Step 1: run a pre-migration audit and SEO inventory

Migrating from WordPress to Webflow CMS works best when you start with data. In this step, quantify what you have, what performs, and what must be preserved. You will set scope, identify risks, and decide whether CSV, the Webflow CMS API, or both are required for a smooth move.

Take a full content inventory (what to export)

Export a list of every URL, template, and asset. Include posts, pages, categories, tags, products, media, and custom post types. Note content owners and last updated dates. Your inventory becomes the single source of truth for Webflow CMS import planning.

  • Columns to include: URL, type, template, title, status, author, publish date, word count, target keyword, traffic, backlinks, conversion role.
  • Flag duplicates, thin pages, and content to consolidate before you touch Webflow CMS collections.
  • Capture media dimensions and sizes to optimize for Webflow CMS performance later.

Crawl the site and list top traffic pages and ranking keywords

Run a fresh crawl with your preferred tool and combine it with analytics and Search Console data. The goal is to identify the pages and terms you cannot afford to lose. These will guide your redirect map and your initial collection templates in Webflow CMS.

  • Extract title, meta description, H1, canonical, robots directives, and status codes.
  • Map each page to a primary keyword and top supporting queries.
  • Spot internal linking hubs you need to replicate to protect Webflow CMS SEO.

Identify functionality, plugins and custom post types to replace

List every WordPress plugin, theme feature, and custom post type. Decide what to rebuild natively in Webflow CMS and what needs third-party tools. This is also where you find opportunities to simplify bloated stacks and improve Webflow CMS performance.

  • Common replacements: forms, SEO, redirects, sliders, memberships, job boards.
  • Note any dynamic relationships or taxonomies that must map to Webflow CMS collections.
  • If you rely on programmatic content or automations, plan for the Webflow CMS API.

Estimate timeline, cost and rollback plan

Create an honest estimate based on content volume, design complexity, and integrations. Factor Webflow CMS pricing and hosting into your TCO model vs WordPress hosting, plugins, and maintenance. Define a rollback path if traffic or conversions drop after launch.

  • Typical SME migrations: 2 to 6 weeks from audit to launch.
  • Budget buckets: design, build, content operations, QA, and redirects.
  • Rollback plan: keep WordPress on a subdomain or backup environment for 30 to 60 days.

Want a deeper framework for platform choice? Review the best CMS for SEO to align CMS capability with growth goals. Read our best CMS for SEO guide.

Step 2: map WordPress content to Webflow CMS collections

Now convert your inventory into a scalable content model. In this step, you design Webflow CMS collections, define fields, and map every WordPress entity to its Webflow equivalent. Good schema design reduces migration friction and future content debt.

Design a content model and field mapping examples

Start with your core content types: blog posts, case studies, product pages, authors, categories, tags, and locations. Each becomes a Webflow CMS collection with clear fields. Keep fields normalized and choose field types that match your data.

  • Blog posts: name, slug, summary, rich text body, main image, author reference, category reference, tags multi-reference, publish date, SEO title, SEO description.
  • Authors: name, headshot image, role, short bio, social links.
  • Categories: name, slug, description, featured image.
  • Products or services: title, price or plan, features list, CTA URL, category reference, gallery images, schema fields.

Plan for future use cases like Webflow CMS e-commerce landing pages or programmatic SEO. A strong model now prevents rework later.

Handle taxonomies, relationships and nested structures

WordPress categories and tags become category and tag collections in Webflow. Posts link to them via reference and multi-reference fields. For nested relationships, consider flattening where possible to stay within Webflow CMS limits while keeping relationships meaningful.

  • One-to-many: author to posts via a single reference on post.
  • Many-to-many: posts to tags via a multi-reference field.
  • Nesting: convert deep hierarchies into parent reference fields to avoid brittle structures.

Provide an example WP to Webflow mapping table

Use this simple mapping blueprint to guide your Webflow CMS import:

  1. WordPress Posts → Webflow collection: Blog Posts. Fields: title → name; post_name → slug; post_excerpt → summary; post_content → rich text; post_date → publish date; featured_image → image; author_id → author reference; categories → category reference; tags → tags multi-reference; Yoast fields → SEO fields.
  2. WordPress Categories → Webflow collection: Categories. Fields: name → name; slug → slug; description → description; parent → parent reference.
  3. WordPress Tags → Webflow collection: Tags. Fields: name → name; slug → slug; description → description.
  4. WordPress Users → Webflow collection: Authors. Fields: display_name → name; user_nicename → slug; description → bio; user_meta avatar → headshot.
  5. Custom Post Type: Case Studies → Webflow collection: Case Studies. Fields: title, client, industry, challenge, solution, results, images, related services multi-reference.

This structure keeps content portable and aligned with Webflow CMS collections, paving the way for clean CSV mapping or API scripts.

Step 3: recreate templates and design in Webflow

Before import, build templates and global components in Webflow so content has a home. This step is where your brand system, UX, and SEO requirements turn into componentized layouts powered by Webflow CMS.

Build collection templates and global components

Create a template for each Webflow CMS collection with clear content slots. Establish a design system using symbols or components for headers, footers, CTAs, and SEO blocks. This helps non-technical editors scale content without layout drift.

  • Collection templates: blog post, category, tag, case study, author, product or service.
  • Global elements: navigation, breadcrumbs, footers, announcement bars, schema injection blocks.
  • Content patterns: related content modules backed by Webflow CMS references.

If you want a senior team to handle this build, review our Webflow development services. Explore Webflow development.

Implement responsive design and interactions without code

Webflow’s visual designer gives you granular control for responsive breakpoints and micro-interactions without custom code. Keep animations light to protect Webflow CMS performance and Core Web Vitals. Use content-first sizing, fluid type scales, and modern CSS layout.

  • Mobile-first: stack content logically, prioritize tap targets, and compress hero media.
  • Accessibility: focus states, semantic hierarchy, alt text sourced from Webflow CMS fields.
  • Performance guardrails: limit custom fonts, preload key assets, and lazy load below-the-fold images.

For end-to-end delivery that ties design to outcomes, our web design and development approach keeps UX, SEO, and speed aligned. See our design and development approach.

Set up editor mode and team permissions

Enable the Webflow Editor for content teams and define roles early. Create a simple governance model: who drafts, who reviews, and who publishes. Lock critical components to prevent accidental layout changes while keeping Webflow CMS editing fast and safe.

  • Roles: contributor, editor, admin with clear publishing rules.
  • Content guardrails: SEO title and description length checks, required fields on collections.
  • Documentation: a short Webflow CMS tutorial with screenshots for your editors.

Step 4: export, transform and import content (CSV or API)

With structure in place, move the data. Export from WordPress, normalize the fields, and import into Webflow CMS. For scale, combine CSV with the Webflow CMS API to automate relations, images, and updates.

Export from WordPress: tools and plugin options

Export via WordPress tools or plugins that produce clean CSVs. For large sites or custom post types, you may need multiple exports. Keep media URLs intact and capture taxonomy relationships for later mapping to Webflow CMS collections.

  • Use native Tools Export for XML then convert to CSV if needed.
  • Dedicated exporters help extract custom fields and Yoast metadata.
  • Export taxonomies and authors as separate CSVs to import as reference collections first.

Transform and normalize data (images, slugs, dates)

Clean your data before import to avoid manual fixes later. Standardize slugs to match new URL patterns. Convert dates to ISO. Ensure image URLs are absolute and map alt text to the correct Webflow CMS image fields for accessibility and SEO.

  • Normalize casing, strip HTML from titles, and tidy line breaks in bodies.
  • Map WordPress custom fields to the new Webflow CMS schema.
  • Decide what to prune or merge to improve overall quality.

CSV import best practices and when to use the API

Use CSV import for the bulk of static fields and the Webflow CMS API for complex relationships or automation. The API excels when syncing large libraries, updating content programmatically, or integrating with a headless CMS setup.

  • Import order: reference collections first, then primary content types.
  • Check collection limits and field counts before running imports.
  • Choose the Webflow CMS API when you need repeatable syncs, webhooks, or bulk updates tied to other systems.

Test imports on a staging site

Create a staging project to test a subset of records. Validate fields, links, images, and SEO tags. Have editors and stakeholders review the content in Webflow CMS Editor to spot issues early.

  • Smoke test 20 to 50 records per collection.
  • Verify reference integrity and rich text formatting.
  • Document issues, fix the transform scripts, and rerun until clean.

Step 5: set up redirects, metadata and SEO preservation

This is where you protect rankings. Create a complete redirect map, preserve metadata, and ensure structured data carries over. Your goal is to maintain or improve Webflow CMS SEO from day one.

Bulk 301 redirect strategies and URL mapping

Map every old URL to a new one. Prioritize top traffic pages and known backlinks. Use pattern-based rules for common structures and single URL redirects for exceptions. Test redirects before you point DNS to the new Webflow CMS site.

  • Keep parameters and trailing slashes consistent.
  • Avoid redirect chains and loops to preserve crawl budget and speed.
  • Document in a spreadsheet and store as part of your runbook.

Preserve metadata, structured data, sitemaps and canonicals

Carry over title tags, meta descriptions, robots settings, and canonicals. Implement JSON-LD schema for articles, products, and breadcrumbs. Submit a fresh sitemap after launch and keep your Webflow CMS collections generating clean, indexable URLs.

  • Use collection fields for SEO title and description with character count guidance.
  • Ensure canonical tags reflect the final URL, not staging.
  • Rebuild internal linking hubs to help Webflow CMS SEO recover faster.

For deeper tactics on titles, structured data, and on-page signals tailored to Webflow CMS, use our Webflow SEO checklist. Open the Webflow SEO guide.

Hreflang and localization considerations

If you serve multiple languages or countries, plan hreflang at the collection template level. Keep slugs consistent across languages where possible. Store language and region codes in Webflow CMS fields to manage hreflang lists at scale.

  • Consistent URL patterns help with mapping and automation.
  • Validate hreflang pairs with testing tools after launch.
  • Mirror navigation and internal linking across locales.

Pre-launch SEO checklist (robots, indexing, Search Console)

Run a final SEO checklist before go-live. You want the right pages indexable, no staging fingerprints, and analytics connected. After DNS cutover, submit sitemaps and monitor indexing and coverage.

  • Ensure robots.txt and meta robots are set correctly for production.
  • Connect Search Console and Analytics to the new property.
  • Verify structured data and fix any warnings.

Step 6: replace plugins and integrate third-party tools

WordPress sites often rely on many plugins. In Webflow CMS, replace them with native features or best-in-class tools. Keep the stack lean to maximize stability and Webflow CMS performance.

Replacing common WordPress plugins (forms, SEO, memberships)

Most form needs are covered natively or via integrations. SEO fields are native, while advanced redirects or schemas can be handled with small code snippets. For memberships, choose a vetted partner or move to a dedicated platform and connect with Webflow CMS.

  • Forms: native forms with spam protection, or connect to your CRM.
  • SEO: collection fields, custom code blocks for schema, and a governance checklist.
  • Redirects: bulk import rules during launch, then maintain via the project settings.

E-commerce considerations and platform options

For simple catalogs, Webflow CMS e-commerce can work well. If you need advanced merchandising, consider pairing Webflow with a dedicated e-commerce engine and use Webflow CMS for content and landing pages. Decide based on SKU count, localization, taxes, and payment needs.

  • Evaluate checkout, promotions, subscriptions, and ERP sync.
  • Use Webflow’s visual builder for high-converting PDPs and editorial content.
  • Keep the front end fast and clean while the backend handles complexity.

Automations and integrations: Zapier, Make and the Webflow CMS API

Automation is where Webflow CMS shines. Use Zapier or Make to move data between your CRM, email platform, and CMS. For custom workflows or headless CMS scenarios, build against the Webflow CMS API and webhooks to keep content in sync.

  • Automate new post publishing to social and newsletters.
  • Sync product data or inventory from external systems.
  • Trigger QA checks when editors publish high-impact pages.

Data privacy, GDPR and hosting considerations

Operate with EU compliance in mind. Ensure cookie consent is respectful, data is minimized, and third parties are documented. Webflow CMS hosting removes server patching and many security risks while providing global CDN and SSL out of the box.

  • Store only necessary personal data and respect user rights requests.
  • Review DPA and subprocessors for every tool in the stack.
  • Include contact forms in your privacy policy and confirm logging practices.

Step 7: test, launch and monitor (rollback plan and KPIs)

Treat launch as a controlled release. Test everything on staging, cut over with a clear checklist, then monitor like a hawk. Protect KPIs and be ready to patch issues fast. This is where your preparation pays off in Webflow CMS stability and SEO continuity.

Staging checklist: functional tests, SEO and speed checks

Verify every template, form, and component. Run a pre-launch crawl to catch broken links and missing tags. Benchmark speed to ensure Webflow CMS performance hits your Core Web Vitals goals.

  • Form submissions, CRM integrations, and confirmation pages.
  • 404 and 500 handling, search, pagination, and filters.
  • Largest Contentful Paint, CLS, and TBT within target ranges.

Launch steps: DNS, CDN, SSL and sitemap submission

Schedule DNS cutover during a low-traffic window. Confirm SSL and CDN are active. Validate redirections and canonical tags on production. Submit the new sitemap and request indexing for high-priority pages to accelerate Webflow CMS SEO recovery.

  • Lower DNS TTL 24 hours before launch.
  • Clear caches and test from multiple regions.
  • Run a small paid search campaign to validate tracking on critical pages.

Post-launch monitoring: traffic, 404s and crawl errors

Check real-time analytics, 404 logs, and Search Console coverage. Fix issues daily in the first week, then weekly for a month. Update internal links and navigation based on user behavior and search demand in the new Webflow CMS site.

  • Watch branded and non-branded keyword positions.
  • Prioritize fixes for pages with revenue or lead impact.
  • Reinforce internal linking to key pages to stabilize rankings.

Rollback options and emergency fixes

If KPIs drop materially, act fast. Revert specific templates, restore hot pages to their old URLs, or temporarily point critical sections back to WordPress while you resolve issues. Your documented rollback plan keeps risk low without abandoning Webflow CMS.

  • Maintain a redirect set that can be toggled quickly.
  • Keep backups of CSVs and API scripts for rapid reimports.
  • Escalate high-priority bug fixes with an owner and deadline.

Post-launch: optimize performance, train editors and institutionalize workflows

A great migration is the start of compounding gains. After launch, improve speed, empower editors, and set a rhythm for experimentation. Webflow CMS makes it easy to ship updates without heavy developer cycles.

Ongoing optimisation: images, lazy loading and caching

Streamline assets and keep templates lean. Compress images and use next-gen formats. Audit scripts and remove anything unused. Small improvements to Webflow CMS performance stack up to measurable gains in conversion and SEO.

  • Use responsive image variants with sane dimensions.
  • Lazy load below-the-fold media and iframes.
  • Defer non-critical scripts and monitor third-party impact.

For a deeper look at site speed metrics and how to improve them systematically, learn more about Core Web Vitals in our library. Understand Core Web Vitals.

Editor training plan and governance model

Give your team a short Webflow CMS tutorial and a publishing checklist. Define roles for drafting, SEO review, and approval. Build guardrails with required fields and naming conventions so content quality stays high as you scale.

  • Documentation: short videos for adding posts, updating collections, and managing redirects.
  • Quality checks: meta length, internal links, alt text, and schema fields.
  • Quarterly audits of Webflow CMS collections to prevent sprawl.

Reporting, dashboards and experimentation cadence

Set up dashboards for traffic, rankings, conversions, and content velocity. Use test plans to improve UX and conversion. Align experiments to business impact and keep a steady cadence so your Webflow CMS site compounds results month after month.

  • KPIs: organic signups or leads, assisted revenue, time to publish, Core Web Vitals.
  • Run A/B tests on headlines, layouts, and CTAs tied to clear hypotheses.
  • Quarterly content pruning to maintain topical authority.

Want help migrating to Webflow CMS? Contact 6th Man Digital

If you want senior hands on the migration, we can help. 6th Man specializes in data-driven migrations and growth sprints. We design the model, move the content, and protect your rankings while building a faster, cleaner Webflow CMS site.

What we offer: migration audit, fixed-scope migration and post-launch growth support

We start with a migration audit that covers content, technical SEO, and performance risks. Then we execute a fixed-scope migration that includes collection modeling, template builds, CSV and Webflow CMS API imports, and SEO preservation. After launch, we drive growth with content, internal linking, and conversion optimization.

  • Pre-migration audit and plan with clear timelines and costs.
  • Hands-on build for templates, components, and Webflow CMS collections.
  • SEO-safe launch with redirects, metadata, and structured data.
  • Post-launch acceleration with content and CRO sprints.

Curious how we work differently from traditional agencies? Learn about our embedded model and no-nonsense approach. See how we are different.

How to get started: book an audit or request a fixed-scope quote

Two simple paths: book a migration audit to de-risk your move, or request a fixed-scope quote if you are ready to execute. We will align on Webflow CMS pricing assumptions, hosting, and the stack you need for speed, SEO, and scale.

  • Discuss Webflow CMS vs WordPress tradeoffs and long-term total cost.
  • Confirm integrations like CRM, analytics, and marketing automation.
  • Plan for future use cases like headless CMS patterns using the Webflow CMS API.

Ready to move faster with confidence and keep your rankings intact on Webflow CMS? Let’s talk. Contact our team. Or explore our broader digital marketing services to fuel growth after launch. See our digital marketing services.