How to Migrate from a Legacy CMS to a Modern CMS
IntermediateQuick Answer
TL;DR
Start with a full content audit, then extract data via database dump, REST API, or scraping — whichever your legacy system supports. Clean and restructure the content to fit a modern content model, removing obsolete fields and normalizing formats. Import in batches with validation checks at each stage. The entire process typically takes 6–16 weeks depending on content volume and system complexity.
Key Takeaways
- A content audit before migration prevents carrying forward outdated, duplicate, or low-quality content
- Legacy CMS databases (MySQL, MSSQL) can often be exported directly, bypassing broken or missing APIs
- Modern content models separate presentation from content — restructure fields during migration, not after
- Batch imports with rollback capability protect against data loss if something goes wrong mid-migration