Migrating from Wix to Other Platforms

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you'll be able to:

1. Identify when Wix no longer meets your business needs and evaluate alternative platforms
2. Export your data from Wix safely and effectively
3. Plan and execute a website redesign on your chosen new platform
4. Protect your SEO rankings during the migration process

Introduction

Your online shop is growing, and you're starting to bump up against Wix's limitations. Maybe you need more advanced inventory management, better payment options, or greater design flexibility. Moving to a platform like Shopify, WooCommerce, or Squarespace might be the answer.

This chapter walks you through the migration process step by step. We'll cover when to make the move, how to protect your data and SEO rankings, and what to expect during the transition.

Lessons

Lesson 1: Deciding When to Migrate

Before you jump ship, make sure migration is actually the right move. Here's how to evaluate your situation properly.

Step 1: List your current pain points with Wix. Common issues include limited payment gateways, restricted design options, or poor integration with third-party tools.

Step 2: Research whether your target platform solves these specific problems. Don't assume the grass is always greener.

Step 3: Calculate the true cost of migration, including platform fees, development time, and potential lost sales during the transition.

Step 4: Consider the learning curve. Each platform has its own way of doing things, and you'll need time to get comfortable.

This is the bit most people miss: migration isn't just about features. Think about your team's technical skills and available time too.

Lesson 2: Exporting Your Data from Wix

Getting your data out of Wix requires careful planning. Here's how to do it without losing anything important.

Step 1: Go to your Wix dashboard and find the site export option. This gives you basic content like pages and blog posts.

Step 2: Export your product data separately if you're running an online shop. Go to your store dashboard and look for export options in the product management section.

Step 3: Download your customer data from the contacts section. Make sure you comply with GDPR requirements if you're handling EU customer data.

Step 4: Save all media files (images, videos, documents) to a local folder. You'll need these for your new site.

Step 5: Create a backup of everything before you start the migration process.

Here's the quick version: Wix doesn't make it easy to leave, so you'll need to export different types of data from different places in the dashboard.

Lesson 3: Planning Your New Website Design

You can't directly copy your Wix design to another platform, so you'll need to rebuild it. Here's how to approach this strategically.

Step 1: Take screenshots of every page on your current site. Include different screen sizes if your site is responsive.

Step 2: Document your site's functionality. Note any special features, forms, or integrations you're currently using.

Step 3: Choose a theme or template on your new platform that closely matches your current design structure.

Step 4: Recreate your pages systematically, starting with your homepage and main product pages.

Step 5: Test everything thoroughly before going live. Check forms, payment processing, and mobile responsiveness.

It helps to know where things usually go wrong: most people underestimate how long the redesign process takes. Plan for at least twice as long as you initially think.

Lesson 4: Protecting Your SEO During Migration

A poorly planned migration can tank your search rankings. Here's how to keep your SEO intact.

Step 1: Document all your current URLs and their corresponding pages. You'll need this for setting up redirects.

Step 2: Set up 301 redirects from your old URLs to your new ones. This tells search engines that your content has permanently moved.

Step 3: Update your sitemap and submit it to Google Search Console once your new site is live.

Step 4: Monitor your rankings closely for the first few months after migration. Some temporary fluctuation is normal.

Step 5: Update any internal links and external backlinks where possible to point directly to your new URLs.

Roll your sleeves up for this part – SEO protection requires attention to detail, but it's worth the effort to maintain your search visibility.

Practice

Create a migration checklist for your specific situation:

1. List the top 5 limitations you're experiencing with Wix
2. Research two alternative platforms and compare their solutions to your problems
3. Identify all the data you need to export from your current site
4. Estimate the time and cost involved in migration
5. Plan your approach for maintaining SEO during the transition

FAQs

Can I keep my domain name when migrating from Wix?
Yes, you can transfer your domain to your new platform or keep it with Wix and point it to your new site. Check your domain registration details to see who currently manages it.

How long does a typical migration take?
For a basic site, expect 2-4 weeks. Complex e-commerce sites with lots of products and customisation can take 2-3 months. The timeline depends on how much content you have and how extensively you want to redesign.

Will I lose my Google rankings during migration?
You might see temporary ranking fluctuations, but proper planning and redirects should protect most of your SEO value. Some sites even see improvements after migrating to more SEO-friendly platforms.

Can I test my new site before switching over?
Absolutely. Most platforms offer staging environments where you can build and test your new site before making it live. Use this feature – it's much better than discovering problems after you've already switched.

Jargon Buster

301 Redirect: A permanent redirect that tells search engines your content has moved to a new URL, passing most of the SEO value to the new location.

Staging Environment: A private copy of your website where you can make changes and test functionality without affecting your live site.

Data Export: The process of downloading your website content, customer information, and other data from your current platform in a format you can use elsewhere.

Migration: Moving your website from one platform or hosting provider to another while maintaining as much functionality and SEO value as possible.

Wrap-up

Migrating from Wix to another platform is a significant project, but it's manageable with proper planning. Focus on three key areas: protecting your data, maintaining your SEO rankings, and allowing enough time for thorough testing.

Remember that migration is often more complex than it initially appears. Don't rush the process, and consider getting professional help if you're dealing with a large, complex site or if you're not comfortable with the technical aspects.

Your next step is to thoroughly evaluate whether migration is right for your situation. If you decide to proceed, start with a detailed plan and timeline before you export any data or begin building on your new platform.

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