This checklist defines what “done” actually means for a migration. Acceptance becomes a clear review, not a vague feeling that the site “looks fine”.
PurposeGive clients a clear sign-off framework.
ScopePages, links, SEO basics, forms, WordPress settings, backup and rollback.
ResultA site ready for handover, not just visually complete.
1. Acceptance overview
| Area | Checks | Pass criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Pages and links | Homepage, key pages, navigation, assets, sitemap and important old URLs. | Important paths load correctly and core links are not broken. |
| Content and SEO | Titles, meta descriptions, canonical URLs, headings and social metadata. | Search-critical information points to the production domain. |
| Display and interaction | Header, footer, menus, responsive layout and visible errors. | The site works on normal desktop and mobile review points. |
| Forms and email | Test submissions and visible success/error states. | Forms behave correctly and messages arrive where applicable. |
| WordPress configuration | Site URLs, active theme, permalinks, page/post counts and cleanup. | The WordPress installation is ready for production use. |
| Backup and rollback | Backup folder, database/file snapshot and rollback notes. | A practical recovery path exists for post-launch issues. |
2. Page and URL checks
- Homepage and all agreed key pages load successfully.
- Navigation links point to real destinations, not placeholder anchors.
- Important old URLs redirect to the correct new locations when redirects are in scope.
- Images, CSS, JavaScript and downloads load without obvious errors.
3. Content and SEO checks
- Page titles and main headings match the intended content.
- Meta descriptions and canonical URLs use the production domain.
- No staging, temporary or development URLs are visible in public HTML.
- Important calls-to-action and contact paths are present.
4. Form and interaction checks
- Each important form renders correctly.
- A test submission is sent with a unique marker.
- The user sees the correct success or error state.
- The receiving mailbox is checked when email delivery is part of the project.
5. Handover checks
- Temporary importer, fixer or migration scripts have been removed.
- Backup and rollback location are documented.
- Known limitations, skipped checks or client-side follow-up items are noted.
- The client confirms that the agreed acceptance scope has passed.
Acceptance is evidence-based. The goal is not just that the site looks good, but that important paths, forms, SEO basics and recovery measures have been verified.