Why Migrate from WordPress to Astro?
WordPress powers 43% of the web, but it comes with inherent limitations: constant updates, security vulnerabilities, plugin bloat, and performance issues. Astro offers a compelling alternative - blazing-fast static sites with the flexibility of modern JavaScript frameworks.
The question isn't whether to migrate, but when and how.
The Performance Difference
The Complete Migration Process
Phase 1: Assessment & Planning (Week 1)
- Content audit: Catalog all pages, posts, custom post types
- Functionality review: Document all plugins and custom features
- Design system extraction: Identify reusable components
- SEO baseline: Document current rankings and traffic
Phase 2: Content Migration (Week 2-3)
- Export WordPress content via WP REST API or GraphQL
- Convert HTML to Markdown using automated tools
- Migrate images to optimized formats (WebP, AVIF)
- Preserve URL structure or create 301 redirect map
Phase 3: Frontend Development (Week 3-5)
- Build Astro component library matching WordPress design
- Implement dynamic features with React/Vue islands
- Recreate WordPress functionality (contact forms, search, etc.)
- Optimize Core Web Vitals (aim for 100 Lighthouse)
Phase 4: Testing & SEO (Week 5-6)
- Cross-browser and device testing
- Implement Schema.org structured data
- Generate XML sitemap and robots.txt
- Verify all meta tags and OG images
Phase 5: Deployment & Monitoring (Week 6-7)
- Deploy to Netlify/Vercel/Cloudflare Pages
- Implement 301 redirects from old URLs
- Set up Google Search Console and Analytics
- Monitor traffic and rankings for 30 days
Common Migration Challenges & Solutions
Challenge: Dynamic Content
WordPress plugins often provide dynamic functionality that's hard to replicate statically.
Solution: Use Astro's React/Vue islands for truly dynamic features, or replace with API-based solutions (forms → FormSpree, search → Algolia).
Challenge: URL Structure Changes
Changing permalinks can devastate SEO if not handled properly.
Solution: Maintain exact URL structure when possible. Create comprehensive 301 redirect map using Netlify _redirects or Vercel vercel.json.
Challenge: Content Updates
Clients are used to WordPress's visual editor and may resist Markdown.
Solution: Implement headless CMS (Sanity, Contentful) or keep WordPress as headless CMS with Astro frontend. Best of both worlds.
Hybrid Approach: Headless WordPress + Astro
Not ready to fully leave WordPress? You don't have to. The headless WordPress approach keeps your familiar CMS while delivering Astro's performance benefits:
✓ Keep WordPress Admin
Content team uses familiar interface
✓ Astro Frontend
Lightning-fast user experience
✓ API Integration
Fetch content via WP REST API or GraphQL
✓ Incremental Builds
Only rebuild changed content
Cost Analysis: WordPress vs. Astro
| Factor | WordPress | Astro |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting | $20-200/mo | $0-20/mo |
| Maintenance | 4-8 hrs/mo | 0-1 hr/mo |
| Security | Premium plugins req. | Built-in |
| Performance | Plugin dependent | 100 Lighthouse |
| Annual Savings | - | $2,000-5,000 |
Real Migration Case Study
Roseville Rock Supply
Landscape supply company with 200+ product pages, custom quote system, and high-resolution image gallery.
Migration timeline: 6 weeks. Zero downtime. SEO rankings improved within 30 days due to better Core Web Vitals.
Read Full Case Study →Is WordPress to Astro Right for You?
Migration makes sense if:
- ✓ You're spending 4+ hours monthly on WordPress maintenance
- ✓ Your Lighthouse performance score is below 80
- ✓ You experience frequent security issues or plugin conflicts
- ✓ Your content updates are infrequent (weekly or less)
- ✓ You want to reduce hosting costs significantly
Consider staying with WordPress if:
- ✗ You need hourly content updates by non-technical users
- ✗ Your business relies on complex WordPress-specific plugins
- ✗ You have a highly customized admin workflow that can't be replicated
Let's Migrate Your WordPress Site
We've successfully migrated 50+ WordPress sites to Astro, from simple blogs to complex e-commerce platforms. Our proven process ensures zero downtime, preserved SEO, and immediate performance gains.