Manual vs Automated vs Hybrid: How to migrate to WordPress the right and safe way

Migrating a website, whether from a legacy CMS to WordPress or between two WordPress instances, isn’t just a technical task. It’s a moment of transition. One that needs careful planning to protect what matters: your data, performance, and peace of mind.

And right at the start, most teams face a familiar question:
Should we go manual or automated?

Let’s unpack both approaches and explore when each makes sense based on our experience in the field.

Manual CMS Migration

There are times when precision outweighs speed. When every detail on a website matters, and automation would do more harm than good. That’s where manual migration proves its value, not because it’s old-fashioned, but because it’s deliberate.

Why manual migration still has its place

Manual migration means moving content page by page, image by image, rebuilding everything inside WordPress from the ground up. It’s time-consuming, yes. But it gives teams complete control over formatting, structure, and design fidelity. For smaller, design-heavy websites or those migrating from rigid platforms, this control often becomes a necessity.

We often see this approach work best in cases where automation simply can’t guarantee the quality required, especially when the content is complex or the visual experience is central to the brand.

Case in point: Migrating from Wix to WordPress

Wix is one of the most common examples where manual migration becomes the only viable path. Since Wix is a closed platform with no direct export for full site content. The recommended strategy is to manually rebuild the site in WordPress (copy-pasting text, downloading/uploading images, etc.), but leverage any available partial automation to ease the process (for example, importing blog posts via an RSS feed). The pages on the Wix still need to be recreated on WordPress.

Another case

A business website with only 20 blog posts and five landing pages needs to be moved from another CMS to WordPress. Since each page is uniquely designed and formatted, the best approach is to manually copy the content, download images, and re-upload them to the new WordPress media library. The Gutenberg editor is then used to recreate each page with their unique content and designs.

When does manual migration make sense?

Manual migration isn’t for every project. But in these scenarios, it often becomes the smartest choice:

• Your current CMS doesn’t offer clean export options.
• Page structures differ too much between platforms.
• You’re working with a small, high-value site (think 10–50 pages).
• You need a pixel-perfect rebuild that automated tools can’t guarantee.
• Or the content is so unique that every page needs a human touch.

What manual migration excels at

• Full control over formatting and content structure.
• Accuracy improves with human oversight, especially for critical content.
• Best for small-scale migrations.
• No risk of automated errors or data corruption.
• Saves time to do coding changes.

The trade-offs you should expect

The control you get from manual migration comes at a cost.

It doesn’t scale well. It requires close coordination between content and development teams. And everything, from SEO metadata to menus and taxonomies, must be manually reconfigured. There’s also the risk of human error if your QA isn’t airtight.

But for projects where content integrity and brand presentation are everything, those trade-offs are often worth it.

Automated CMS Migration

Not every migration needs to be slow and meticulous. Some demand the opposite.

When you’re dealing with thousands of pages, blog posts, or products, speed and scale become the primary concerns. That’s where automated migration shines. Instead of manual labor, you rely on scripts, plugins, or WP-CLI commands to handle the bulk of the heavy lifting, turning what could be weeks of effort into days.

But automation doesn’t mean set-it-and-forget-it. It still needs a strategic foundation.

When automation becomes the smart choice

We typically recommend automation when content is cleanly structured and high in volume. If your source CMS allows for reliable exports via API, CSV, XML, or database access, then a well-planned automation flow can save enormous time and effort.

In other words, automation works best when

• You’re moving thousands of posts, pages, or products.
• The source platform supports structured data exports.
• You have access to custom scripting to handle data mapping.
• Gutenberg blocks can be programmatically composed from raw content.
• You want to reduce manual effort and accelerate timelines.

A typical use case: Migrating 50,000 articles via script

In many high-volume migrations, teams create custom WP-CLI scripts that connect directly to the legacy CMS database or read from structured files. The script handles the full flow, extracting content, cleaning formatting, mapping data to WordPress post types and fields, and reattaching media files where needed.

In cases where exports come in CSV or XLS form (like from OpenText or Kentico), those files can be mapped to WordPress’s architecture using import frameworks or custom-built data transformers. The key is to preserve taxonomy, metadata, and media associations while ensuring a consistent structure throughout the import.

These scenarios aren’t rare, they’re the norm when content scale exceeds human capacity.

What automation gets right

When everything aligns, automated migration delivers:

• Extremely fast and efficient for large-scale migrations.
• Cuts down on repetitive, manual work.
• Minimizes human error through consistent automation.
• Can migrate metadata, taxonomies, and custom fields seamlessly.
• Saves significant time and effort.

Where automation needs oversight

That said, automation is only as good as its setup.

Poorly mapped fields can result in broken pages or missing data. Scripts need testing, QA cycles, and fallback plans. Edge cases like embedded widgets, custom layouts, or third-party integrations still require human intervention post-import.

In short, automation saves time, but it demands planning. It’s not a shortcut; it’s a system.

Trusted tools we lean on

For this approach, there are a few plugins and services that are already available. Let’s explore some of the existing plugins/services:

WordPress-to-WordPress migration tools

• WP All Import: Imports posts, pages, and custom fields from CSV/XML files.
• WP Migrate DB Pro: Efficiently migrates databases between WordPress installations.
• All-in-One WP Migration: Exports and imports entire WordPress sites with ease.
• Migrate Guru: Handles large-scale migrations with minimal manual effort.

Other CMS to WordPress migration

• FG Joomla to WordPress: Specifically for migrating Joomla sites to WordPress.
• CMS2CMS: Supports automated migration from various CMS platforms to WordPress.
• Custom Scripts: Create custom scripts to migrate the data from the older site to the new site by mapping all entities in the WP.

These tools accelerate work, but it’s our planning, scripts, and QA that make the migration successful.

Want to see what this looks like in action?

Check out how we helped VideoJet migrate from Adobe CQ5 to WordPress.

In some cases, neither manual nor automated migration alone is sufficient for seamlessly moving content. Let’s check a new approach for cases like that.

Hybrid CMS Migration

In the real world, migrations rarely fit into neat categories. You may start with automation, only to realize that parts of the content demand human oversight. Or you may begin manually and find bulk content that could easily be imported at scale.

That’s why hybrid migration exists, not as a compromise, but as a practical, flexible strategy that adapts to the shape of your content.

This balanced strategy accelerates the migration process while preserving content integrity and ensuring a smooth transition to WordPress.

Why hybrid migration often makes the most sense

Hybrid migration blends the best of both worlds. Automation is used to move large volumes of structured content efficiently posts, pages, taxonomies, and media. Then, once the bulk of data is in place, manual cleanup ensures layout fidelity, fixes edge cases, and adjusts content that automation can’t handle.

• Most content can be migrated in bulk, but some parts need manual adjustments.
• The source CMS uses complex embeds, shortcodes, or legacy formatting.
• You need to preserve exact layouts on marketing pages.
• Metadata, links, or media need clean-up post-import.

A common scenario: Scaling migration, refining what matters

A large corporate blog with 50,000 articles is being migrated from Drupal or Ghost CMS to WordPress. A script is used to migrate the articles, images, and metadata. However, some articles contain complex table layouts or embedded scripts that break during migration. Editors manually review and fix these posts after the automated migration process.

Want more real-world context? Explore these stories:

• Drupal to WordPress Migration Success Story: FleetNet America
• ASP.NET to WordPress Migration Success Story: Dealer Spike
• Custom CMS to WordPress Migration for Everyday Carry
• AEM to WordPress Migration for Manheim

Where hybrid migration excels

Hybrid setups deliver flexibility without sacrificing quality. They’re especially effective when:

• Best of both worlds: efficiency and accuracy.
• Reduces manual workload while ensuring quality control.
• Ideal for complex migrations where automation alone is not enough.
• Allows selective manual adjustments where needed.

Instead of being forced to choose between speed and control, you get both, scaled efficiency where possible, human attention where needed.

What to expect in execution

The hybrid model does require more coordination. Engineering teams handle the bulk transfer logic, while content teams plan QA passes and editorial fixes. Schedules need to account for both sides: technical implementation and content review.

But for many enterprises, this layered approach is the only way to confidently move a large, messy, and business-critical site without breaking things that matter.

Migration strategies for some popular CMS platforms

Once you understand the different migration methods, manual, automated, and hybrid, the next question is natural:

“Okay, but what about my CMS?”

Every platform brings its quirks, constraints, and export options (or lack thereof). Below, we’ve compiled a practical guide based on real-world experience, mapping the best-fit migration strategy for each CMS.

Think of this as a cheat sheet: what works, what breaks, and what tools to bring along.

Source CMS	Recommended Approach	Why and How	Useful Tools & Plugins
Drupal	Hybrid	Use migration plugins for bulk content, plus manual fixes for design and special features.	FG Drupal to WordPressCMS2CMSDrupal Views Data Export + WP All Import
Joomla	Automatic → Hybrid	Utilize dedicated import plugins for core content; perform manual touch-ups for menus, modules, etc.	FG Joomla to WordPressJ2XML (Joomla extension)CMS2CMS
Wix	Hybrid	Manually rebuild pages (no direct export), but import blog posts via RSS or tools if available.	Wix RSS Feed & WordPress RSS ImporterWordPress.com Wix Import
Squarespace	Hybrid	Export what you can (built-in Squarespace exporter), then manually migrate images, styling, and any unexported content.	Squarespace ExporterWordPress ImporterWooCommerce (for stores)Gravity Forms, WPForms (for rebuild forms)
Shopify	Automatic	Export content (e.g., CSV for collections) and import to WordPress; recreate design manually or via conversion tools due to lack of direct conversion.	Official Shopify CSV Export & WooCommerce ImportLitExtensionCart2CartFG Shopify to WordPress
Magento	Automatic	Use specialized migration services or scripts to transfer all e-commerce data to WooCommerce; manual effort mainly for theme and extensions replacement.	Cart2CartLitExtensionFG Magento to WooCommerceUberCart or Magento exports (for import use WP All Import)
Ghost	Automatic → Hybrid	Export Ghost content (JSON) and convert to WordPress XML for import; use a plugin or script for images, with minor manual tweaks.	Ghost JSON Export (built-in)Ghost to WordPress Importer (wpghostimport.com)Ghost RSS feed
Webflow	Hybrid	Export content (e.g. CSV for collections) and import to WordPress; recreate design manually or via conversion tools due to lack of direct conversion.	WP All ImportUdesly AdapterWebflow Pages WP plugins
TYPO3	Hybrid	Plan a custom migration: scripts to extract content from TYPO3’s complex structure, combined with manual reconstruction of layouts and features.	CMS2CMS (limited success)Scraping toolsMigration consultants
OpenText	Hybrid	Rely on custom export scripts or professional tools for content; rebuild site structure and functionality manually in WordPress.	Custom scripts & WP-CLIDatabase Migration tool (custom) – (if DB is accessible)Automated testing/crawling (Broken link checker or Screaming Frog)
Sitecore	Hybrid	Engage a mix of automated content migration scripts and expert manual work to handle complex data and preserve SEO; often done by or with professional migration specialists.	Custom scripts & WP-CLI

Always begin with a content model audit and identify what can be automated and where human review is non-negotiable.

How to choose the right migration strategy

Here’s a quick comparison based on what we’ve seen across dozens of projects. Use this to check your direction:

Use Case	Manual	Automatic	Hybrid
Accuracy & Flexibility	✅ Highest	✅ High	✅ High
Time Consumption	❌ Highest	⚠️ Medium	⚠️ High
Effort Required	❌ Highest	⚠️ Medium	⚠️ High
Error Risk	✅ Lowest (if reviewed well)	⚠️ Medium–High	⚠️ Medium
Project Scale	✅ Small	✅ Medium–Large	✅ Medium–Large
Technical Expertise	✅ Low	❌ High	❌ High
Quality Control Needs	⚠️ Low	❌ High	✅ Medium

✅ = Ideal match ⚠️ = Varies by scenario ❌ = Less suitable

No two migrations are ever the same. What works for a 10-page marketing site won’t hold up for a 50,000-post archive with layered metadata and multilingual support.

The real question isn’t “manual or automated?”
It’s “What does your content need?” and “How do we move it safely, without breaking the things your business depends on?”

Here’s a quick rule of thumb

Manual migration gives you control when quality, not speed, is the priority.

Automated migration scales when the structure is clean and predictable.

Hybrid migration strikes the right balance for most real-world scenarios: fast where possible, hands-on where it matters.

Whether you’re coming from Ghost, Drupal, Magento, or something custom, what matters is choosing an approach that fits your scale, your structure, and your goals.

Need help deciding?

We’ve handled everything from redesigns to enterprise migrations, and we’ve learned what works, where it breaks, and how to make it seamless.

Download the Migration Checklist

Whether you’re going manual, automatic, or hybrid, this sheet will help you plan, prioritize, and stay on track.

Download the migration checklist

Let’s choose the next migration method wisely.

So, which one are you choosing?

Whether it’s manual precision, automated speed, or a hybrid of both, we’re here to help you make that call with clarity and confidence. Got a migration challenge? Let’s talk.