Anyone migrated a site from PHP into ASP? Anyone migrated into Sitecore?

[Eric_edvisors]

We have a network of websites in Linux-based PHP and we may be switching them over to ASP.NET and using SiteCore CMS.  Right now, we don't have a CMS.  We would also be switching from using file extension www.site.com/file.php to no extensions www.site.com/file/ therefore altering our directory structure.  We are aware of the potential impacts to traffic of the initial migration, but are now more curious about SiteCore CMS and SEO, performance and indexation/crawlability.

Has anyone made this move before or considered making it?  Can you offer any success stories, horror stories?

[tommyhobin]

I moved a site from Wordpress to Umbraco and had some indexing issues. You have to stick with the basics like 301 redirects as well as .xml file re-uploads. What you will want to do is look at your webmaster tools about 1 week after launch and see whether or not everything worked.. . it just happens sometimes that it doesn't. As well, from the studies I've read, there is sometimes a percentage of decrease in traffic after a migration. I don't want to arbitrarily throw out a percentage because it may have changed. I would look that up and let the client(s)/stakeholders know. You may be able to combat that with a short-run PPC campaign to balance that percentage out.

[Cocoonfxmedia]

it's seen as the Rolls Royce of CMS systems.  If its not setup correctly ie your not Sitecore accredited you could have some very major issues.  the admin area is not user friendly.  If for example you want a mobile site developed first you need to find a developer. then you need to have deep pockets most developers don't get out of bed for less than £15,000.

[Eric_edvisors]

Hi Tommy -- Yes, we've done a business risks analysis and could lose anywhere between 20%-70% of our traffic.  The PPC campaign idea is a good one.  I'm more concerned about the future of the sites.  We've built an entire technical SEO program and UI guidelines based on Linux systems and PHP frameworks.  I'm curious if any technical SEO's have experience with SiteCore CMS and am looking to hear their pros and cons so we may know what issues to look out for.

[Eric_edvisors]

Thanks for your input.  Do you mean the admin area for developers or for regular users?

I'll look into the accrediting issue.  We know the system is expensive.  Mobile is very important to us.  Finding developers will be a challenge no matter what because of our new location (Nevada).