Avoiding Common Pitfalls in AEM Content Migration

Migrating content from Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) can be daunting. AEM's complexity, heavy reliance on developers, high costs, and closed-source nature make it challenging for many organizations. 

Many businesses have realized that WordPress can offer more flexibility and cost-effectiveness for their content management needs. However, migrating from AEM to WordPress can be stressful, raising concerns about potential risks and disruptions.

In this article, we want to help you through the process of a smooth transition from AEM to WordPress.

Different Types of Content Migration

A manual migration is necessary to get from AEM to WordPress due to the complexities involved. However, other migration options exist depending on the source and structure of your content. For example, if you’re migrating to AEM from another CMS, there are additional options:

Manual Migration: Ideal for small-scale migrations requiring extensive cleaning or restructuring.

Automated Migration: Suitable for well-structured content with minimal cleaning required.

Hybrid Migration: Appropriate for content with structured and unstructured elements, requiring moderate cleaning.

Essential Steps to Preserve SEO and Ensure Data Integrity When Migrating

Before migration, it's important to understand the process clearly and make a plan. Let’s look at the stages of an effective transition that preserves search rank and maintains data integrity.

Step 1. Content Evaluation: Define and Identify What You Have

The first step in the migration process is to conduct a thorough evaluation of your current content. Define and identify all existing content, including its source and quality. Filtering out outdated or irrelevant content ensures that only valuable assets are migrated, making the process more effective and optimizing the new site's performance.

Step 2. Content Mapping: Plan How to Get Where You Want to Go

Creating a detailed content inventory for your current AEM site is essential. Include all URLs, metadata, and content hierarchies to facilitate smooth navigation and preserve site structure. Proper mapping enhances search engine optimization (SEO) and improves the user experience (UX) by maintaining internal linking strategies. Remember, implementing 301 redirects is necessary for preserving SEO and ensuring good navigation for users.

A migration is an opportunity to make improvements. Consider changing your site (and even your brand) as part of a migration. It may be a good time for the redesign or a brand refresh you’ve been putting off. 

Consider integrating accessibility features to enhance usability, follow current standards and reach a wider audience. Adding a text-to-speech feature to your WordPress website, for example, can improve accessibility for visually impaired users. Migrating to WordPress has many advantages, including the wide range of plugins you can use. This includes accessibility plugins that can help you quickly enhance your site's functionality.

Step 3. Content Migration: Let Multidots Take Charge

Migrating from AEM to WordPress comes with risks. Any site using AEM is bound to be large, making the migration complex. However, despite the daunting nature of the task, the benefits of transitioning to WordPress are huge.

We recommend trusting experienced professionals with your migration. Here at Multidots, we specialize in enterprise migrations, ensuring a risk-free transition tailored to your specific needs.

By partnering with Multidots, you gain access to a team of experts who possess technical experience and a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in migrating from AEM to WordPress. From meticulous planning to execution, Multidots is committed to delivering results that exceed expectations.

Step 4. Content Verification: Checking the Data

Once the migration is complete, it is important to thoroughly verify all links, URLs, and forms. Pay close attention to page load times to maintain the integrity of your business operations. This final step ensures that your migrated website functions as expected, providing a positive UX and protecting your online reputation.

Why Migrate from AEM to WordPress?

Migrating from AEM to WordPress offers many benefits that can revolutionize your content management experience. Here's why:

Open Source Advantage: WordPress is built on open-source software, eliminating the need for expensive licensing fees associated with proprietary platforms like AEM. Open source lets you view and modify the code, giving you complete control over your website's function and customization.

Enhanced User-Friendliness: WordPress is known for its user-friendly interface, making content management tasks intuitive and straightforward. Unlike AEM, which often requires specialized training and expertise, WordPress allows users of all skill levels to easily update content, reducing reliance on developers for routine updates.

Flexibility and Customization: WordPress offers unmatched flexibility and customization options, allowing you to tailor your website to meet your needs and branding requirements. WordPress provides the flexibility to create a truly individual website, from customizable themes and plugins to unique customization capabilities.

Third-Party Integrations: WordPress has thousands of plugins and integrations, offering endless possibilities for extending functionality and enhancing your website's capabilities. WordPress provides a wealth of options for integrating third-party services, whether you need eCommerce solutions, CRM integration, or advanced analytics tools.

WordPress's open-source nature, user-friendly interface, and extensive ecosystem of plugins make it a more suitable choice for enterprises prioritizing flexibility, scalability, and innovation.

Dan Knauss

Sr. Solution Architect

How to Get Started With Multidots AEM to WordPress Migration Service

Migrating from AEM to WordPress offers many possibilities and advantages for your website. However, the complexity of manually migrating a large site poses significant risks, which is why it is often necessary to hire professionals. 

At Multidots, we specialize in AEM to WordPress migrations. We use our expertise as a WordPress VIP Gold Partner to deliver great results. Here's why you should choose Multidots for your migration needs:

• Expertise and Experience: With years of experience and a proven track record, we have the knowledge and know-how to manage your migration precisely and efficiently.
• Tailored Solutions: We understand each website and business is unique. That's why we offer personalized migration services tailored to your needs and requirements.
• Attention to Detail: Our team of experts will manage every aspect of the migration process, ensuring that no detail is overlooked and your website transitions to WordPress.
• Post-Migration Support: We offer ongoing support and maintenance services to address any issues and ensure your WordPress site performs optimally, even after the migration.

If you’re considering moving to WordPress, don't let the complexity of the migration process put you off. Trust Multidots to handle your migration with care and expertise, allowing you to reap the rewards of a powerful and versatile CMS! 

Ready to take the next step? Contact us today for a personalized quote and start on your journey toward a successful migration to WordPress with Multidots.