The immense popularity of WordPress among website owners has led to a rise in demands for conversion projects like turning HTML into WordPress website. Developers must have a plan in place before executing any such task so that the whole process is conducted smoothly without any hassles. A brief checklist with important points that any professional must consider before starting the procedure to convert HTML template to WordPress theme is being presented here.
1. Status Of All The Content Of The HTML Interface
It is essential to discuss with the client before starting the process to migrate HTML site to WordPress, about the status of all content of the present interface. Does all the written material possess value for search engine and was it helping in driving traffic to the website are important questions that must be answered. Similarly, after identifying all the data needs to be imported, it must be decided whether all the comments and authors need to be migrated too or not.
2. Official Sitemap Of The Website
Another important item that a developer must ask for is the official sitemap of the current interface. It is possible to migrate the content to the new platform even without the sitemap but having it will be helpful as it can be used as a guide to finalize what needs to be migrated. Using the sitemap for reference will also reduce any chances of skipping a content that must be imported, by mistake.
3. Using A Staging Server
All developers must use a staging server for their work as this makes reviewing the new interface to which the content has been transferred, an extremely easy job. Staging also helps in correcting any mistake that may have occurred during the process and it will also be useful in conducting the quality testing of the WordPress website. It will be wise to have the new creation in a place where any modifications can be made effortlessly rather than conducting all these changes in a live environment which will affect the performance of the interface.
4. Decide a timeline for the project
In order to be productive and efficient, developers must cultivate the habit of breaking a project into milestones, no matter how simple it may be. Consider a scenario, where just before making the new website go live, it is discovered that some new content has been added. Discuss with the client and devise a timeline for the whole project and decide on a date from which no new content will be added so that the whole process gets completed smoothly.
5. Discuss The Status Of Media Files
One of the most important aspects of the old interface that a developer must discuss with the owner before starting the process of turning HTML into WordPress website is the status of media files. These files include not only the images and videos but also infographics like docs, spreadsheets or PDF files. The assessment needed to identify the media files that need to be transferred must be made much before the procedure is started.
6. Saving Original URLs For Redirection
The original URLs of the HTML website must be saved as they possess immense value for the new interface as well. A content that has been attracting good traffic will do so even now and therefore creating a redirecting system for all these URLs will be extremely beneficial for the website.
7. Update All Internal Links
The last item on this checklist is to update all internal links of the new website so that they are directed towards the new host and permalink. Even though the redirection process for old URLs will solve most problems but managing internal links will only help in making the new interface faster.
Conclusion
Having a simple plan in place before moving ahead with a project for converting html to wordpress, will be helpful for any developer not only in completing the process quickly without many hassles but also in increasing the productivity and efficiency of the professional.