Quick Answer:
A legacy website migration means moving an older website to a new platform or design. It’s usually triggered by outdated tech, poor mobile experience, or just plain slow performance. Expect it to take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, and cost 50,000 to 5,00,000 depending on complexity.
You know, there comes a time when that website, the one you built years ago, starts to feel old. It’s clunky. It’s slow. It’s probably not even displaying right on mobile phones. That’s when you start thinking about a legacy website migration.
But hold on. Before you dive in headfirst, there are a few things I want to tell you. Things most agencies conveniently leave out of the conversation. I have seen too many Bangalore businesses make the same mistakes.
The Real Problem
The biggest mistake? Thinking a legacy website migration is just a technical problem. Look, you hire a developer, they move the files, update the code, and boom, new website. Right? Wrong.
The real issue is not the code. It’s strategy. Why are you migrating? What are you hoping to achieve? If you don’t have clear answers to those questions, you are just polishing a stone. You’ll end up with a new website that still doesn’t deliver results. And that costs you money, time, and opportunity. I have seen this pattern dozens of times with Bangalore businesses.
Are you migrating to improve SEO? Increase conversions? Or is it purely because your current site looks like it belongs in the 90s? Knowing your “why” is crucial. Otherwise, you’re just swapping one problem for another.
The Bangalore War Story
A retail client in Koramangala came to us last year. Their website was built on some ancient e-commerce platform. Sales were down, and they were blaming the platform. They wanted to migrate to Shopify. We asked them, “What makes you think Shopify will solve your problems?” Turns out, their product photos were terrible, their descriptions were weak, and their shipping costs were too high. Migrating to Shopify wouldn’t fix any of that. We convinced them to focus on the fundamentals first. Better photos, better copy, better shipping deals. Sales went up 30% in three months. They still need to migrate eventually, but now they know *why* and what to expect.
What Actually Works
So what actually works? Not what you would expect. It starts with an audit. A real, honest audit of your existing website. What pages are performing well? Which ones are dead weight? Which keywords are bringing in traffic?
Don’t just assume everything needs to be moved over. Use your migration as a chance to clean house. Get rid of the old blog posts nobody reads. Consolidate similar pages. Refresh your content.
Here is what most agencies will not tell you about redirects. They are critical. If you change your URLs during the migration, you *must* set up 301 redirects from the old URLs to the new ones. Otherwise, you will lose all your SEO juice. Google will think your website disappeared overnight. I have seen it happen too many times.
And another thing: test, test, test. Before you launch the new website, test it thoroughly. On different browsers, on different devices. Make sure everything is working as it should. Especially the checkout process if you are running an e-commerce site. Get a few trusted customers to test it as well. Fresh eyes will catch things you missed.
“Legacy website migration is not just about moving files. It’s about moving your business forward. If you don’t have a clear vision, you’re just wasting money.”
Abdul Vasi, Founder, SeekNext
Comparison Table
Let’s look at how people often approach legacy website migration vs. a smarter way.
| Common Approach | Better Approach |
|---|---|
| Focus on technical aspects first. | Define business goals and KPIs first. |
| Migrate everything “as is.” | Audit content and prune unnecessary pages. |
| Ignore SEO during the migration. | Plan and implement 301 redirects. |
| Minimal testing before launch. | Thorough testing across devices and browsers. |
| Launch and hope for the best. | Monitor performance and make adjustments. |
What Changes in 2026
Look, things are changing fast. I have been doing this for 25 years here in Bangalore. I have seen every trend come and go. Here is what I am watching when it comes to legacy website migration.
First, AI is going to play a bigger role. We’re already seeing tools that can automatically analyze your website and suggest improvements. Expect AI to handle more of the grunt work, like content migration and SEO optimization. This is not hype. It is actually happening.
Second, the focus on mobile will only intensify. If your website is not mobile-first, you are already behind. Google is prioritizing mobile-friendly sites in its search results. And that trend is not going away. Make sure your new website is lightning-fast on mobile devices.
Third, personalization is becoming more important. People expect a tailored experience. Use your website to deliver personalized content and offers based on user behavior. This requires more sophisticated tracking and analytics, but it’s worth the investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does a legacy website migration take?
It depends on the size and complexity of your website. A small website can be migrated in a few weeks. A large, complex website can take several months. Factor in planning, development, testing, and launch.
Q: How much does it cost to migrate a legacy website?
Again, it depends. Expect to pay anywhere from 50,000 to 5,00,000 or more. Get multiple quotes and make sure you understand what is included in each quote. Cheap is often expensive in the long run.
Q: What are the risks of migrating a legacy website?
The biggest risk is losing traffic and sales. Poor planning, broken links, and SEO mistakes can all lead to a drop in performance. That is why a proper strategy is paramount. Don’t cut corners.
Q: What platform should I migrate to?
It depends on your needs. WordPress is a good all-around choice. Shopify is great for e-commerce. But there are many other options. Do your research and choose a platform that is right for your business.
Q: Should I hire an agency or do it myself?
If you have the skills and time, you can do it yourself. But for most businesses, it’s best to hire an agency. A good agency will have the experience and expertise to handle the migration smoothly and efficiently.
Look, a legacy website migration is a big project. It’s not something to take lightly. But if you approach it strategically, it can be a great opportunity to improve your website and grow your business.
Think of it as a chance to not just update your website, but to update your entire online presence. To rethink your strategy. To reach more customers. To make more money.
