Sanity to WordPress migration: Launch your new site
Launching a WordPress site after completing a Sanity to WordPress migration requires careful planning, coordination and execution. Follow this systematic approach to ensure a successful transition.
Pre-launch preparations
A thorough pre-launch process is essential for minimizing risks and ensuring a smooth go-live experience after migrating Sanity CMS to WordPress.
Backup strategy
Take a comprehensive backup of both Sanity and the staging WordPress site, including database and media files.
SSL configuration
- Ensure an active SSL certificate is installed.
- Confirm all URLs redirect to HTTPS.
DNS updates
- Update DNS records to point to the new server.
- Use tools like What’s My DNS to track propagation.
Redirect mapping
Test all 301 redirects from Sanity URLs to WordPress URLs to preserve SEO rankings.
Load testing
Simulate high-traffic scenarios to identify and resolve potential performance bottlenecks. This ensures your site can handle peak loads effectively.
Stakeholder communication
Notify stakeholders about the launch and provide comprehensive onboarding materials. Consider hosting a pre-launch webinar or demo to familiarize them with the new WordPress site and its functionalities.
Go-live procedure
A structured go-live plan ensures your Sanity to WordPress migration culminates in a successful launch.
- Final staging review
- Recheck key workflows like purchases, form submissions, and user registration.
- Remove placeholder content and dummy data.
- Server optimization
- Verify caching configurations and integrate a CDN to distribute assets globally.
- Ensure database optimizations like indexing and query caching are applied.
- Real-time monitoring
- Use analytics tools to track site traffic, user behavior, and error rates immediately after the launch.
Rollback plan
Always prepare for unexpected issues with a robust rollback strategy during your Sanity to WordPress migration.
Backup restoration
Validate backups and test restoration processes in a sandbox environment.
Fallback to Sanity
Keep the Sanity site on standby to reinstate if critical issues arise.
