In today's digital world, your website serves as the initial point of contact with customers. Therefore, you need a website that is visually appealing, user-friendly, and secure. As your business expands, you may face difficulties with your current CMS.

However, transitioning to a new CMS can be a daunting task. In this blog, we'll provide you with expert tips and strategies for a seamless migration from Joomla to Drupal, ensuring that your CMS website development project is a success. With these strategies, you can ensure a smooth migration to Drupal that ensures optimum ROI, no downtime, and increased security, scalability, and customization options for your CMS website development.

What is CMS website development?

CMS website development typically involves selecting a CMS platform, customizing its design and functionality to meet the needs of your business, creating and organizing content, and integrating any necessary third-party tools or services.

Joomla and Drupal are the 2 most popular CMS platforms, each with their own unique features and functionalities. However, there are times when you may need to migrate from Joomla to Drupal in order to take advantage of better security, scalability, and customization options.

Read why Drupal is the best CMS for web development

How to seamlessly migrate from Joomla to Drupal?

Step 1: Backup

Before starting the migration and CMS web development process, you must back up all necessary data from the old Joomla website. This will help you restore the website to its previous state in case of any issues during migration.

Therefore, create a backup of all data, files, and databases on the Joomla site, as well as a development environment for the Drupal site.

Drupal Expert Tip: To avoid any potential issues during the migration process, it is recommended to utilize a separate environment for the new CMS development. This approach also enables a thorough testing phase before launching the Drupal site.

Step 2: Audit and planning

Before starting the migration process, analyze the data from the old Joomla CMS thoroughly, including the structure of the website, the types of content, and the relationships between them. Also, identify any custom extensions, modules, or plugins used in Joomla. This analysis will help you in identifying the areas that require special attention during migration.

Next, identify the goals and objectives for the new Drupal site and determine the site structure, content types, and necessary functionalities. Also, make sure you consider the design and layout of the new site since Drupal and Joomla have different themes and templates.

Drupal Expert Tip: It is advisable to create a comprehensive plan that outlines all the necessary steps involved in the migration process, starting from the initial audit and planning to the final testing and launch. The plan should also incorporate a realistic timeline with deadlines for each phase of the migration to ensure timely completion.

By sticking to this detailed plan and timeline, you will be able to make a smooth transition to Drupal while minimizing any potential downtime or issues that may arise during the migration process.

Step 3: Data migration

Now, let's talk about the star of migration process - the data migration. This includes transferring content, user data, and any other necessary information from Joomla to Drupal. Use a migration tool such as the Drupal module - Migrate to automate the process and reduce the risk of errors.

Learn about the 10 Drupal Modules That Will Help You Make a Seamless Transition from Joomla Content Management system.

However, you may need to provide some manual intervention since all data can’t be migrated automatically. This includes data that is structured differently between Joomla and Drupal, such as taxonomies and tags.

Drupal Expert Tip: To ensure a successful migration process, it is best to identify any data or content that cannot be migrated automatically and create a manual migration plan beforehand. This involves mapping out the differences between the 2 content management systems (CMSs) and devising specific steps for transferring the data.

Step 4: URL mapping

One of the biggest concerns during the CMS website development process is the impact on website SEO. Create a URL mapping plan to ensure that all old URLs from the Joomla site are redirected to their corresponding new URLs on the Drupal site. This will ensure that any existing links or bookmarks will still work and also avoid any negative impact on SEO, keeping your website and content rankings intact.

Step 5: Testing and launch

Before launching your new Drupal site, test it thoroughly to ensure that all functionalities are working correctly. Experts suggest conducting various tests such as functional, performance, and security testing. It is also crucial to conduct user experience testing to ensure that the new site is user-friendly and easy to navigate.

Once testing is complete, the Drupal site can be launched.

Drupal Expert Tip: Keep the Joomla website live during CMS development for monitoring of any issues that may arise post-migration. This proactive approach can help identify necessary adjustments before retiring from the old site, preventing downtime and ensuring a smooth transition to the new platform.

Conclusion

Moving your website from Joomla to Drupal may seem like a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. By following the best practices we've outlined and seeking guidance from experts, you can make a smooth transition.

In addition to a seamless migration, you'll also reap the benefits of increased security, scalability, and customization options. So don't let the complexity of CMS development process hold you back. With the right approach and support from CMS development experts, you can confidently move your website to Drupal and take your digital presence to the next level.

If you need expert help in migrating your website from Joomla to Drupal or are looking to hire CMS developers for custom CMS development services, simply drop in your contact, and Altudo team will reach out to you to guide you through the migration process.

Altudo is a custom CMS website development company and certified partner of Drupal. With our extensive knowledge and experience in custom CMS website development and migration service, we ensure smooth migration while you focus on growing your business.