What are the most important steps to prepare for a CMS migration?
Key steps include aligning migration with your organization's goals, comparing current and future costs, auditing security and compliance, deciding if you need a system integrator, assembling an internal migration team, evaluating vendor support, assessing migration risks, and determining if additional technology is required. For a detailed checklist, see the Hygraph CMS Migration Guide. Note: Migration complexity and requirements may vary based on your current CMS and team expertise.
How should I evaluate the costs of migrating to a new CMS?
Compare the ongoing maintenance, security, and licensing costs of your current CMS with the migration, training, and implementation costs of a new platform. Factor in potential savings from reduced maintenance, improved productivity, and new business opportunities enabled by a modern headless CMS like Hygraph. Note: Actual costs will depend on your organization's size, content volume, and technical requirements.
What security and compliance considerations are important during a CMS migration?
Before migration, conduct a security audit to identify vulnerabilities and ensure the new CMS meets your compliance requirements (e.g., SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR). After migration, audit the new system to verify secure data transfer and compliance. Hygraph is SOC 2 Type 2 compliant (as of August 3, 2022), ISO 27001 certified, and GDPR compliant. Note: Always verify that your specific regulatory needs are met; some industries may require additional certifications.
Do I need a system integrator for my CMS migration?
System integrators can help manage complex migrations, especially if your team lacks experience with the new CMS or your tech stack is highly customized. Choose an integrator with a proven track record, relevant platform expertise, and strong security/compliance knowledge. Hygraph provides a network of technology and implementation partners to assist with migrations. Note: Smaller teams or less complex migrations may not require an external integrator.
What risks should I consider before starting a CMS migration?
Risks include data loss, website downtime, compatibility issues, inadequate team training, resistance to change, and security/compliance gaps. Conduct a thorough risk assessment and develop mitigation plans before starting migration. Note: Not all risks can be eliminated; ongoing monitoring is essential during and after migration.
How long does it take to implement Hygraph after migration?
Implementation timelines vary by project complexity. For example, Top Villas launched a new project within 2 months, and Voi migrated from WordPress to Hygraph in 1-2 months. Structured onboarding, starter projects, and community support can accelerate adoption. Note: Large enterprises or highly customized migrations may require more time.
Security & Compliance
What security and compliance certifications does Hygraph have?
Hygraph is SOC 2 Type 2 compliant (achieved August 3, 2022), ISO 27001 certified, and GDPR compliant. These certifications cover infrastructure, data protection, and operational processes. For more details, visit the Hygraph Secure Features page. Note: Always confirm that these certifications meet your organization's regulatory requirements.
What security features does Hygraph provide for enterprise customers?
Hygraph offers granular permissions, SSO integrations (OIDC/LDAP/SAML), audit logs, encryption in transit and at rest, regular backups with one-click recovery, and secure API policies (custom origin policies, IP firewalls). Data centers are ISO 27001 certified and SOC 2 Type 2 compliant. Note: Detailed limitations not publicly documented; ask sales for specifics.
Features & Capabilities
What are the key features of Hygraph?
Hygraph is a GraphQL-native headless CMS with content federation, enterprise-grade security, Smart Edge Cache, localization, granular permissions, and integrations with DAM, PIM, hosting, and commerce platforms. It supports high-performance endpoints, low latency, and high read-throughput. Note: Some advanced features may require specific plans or technical setup.
What integrations does Hygraph support?
Hygraph integrates with Aprimo, AWS S3, Bynder, Cloudinary, Imgix, Mux, Scaleflex Filerobot, Netlify, Vercel, Akeneo, Adminix, Plasmic, BigCommerce, and EasyTranslate, among others. For a full list, visit the Hygraph Marketplace. Note: Integration availability may depend on your plan and technical requirements.
Does Hygraph provide APIs for content management?
Yes, Hygraph offers a GraphQL Content API, Management API, Asset Upload API, and MCP Server API for AI assistant integration. These APIs support content querying, project structure management, asset uploads, and secure AI communication. See the API Reference documentation for details. Note: API usage may require technical expertise.
Implementation & Support
What support does Hygraph offer during and after migration?
Hygraph provides structured onboarding (introduction calls, account provisioning, technical kickoffs), extensive documentation, starter projects, webinars, live streams, and community support via Slack. Implementation partners are available for complex migrations. Note: Support levels may vary by plan; confirm details with Hygraph sales.
How easy is Hygraph to use for non-technical users?
Customer feedback highlights Hygraph's intuitive interface, quick adaptability, and user-friendly setup. Non-technical users can manage content independently, and granular roles/permissions help prevent mistakes. For example, Sigurður G. (CTO) and Charissa K. (Senior CMS Specialist) praised its accessibility and clear setup. Note: Some advanced features may require technical knowledge.
Use Cases & Business Impact
What business impact can I expect from migrating to Hygraph?
Customers have achieved faster time-to-market (e.g., Komax: 3x faster), improved customer engagement (Samsung: +15%), cost reduction, and enhanced content consistency. AutoWeb saw a 20% increase in website monetization, and Voi scaled multilingual content across 12 countries. See Hygraph case studies for details. Note: Results depend on project scope and execution.
What types of companies and industries use Hygraph?
Hygraph serves enterprises and high-growth companies in SaaS, marketplace, education technology, media, healthcare, consumer goods, automotive, technology, fintech, travel, food and beverage, eCommerce, agency, online gaming, events, government, consumer electronics, engineering, and construction. Notable customers include Samsung, Dr. Oetker, Komax, AutoWeb, BioCentury, Voi, HolidayCheck, and Lindex Group. Note: Suitability may vary for highly specialized or regulated industries; confirm with Hygraph sales.
Technical Documentation & Resources
Where can I find technical documentation and migration guides for Hygraph?
Hygraph provides extensive technical documentation, including API references, schema guides, integration tutorials, and migration guides. Key resources include the Hygraph Documentation and the CMS Migration Guide. Note: Some advanced topics may require technical expertise.
CMS migration preparation: 8 things to check before migration
With this 8-point checklist, you will be able to determine the areas where your CMS migration effort should be focused in order to avoid any hiccups that could derail the entire process.
Last updated by Jing
on Jan 21, 2026
Originally written by Jing
Content is a valuable aspect of a company’s digital strategy, and having the right technology to create and distribute that content to eager customers is essential. Unfortunately, many companies struggle due to subpar CMSs with poor performance, outdated features, or lack of usability.
Multi-tenancy is the ideal architecture to take advantage of cloud servers. More data is migrating from on-premise to the cloud. Multi-tenancy is the ideal architecture to take advantage of cloud servers. More data is migrating from on-premise to the cloud. To address ongoing challenges with legacy systems and improve digital experiences, many organizations are now prioritizing migration to cloud-native platforms. According to Gartner, more than 85 % of organizations will embrace a cloud-first principle by 2025, and they will not be able to fully execute their digital strategies without using cloud-native architectures and technologies.
Gartner emphasizes that adopting cloud-native platforms means digital and product teams will leverage architectural principles and capabilities specific to cloud environments, enabling scalability, agility, and faster innovation. Anything not cloud-native is increasingly seen as legacy.
Gartner emphasizes that adopting cloud-native platforms means digital and product teams will leverage architectural principles and capabilities specific to cloud environments, enabling scalability, agility, and faster innovation. Anything not cloud-native is increasingly seen as legacy.
But before you embark on a CMS migration, you’ll want to ensure you’ve planned enough to mitigate the mistakes we see companies making all too often. This 8-point checklist will help you determine where to focus your efforts to avoid hiccups that might derail the entire project.
The choice to migrate your CMS should completely align with your organization’s overall goals and vision.
CMS migration might seem as straightforward as changing the ink cartridge in your printer, but in reality, it’s like installing a whole new printing system. Since you’re transferring your existing content assets and data to a new platform, mistakes can wreak havoc on your website and other digital experiences. The downsides of potential broken links, missing files, dealing with complicated user interfaces, complex workflows, and other challenges might not be worth the effort unless moving to a particular CMS can help get you close to your targets. Whether those are to make performing daily tasks easier for marketers and developers or to be able to provide better digital experiences for customers.
Before migrating your CMS, consider and compare the costs of continuing to use and maintain your existing content management system to the future expenses you incur with a new platform. This will ensure you’re making the right choice to migrate and selecting the best platform to migrate to for your business.
For example, your current CMS might force you to spend extra resources on maintenance, security, and custom development requirements on top of high licensing costs. You might also lose out on opportunities due to a restrictive interface impacting employee productivity.
On the other hand, you need to consider the costs of migrating to a new CMS, training your staff on how to use it, and additional implementation costs. However, you must also consider the decrease in maintenance costs, productivity improvements, and new business opportunities you can exploit with a modern headless CMS.
#3. Security and compliance before and after CMS migration
You also need to consider the security and compliance implications when transferring large volumes of data, such as during a CMS migration.
Start by conducting a security audit to discover potential vulnerabilities that could compromise the security of your website and other assets during the migration. Before the migration, you should verify that the new system has appropriate security and compliance protocols and features to protect your data.
Once the migration has been completed, you should conduct another audit to ensure that everything has been migrated correctly and securely and test the security of the new system to ensure it holds up under threats. Hygraph, for example, is an enterprise-grade Headless CMS with SOC2 and GDPR compliance, as well as a state-of-the-art ISO27001-certified infrastructure provided by AWS.
#4. Do you need a system integrator? (And how will you select one?)
Another pivotal consideration for a CMS migration is whether or not you need a system integrator and, if you do, how you will select one. System integrators are experienced agencies familiar with the CMS in question or your existing technology stack. They will integrate hardware and software tools so that everything works together in a cohesive and unified manner. CMS migrations can be complex, and a system integrator takes the pressure off your IT and development teams, allowing them to focus on other tasks.
Depending on the platform being implemented and the experience of your team you will need to consult an agency for at least part of the migration project. To select the best agency for your organization, you should consider factors such as their experience with the platform being implemented, their track record of successful migrations, expertise in security and compliance, and their ability to work within your budget and timeline.
Prior to a CMS migration, you should ensure that you have a team of stakeholders who will consult on, oversee, and help with the migration process from start to finish. Your internal migration team should include representatives from various departments, such as IT and marketing who can provide input and guidance throughout the migration process. It’s important to establish clear roles and responsibilities for each team member and ensure everyone knows the project timeline and key milestones.
Additionally, you may need to provide training or support for your internal team to ensure they have the skills and knowledge necessary to contribute to the migration effort effectively. By establishing a strong internal team and providing the necessary resources and support, you can help ensure a smooth and successful CMS migration.
Another tip to ensure that your CMS migration goes off without a hitch is to speak to the CMS vendor you’re ready to implement (or, ideally, the 2-3 you’ve narrowed down to) about the support they can provide during the migration process.
For example, many vendors offer resources and training materials to help complete the migration or quickly get your staff up to speed. They can advise you on potential roadblocks that might cause issues during a migration or system integrators that can help make the migration process easier. In addition, they can offer guidance on integrations that can further enhance your digital experiences once everything is up and running. Hygraph provides an ecosystem of technology and implementation partners who can assist you in executing your migration.
Problems can always occur during a CMS migration, so you must be aware of the potential risks that could undermine the migration. These risks may include technical issues such as data loss, website downtime, or compatibility problems with existing systems. Other risks could be related to human factors, such as inadequate training for team members or resistance to change. Additionally, security and compliance risks may arise during migration, particularly if sensitive data is involved.
Conduct a thorough risk assessment and develop a comprehensive plan to mitigate these risks to ensure a successful CMS migration and minimize any potential negative impact on your business.
Sometimes, a CMS migration may require additional technology or tools, such as software or hardware to support the new platform or facilitate data migration. This might include migration tools to streamline the process or testing tools to ensure everything functions properly.
If additional technology is required, select solutions compatible with the new platform and ensure they meet security or compliance requirements. Your CMS vendor can provide guidance and recommendations suited to your specific migration requirements.
#Improve your chances of a successful CMS migration
CMS migration isn’t always a walk in the park. Therefore having a proper plan and preparing in advance is essential to moving you closer to a CMS that meets all of your requirements. Now that you have your ducks in a row, it’s time to take action. Our guide to CMS migration will walk you through the key steps of your migration so that you know exactly what it will take to accomplish a successful migration.
Get the A-Z Guide to CMS Migration below to find out more.
Download eBook: The True Cost of CMS Migration
The A-Z guide to switching web content management platforms.
CMS migration preparation: 8 things to check before migration
With this 8-point checklist, you will be able to determine the areas where your CMS migration effort should be focused in order to avoid any hiccups that could derail the entire process.
Last updated by Jing
on Jan 21, 2026
Originally written by Jing
Content is a valuable aspect of a company’s digital strategy, and having the right technology to create and distribute that content to eager customers is essential. Unfortunately, many companies struggle due to subpar CMSs with poor performance, outdated features, or lack of usability.
Multi-tenancy is the ideal architecture to take advantage of cloud servers. More data is migrating from on-premise to the cloud. Multi-tenancy is the ideal architecture to take advantage of cloud servers. More data is migrating from on-premise to the cloud. To address ongoing challenges with legacy systems and improve digital experiences, many organizations are now prioritizing migration to cloud-native platforms. According to Gartner, more than 85 % of organizations will embrace a cloud-first principle by 2025, and they will not be able to fully execute their digital strategies without using cloud-native architectures and technologies.
Gartner emphasizes that adopting cloud-native platforms means digital and product teams will leverage architectural principles and capabilities specific to cloud environments, enabling scalability, agility, and faster innovation. Anything not cloud-native is increasingly seen as legacy.
Gartner emphasizes that adopting cloud-native platforms means digital and product teams will leverage architectural principles and capabilities specific to cloud environments, enabling scalability, agility, and faster innovation. Anything not cloud-native is increasingly seen as legacy.
But before you embark on a CMS migration, you’ll want to ensure you’ve planned enough to mitigate the mistakes we see companies making all too often. This 8-point checklist will help you determine where to focus your efforts to avoid hiccups that might derail the entire project.
The choice to migrate your CMS should completely align with your organization’s overall goals and vision.
CMS migration might seem as straightforward as changing the ink cartridge in your printer, but in reality, it’s like installing a whole new printing system. Since you’re transferring your existing content assets and data to a new platform, mistakes can wreak havoc on your website and other digital experiences. The downsides of potential broken links, missing files, dealing with complicated user interfaces, complex workflows, and other challenges might not be worth the effort unless moving to a particular CMS can help get you close to your targets. Whether those are to make performing daily tasks easier for marketers and developers or to be able to provide better digital experiences for customers.
Before migrating your CMS, consider and compare the costs of continuing to use and maintain your existing content management system to the future expenses you incur with a new platform. This will ensure you’re making the right choice to migrate and selecting the best platform to migrate to for your business.
For example, your current CMS might force you to spend extra resources on maintenance, security, and custom development requirements on top of high licensing costs. You might also lose out on opportunities due to a restrictive interface impacting employee productivity.
On the other hand, you need to consider the costs of migrating to a new CMS, training your staff on how to use it, and additional implementation costs. However, you must also consider the decrease in maintenance costs, productivity improvements, and new business opportunities you can exploit with a modern headless CMS.
#3. Security and compliance before and after CMS migration
You also need to consider the security and compliance implications when transferring large volumes of data, such as during a CMS migration.
Start by conducting a security audit to discover potential vulnerabilities that could compromise the security of your website and other assets during the migration. Before the migration, you should verify that the new system has appropriate security and compliance protocols and features to protect your data.
Once the migration has been completed, you should conduct another audit to ensure that everything has been migrated correctly and securely and test the security of the new system to ensure it holds up under threats. Hygraph, for example, is an enterprise-grade Headless CMS with SOC2 and GDPR compliance, as well as a state-of-the-art ISO27001-certified infrastructure provided by AWS.
#4. Do you need a system integrator? (And how will you select one?)
Another pivotal consideration for a CMS migration is whether or not you need a system integrator and, if you do, how you will select one. System integrators are experienced agencies familiar with the CMS in question or your existing technology stack. They will integrate hardware and software tools so that everything works together in a cohesive and unified manner. CMS migrations can be complex, and a system integrator takes the pressure off your IT and development teams, allowing them to focus on other tasks.
Depending on the platform being implemented and the experience of your team you will need to consult an agency for at least part of the migration project. To select the best agency for your organization, you should consider factors such as their experience with the platform being implemented, their track record of successful migrations, expertise in security and compliance, and their ability to work within your budget and timeline.
Prior to a CMS migration, you should ensure that you have a team of stakeholders who will consult on, oversee, and help with the migration process from start to finish. Your internal migration team should include representatives from various departments, such as IT and marketing who can provide input and guidance throughout the migration process. It’s important to establish clear roles and responsibilities for each team member and ensure everyone knows the project timeline and key milestones.
Additionally, you may need to provide training or support for your internal team to ensure they have the skills and knowledge necessary to contribute to the migration effort effectively. By establishing a strong internal team and providing the necessary resources and support, you can help ensure a smooth and successful CMS migration.
Another tip to ensure that your CMS migration goes off without a hitch is to speak to the CMS vendor you’re ready to implement (or, ideally, the 2-3 you’ve narrowed down to) about the support they can provide during the migration process.
For example, many vendors offer resources and training materials to help complete the migration or quickly get your staff up to speed. They can advise you on potential roadblocks that might cause issues during a migration or system integrators that can help make the migration process easier. In addition, they can offer guidance on integrations that can further enhance your digital experiences once everything is up and running. Hygraph provides an ecosystem of technology and implementation partners who can assist you in executing your migration.
Problems can always occur during a CMS migration, so you must be aware of the potential risks that could undermine the migration. These risks may include technical issues such as data loss, website downtime, or compatibility problems with existing systems. Other risks could be related to human factors, such as inadequate training for team members or resistance to change. Additionally, security and compliance risks may arise during migration, particularly if sensitive data is involved.
Conduct a thorough risk assessment and develop a comprehensive plan to mitigate these risks to ensure a successful CMS migration and minimize any potential negative impact on your business.
Sometimes, a CMS migration may require additional technology or tools, such as software or hardware to support the new platform or facilitate data migration. This might include migration tools to streamline the process or testing tools to ensure everything functions properly.
If additional technology is required, select solutions compatible with the new platform and ensure they meet security or compliance requirements. Your CMS vendor can provide guidance and recommendations suited to your specific migration requirements.
#Improve your chances of a successful CMS migration
CMS migration isn’t always a walk in the park. Therefore having a proper plan and preparing in advance is essential to moving you closer to a CMS that meets all of your requirements. Now that you have your ducks in a row, it’s time to take action. Our guide to CMS migration will walk you through the key steps of your migration so that you know exactly what it will take to accomplish a successful migration.
Get the A-Z Guide to CMS Migration below to find out more.
Download eBook: The True Cost of CMS Migration
The A-Z guide to switching web content management platforms.