Changing your website’s design, domain, or content management system (CMS) is a huge step. While the goal is always to improve, these major changes, known as website migrations, come with a serious risk: losing the search engine rankings you’ve worked so hard to build. A poorly handled migration can lead to broken links, lost content, and a significant drop in organic traffic, which means fewer customers and less revenue. Even a temporary dip in traffic, which can be between 10% and 30% in the first month, can be nerve wracking if not managed properly. Professional SEO migration services exist to prevent this disaster, ensuring your transition is smooth and your search visibility is protected.
What Do SEO Migration Services Actually Include?
SEO migration services are a specialized set of tasks designed to preserve and potentially improve your search engine rankings during a significant website change. It’s not just about moving files; it’s a strategic process that ensures search engines understand the changes and can properly re-index your new site.
A comprehensive SEO migration service typically involves:
- Pre-Migration Audit: Benchmarking your current performance is crucial. Start with a technical SEO audit. This includes documenting keyword rankings, organic traffic levels, and crawling the entire site to identify all existing URLs and potential technical issues.
- URL Mapping and Redirects: This is the most critical step. Every important old URL is mapped to a corresponding new URL using permanent 301 redirects. Improperly configured redirects, such as pointing thousands of pages to the homepage, is a common and devastating mistake that can erase your rankings.
- Technical SEO Configuration: This involves updating technical files like your XML sitemap and
robots.txtto guide search engine crawlers. It also includes checking for issues like duplicate content or incorrect canonical tags that can arise during the move. - Content and Metadata Review: Ensuring that all valuable content, title tags, author schema, and meta descriptions are transferred correctly is essential. Sometimes, metadata is lost during the process, which can harm click‑through rates from search results.
- Post‑Launch Monitoring: After the new site goes live, the job isn’t done. An SEO migration service will monitor Google Search Console for crawl errors, check for broken links, and track keyword rankings and SEO results to quickly address any problems.
Why You Should Hire an SEO Migration Agency
Website migrations are complex technical projects where a lot can go wrong. The biggest risk is a significant and sometimes permanent loss of organic traffic. Hiring an agency that specializes in SEO migration services acts as an insurance policy against catastrophic ranking loss.
Here’s why it’s a smart investment:
- Specialized Expertise: Migration specialists have a proven process and have navigated countless scenarios, from simple domain changes to complex platform moves like migrating from WordPress to Shopify.
- Risk Mitigation: They know how to avoid common pitfalls, such as forgetting to remove a “noindex” tag from the live site, which can cause Google to de-index your entire website.
- Resource and Time Savings: A migration can drain your internal team’s resources. An agency handles the entire technical SEO process, freeing up your team to focus on other critical launch activities. Rushing the process often leads to errors and technical problems.
- Protecting Your Asset: Your website’s search ranking is a valuable business asset that drives a significant portion of traffic, often around 51% on average. Protecting it during a high stakes transition is not a place to cut corners.
While a service like Rankai focuses on scaling your content and technical SEO after your foundation is set, a bad migration can erase months of hard work. Ensuring a smooth transition is the first step to long term growth.
Top 7 SEO Migration Services
Now that we’ve covered the essentials of a successful website migration, it’s time to explore the top agencies that specialize in this complex process. The following seven companies have been selected based on their proven expertise, client success stories, and comprehensive approach to preserving and enhancing SEO value during a site transition. Each of these services brings a unique set of skills to the table, ensuring a smooth and effective migration for a variety of business needs.
1. SALT.agency
SALT.agency is a technical SEO firm built for high-stakes moves, including replatforms, domain changes, and architecture overhauls for enterprises and scale-ups. Expect platform fluency across WordPress, Shopify, and headless stacks, with a heavy emphasis on speed, safety, and control.
Standout: Edge SEO deployments and proprietary tools (including Sloth for Cloudflare) to operationalize redirects and rules at the edge.
Migration playbook:
- Pre‑migration technical audit and benchmarking
- IA/URL architecture and exhaustive 301 mapping
- Content consolidation with international hreflang validation
- Technical checks: canonicals, robots, sitemaps, crawl budget
- Structured data parity and schema QA
- Analytics/tag/goal preservation (GA4/GTM) and log‑file insights
- Staging QA, coordinated launch plan, and post‑launch monitoring/fixes
Results & proof:
- Delivered 89% to 159% traffic growth post-migration
- Managed complex international consolidations and enterprise replatforms
- Award‑winning in‑house tooling (Sloth for Cloudflare)
Best fit & pricing: Best for enterprises and scale‑ups on Shopify, WordPress, or headless; projects start from $10,000+.
2. The SEO Works
The SEO Works is an award‑winning UK agency with a seasoned technical team supporting SMEs through to enterprises. They excel in e‑commerce and rebrand migrations on WordPress and Shopify, pairing robust process with well‑documented best practices.
Standout: A full‑service team that blends technical SEO with content and CRO support during sensitive transitions.
Migration playbook:
- Pre‑migration SEO audit and benchmarking
- IA, URL, and 301 redirect mapping
- Content consolidation and pruning for quality
- Technical checks: canonicals, hreflang, sitemaps
- Analytics and tracking goal preservation
- Staging QA with a documented launch plan
- Post‑migration monitoring and rapid issue resolution
Results & proof:
- Led Cognexo’s site migration during a major rebrand
- Google Premier Partner; tools include Screaming Frog and Sitebulb
- Verified reviews cite keyword lifts and visitor growth post‑launch
Best fit & pricing: Best for UK/U.S. SMEs and mid‑market brands on WordPress/Shopify; projects start from $1,000+.
3. Inflow
Inflow is an e‑commerce‑first SEO agency trusted by growth‑stage and mid‑market brands to replatform without sacrificing rankings or revenue. Their checklist‑driven framework covers Shopify, BigCommerce, and Magento end‑to‑end.
Standout: A rigorously documented process focused on revenue preservation and analytics continuity for online stores.
Migration playbook:
- Pre‑migration audits and performance benchmarking
- IA/URL architecture and precise 301 mapping
- Content parity checks and consolidation planning
- Technical validation: sitemaps, canonicals, robots.txt
- Structured data and schema QA to protect rich results
- Analytics, tags, and goal preservation
- Staging QA and post‑launch monitoring to stabilize rankings
Results & proof:
- Drove +5,642% non‑brand traffic post‑migration for one client
- Achieved +118% organic revenue recovery for another
- Google Premier Partner; Moz Recommended Company
Best fit & pricing: Best for mid‑market e‑commerce on Shopify, BigCommerce, or Magento; custom‑scoped (from ~$1k+).
4. Pearl Lemon
Pearl Lemon supports SMBs and growth brands through platform changes with hands‑on technical SEO. From WordPress to Shopify and Wix, they focus on redirect precision, crawl control, and analytics that keep visibility intact.
Standout: Practical, tool‑driven execution that balances technical rigor with agile delivery for smaller teams.
Migration playbook:
- Pre‑migration audits and technical health checks
- Information architecture, URL mapping, and 301 strategy
- Content consolidation, internal links, and meta review
- Canonicals, robots.txt, sitemaps, and hreflang validation
- Schema markup to protect rich results
- Staging QA, launch planning, and post‑migration monitoring
- Analytics and conversion tracking preservation (GA4/GTM)
Results & proof:
- Documented CMS→WordPress migrations and HTTPS recovery projects
- Shopify SEO depth in canonicalization and indexing control
- Proficient with GA4, GTM, Ahrefs, Screaming Frog
Best fit & pricing: Ideal for SMBs on WordPress, Shopify, or Wix; SEO plans from £2,000/month.
5. SEO Discovery
SEO Discovery brings budget‑friendly, process‑led migrations to SMBs and mid‑market brands. With 22+ years across WordPress and Shopify, their large in‑house team prioritizes uptime, checklists, and orderly cutovers.
Standout: A scaled team and structured process that keeps timelines tight and downtime minimal.
Migration playbook:
- Pre‑migration audit, IA/URL mapping, and 301 planning
- Content and database transfer with integrity checks
- Technical SEO setup: canonicals, sitemaps, schema
- Analytics and tracking preservation (GA4/GTM)
- Staging environment QA and managed launch plan
- Post‑launch monitoring with rapid fixes
- Redirect validation and crawl budget checks
Results & proof:
- 350+ successful migrations with 98% uptime guaranteed
- Avg. 2.5x organic traffic lift within 6 months
- Google Partner; tools include Ahrefs and Screaming Frog
Best fit & pricing: Best for SMBs on WordPress/Shopify needing a custom‑quoted, structured migration.
6. WP Creative
WP Creative is a Sydney‑based, WordPress‑first shop that runs “SEO‑safe” migrations for SMBs. They specialize in moving sites from Shopify, Squarespace, and Wix to WordPress/WooCommerce with zero‑downtime execution.
Standout: Senior, in‑house WordPress talent focused on stability, speed, and a clean handover.
Migration playbook:
- Pre‑migration audit, SEO baselines, and stakeholder mapping
- Full IA/URL mapping with equity‑preserving 301s
- Content, media, titles, and metadata preservation
- Staging build with cross‑device/browser QA
- Analytics continuity (GA4/GTM) and goal migration
- Zero‑downtime launch plan and post‑migration monitoring
- Performance hardening and Core Web Vitals checks
Results & proof:
- Case studies: +144% mobile speed, +108% user growth post‑migration
- Clutch “Premier Verified” with 5.0/5 rating
- Uses Ahrefs, Screaming Frog, and GA4
Best fit & pricing: Best for SMBs moving to WordPress/WooCommerce; migrations typically start from $10,000.
7. Embarque
Embarque is a content‑led SEO agency for fast‑growing SaaS and marketplaces that also handles technical migrations on WordPress, Webflow, and Shopify. Expect programmatic SEO thinking plus revenue attribution baked into the process.
Standout: Growth storytelling with technical hygiene, tying migration decisions to measurable pipeline and revenue.
Migration playbook:
- Pre‑migration audit and content inventory
- IA/URL mapping and 301 redirect plan
- Content consolidation and internal link planning
- Technical checks: canonicals, schema, sitemaps
- Analytics and conversion tracking preservation (GA4, PostHog)
- Staging QA and structured launch plan
- Post‑launch monitoring with rapid fixes
Results & proof:
- Scaled an AI platform to ~183K monthly clicks post‑technical fixes
- 433% trial growth and 1,600% YoY revenue uplift for a marketplace
- Uses GA4 and PostHog for revenue attribution
Best fit & pricing: Best for SaaS/marketplaces on WordPress, Webflow, or Shopify; packages from $1,499/month.
How to Choose the Right SEO Migration Partner
Selecting the right partner is crucial for a successful migration. Not all SEO agencies have the deep technical expertise required. Here’s a checklist to help you vet potential SEO migration services.
Look for a Proven Process
Ask about their methodology. A reliable partner will have a detailed, multi-phase plan covering pre-launch, launch day, and post-launch activities. They should be able to provide a comprehensive website migration SEO checklist that outlines every step.
Review Case Studies and Experience
Request examples of past migration projects. Look for evidence that they have handled migrations of similar complexity and scale. Have they successfully migrated e-commerce stores, rebranded domains, or managed CMS platform changes?
Clarify Scope and Deliverables
Ensure you understand exactly what is included. Will they handle the redirect implementation themselves or just provide a map for your developers? Does their service include post-launch monitoring and support for a set period? A clear scope prevents surprises later.
Understand Their Reporting and KPIs
How will they measure success? Reporting should go beyond just traffic numbers. Look for key performance indicators (KPIs) like crawl error rates, indexation status, and ranking stability for your most important keywords.
After your migration is complete and your site is stable, you’ll need to focus on growth. Services focused on high‑velocity content and continuous optimization, like Rankai’s AI‑powered SEO program, are designed to build on a solid technical foundation—including programmatic SEO when you’re ready to scale smartly.
Understanding the Cost of SEO Migration Services
The cost of SEO migration services is typically a one time project fee, not a monthly retainer. The price can vary significantly based on several key factors.
| Factor | Description | Impact on Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Site Size & Complexity | The number of URLs, templates, and subdomains that need to be audited and redirected. | Larger sites with thousands of pages cost more than smaller sites. |
| Type of Migration | A simple protocol change (HTTP to HTTPS) is less complex than a full domain change or CMS replatforming. | More complex migrations require more planning and implementation time. |
| Level of Involvement | The scope can range from providing a strategy document to hands on implementation and developer coordination. | A fully managed service will cost more than a consultant role. |
| E-commerce Functionality | Migrating e-commerce sites with product filters, customer data, and complex categories adds layers of complexity. | E-commerce migrations are typically more expensive. |
Generally, you can expect costs to range from a few thousand dollars for a small site to over $50,000 for large, complex enterprise migrations. While this may seem high, it pales in comparison to the potential revenue lost from a botched migration.
The Final Word on Safeguarding Your SEO Rankings
A website migration is a critical inflection point for your business. Handled correctly, it can lead to improved user experience, better performance, and enhanced security. Handled poorly, it can undo years of SEO progress overnight. Investing in professional SEO migration services is the surest way to protect your organic traffic and ensure your new site launches from a position of strength.
Once your new site is live and stable, the race to grow your visibility begins. Build topical authority early. To achieve the content velocity needed to compete, consider a modern approach. Explore how Rankai’s AI‑assisted SEO service can help you publish over 20 pages a month and continuously optimize them until they rank.
Frequently Asked Questions About SEO Migration Services
What is an SEO migration?
An SEO migration is the process of managing significant website changes, like a redesign or domain change, to minimize the negative impact on search engine rankings and organic traffic.
How long does an SEO migration take?
A typical migration timeline, including planning, execution, and post-launch monitoring, can span 6 to 10 weeks, depending on the site’s complexity.
Can I do an SEO migration myself?
While it’s possible for simple sites, it’s not recommended for most businesses. The technical complexity and high risk of traffic loss make professional SEO migration services a safer and more effective option. If you’re exploring a DIY path, start with this guide to do SEO yourself.
What is the biggest risk in a site migration?
The biggest risk is a significant and lasting drop in organic traffic and search engine rankings caused by issues like improper redirects, lost content, or technical errors.
How much traffic loss is normal after a migration?
A temporary fluctuation or a dip of 10% to 30% in the first month can be normal, even with a well executed migration, as search engines process the changes. However, this should recover within a few weeks. A sustained, significant drop indicates a problem.
Do SEO migration services guarantee no traffic loss?
No reputable service can guarantee zero fluctuation. However, their primary goal is to minimize the dip and ensure traffic recovers and grows past pre-migration levels by preserving SEO equity and preventing critical errors.