How to Build a Fast, Secure Site with Saurus CMS

Migrating to Saurus CMS: Step-by-Step Checklist

1. Plan the migration

• Inventory: List all pages, posts, media, users, and custom features in the current site.
• Goals: Define what you want to keep, improve, or remove.
• Timeline: Set migration dates, backups, and testing windows.

2. Backup everything

• Database: Export full database dump.
• Files: Copy all site files, media, and configuration.
• Verify: Ensure backups are restorable by testing on a local or staging environment.

3. Prepare the Saurus CMS environment

• Server requirements: Ensure PHP, web server, and database versions meet Saurus requirements.
• Install Saurus: Set up a clean Saurus CMS install on staging.
• Access control: Create admin accounts and set appropriate permissions.

4. Map content structure

• URL mapping: Create a mapping of old URLs to new Saurus URLs to preserve SEO.
• Content types: Match pages, blog posts, categories, and metadata to Saurus templates.
• Media handling: Decide where images and files will live and how paths will change.

5. Migrate content

• Automated import: Use available import tools or write scripts to transfer posts, pages, and users.
• Manual transfer: Copy over complex or custom content manually where needed.
• Media migration: Move images/files and update references in content.

6. Recreate functionality

• Templates: Build or adapt Saurus templates to match desired design.
• Plugins/extensions: Install or develop equivalents for required features (forms, SEO, analytics).
• Custom code: Port custom scripts and test for compatibility.

7. Test thoroughly

• Content verification: Spot-check pages, posts, images, and attachments.
• Link testing: Validate internal and external links; use the URL mapping to check redirects.
• Forms and workflows: Test contact forms, login flows, and user permissions.
• Performance: Run basic load and speed tests on staging.

8. SEO and redirects

• 301 redirects: Implement redirects for changed URLs using server rules or Saurus routing.
• Meta data: Ensure titles, descriptions, and structured data are preserved.
• Sitemap: Generate and submit an updated sitemap to search engines.

9. Go live

• Final sync: Re-run content sync to capture changes since staging.
• Switch DNS: Point production domain to the Saurus server during a low-traffic window.
• Monitor: Watch server logs, analytics, and error reports closely for 48–72 hours.

10. Post-launch tasks

• Backup: Take a fresh backup of the live Saurus site.
• Training: Provide documentation