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Will My Website Go Offline?
Usually not.
Your new website is built on a private staging server while your existing website remains online.
Only after everything has been tested and approved do we make the switch.
This greatly reduces downtime.
What Happens to SEO?
Search engine visibility is one of the most common concerns during a migration.
We work to preserve your website's search presence by carefully planning the transition.
This may include maintaining URLs where practical, setting up redirects when needed, preserving important metadata, and reviewing indexing after launch to help search engines understand the new site structure.
While every migration is different and search rankings can naturally fluctuate for a period after launch, careful planning helps minimize disruption and positions your site for long-term growth.
What Happens to Our Email?
If Surf New Media is also hosting your email, your email addresses usually remain exactly the same.
The only thing changing is where your email is hosted.
We'll:
- Create your new email accounts
- Help configure computers and mobile devices
- Explain how to preserve your existing email
- Coordinate the transition
Most readers and advertisers never notice the change.
How Long Does a Website Migration Take?
Most newspapers launch within 4 to 8 weeks.
The timeline depends on:
- Website size
- Number of articles
- Existing CMS
- Staff availability
- Special features
- Migration complexity
We'll provide an estimated timeline before work begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I lose my articles?
In many cases, no.
We evaluate your existing website and migrate as much content as possible.
Will my domain name change?
Usually not.
Most newspapers keep the same website address.
Will our email addresses change?
No.
In most cases your email addresses stay exactly the same.
Do you train our staff?
Absolutely.
Training is included before launch.
Can readers continue using the website during migration?
Yes.
Your existing website stays online while your new website is built and tested.
Related Resources
Continue exploring:
- Email Migration Guide
- Publish Everywhere
- Best Newspaper CMS
- Why Community Newspapers Choose Drupal
- How Much Does a Newspaper Website Cost?
- ROI Calculator
- Launch Timeline
- Newspaper Resource Center
Ready for a Stress-Free Migration?
Changing website providers shouldn't keep you awake at night.
With careful planning, experienced guidance, and a proven migration process, your newspaper can move to a modern publishing platform with confidence.
From content migration and email setup to staff training and launch day, Surf New Media is with you every step of the way.
Schedule a Free Demo and let us show you how simple a newspaper website migration can be.