Moving Your Small Business Website to a Custom Solution

When you started your small business, using a hosted platform like Wix, Squarespace, or WordPress might have seemed like the easiest way to get online quickly. However, as your business grows, you may find that these platforms no longer meet your needs. Maybe you want more control over your website's design and functionality, or perhaps you're tired of the limitations and fees associated with these platforms. Whatever your reason, moving your small business website to a custom solution can be a daunting task, but with the right approach, it can also be a liberating one.

Before You Start: What to Export

Before you begin the process of moving your website, it's essential to export your valuable assets. This includes:

Content: Export all your pages, posts, and other written content. You may need to copy and paste this into a document or use a platform's export feature, if available.
Images and Media: Download all your images, videos, and other media files. Make sure you have the necessary permissions and licenses to use these files on your new website.
Customer/Email List: If you have an email list or customer database associated with your website, export this data as well. You may need to use a third-party tool or consult with the platform's support team to do this.
Domain: Ensure you have control over your domain name. If your domain is registered through the hosted platform, you may need to transfer it to a new registrar or update the DNS settings.

What Does "Migrating" Really Mean?

When there's no one-click export option, migrating your website means manually recreating your content, design, and functionality on a new platform. This can be a time-consuming process, but it's also an opportunity to reassess your website's goals and objectives. You may need to:

Rebuild Your Website: Work with a web designer or developer to recreate your website from scratch. This can be a good chance to improve your website's user experience, mobile-responsive design, and overall performance.
Redirect URLs: Set up redirects for your old URLs to ensure that visitors and search engines can find your new website.
Update Internal Linking: Review and update all internal links to point to the new website structure.

Questions to Ask Before You Switch

Before making the move, ask yourself:

What are my goals for the new website?: Are you looking to improve your website's design, increase conversion rates, or enhance the user experience?
Do I have the necessary resources?: Consider the time, budget, and expertise required to migrate and maintain your new website.
What kind of support do I need?: Determine whether you need ongoing support, maintenance, or ADA accessible features for your new website.
How will I measure success?: Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of your new website, such as search rankings or conversion rates.

Choosing the Right Partner

When moving your small business website to a custom solution, it's crucial to choose the right partner. Look for a web design studio that offers custom web design services, has experience with small business website development, and can provide guidance on website cost and website cost-of-ownership. A good partner will help you navigate the migration process, ensure a smooth transition, and provide ongoing support to help your business thrive.

If you're ready to move your small business website to a custom solution, get started by contacting NetNest Design LLC. We'll help you assess your needs, create a plan, and execute a successful migration. Contact us today, and we'll get back to you within 24 hours. NetNest Design LLC builds custom websites for small businesses, campaigns, and causes.