Most Common Mistakes During Joomla Migration

Most problems during a Joomla migration are related not to technical complexity but to carelessness and haste. We have migrated more than 120 sites and we know for sure: 90% of the problems could have been prevented. Knowing the typical mistakes, you can prepare and go through the migration without losses.

Mistake 1. Migrating Without a Backup

The most dangerous mistake is starting the migration without a backup copy. If something goes wrong, without a backup you will be left with a non-working site and no way to roll back.

The backup must be complete: files and database. And it must be checked for recoverability before starting work. About a proper backup — in the Joomla Update service.

Mistake 2. Ignoring Extension Compatibility

Installing extensions that do not support the new Joomla version leads to:

• White screens and errors.
• Loss of functionality.
• Conflicts with the Joomla core.
• Inoperability of individual pages.

Always check the compatibility of each extension before the migration. If something is incompatible — replace or adapt it via the Components and Modules or Plugins service.

Mistake 3. Skipping the Test Run

Migrating a live site without testing is a game of roulette:

• Errors are discovered after the switch.
• The site may be unavailable longer than expected.
• Problems are solved in a panic.
• Visitors see a non-working site.

A test copy allows you to find problems in a calm environment.

Typical Migration Mistakes

The most common:

• No backup.
• Incompatible extensions.
• Skipping the test run.
• Losing SEO settings.
• Unchanged configuration.php settings.

Mistake 4. Losing SEO Settings

During a migration it is easy to lose what affects search rankings:

• The URL structure and SEF settings.
• Meta tags and descriptions.
• Redirects from the old addresses.
• The sitemap.
• Indexing settings.

Compare the SEO settings before and after the migration. Losing rankings means losing traffic and money.

Mistake 5. Rushing the Migration

The desire to finish the migration faster leads to:

• Skipping checks.
• Unnoticed errors.
• Data loss.
• Long recovery after an unsuccessful switch.

It is better to spend a day more on checks than a week on fixing errors.

Mistake 6. Ignoring the Server Settings

After the migration the following are often forgotten to be checked:

• File access permissions.
• PHP settings.
• The configuration.php configuration.
• The paths to the temporary folders.
• The caching settings.

Incorrect server settings can lead to slow operation or errors.

"Other people's mistakes are the best textbook. Study them so as not to step on the same rake."

If you are planning a migration and want to avoid typical mistakes — trust the process to specialists. The Joomla Update service includes an audit, a backup, a test run and launch — usually 1–2 days with a guarantee. And if migrating from another CMS — there are the Migration from WordPress and Migration from Another CMS services. Experience costs less than fixing the consequences.