Moving from HTML to CMS

Discussion in 'HTML & Website Design' started by dheerajsl, Jul 2, 2008.

  1. #1
    IS moving from a pure HTML site to a CMS like wp or drupal suggested. Will that affect my SE rankings??

    If I decide to move then how do I transfer the data!!???
     
    dheerajsl, Jul 2, 2008 IP
  2. itcn

    itcn Well-Known Member

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    #2
    It sure is a good idea; a CMS is going to make it much easier to administer your site and create new pages. It's not going to be easy though, you'll have to cut and paste the old content into the CMS.

    In order to not effect your SE rankings, you'll need to put 301 redirects in your htaccess file from your old URLs to the new ones: http://www.tamingthebeast.net/articles3/spiders-301-redirect.htm
     
    itcn, Jul 3, 2008 IP
  3. dashenman

    dashenman Active Member

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    #3
    I agree... It is definitely to your advantage to move your static HTML site to a CMS like Wordpress. YES! It may take a little work (depending on how much content you have currently and what your goals for design are), but the true advantage to using a CMS like Wordpress is that you have so much flexibility with design and using the many plugins available you can really create a SE Optimized site that can be further highly monetized using the latest Web 2.0 marketing techniques (which is hard to do with a static site).

    I am familiar with a very nice Wordpress template that would allow you to maintain your static front page and blend it nicely into your blog. If interested, please PM me and I will provide the details.

    Hope this helps!
     
    dashenman, Jul 3, 2008 IP
    itcn likes this.
  4. Dan Schulz

    Dan Schulz Peon

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    #4
    The first thing you're going to have to do is fix the canoncial URL and duplicate content issues your CMS will likely have (WordPress, I'm looking at you). Once that's done, you need to choose a permalink structure and then 301 redirect your old URLs to the new ones so you don't lose the benefits they have with the search engines (PageRank, TrustRank, the fact that other pages/sites are pointing to them, etc).

    Once tha'ts done, you have to create your pages in the CMS and enter the contents into the database via the admin panel. Should you use WordPress, be sure to check out my WordPress SEO Checklist in my signature (yes, it's a tinyURL link, but I have it set to "preview" which shows the link to the SitePoint forum thread it's on).

    If you need help, don't hesitate to post here on the thread. I'll see what I can do for you if it's a WordPress issue; I have no prior experience with Drupal.
     
    Dan Schulz, Jul 3, 2008 IP
  5. mammothgraphics

    mammothgraphics Peon

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    #5
    It wont be easy but it's worth it.
     
    mammothgraphics, Jul 3, 2008 IP
  6. dheerajsl

    dheerajsl Peon

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    #6
    Sound like a lot of work... but I surely will move to a CMS. Which one do you suggest.

    Am very comfortable with wordpress, would that be a good idea.??
     
    dheerajsl, Jul 24, 2008 IP
  7. blueparukia

    blueparukia Well-Known Member

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    #7
    Yes. Wordpress has its flaws, as does every system but it is very solid, and if you are comfortable with it, go nuts.
     
    blueparukia, Jul 25, 2008 IP