Migrating your website to Contentful can seem daunting, but with the right steps, it can be a smooth process. Here at iWeb, we have the expertise to guide you through every stage. Let’s dive into the process.

Assessing your current website

Before you start the migration, it’s crucial to understand your current website’s structure and content. This involves auditing your existing content, identifying what needs to be migrated, and what can be left behind.

Start by listing all the pages, posts, and media files on your site. Use tools like Screaming Frog or Google Analytics to get a comprehensive overview. This will help you understand the volume of content and its current organisation.

Next, evaluate the quality of your content. Are there outdated pages or posts that no longer serve your audience? This is the perfect time to clean up and ensure only relevant, high-quality content makes it to your new site.

Choosing the right Contentful plan

Contentful offers various plans, from free to enterprise-level. Your choice will depend on your website’s size, the number of users, and the features you need.

For small websites or personal blogs, the free or basic plan might suffice. However, for larger sites with complex needs, consider the professional or enterprise plans. These offer advanced features like custom roles, higher API rate limits, and priority support.

Here at iWeb, our expert solution architects can help you choose the best plan for your needs. With iWeb’s 30 years of e-commerce experience, we understand the importance of selecting a plan that aligns with your business goals.

Setting up your Contentful space

Once you’ve chosen a plan, it’s time to set up your Contentful space. This is where all your content will live.

Start by creating a new space in Contentful. This involves setting up your content model, which defines the structure of your content. For example, you might have content types for blog posts, pages, and media files.

Next, configure your space settings. This includes setting up locales if you have a multilingual site, and configuring webhooks to automate tasks. Our talented team at iWeb can assist with this setup, ensuring your space is optimised for your needs.

Mapping your content model

Mapping your content model is a critical step in the migration process. This involves defining how your existing content will fit into Contentful’s structure.

Start by identifying the different types of content on your site. For each type, create a corresponding content type in Contentful. For example, if you have blog posts, create a blog post content type with fields for the title, body, and author.

Next, map your existing content to these new content types. This might involve some manual work, especially if your current site has a complex structure. However, tools like Contentful’s migration CLI can automate much of this process.

Importing your content

With your content model mapped, it’s time to import your content into Contentful. This can be done manually or using automated tools.

For small sites, manual import might be feasible. This involves copying and pasting content into Contentful’s web app. However, for larger sites, automated tools are essential. Contentful’s migration CLI and third-party tools like Contentful Importer can streamline this process.

Here at iWeb, our talented in-house team can handle the import process for you, ensuring your content is transferred accurately and efficiently.

Integrating with other systems

Your website likely relies on various systems, such as e-commerce platforms, CRM systems, and analytics tools. Integrating these with Contentful is crucial for a seamless migration.

Start by identifying the systems you need to integrate. For e-commerce sites, this might include platforms like Adobe Commerce or Magento. For analytics, consider tools like Adobe Analytics or Google Analytics.

Next, set up the integrations. Contentful offers robust APIs that make it easy to connect with other systems. Our team at iWeb are expert Akeneo PIM Integrators and can assist with integrating your PIM system, ensuring your product information is managed efficiently.

Testing and quality assurance

Before launching your new site, thorough testing is essential. This ensures everything works as expected and there are no issues.

Start by testing your content. Ensure all pages and posts are displayed correctly, and all media files are accessible. Next, test your integrations. Ensure data flows smoothly between Contentful and your other systems.

Finally, conduct user testing. This involves getting feedback from real users to identify any usability issues. Our talented UK team at iWeb can assist with this process, leveraging our expertise and experience in e-commerce to ensure a smooth launch.

Launching your new website

With testing complete, it’s time to launch your new website. This involves updating your DNS settings to point to your new site and monitoring the launch to ensure everything goes smoothly.

Start by updating your DNS settings. This involves changing the A record to point to your new site’s IP address. Next, monitor the launch. Keep an eye on your site’s performance and address any issues that arise.

Finally, promote your new site. Use social media, email marketing, and other channels to let your audience know about the new site. Here at iWeb, we can assist with every step of the launch process, ensuring a successful transition to your new Contentful-powered site.

Ready to take the next step in your digital transformation? Contact iWeb today to learn how we can help you migrate your website to Contentful and achieve your business goals.

Get in touch

We know commerce, let us help you improve customer experience, increase conversion rates, and make that digital change.

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