Joomla Website Migration Checklist

Details: Category: Business; By Shouket Ali; 03.Mar; Hits: 2018

The Joomla platform has undergone various version upgrades in the last couple of years. Most sites sitting on an old version of the Joomla platform are exposed to security vulnerabilities and chances of getting hacked. Another disadvantage is the lack of availability of many extensions that are configured to the website as companies offering these services migrate to newer versions of Joomla and cease to provide support for older versions of the extension.

Shouket Ali

Joomla Expert

I am passionate CMS devloper and create amazing websites using Joomla, Wordpress and other open source platforms

Experience

Shouket is a full-time free lander living in Sydney Australia. Shouket is passionate about Joomla development, Digital Marketing and Social Media Marketing and works with a number of clients.. Shouket is avid travel blogger and share his travel experiences in his personal travel blogs

Joomla Website Pre-Upgrade Preparation Checklist

Before upgrading your Joomla website, it is important to take certain steps to ensure a smooth and successful process. Here are some key points to consider:
For a consultant, it is essential to define the scope of work and create a basic documentation outline of the website's current functionality e.g. blog or e-commerce platform. The document should identify the business requirements for migration, outlining critical functionalities that need to be installed. The work scope should identify any upgrades to the Joomla template or branding guidelines etc. as identified by the business. If a new template is already provided along with the major plugins and extensions, the developer can easily install the extensions to a newer version of the template.
Backup your website files and database to prevent any data loss during the upgrade. This can be done using the Akeeba Backup Tool. Documentation of backup and roll-back procedures is essential as the website can meet any unexpected issue while or after migration.
Make a checklist current Joomla version and any extensions or templates that are installed. Document all current enabled plugins, extensions, and modules. Check for the latest version of these products. If the service provider has ceased to provide support for these products, suggest alternative options.
Check if your hosting environment meets the minimum requirements for the new Joomla version. This includes a version of PHP and MySql required for any other extensions that need to be configured on the server.
Disable any customizations or modifications to your website to avoid compatibility issues. A custom code is generally developed for that particular version of PHP or Joomla and might cease to work on the newer version. This can include custom scripts or custom-developed applications configured to some folder on the server but accessible from the Joomla interface.
Inform your website visitors and users about the upcoming upgrade and any potential downtime. Schedule a time slot for an upgrade when the traffic is minimal on the server.
Create a test environment to perform the upgrade and test its functionality before applying it to your live website. This would include documentation of the process to switch DNS to the test server so the site can be rendered from a different IP for testing purposes and then DNS switch and revert to the operational version of the website.
Prepare a URL scheme migration plan for the SEO of the website. Put 301 Redirects in place either using a plugin or .htaccess file on the root of the Joomla install. Missing this step will loss of all organic traffic and pre-configured links on social or other channels bringing traffic to the website
Check for HTTPS or HTTP versions of the website. Configuration or www or non-www version of the websites
Document any subdomains configured to the website
Document key features that need to be tested after the website upgrade. These can include
- Login and authentication features including ACL
- URL scheme and 404 errors
- Redirect issues
- Content rendering on responsive devices
- email server

By following these preparation steps, you can minimize the risks and ensure a successful Joomla website upgrade.

Content and Design Evaluation

During the Joomla website upgrade, it is essential to evaluate and optimize your website's content and design. Consider the following:

Review your website's content and update or remove any outdated or irrelevant information.
Check if your website's design is still visually appealing and user-friendly. Consider making any necessary design improvements. This includes buying a new version compatible template online or custom-developing a template using any templating engine.
Ensure that your website's content is optimized for search engines by using relevant keywords, meta tags, and structured data. The content category and hierarchy are part of the information architecture, that needs to be maintained when migration. For this purpose, a data migration tool is essential to migrate all the visual and textual content (Joomla Article, K2 content, contracts, user details) as well as image directories.
Most image or slider extensions might not work after migration, therefore it is essentail to keep the folder hierachy or manually migrate all the image folders to the website.
Test the responsiveness of your website on different devices and screen sizes to ensure a seamless user experience.

By evaluating and optimizing your website's content and design, you can enhance its overall performance and appeal.

Extension Compatibility Check

Extensions play a crucial role in the functionality of a Joomla website. Before upgrading, it is important to check the compatibility of your extensions with the new Joomla version. Here's what you should do:

Make a list of all the extensions installed on your website.
Research and verify if each extension is compatible with the new Joomla version. Suggest newer or better versions of extensions if available. This can include image galleries, sliders, pop-up forms, etc.
Update or replace any incompatible extensions with their latest versions or alternative extensions.
Test the functionality of each extension after the upgrade to ensure everything is working properly.

By ensuring the compatibility of your extensions, you can avoid any potential issues and ensure the smooth operation of your Joomla website.

Read more about MOST POPULAR JOOMLA EXTENSIONS

Backup and Security Measures

Before proceeding with the Joomla website upgrade, it is vital to implement backup and security measures to protect your website's data and functionality. Here's what you should consider:

Take a complete backup of your website files and database.
Store the backup files in a secure location, separate from your live website.
Update your website's security measures, including passwords, firewall settings, and security extensions.
Scan your website for any malware or vulnerabilities and take necessary actions to resolve them.

By implementing backup and security measures, you can safeguard your website against any potential data loss or security breaches during the upgrade process.

Post-Upgrade Testing and Optimization

After successfully upgrading your Joomla website, it is important to perform thorough testing and optimization to ensure its optimal performance. Consider the following steps:

Test the functionality of your website's core features, including navigation, forms, and user registration.
Check if any customizations or modifications made before the upgrade are still working as intended.
Optimize your website's performance by compressing images, enabling caching, and minimizing scripts and stylesheets.
Monitor your website's performance and user feedback to identify and address any issues or improvements. Take note of any 404 errors and place 301 Redirects

By conducting post-upgrade testing and optimization, you can ensure that your Joomla website is running smoothly and providing the best possible experience for your users.