Drupal to WordPress Migration: A Full Guide by ProCoders

The open source Drupal and WordPress are two of the most in-demand content management systems used for building websites. Both have their pros and cons, and many site owners debate between using one or the other.

In recent years, WP has pulled ahead in popularity and market share, now powering over 40% of all websites. In comparison, Drupal powers approximately 1% of all sites. With the former’s momentum only growing stronger, many website owners are considering migrating to WP.

To further argue WordPress’ superiority in world acclaim, here’s a comparison of the CMS with its competitors (Drupal is #6).

However, transitioning a site takes planning and effort to successfully move all your content and functionality over. In this guide, we’ll explore the Drupal to WordPress migration process in-depth.

Why Migrate Drupal Site to WordPress?

Before diving into the details of how to migrate from Drupal to WordPress, let’s look at a few of the key reasons why you may want to make the switch:

Lower learning curve	Better extensibility	Larger community
It’s easier for beginners to learn compared to the more developer-centric Drupal.	It offers thousands of plugins to add functionality versus the limited extensions of the other platform. Besides, you can make your website on WordPress multiple language!	The leading WP has a vastly larger user base and support community.

SEO advantages	Easier content publishing	Lower cost
Many consider WP better for SEO out of the box. Our developers prove it for every project by providing WordPress SEO services.	WordPress makes it simpler for non-technical users to publish and manage content.	Hosting and development costs are typically lower compared to Drupal.

For site owners frustrated with Drupal’s complexity, WordPress offers an appealing alternative that’s easier to use all around.

Recommended: How Long Does It Take to Build a WordPress Website?

Things to Consider Before a Drupal to WordPress Migration

Migrating from Drupal to WordPress requires careful planning and consideration, as it can be a complex and time-consuming process. Here are key factors to keep in mind to ensure a smooth transition:

Assess Your Hosting Services Needs

Ensure that your hosting provider supports WordPress installations. If your current version’s Drupal host does not, you will need to switch to a provider that offers managed WordPress hosting. Some reputable hosts that support WordPress and offer excellent community support include:

• Pantheon
• WP Engine
• DreamHost

Evaluate Data Complexity

The migration process involves more than just moving content; it requires mapping and converting various elements and functionalities from Drupal to WordPress. This may include:

• Paragraphs or Panels: These need to be converted into Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) content in WordPress.
• Metadata and Redirects: Complex data structures like metadata and redirects require careful mapping to ensure they function correctly post-migration.
• Custom Functions: If your Drupal site uses custom functionalities, these will need to be re-created in WordPress, especially if you’re using Gutenberg blocks.
• Content and User Types: Different content types and user roles in Drupal must be mapped accurately to their counterparts in WordPress.
• Node Relationships: References and related content in Drupal need to be appropriately mapped to maintain the integrity of your data relationships in WordPress.

Consider Professional Assistance

While it might be tempting to handle the migration yourself, partnering with experienced professionals can save you time and ensure a seamless transition. Technology consultants, like the Kanopi team, specialize in both Drupal and WordPress and can provide invaluable insights and support. They can help you:

• Assess the Migration Suitability: Determine if moving from Drupal to WordPress is the right choice for your organization.
• Plan and Execute the Migration: Tackle complex data issues and ensure all elements are correctly transferred.
• Customize Your WordPress Site: Develop custom solutions to replicate or enhance Drupal functionalities in WordPress.

How to Prepare for a Drupal to WP Migration

Careful planning and preparation are crucial before you dive into actually migrating. Here are some key steps to take to get ready:

Back Up Your Drupal Site	Inventory Your Site’s Content
First and foremost, fully back up your original website. This gives you a way to restore your original web resource if anything goes wrong during the migration. Use the Drupal Backup and Migrate module or another backup option. You can also find out how to hire CMS developers and avoid all the mistakes of the transition.	Take stock of all the content you’ll need to migrate, including posts, pages, images, files, menus, taxonomies, users, comments, and custom content types. This helps identify what needs to be moved.

Document Your Site Functionality	Create a Migration Plan
Make a list of the key plugins, modules, themes, custom code, and other functionality powering your website. These will need WP counterparts.	Map out all the major steps and tasks concerning Drupal to WordPress content migration, database transition, files, and functionality from one CMS to the other.

Set Up Staging Environments	Pick Your New WP Host
Build temporary staging sites to test the migration process before touching your live resources and data.	Choose a high-quality managed host for optimal performance, security, and scalability. Don’t forget to include your hosting budget in the plan.

Thoroughly prepare and plan, making sure your WP migration goes as smoothly as possible when it’s time to execute.

Data Migration Elements to Keep in Mind

The most complex and time-consuming part of switching is moving all the actual information:

Posts and Pages

Drupal nodes become posts and pages in WP. You can migrate these manually or using plugins like CMS2CMS. Retain post statuses, metadata, tags, and categories.

Media Files

Upload all media, such as images, videos, and documents, from your original site’s file directories to the WP’s media library. Update references in content.

Taxonomies

Drupal vocabularies and terms can be migrated to WordPress taxonomies and terms. This retains categories, tags, etc.

Menus

The two platforms store menus differently, so they require manual migration. Recreate menus and menu items in WP.

Users

You’ll want to migrate original user accounts, roles, and permissions to matching WP counterparts, either manually or with a plugin.

With care, you can get the success message at the end, migrating all your core content between the systems.

Migrating Functionality from Drupal to WordPress

In addition to data, you also need to migrate all the functionality that powers the original website over to WP:

Plugins/Modules

Identify which plugins provide analogous functionality to your initial modules, such as contact form plugins. Install and configure them.

Stylish Themes

You can convert original themes to work in WP or install new premium themes and customize it to match. You can also have a pro designer create a unique theme for you, but this will impact how much does a WordPress site cost.

Custom Code

Any custom PHP, CSS, or JavaScript will need to be manually ported over to work alongside WP themes and correct plugins.

Configuration

Specific functionality configurations will need to be recreated or replaced with similar plugins.

Workflows

Understand how key workflows occur on the old website and determine how to replicate them within WP architecture.

Recreating all your complex site functionality takes effort. But with research and testing, it can be done.

Database Migration and Setup for Drupal to WordPress

Migrating your database to WordPress involves a few steps:

1. Use phpMyAdmin or a tool like WP DB Migrate to export your database.
2. Create a new, empty WP database on your host to import the old database into.
3. Use a database tool to import the Drupal DB into WP, adjusting table prefixes and data types.
4. Install the Search Regex plugin. Run regex find/replace queries to update references to the original tables and data to their WP equivalents.
5. Test and debug data issues. You may need to run additional regex replacements to fix conflicts.

With care, your old database can be adjusted to function properly from within WordPress’ schema and environment. It’s a complicated process, and we suggest you hire a pro to deal with it.

What Tech Stack Needed to Implement the Transfer

Here are the key skills and resources needed when migrating:

Experienced developers	Staging sites	Migrate DB Pro
Knowledge of both CMS platforms simplifies migration issues. Find out how to hire WordPress developers or hire Drupal developer.	Staging environments allow for migration testing without risk.	The knowledge of this plugin helps transfer the database from one platform to another.

Custom migration scripts	New WordPress theme	Testing and QA
Scripts written to migrate some highly customized data are a must.	A custom theme to match the original aesthetics.	Extensive testing skills help uncover data inconsistencies missed during migration.

Having both the technical expertise and converter tools from the transition, as well as having talented WP developers on your team, you’ll transfer Drupal to WordPress successfully.

Step-by-Step Drupal to WordPress Transition Based on ProCoders Experience

How to migrate Drupal to WordPress? We can only provide the general steps as every project is unique and needs an individual approach.

Based on our experience with Drupal to WordPress import, here is an end-to-end step-by-step process:

Preparation

1. Document Everything: Record details about your Drupal site, including plugins, custom code, content types, and any other significant elements.
2. Backup Your Drupal Site: Ensure you have a full backup of your Drupal site for safety. Copy or download all essential files, including the database, settings files, etc.
3. Set Up Local Instances: Create local instances of both your Drupal and WordPress sites to test the migration process without affecting your live site.

Initial Setup

4. Choose a Managed WordPress Host: Select a reliable managed WordPress host that suits your needs. Choose a domain name if you don’t already have one.
5. Install WordPress: Install WordPress on your new hosting environment.
6. Choose a Permalink Structure: In WordPress, go to Settings > Permalinks and select a permalink structure that mirrors your existing Drupal URLs to minimize broken links and maintain SEO.

Convert Drupal to WordPress

7. Install Necessary Plugins: Install and configure plugins on WordPress that replicate the functionality of your Drupal site. Examples include Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) and SEO plugins.
8. Set Up the FG Drupal to WordPress Plugin: Install the FG Drupal to WordPress plugin. This tool helps streamline the migration process by automating many steps.
9. Enter FTP Credentials and Drupal Database Parameters: Provide your FTP credentials and Drupal database parameters within the FG plugin settings to enable data transfer.
10. Adjust Post and Page Import Settings: Configure the plugin to import posts, pages, and other content types correctly. Map Drupal content types to their WordPress equivalents.
11. Migrate Content: Use a tool like CMS2CMS or the FG plugin to convert and transfer content from Drupal to WordPress. This includes blog articles, pages, and custom post types. Make sure you have a file manager in place to transfer everything necessary.

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Data Management

12. Export and Import Database: Export your initial Drupal database and import it into a new database on your WordPress host. Use tools like phpMyAdmin for database management.
13. Update Database References: Use tools like Search Regex or custom scripts to update old database references to the new WordPress platform, ensuring all links and paths are correct.
14. Migrate Users, Roles, and Permissions: Transfer user data, roles, and permissions from Drupal to WordPress. Ensure all user roles and permissions are appropriately mapped and functioning.

Final Steps

15. Design a Custom WordPress Theme: Create a custom WordPress theme that matches the design of your old Drupal site. Ensure the new theme is responsive and optimized for performance.
16. Point Your Domain to WordPress: Update your DNS records to point your domain to the new WordPress host.
17. 301 Redirect Old URLs: Implement 301 redirects for old URLs to new ones to retain SEO value. Use a redirection plugin to manage this process efficiently.
18. Test on Staging: Thoroughly test the new site on a staging environment before going live. Check for broken links, missing content, and functionality issues.
19. Go Live: Once testing is complete and everything is working correctly, go live with your new WordPress site. Monitor the site closely for any post-migration issues.
20. Monitor and Optimize: Continuously monitor your site’s performance and optimize as needed. Regularly update plugins, themes, and WordPress core to maintain security and performance.

Migrating from Drupal to WordPress requires careful planning and execution. By following these detailed steps, you can ensure a smooth transition and take full advantage of WordPress’s capabilities. If the process seems daunting, consider partnering with a professional technology consultant to guide you through the migration and ensure the best results.

With this approach, the migration process is streamlined while minimizing downtime and risks.

How to Optimize and Set Up Your New WordPress Website After Migration

Congratulations, your migration is complete! Here are some next steps to optimize your newly migrated WP site:

• Continue configuring settings like permalinks for optimal SEO.
• Refine your site navigation menus for ease of use.
• Set up Google Analytics and integrate with WordPress to track site traffic.
• Install additional plugins to add desired functionality.
• Make updates and enhancements to your theme’s design.
• Create redirects for any remaining orphaned old URLs.
• Build out your internal links structure to boost SEO.
• Create new site content, blog posts, and pages to grow your site.
• Configure caching via hosts and plugins to improve site speed.
• Submit XML sitemaps to search engines for better indexing.

Take the time to optimize and enhance your new site to reap the full benefits of converting Drupal to WordPress.

How ProCoders Can Help Convert Your Website from Drupal to WordPress

If migrating from Drupal to WordPress seems complex, our developers can handle the process for you. 

Choosing ProCoders means opting for 10 years of experience in software development, working with only middle and senior engineers that we hire full-time, and receiving full-cycle tech support. All candidates go through a 4-stage interview process and we pay them WordPress developer salary each month, so it’s only fair that we hire the best possible talent!

Our team has extensive experience tackling complex Drupal to WP migrations. Here’s how we can help:

• Our pros can help map your existing site architecture and functionality.
• We can fully migrate your database, content, media, taxonomies, and more to the new platform.
• Our developers will either convert your old theme to WP or build you an all-new custom one.
• We’ll identify and implement the proper plugins needed to recreate functionality.
• After migration, we’ll optimize your new website for performance and security.

Let our experts handle the busy work so you can focus on your business. 

Conclusion

Converting from Drupal to WordPress is a strategic decision that offers numerous benefits, especially for site owners seeking a more user-friendly and extensible platform. WordPress’s popularity, ease of use, and vast plugin ecosystem make it an attractive alternative to Drupal, which, while powerful, can be more complex and developer-centric.

The migration process, while intricate, can be managed successfully with careful planning and execution. It involves assessing your current site’s structure and functionality, backing up all essential data, and methodically transferring content, users, and custom functionalities to the new platform. Using reliable migration tools and thoroughly testing the new setup ensures that your WordPress site not only retains the core elements of your Drupal site but also leverages WordPress’s advantages.

Engaging professional assistance, such as from ProCoders, can significantly streamline the migration process. Expert developers can navigate the complexities of data mapping, database management, and custom functionality recreation, ensuring that your site transition is seamless and effective.