Switching from one WordPress theme to another can improve your website’s design, functionality, and performance. However, improper WordPress theme to theme migration development can lead to data loss, broken layouts, and SEO issues.
This guide will help you:
✅ Understand what changes and what stays the same during theme migration
✅ Explore different types of WordPress theme migration
✅ Follow a step-by-step process for a smooth transition
✅ Learn best practices to preserve content, settings, and SEO
By the end, you’ll be able to seamlessly switch WordPress themes while maintaining content and functionality.
What Changes During a WordPress Theme Migration?
When switching WordPress themes, some elements remain intact, while others may require manual adjustments.
✔ What Stays the Same?
- Posts, pages, and categories
- Media files (images, videos, and documents)
- WordPress settings (general settings, permalinks)
- SEO metadata (if using a plugin like Yoast SEO or Rank Math)
✖ What May Change or Break?
- Theme-specific settings (layout, typography, colors)
- Custom widgets and sidebars
- Page builder elements (Elementor, WPBakery, Divi)
- Shortcodes and custom post types
- Custom CSS and additional functions
To ensure a smooth transition, you need a well-planned WordPress theme to theme migration development process.
Types of WordPress Theme to Theme Migrations
1. Standard Theme Switch (Pre-Built to Pre-Built Theme)
✔ Switching between two pre-built themes from the WordPress repository or theme marketplaces.
✔ Requires minimal adjustments to widgets, menus, and layouts.
✔ Ideal for blogs, small business sites, and portfolios.
2. Custom Theme Migration (Pre-Built to Custom Theme)
✔ Moving from a pre-designed theme to a fully custom-built WordPress theme.
✔ Requires manual content adjustments to match the new design.
✔ Ideal for businesses and brands needing unique customization.
3. Page Builder Theme Migration (Elementor, Divi, WPBakery, Gutenberg)
✔ Moving from one page builder-based theme to another.
✔ Requires adjustments to shortcodes, blocks, and layouts.
✔ Best for drag-and-drop site owners who rely on page builders.
4. Theme Migration with Full Redesign
✔ Changing the theme while redesigning the entire website.
✔ Requires UI/UX improvements, content restructuring, and SEO optimization.
✔ Suitable for brands revamping their online presence.
Step-by-Step Guide for WordPress Theme to Theme Migration Development
Step 1: Backup Your Website
Before migrating themes, back up your entire website to prevent data loss.
🔹 Backup Tools:
- UpdraftPlus
- All-in-One WP Migration
- Manual Backup via cPanel or FTP
📌 Backup Commands (For Developers)
wp db export backup.sql
rsync -avz wp-content/ user@destination:/path/to/site/wp-content/
Step 2: Set Up a Staging Environment
A staging site lets you test the new theme before applying changes to your live website.
🔹 Best Staging Tools:
- WP Staging
- Local by Flywheel
- Hosting-provided staging (SiteGround, Kinsta, WP Engine)
Step 3: Install and Preview the New Theme
✔ Go to Appearance > Themes > Add New
✔ Install and preview the new theme without activating it
✔ Check if page layouts, menus, and widgets align properly
🚀 Pro Tip: Use the Live Preview feature to check for issues before activation.
Step 4: Transfer Menus, Widgets, and Sidebars
✔ Menus: Reassign them in Appearance > Menus.
✔ Widgets: Take note of widget placements before migration.
✔ Sidebars: If the new theme has different sidebar structures, adjust accordingly.
📌 Manual Transfer Using WP-CLI
wp widget export > widgets.json
wp widget import < widgets.json
Step 5: Check Shortcodes and Page Builders
✔ If the previous theme used Elementor, Divi, or WPBakery, ensure compatibility with the new theme.
✔ Convert shortcodes into Gutenberg blocks or custom HTML if necessary.
📌 Fix Broken Shortcodes Using WP-CLI
wp search-replace '[old-shortcode]' '[new-shortcode]'
Step 6: Maintain SEO and URL Structure
✔ Ensure your SEO settings remain intact (Yoast SEO, Rank Math).
✔ Resubmit the sitemap in Google Search Console.
📌 Regenerate Permalinks (If URLs Break)
wp rewrite flush
Step 7: Test Performance & Mobile Responsiveness
✔ Run a Google PageSpeed Insights test to check loading speed.
✔ Ensure the new theme is fully responsive on mobile devices.
🔹 Testing Tools:
- Google PageSpeed Insights
- GTmetrix
- Mobile-Friendly Test by Google
Step 8: Activate the New Theme and Go Live
✔ After testing, activate the new theme and clear caches.
✔ Monitor your website for broken links, missing images, and layout issues.
📌 Flush Cache Using WP-CLI
wp cache flush
Best Practices for WordPress Theme to Theme Migration Development
✔ Use a Child Theme: Preserve custom CSS and modifications.
✔ Take Screenshots of the Old Theme: Compare before and after migration.
✔ Export Theme Settings: If the theme supports export/import, use it to transfer settings.
✔ Check Plugin Compatibility: Some themes may not support certain plugins.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Will I lose content when switching WordPress themes?
✅ No, your posts, pages, and media files remain intact. However, theme-specific settings may be lost.
2. How can I ensure SEO rankings are not affected?
✅ Keep the same URL structure, meta tags, and content hierarchy. Use an SEO plugin like Yoast SEO or Rank Math.
3. Do I need a staging site before changing themes?
✅ Yes! A staging site prevents live site disruptions while testing the new theme.
4. Will my shortcodes work after switching themes?
✅ It depends. If the shortcodes are theme-specific, you may need to replace them with blocks or plugins.
5. What should I do if my site breaks after theme migration?
✅ Restore your backup, check for incompatible plugins, and debug broken elements.
Final Thoughts
Migrating from one WordPress theme to another can enhance your site’s design, user experience, and performance. By following the best practices for WordPress theme to theme migration development, you can:
✔ Retain your content and settings
✔ Ensure a smooth, error-free transition
✔ Improve your website’s performance and SEO
🚀 Ready for a seamless theme migration? Follow this guide and make the switch with confidence!
