Understanding the Drupal to Webflow Migration
Migrating from Drupal to Webflow changes how your team builds and manages content. Drupal has powered enterprise websites for years, offering flexibility and customization through modules and custom code. However, maintaining and updating Drupal sites requires ongoing technical resources and expertise.
Webflow takes a different approach. Built as a visual development platform, it gives design and marketing teams the ability to build and update websites without writing code. The platform combines design tools with CMS functionality and hosting, creating a more streamlined workflow for B2B teams.
The migration process involves more than moving content from one system to another. It requires careful planning to preserve SEO rankings, maintain content structure, and ensure a smooth transition for your team and users.
This guide covers each step of the migration process, from initial planning through post-launch monitoring.
Why Organizations Migrate from Drupal to Webflow
Drupal has served the web well for over two decades. Many organizations chose it for its flexibility, module ecosystem, and ability to handle complex content structures. However, the platform's strengths can also create challenges as teams and needs evolve.
Common Challenges with Drupal
Organizations migrating from Drupal typically face these issues:
Technical dependency: Making changes to Drupal sites often requires developer involvement. Simple updates like adjusting page layouts or adding new content types need custom code or module configuration.
Maintenance overhead: Keeping Drupal secure and up-to-date requires ongoing attention. Security patches, module updates, and core version upgrades demand regular technical resources.
End of Life concerns: Drupal 7 reached end of life in January 2025. Sites running older versions face security risks and need to migrate to maintain support and security updates.
Hosting complexity: Drupal hosting requires server configuration, performance optimization, and ongoing technical management. This adds operational overhead for teams without dedicated infrastructure resources.
What Makes Webflow Different
Webflow addresses these challenges through its approach to web development:
Visual development: Design and marketing teams can build and modify sites through a visual interface. This reduces dependency on developers for routine updates and changes.
Integrated platform: Webflow combines design tools, CMS, and hosting in one platform. This simplifies the technical stack and reduces the number of systems to manage.
Automatic updates: As a SaaS platform, Webflow maintains security and features at the infrastructure level. Teams don't need to manage patches or version upgrades.
Performance optimization: Webflow includes built-in performance features like CDN, image optimization, and clean code generation. This improves site speed without requiring technical optimization work.
Organizations that migrate to Webflow typically see faster iteration cycles, reduced maintenance costs, and improved collaboration between design and content teams.
Planning Your Migration: What You Need Before Starting
Successful migrations start with proper preparation. Taking time to plan and gather necessary information prevents common issues that can derail the process or impact your site's performance post-launch.
Essential Pre-Migration Tasks
Content audit: Document all existing content, including pages, posts, custom content types, and media files. This inventory helps you understand what needs to be migrated and what can be consolidated or removed.
URL mapping: Create a complete list of current URLs and their intended destinations on the new site. This mapping is critical for maintaining SEO and preventing broken links.
SEO baseline: Record current keyword rankings, organic traffic, and backlink profiles. These metrics provide a benchmark to measure migration success and identify any issues quickly.
Team alignment: Ensure stakeholders understand the migration timeline, what to expect, and their roles in the process. Clear communication prevents surprises and helps manage expectations.
Resource allocation: Identify who will handle different aspects of the migration, from content migration to design to technical setup. Having dedicated resources prevents the project from stalling.
Assessing Migration Readiness
Consider these factors when evaluating readiness to migrate:
Your team has a documented migration plan with clear phases and deliverables. The plan includes contingencies for potential issues and a rollback strategy if needed.
Technical resources are available for the migration timeline. This includes time for content migration, design implementation, testing, and post-launch monitoring.
Budget covers necessary tools, potential agency support, and any premium Webflow features or integrations your site requires.
Business operations allow for the migration. Avoid scheduling migrations during critical business periods, product launches, or when key team members are unavailable.
For complex migrations or organizations without in-house technical resources, working with an experienced agency can ensure a smooth transition.
Step 1: Audit Your Drupal Site
A thorough audit provides the foundation for a successful migration. This process identifies what content exists, how it's organized, and what technical elements need attention during the transition.
Content Inventory
Start by documenting all content on your current site. This includes standard pages, blog posts, custom post types, and any structured content managed through Drupal's content types.
Tools like Google Analytics help identify your most valuable pages based on traffic and engagement. Focus migration efforts on content that drives business results rather than migrating everything by default.
Review media files, including images, PDFs, and videos. Note file sizes, formats, and where files are referenced throughout the site. This helps plan for optimization and organization in Webflow.
URL Structure Analysis
Create a comprehensive list of all URLs on your current site. Use a crawler like Screaming Frog to generate this list automatically.
For each URL, document:
Current URL path
Page title and meta description
Main keyword targets
Inbound links from other pages
This mapping becomes your redirect plan and ensures no valuable URLs are lost during migration.
Technical Elements Assessment
Identify custom functionality that needs recreation in Webflow. This might include:
Forms: Contact forms, lead generation forms, or multi-step processes
Integrations: CRM connections, marketing automation, or analytics tools
Custom features: Calculators, filterable content, or interactive elements
For each custom element, determine if it can be built natively in Webflow, requires custom code, or needs a third-party integration.
SEO Performance Baseline
Use Google Search Console to document current search performance:
Top-performing keywords and their rankings
Pages receiving the most organic traffic
Click-through rates for key pages
Any existing crawl errors or indexing issues
This baseline helps measure migration success and quickly identify any SEO issues after launch.
Step 2: Plan Your Webflow CMS Structure
Webflow organizes content through Collections, which function similarly to Drupal's content types. Planning this structure carefully ensures your content is organized logically and can scale as your needs grow.
Mapping Drupal Content Types to Webflow Collections
Review your Drupal content types and plan corresponding Webflow Collections. Consider how content types relate to each other and how editors will manage them.
Example mapping:
Blog posts → Blog Posts Collection
Case studies → Case Studies Collection
Team members → Team Collection
Locations → Locations Collection
For each Collection, identify:
Required fields (title, body content, featured image)
Optional fields (categories, tags, related content)
Custom fields specific to that content type
Relationships to other Collections
Designing for Scalability
Think beyond immediate needs when structuring Collections. Consider potential future requirements:
Will you need multiple content types or categories within a Collection? Webflow allows filtering and categorization through reference fields and multi-reference fields.
Do you need to show related content or create connections between different types of content? Plan reference fields that link Collections together.
Will editors need flexible page layouts? Consider using Webflow's Rich Text fields with embedded components for content flexibility.
CMS Best Practices
Keep structures simple: Start with essential fields and add more as needed. Complex structures are harder to maintain and confuse content editors.
Use clear naming: Field names should be immediately understandable to anyone managing content. Avoid technical jargon or abbreviations.
SEO plan: Include fields for meta titles, meta descriptions, and Open Graph images in each Collection. This ensures every piece of content can be optimized for search and social sharing.
Consider editors: The people managing content may not be technical. Structure Collections and name fields in ways that make sense to your content team.
For more information on CMS planning, Webflow University provides detailed guidance on Collections and content structure.
Step 3: Design and Build Your Webflow Site
With your CMS structure planned, focus shifts to design and development. This phase translates your brand and content strategy into a functional Webflow site.
Design Principles for Migration
Your new site should improve on the previous one while maintaining brand consistency. Focus on these key areas:
Brand alignment: Ensure visual design reflects your current brand guidelines. This includes colors, typography, imagery style, and overall aesthetic.
User experience: Improve navigation, content hierarchy, and user flows based on lessons learned from your Drupal site. Use analytics data to inform these decisions.
Mobile responsiveness: Design for mobile first, then expand to larger screens. More than half of web traffic typically comes from mobile devices.
Performance: Build with performance in mind from the start. Optimize images, minimize custom code, and use Webflow's native features when possible.
Accessibility: Follow WCAG guidelines to ensure your site works for all users. This includes proper heading structure, alt text for images, and keyboard navigation support.
Building Webflow Templates
Create templates for each type of page on your site:
Homepage: Your primary landing page and navigation hub
CMS templates: Dynamic templates for blog posts, case studies, or other Collection items
Static pages: About, services, contact, and other standard pages
Component library: Reusable elements like headers, footers, CTAs, and content blocks
Consider using the Client-First naming convention for classes. This systematic approach to class naming makes sites easier to maintain and hand off between team members.
Design Resources and Inspiration
Review examples of well-executed websites for inspiration:
Webflow Showcase features sites built on the platform
Our collection of best brand stylescapes demonstrates visual design approaches
Focus on building templates that are both visually appealing and easy for your team to maintain and update.
Step 4: Migrate Your Content
Content migration is one of the most time-intensive parts of the process. The method you choose depends on the size of your site and the complexity of your content.
Migration Methods
Manual migration works for smaller sites with under 50 pages. Copy content directly from Drupal to Webflow, taking the opportunity to improve and update content as you go. This method gives you the most control but takes the most time.
CSV import suits medium-sized sites with 50-500 pages of structured content. Export Drupal content to CSV format, clean and format the data, then import into Webflow CMS Collections. This approach works well for content that follows consistent patterns.
API migration handles large sites with 500+ pages most efficiently. Use the Webflow API to programmatically create and populate CMS items. This method requires development resources but scales well for large content volumes.
Tools and Resources
Webflow CMS Import: The platform's native CSV import tool handles basic content migration. Review the Webflow CMS Import documentation for formatting requirements and limitations.
Data transformation tools: Services like Parabola or Make help clean and transform data between systems.
Custom scripts: For complex migrations, custom scripts using the Webflow API provide the most flexibility.
Migration Best Practices
Always test migrations on a staging site before touching production. This lets you identify and fix issues without risking your live site.
Clean and optimize content during migration. Remove outdated information, improve copy, optimize images, and ensure consistent formatting.
Update internal links to match the new URL structure. Broken internal links harm user experience and SEO.
Preserve important metadata, including publication dates, author information, and categories. This information matters for both SEO and content organization.
Handle media files carefully. Compress images without losing quality, convert to modern formats like WebP when appropriate, and organize files logically in Webflow's assets panel.
Step 5: Preserve Your SEO
SEO preservation is critical during any migration. Proper planning and execution ensure your rankings and organic traffic remain stable through the transition.
Implementing 301 Redirects
Every URL on your old site needs a corresponding redirect to its new location. These 301 redirects tell search engines that content has permanently moved and pass ranking signals to the new URLs.
Use your URL mapping spreadsheet from the audit phase to create redirects in Webflow. The platform handles redirects through its hosting settings, supporting both simple redirects and pattern-based rules for bulk redirects.
Test every redirect after implementation. Tools like Redirect Checker verify that redirects work correctly and don't create redirect chains.
Monitor for 404 errors in Google Search Console during the first weeks after launch. Address any broken links quickly to minimize impact on user experience and SEO.
Metadata Migration
Transfer SEO elements from your Drupal site to Webflow:
Page titles: Migrate existing titles or improve them based on current SEO best practices. Keep titles under 60 characters to ensure they display fully in search results.
Meta descriptions: Transfer descriptions that perform well. Update or create descriptions for pages that lack them. Keep descriptions under 160 characters.
Header structure: Maintain logical heading hierarchy with one H1 per page and proper H2-H6 structure for content organization.
Image alt text: Add descriptive alt text to all images. This improves accessibility and provides context for search engines.
Schema markup: Implement structured data appropriate for your content types. This helps search engines understand and display your content in rich results.
Sitemap and Search Console Setup
Generate a new XML sitemap in Webflow once your site structure is complete. Submit this sitemap to:
Google Search Console
Bing Webmaster Tools
Update your robots.txt file if needed to ensure search engines can crawl your site properly.
In Google Search Console, set your preferred domain version (with or without www) and enable email notifications for crawl errors and security issues.
Monitoring SEO Performance
Track these metrics closely for the first month after migration:
Organic traffic: Watch for significant drops that might indicate redirect issues or other problems. Some fluctuation is normal, but major drops need immediate investigation.
Keyword rankings: Monitor rankings for your most important keywords. Check rankings weekly for the first month.
Crawl errors: Review Google Search Console daily for the first week, then weekly. Address any 404 errors or crawl issues promptly.
Indexing status: Ensure Google is discovering and indexing your new pages. Use the URL Inspection tool in Search Console to check specific pages.
For more guidance on SEO, refer to the Webflow SEO best practices guide.
Step 6: Launch Your New Site
The launch phase requires careful coordination and attention to technical details. Proper preparation ensures a smooth transition with minimal downtime.
Pre-Launch Technical Setup
SSL certificate: Webflow automatically provisions SSL certificates for custom domains. Verify the certificate is active before launching.
Custom domain connection: Add your domain in Webflow's hosting settings. The platform provides DNS records you'll need to add to your domain registrar.
Form integration: Test all forms to ensure they're capturing submissions correctly. Configure form notifications and integrate with your CRM or email service if needed.
Analytics implementation: Add Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, or other analytics tools. Verify tracking codes fire correctly on all pages.
Third-party integrations: Test any integrations with marketing automation, live chat, or other external services.
DNS Configuration
DNS changes require careful timing to minimize downtime:
Lower TTL values: 24-48 hours before launch, lower the TTL (Time to Live) on your DNS records to 300 seconds (5 minutes). This allows faster propagation of changes.
Update DNS records: At your domain registrar, update A records and CNAME records to point to Webflow's servers. Webflow provides specific records in your site's hosting settings.
Monitor propagation: DNS changes typically propagate within 1-24 hours. Use DNS Checker to monitor propagation across different geographic regions.
Restore TTL: After changes propagate, restore your TTL values to normal levels (typically 3600 seconds or 1 hour).
Launch Day Checklist
Complete these checks before making your site live:
Test all critical user paths and conversions
Verify that forms submit correctly and notifications work
Check that analytics tracking fires properly
Confirm all redirects are in place and working
Test site on multiple browsers and devices
Review the mobile experience thoroughly
Verify no broken images or missing assets
Have a rollback plan ready. Keep your Drupal site accessible for at least two weeks after launch in case you need to revert.
Schedule your launch during low-traffic periods if possible, such as evenings or weekends. This minimizes the impact if unexpected issues arise.
Step 7: Post-Launch Testing and Monitoring
Launch is just the beginning. Thorough testing and monitoring in the days and weeks after going live help catch and fix issues quickly.
Immediate Post-Launch Testing
Test these areas within the first 24 hours:
Functionality testing:
Navigate through all major user paths
Submit forms and verify receipt of submissions
Test search functionality if implemented
Check that all links work correctly
Verify CMS content displays properly
SEO verification:
Confirm redirects work using Redirect Checker
Verify meta tags display correctly in search results
Check that the XML sitemap is accessible
Confirm robots.txt allows proper crawling
Test canonical tags on key pages
Performance testing:
Measure page load speeds using PageSpeed Insights
Test mobile performance specifically
Check image loading and optimization
Verify the site works across different browsers
Test on various devices and screen sizes
Ongoing Monitoring
Week 1-2: Daily monitoring
Check Google Search Console for crawl errors
Review analytics for unusual traffic patterns
Monitor for 404 errors and broken links
Watch for user-reported issues
Week 3-4: Weekly monitoring
Review organic traffic trends
Check keyword ranking positions
Assess user behavior metrics (bounce rate, time on page)
Monitor conversion rates
Use tools like Hotjar or FullStory to watch how real users interact with your new site. Session recordings can reveal usability issues that aren't apparent from analytics alone.
Addressing Post-Launch Issues
When problems arise:
Document the issue: Record what's wrong, when it started, and which users are affected.
Assess urgency: Determine if the issue is critical (affecting conversions or user experience) or minor (cosmetic or affecting a few users).
Fix and test: Make corrections carefully and test thoroughly before deploying fixes.
Communicate: Keep stakeholders informed of any significant issues and resolutions.
Keep your Drupal site accessible but unpublished for 2-4 weeks after launch. This provides a fallback option if critical issues arise with the new site.
Common Migration Mistakes to Avoid
Learning from common mistakes helps ensure a smoother migration process. These issues frequently cause problems during Drupal to Webflow migrations.
Insufficient Planning
Starting migration without thorough documentation of content, URLs, and functionality often leads to missed elements and last-minute discoveries. Take time to audit completely before beginning design or content work.
Inadequate Redirect Planning
Failing to map all URLs or implementing redirects incorrectly causes lost traffic and damaged SEO. Create comprehensive redirect mapping during your audit phase and test all redirects before launch.
Ignoring Mobile Experience
Designing primarily for desktop and treating mobile as an afterthought creates poor experiences for the majority of users. Start with mobile design and ensure the mobile experience meets user needs.
Neglecting Form Testing
Assuming forms work without thorough testing leads to lost leads and customer frustration. Test every form thoroughly, including notifications, CRM integration, and error handling.
Poor Image Optimization
Uploading large, unoptimized images from Drupal directly to Webflow slows page load times. Optimize and compress all images during migration, using appropriate formats and sizes.
Breaking Internal Links
Not updating internal links to reflect the new URL structure creates broken user experiences and damages site navigation. Update all internal links as part of content migration.
Launching Without a Backup Plan
Going live without keeping your Drupal site accessible creates risk if major issues arise. Maintain access to your previous site for at least two weeks after launch.
Migration Cost Considerations
Migration costs vary significantly based on project scope and approach. Factors affecting cost include:
Site size: The number of pages, content types, and media files directly impacts migration time and complexity.
Custom functionality: Complex features require more development time to recreate in Webflow.
Design requirements: Custom design work adds to the project cost compared to using templates.
Timeline: Accelerated timelines typically require additional resources and cost more.
Internal vs external resources: Using internal teams reduces direct costs but requires significant time investment. Agency support provides expertise but at a higher immediate cost.
For specific budget planning, consider consulting with migration specialists who can assess your requirements. Learn more about our website development services.
Professional Migration Support
Complex migrations benefit from experienced guidance. Professional support can help ensure the process goes smoothly and avoid common pitfalls.
At Brightscout, we help organizations transition from Drupal to Webflow while preserving SEO and maintaining business continuity. Our approach includes:
Complete content strategy: We audit your existing site, identify valuable content, and plan an optimized structure for Webflow.
SEO preservation: We implement comprehensive redirect strategies and monitor search performance throughout the migration.
Custom design and development: We build sites that improve on your existing design while maintaining brand consistency.
Content migration: We handle the technical aspects of moving content while ensuring quality and accuracy.
Post-launch support: We monitor site performance and address any issues that arise after launch.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a Drupal to Webflow migration take?
Migration timelines typically range from 4-12 weeks, depending on site size and complexity. Small sites with under 50 pages can often migrate in 4-6 weeks. Medium sites with 50-500 pages usually require 6-8 weeks. Large enterprise sites with 500+ pages may take 10-12 weeks or longer.
Will I lose my SEO rankings when migrating from Drupal to Webflow?
Properly executed migrations preserve SEO rankings. The key is implementing comprehensive 301 redirects for all URLs, maintaining metadata,metadatatoring search performance closely during and after the transition. Most sites see rankings stabilize within 2-4 weeks after migration.
How much does it cost to migrate from Drupal to Webflow?
Costs vary based on site size, complexity, and whether you handle migration internally or work with an agency. DIY migrations cost $500-2,000 for tools and subscriptions. Agency-assisted migrations range from $5,000 for small sites to $50,000+ for large, complex projects with custom functionality.
Can I migrate my Drupal content automatically to Webflow?
Yes, for structured content. Export Drupal content to CSV format and import it into Webflow CMS Collections. For large sites, API-based migrations can automate much of the process. However, some manual cleanup and optimization are typically needed regardless of the method.
What happens to my custom Drupal functionality in Webflow?
Custom functionality needs to be rebuilt using Webflow's native features, custom code, or third-party integrations. Most common functionality can be replicated, though some complex features may require different implementation approaches or alternative solutions.
Summary: Successfully Migrating from Drupal to Webflow
Migrating from Drupal to Webflow requires careful planning and systematic execution. The process involves several key phases:
Planning and audit: Document your current site thoroughly, including content, URLs, and technical requirements. This foundation prevents issues later in the process.
CMS structure: Map Drupal content types to Webflow Collections thoughtfully, considering both current needs and future scalability.
Design and build: Create templates that improve on your existing site while maintaining brand consistency and user experience.
Content migration: Choose the appropriate migration method based on your site size and migrate content carefully, optimizing as you go.
SEO preservation: Implement comprehensive redirect strategies and monitor search performance closely through the transition.
Launch and testing: Execute a careful launch with thorough testing and monitoring to catch and address issues quickly.
Organizations that follow this systematic approach successfully migrate to Webflow while maintaining search rankings, preserving content value, and improving their web presence.
The migration process typically takes 4-12 weeks, depending on site size and complexity. While the process requires investment of time and resources, the long-term benefits of improved maintainability, better user experience, and reduced technical overhead make it worthwhile for many organizations.
Ready to start your migration? Contact us and let’s talk about your project.
