portfolio page over Static Pages & Posts When creating feature rich articles should i use static pages, posts or portfolio. Thanks Mark

                            Web Design | | Mark_Ch
                            0
                          • soobumim

                            Wordpress - redirecting tags

                            I just ran a webmaster tool from Yoast SEO premium and notice I have a lot of problems with tags (restricted-robots-txt) For example : http://www.soobumimphotography.com/tag/wedding-group-photo/ Do I have to redirect to http://www.soobumimphotography.com/wedding-group-photo/ Should I do this to each and every posts Thank you

                            Web Design | | soobumim
                            0
                          • ShalinTJ

                            How can a Pincode finder website be SEO optimised?

                            Guys, I wanted to build a simple Pincode finder website for India. The targeted visitors as is obvious will be from India. Alike other Pincode finder websites, the users in this case too will have to key in the location / area of whose pincode he is looking for and they will get Pincode from that very location / area. Other than this, users will also come to this website when they search for something like " <location name="">pincode</location>" on Google (for instance, users will search for something like "Hiranandani Gardens Powai Pincode") Along with data fethced from our sources via Indian postal departments and other data available in public domain, we shall be using data from Google Maps API too. My question in regards to the same is as follows: What should the page-structure / structure of the website be for ranking well on Google? What should be the URL structure? Other suggestions to rank well on Google in this regards? Competition: (You can search for the term "Hiranandani Gardens Powai Pincode" to know how these sites show data) http://www.getpincode.info http://www.pincode.net.in Pls. help...

                            Web Design | | ShalinTJ
                            0
                          • PerfectPitchConcepts

                            SEO downsides to minimalist (copy-light) homepage?

                            Curious for your thoughts on this - are there any SEO downsides to not having any substantive content on the home page (big background design)? We would obviously have appropriate page titles and link structure, etc. Our guess is that if the home page doesn't have much copy, that odds are that other specific pages will tend to perform better for non-brand search terms, which seems OK.  If people DO find the homepage, it would likely be a brand search or an ad referral, in which case the minimalist, non-copy design would be conversion-friendly. Does that theory hold any water? I suppose a middle ground might be a single H1 line unobtrusively on the page. Thanks in advance for any insight, guys! Sincerely, Stephen

                            Web Design | | PerfectPitchConcepts
                            0
                          • superTallDan

                            Duplicate Content for index.html

                            In the Crawl Diagnostics Summary, it says that I have two pages with duplicate content which are: www.mywebsite.com/ www.mywebsite.com/index.html I read in a Dream Weaver tutorial that you should name your home page "index.html" and then you can let www.mywebsite.com automatically direct the user to index.html.  Is this a bug in SEOMoz's crawler or is it a real problem with my site? Thank you, Dan

                            Web Design | | superTallDan
                            0
                          • SoundinTheory

                            Combining web pages and it's affects on SEO?

                            We are looking into amending a website we are working on to try and combine 2 or 3 current pages onto one page. This site is similar to an estate agents site and currently has images, map, floor plan sub pages etc. Can anyone tell me, if we were to combine these pages and include the above details on one page, how that would affect the current search engine rankings?

                            Web Design | | SoundinTheory
                            0

                          Get started with Moz Pro!

                          Unlock the power of advanced SEO tools and data-driven insights.

                          Start my free trial
                          Products
                          • Moz Pro
                          • Moz Local
                          • Moz API
                          • Moz Data
                          • STAT
                          • Product Updates
                          Moz Solutions
                          • SMB Solutions
                          • Agency Solutions
                          • Enterprise Solutions
                          • Digital Marketers
                          Free SEO Tools
                          • Domain Authority Checker
                          • Link Explorer
                          • Keyword Explorer
                          • Competitive Research
                          • Brand Authority Checker
                          • Local Citation Checker
                          • MozBar Extension
                          • MozCast
                          Resources
                          • Blog
                          • SEO Learning Center
                          • Help Hub
                          • Beginner's Guide to SEO
                          • How-to Guides
                          • Moz Academy
                          • API Docs
                          About Moz
                          • About
                          • Team
                          • Careers
                          • Contact
                          Why Moz
                          • Case Studies
                          • Testimonials
                          Get Involved
                          • Become an Affiliate
                          • MozCon
                          • Webinars
                          • Practical Marketer Series
                          • MozPod
                          Connect with us

                          Contact the Help team

                          Join our newsletter
                          Moz logo
                          © 2021 - 2025 SEOMoz, Inc., a Ziff Davis company. All rights reserved. Moz is a registered trademark of SEOMoz, Inc.
                          • Accessibility
                          • Terms of Use
                          • Privacy

                          Looks like your connection to Moz was lost, please wait while we try to reconnect.