#cmsmigration

Migrate from Drupal to TYPO3 with a practical guide that ensures control over your content and URLs. It covers migration from Drupal 11 to TYPO3 13 with clean data exports, accurate mappings, Twig to Fluid conversion, and reliable 301 redirects.

Quick Overview

Before beginning the migration, consider the following:

Decide how Drupal content will map to TYPO3 pages or records.

Export data from Drupal using JSON:API or CSV.

Clean up the content and assets.

Convert templates from Twig to TYPO3’s Fluid format.

Import content into TYPO3.

Set up redirects to maintain old URLs.

Step 1: Choose Your Platforms

Ensure your platforms are set up:

Source: Drupal 11 (also applicable for Drupal 9 or 10).

Target: TYPO3 13 LTS.

Plan for:

Multiple sites and languages.

The organization of pages within TYPO3.

Mapping content to appropriate TYPO3 pages or records.

Step 2: Map Drupal to TYPO3

Create a mapping between Drupal elements and their TYPO3 equivalents:

Common Mappings

Drupal Pages → TYPO3 Pages with content elements.

Blog/Article Nodes → TYPO3 records (like ext:news) or pages.

Taxonomy Terms → TYPO3 categories (sys_category).

Users → TYPO3 Backend or Frontend users.

Media → TYPO3 File Abstraction Layer (FAL).

Consider special TYPO3 extensions if you require additional features like eCommerce, multilingual support, or forms.

Step 3: Export from Drupal

You have two main export methods:

1. JSON:API (For Developers)

Export content types along with their fields.

Include files and path aliases.

Support for multiple languages.

2. CSV via Views (For Non-Developers)

Export pages, images, categories, etc., using Views.

Make sure column names align with TYPO3 imports.

Step 4: Clean Content and Templates

Before importing content into TYPO3:

HTML and Embeds: Remove Drupal-specific filters and clean up to standard HTML.

Media: Move files to TYPO3’s fileadmin and adjust paths.

Taxonomies: Prepare categories ahead of time to ensure proper mapping during import.

Template Conversion (Twig to Fluid):

Convert Drupal’s Twig layouts to TYPO3 Fluid templates.

Adjust loops, conditions, and helpers for TYPO3’s Fluid syntax.

Update URLs and asset references to match TYPO3 conventions.

Step 5: Import into TYPO3

There are two common ways to import content into TYPO3:

JSON Imports

Create scripts to read the JSON data and insert it into TYPO3.

Import pages, records, and media efficiently.

CSV Imports

Use a TYPO3 extension that understands CSV files for mapping content into the system.

This method is useful for repeat imports and reviewing data.

Step 6: Maintain URLs and SEO

To maintain SEO rankings and prevent broken links:

Recreate exact page slugs in TYPO3.

Import Drupal path aliases and create 301 redirects for old URLs.

Check links post-import to ensure they correctly point to new TYPO3 pages.

Conclusion

Migrating from Strapi to Contentful requires clear strategy and careful execution to preserve semantic integrity and editorial continuity. This guide focuses on practical migration choices and planning steps to minimize downtime and keep content parity. It’s built for small- to mid-sized teams that need a repeatable, low-risk approach to decoupling or full CMS migration. Use it to align stakeholders, map custom logic, and preserve localization at scale.

Key Migration Strategies: Manual, Automated, or Hybrid?

Manual Migration — Best for micro-sites and highly curated editorial pages; recreate Content Types in Contentful’s UI and copy entries for full editorial control.

Automated Migration — Use Strapi exports and Contentful’s CMA/CLI for bulk imports; ideal for large datasets, consistent relationships, and repeatable transforms.

Hybrid Migration — Automate structured content (articles, taxonomies, media) and handle complex relationships, embeds, or plugin-specific logic manually for accuracy.

Audit & Planning — Perform a content inventory, classify items (migrate-as-is / migrate-with-updates / exclude), and document Strapi customizations to map equivalents in Contentful.

Execute & Validate — Implement exports/imports, map fields and references, run staging QA (content parity, links, media, localization), and plan cutover with rollback and editorial checks.

> At Creole Studios, we convert HTML to WordPress with pixel-perfect precision. - Boost performance - Maintain your design - Enjoy an intuitive backend

Learn more:

Migrating from Sitecore to WordPress can be a strategic move for many businesses seeking a more flexible and cost-effective content management system (CMS). This guide will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the migration process, ensuring that your transition is as smooth as possible while preserving all essential elements, including SEO integrity.

Understanding the Need for Migration

Sitecore is a powerful enterprise-level CMS known for its robust features and capabilities. However, many organizations find it complex and costly to maintain. In contrast, WordPress offers a user-friendly interface, extensive plugin options, and lower operational costs. This shift can enhance your website's manageability and scalability.

Key Steps in Sitecore to WordPress Migration

Migrating from Sitecore to WordPress involves several critical steps. Below is a detailed breakdown of the migration process:

1. Pre-Migration Preparation

Before initiating the migration, thorough preparation is crucial to avoid potential pitfalls.

Backup Your Sitecore Website

Create a complete backup of your Sitecore site, including all content, databases, and customizations. This step ensures that you can restore your original site if needed.

Inventory Your Content

Compile a list of all existing content types (pages, posts, media) and their URLs. This inventory will help in mapping content during the migration.

Define Migration Goals

Establish clear objectives for the migration process, including desired outcomes related to design, functionality, and SEO.

SEO Preservation

Document all SEO-related data such as meta titles, descriptions, and URL structures.

Create a plan for implementing 301 redirects to maintain SEO rankings post-migration.

2. Setting Up the WordPress Environment

Once preparations are complete, it's time to set up your new WordPress environment.

Install WordPress

Choose a reliable hosting provider and install WordPress. Many managed hosting services simplify this process by providing pre-configured environments.

Select a Theme

Choose or create a WordPress theme that closely resembles your Sitecore design. This helps maintain brand consistency throughout the migration.

Customize Your Theme

Utilize WordPress’s customization tools or page builders to tweak the design elements according to your specifications.

3. Content Migration

The heart of the migration process is transferring content from Sitecore to WordPress.

Export Content from Sitecore

Use Sitecore's export functionality to generate XML files containing your content. This includes pages, posts, media files, and any custom data types.

Import Content into WordPress

Use plugins like WP All Import to facilitate the import of static content into WordPress while preserving structure and metadata.

Migrate Media Files

Download all media files from Sitecore and upload them to the WordPress Media Library.

Ensure that file paths remain consistent or set up redirects as necessary.

4. Recreating Functionality

After migrating content and media, you need to replicate any custom functionalities from Sitecore in WordPress.

Custom Post Types and Fields

If your Sitecore site uses custom content types or fields, consider using plugins or custom coding in WordPress to recreate these functionalities.

Forms and Dynamic Features

Use form plugins like Gravity Forms or Contact Form 7 to recreate any forms used in your Sitecore site.

Explore additional plugins for other dynamic features.

5. Testing and Quality Assurance

Before going live with your new WordPress site, conduct thorough testing.

Check Content Integrity

Verify that all content has been migrated correctly without loss of data or formatting issues.

Check links and media files for functionality.

SEO Testing

Use tools like Screaming Frog’s SEO Spider to ensure that SEO elements are intact and that redirects are functioning properly.

6. Launch Your New Website

Once testing is complete and you’re satisfied with the migration results, it’s time to launch.

Final Deployment

Update DNS settings if necessary and make your new WordPress site live.

Monitor traffic closely during the initial days post-launch to catch any issues early on.

Post-Migration Considerations

After launching your new site, continue monitoring its performance.

Analytics Setup

Ensure that Google Analytics or other tracking tools are set up correctly on your new site to monitor user behavior and traffic patterns post-migration.

Ongoing Maintenance

Regularly update plugins and themes in WordPress to keep your site secure and functioning optimally.

Conclusion

Migrating from Sitecore to WordPress can significantly enhance your website's flexibility, usability, and cost-effectiveness. By following this comprehensive guide on Sitecore to WordPress migration, you can ensure a successful transition while preserving essential features such as SEO integrity and custom functionalities.