Content Migration Strategy: WordPress to Framer Without Losing SEO
Switching from WordPress to Framer can improve your website’s speed, security, and user experience. But how do you migrate without losing SEO rankings? This guide explains the process step-by-step, including how to handle redirects, preserve metadata, and optimize your new site for search engines.
Key Steps to Migrate Without Losing SEO:
Audit Your WordPress Site:
Back up content, media, and SEO data (meta descriptions, titles, alt text).
Document URL structures and internal links.
Plan Your New Site:
Map out URL changes and set up 301 redirects.
Organize content for better navigation and mobile-first design.
Migrate Content and SEO Elements:
Transfer pages, media, and metadata manually or using tools.
Verify SEO-critical elements like headings, alt text, and canonical tags.
Set Up Redirects in Framer:
Use Framer’s built-in redirect tools to avoid broken links.
Test all redirects using tools and manual checks.
Optimize and Monitor SEO:
Update your sitemap and submit it to Google Search Console.
Track performance using tools like Google Analytics and Search Console.
Quick Comparison: WordPress vs. Framer SEO Features
Feature | WordPress (with Plugins) | Framer (Built-In) |
|---|---|---|
Image Optimization | Requires plugins | Automatic |
Redirect Management | Manual or plugin-based | Built-in |
Hosting Security | Depends on hosting service | Included |
Sitemap Generation | Plugin required | Automatic |
Mobile-First Design | Requires themes/plugins | Native tools |
By following this plan, you can migrate smoothly while protecting your SEO rankings and improving site performance.
Pre-Migration WordPress Checklist
Before migrating, it's crucial to safeguard your SEO rankings and ensure that all key content and functionality remain intact. Proper preparation is the key to maintaining search visibility during the transition.
Review Your WordPress Site Data
Start by performing a full audit of your current WordPress site. This will help you identify all essential elements that need to be carried over to maintain your SEO performance.
Content Type | What to Review | Backup Method |
|---|---|---|
Core Content | Pages, Posts, Custom Post Types | Database Backup |
Media Assets | Images, Videos, Documents | File System Backup |
SEO Elements | Meta Descriptions, Title Tags | Plugin Export |
User Data | Forms, Comments, Menus | Database Export |
Key areas to focus on include:
Performance Metrics: Use tools like Google Analytics and Search Console to gather insights.
Technical SEO: Document URL structures, redirects, and internal linking strategies.
Content Inventory: Take stock of all media assets, ensuring nothing is overlooked.
Once you've completed this audit, you'll have the foundation needed to plan your new site while preserving SEO value.
Map Out Your New Site Structure
Use the insights from your audit to design a clear blueprint for your new Framer site. This step is essential for maintaining SEO continuity and creating a seamless user experience.
Here are some strategies to guide you:
URL Structure Planning
Framer's architecture may differ from WordPress, so it's important to map your existing URLs to their new counterparts. Create a spreadsheet that includes:
Current WordPress URLs
Planned Framer URLs
Necessary 301 redirects
Priority levels based on traffic and backlinks
Content Organization
Organize your content in a way that ensures a logical flow for users. Pay attention to:
Primary navigation paths
Categories and tags
Internal linking opportunities
Mobile-first design considerations
SEO Element Mapping
Make sure all SEO-critical elements are accounted for and transferred, such as:
Meta titles and descriptions
Header tags (H1–H6)
Image alt text
Canonical tags
"WordPress and Framer have different URL structures, so it's crucial to map existing URLs to their new counterparts." – Goodspeed.studio
Proper planning pays off. For instance, Formula Bot's migration to a new platform led to a jump in their Google ranking from 6th to 2nd place, thanks to meticulous structural and SEO planning.
"WP Migrate is the best there is. Stable and it works all the time. It's worth every penny!"
Step-by-Step Content Migration Process
Moving Content and SEO Elements
Carefully export and transfer your WordPress content to ensure SEO elements remain intact.
Migration Element | Transfer Method | Verification Step |
|---|---|---|
Core Pages/Posts | Manual Copy | Check Meta Data |
Media Files | Bulk Export | Verify File Names |
SEO Components | Individual Export | Compare Meta Tags |
Custom Elements | Manual Transfer | Test Functionality |
Meta Descriptions: Copy each page's meta description to retain search relevance.
Image Alt Text: Transfer all image alt text to maintain accessibility and image SEO.
Header Tags: Preserve the heading hierarchy when editing in Framer.
Custom URLs: Match your existing URL structures wherever possible.
Once this is complete, set up 301 redirects to smoothly map old URLs to the new ones.
Setting Up 301 Redirects
Follow these steps to implement 301 redirects in Framer:
Go to the Site Settings → Redirects section in your Framer dashboard.
Enter the old WordPress URL in the source field.
Add the corresponding new Framer URL as the destination.
Use drag-and-drop to prioritize redirects.
Publish your changes to activate the redirects.
For managing multiple similar URLs, wildcard redirects are a great option. For instance, if you're moving all blog content from a subdirectory, use a rule like this:
This will redirect all blog posts to their new locations while preserving their original structure after the wildcard.
After setting up redirects, focus on updating your internal links.
Fixing Internal Link Structure
Ensure all internal links reflect the new Framer URLs to maintain SEO value. Update navigation menus, in-text links, resource links, and footer links to align with the new site structure.
Framer simplifies this process by automatically generating your sitemap.xml and robots.txt files, making it easier for search engines to understand your updated site. Stick to a consistent URL structure that matches your content hierarchy for the best results.
SEO Checks After Migration
Once your migration is complete, these SEO checks will help ensure that all critical elements from WordPress are successfully carried over to Framer.
Test All Website Redirects
Redirects are essential to maintain your SEO rankings. Check that every URL redirects correctly to avoid losing traffic or creating broken links. In your Framer dashboard, go to Site Settings → Redirects and verify the functionality of each redirect.
Testing Phase | Action Items | Success Criteria |
|---|---|---|
Manual Check | Test each URL manually for proper redirection | No 404 errors, instant redirect |
Batch Testing | Use redirect checker tools | All URLs resolve correctly |
Mobile Testing | Test redirects on various devices | Consistent behavior across devices |
Speed Check | Measure redirect response times | Response time under 1 second |
Update Search Engine Sitemaps
Once redirects are in place, update your sitemap to inform search engines about your site's new structure. Framer automatically generates a sitemap.xml file, which you can access at yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml.
To update your sitemap in Google Search Console:
Link your Framer site to Google Search Console.
Navigate to the Sitemaps section in the console.
Enter
sitemap.xmlin the submission field.Submit the sitemap to register your site's new structure.
"Sitemaps are tools for search engines, outlining your website's pages, update frequency, and last modifications. They help search engines index your site effectively and work with Google Search Console to improve visibility." - Framer Help
Track SEO Performance Changes
After submitting your sitemap, monitor your site's SEO performance to quickly identify and address any issues. Use the following tools to keep track of post-migration metrics:
Google Search Console
Analyze search traffic trends
Detect and fix crawl errors
Check mobile usability reports
Professional SEO Tools
Monitor daily SERP positions
Analyze keyword rankings
Track backlinks
Conduct technical SEO audits
"Semrush is like a keyword research tool, Google Trends, Moz, Hootsuite and SimilarWeb in one." - Mario León Rojas, Performance Marketing Specialist, Banco del Sol
Set baseline metrics and track changes for at least 30 days after the migration. Focus on key indicators like:
Organic traffic levels
Keyword ranking shifts
Core Web Vitals scores
Mobile performance metrics
Crawl statistics
Using Framer's SEO Tools
After completing your post-migration SEO checks, take advantage of Framer's built-in tools to enhance your site's performance. These features simplify technical optimization and give you control over essential SEO settings.
Improve Page Load Speed
Framer helps improve loading times with the following features:
Feature | Function | How It Helps |
|---|---|---|
Auto Image Optimization | Compresses and delivers images in modern formats | Cuts down page load times significantly |
Lazy Loading | Loads content only when it’s needed | Speeds up the initial page load |
Server-Side Rendering | Pre-renders pages on the server | Improves Core Web Vitals scores |
Automatic SSL | Ensures secure HTTPS connections | Strengthens search ranking signals |
To get the best results:
Enable image optimization in the Site Settings.
Adjust lazy loading thresholds for images and media.
Keep an eye on Core Web Vitals via the dashboard.
Mobile-First Design Setup
With most searches happening on mobile devices, it's critical to optimize your site for mobile users. Framer’s mobile-first design tools ensure your site aligns with Google’s mobile indexing standards.
Component-Based Design
Framer's component system allows you to build responsive layouts that adapt seamlessly to different screen sizes. This method not only ensures consistency across devices but also simplifies managing larger projects.
Mobile Performance Settings
In the Site Settings under the Mobile section, you can:
Configure viewport settings.
Define mobile breakpoints.
Adjust touch target sizes for better usability.
Enable mobile-specific performance tweaks.
Once your mobile design is ready, you can focus on fine-tuning your technical SEO for even better results.
Technical SEO Implementation
Framer provides tools to make technical SEO tasks easier:
Meta Information Management
Use the SEO panel to customize key metadata, including:
Site-wide meta titles and descriptions.
Metadata for individual pages.
Open Graph tags for improved social sharing.
Structured Data Setup
Framer supports JSON-LD for better search visibility. You can add structured data by navigating to Site Settings → SEO → Schema Markup. Use this to include details like organization info, product data, article metadata, or local business information.
"Framer optimizes your pages for excellent SEO by default, offering full control over SEO markup, indexing rules, redirects, and more." - Framer Help
Conclusion: Next Steps with Your New Framer Site
Switching to Framer is just the beginning. After completing your migration and initial SEO setup, focus on refining your site with these strategies to keep improving its performance.
Track and Improve SEO Performance
Take advantage of Framer's analytics to keep an eye on traffic, Core Web Vitals, mobile usability, and keyword rankings. Regular monitoring will help you spot areas for improvement and maintain visibility in search results.
Make Use of Framer's SEO Tools
Tap into Framer's built-in features to manage meta data, structured data (via JSON-LD), image alt text, video thumbnails, and semantic HTML. These tools can help fine-tune your site's SEO.
Streamline Content Management
Framer's CMS makes it easier to create and update content. Ensure meta descriptions are consistent, refresh your content regularly, and double-check that redirects are working as intended.
