Organizations running Kentico often reach a point where the platform’s complexity and cost outweigh its benefits. Whether you’re managing a growing content library or seeking more flexible customization options, migrating to WordPress offers a practical path forward. This Kentico to WordPress migration guide walks you through every phase of the transition, from initial planning to post-launch optimization.
Summary
- Migration rationale: WordPress offers lower costs, easier content management, and a larger support ecosystem compared to Kentico’s complex enterprise structure
- Pre-migration planning: Comprehensive content audits, technical assessments, and stakeholder alignment prevent data loss and minimize downtime
- Migration execution: A phased approach using manual exports, database tools, or automated plugins ensures content, media, and URL structure transfer correctly
- Post-migration optimization: SEO monitoring, performance testing, and user training solidify the transition and maintain search rankings
- Expert support value: Professional migration services reduce risk, accelerate timelines, and handle complex technical requirements efficiently
Why Migrate From Kentico to WordPress?
Cost Structure Differences
Kentico operates on a license-based model with significant upfront and recurring costs. WordPress’s open-source foundation eliminates licensing fees entirely, reducing total ownership costs by 60-70% for most organizations. You’ll only pay for hosting, premium themes, and specific plugins your site requires.
Content Management Simplicity
Kentico’s enterprise architecture creates friction for everyday content tasks. WordPress provides an intuitive editor that non-technical teams master within hours. The block editor (Gutenberg) enables visual content creation without touching code, while custom post types organize diverse content structures effortlessly.
Developer Ecosystem and Support
WordPress powers 43% of all websites globally, creating an unmatched talent pool. Finding developers, troubleshooting issues, and accessing documentation becomes significantly easier. The plugin repository offers 60,000+ extensions, compared to Kentico’s limited marketplace options.
| Factor | Kentico | WordPress |
| Licensing costs | $10,000-$100,000+ annually | $0 (open source) |
| Learning curve | Steep for non-technical users | Minimal, intuitive interface |
| Developer availability | Limited, specialized | Abundant, global talent pool |
| Plugin/extension options | <1,000 marketplace items | 60,000+ free plugins |
Customization Flexibility
WordPress themes and page builders like Elementor or Divi enable design changes without developer intervention, if your team is comparing platform moves, Webflow to WordPress migration is a helpful parallel. Kentico customizations often require .NET expertise and lengthy development cycles. This flexibility accelerates marketing initiatives and reduces dependency on technical resources.
Now that we’ve established why WordPress makes sense for many organizations, let’s examine what preparation work ensures a smooth transition.
What Should Be Planned Before Migrating From Kentico to WordPress?
Content Inventory and Audit
Document every content type in your Kentico instance: pages, blog posts, media files, PDFs, and custom content structures. Identify outdated content worth archiving rather than migrating. This audit typically reveals 20-30% of content that no longer serves business goals.
Create a spreadsheet mapping Kentico content types to WordPress equivalents. Standard pages become WordPress pages, news articles become posts, and custom modules translate to custom post types or plugin functionality.
Technical Requirements Assessment
Review your current hosting infrastructure and performance benchmarks. WordPress hosting needs differ significantly from Kentico’s Windows server requirements. Most WordPress sites thrive on Linux-based hosting with PHP 8.0+ and MySQL databases.
Catalog all third-party integrations: CRMs, marketing automation platforms, payment processors, and analytics tools, if HubSpot is part of your stack, plan it early with WordPress HubSpot integration. Verify that WordPress plugins or custom development can maintain these connections.
The WooCommerce platform offers robust e-commerce capabilities if your Kentico site includes shopping functionality, this overview of WordPress ecommerce development services helps you map features and scope before build work starts
URL Structure and SEO Mapping
Export your complete URL inventory from Kentico. Map old URLs to new WordPress equivalents, preserving your SEO rankings through proper redirects. Tools like Screaming Frog help identify all indexed pages, including those hidden in navigation.
Create a redirect map in CSV format with old URLs in one column and new WordPress URLs in the other. This becomes your blueprint for implementing 301 redirects post-migration.
| Planning Area | Key Actions | Timeline |
| Content audit | Document all content types, identify archives | 1-2 weeks |
| Technical assessment | Review integrations, hosting requirements | 1 week |
| SEO mapping | Export URLs, create redirect strategy | 3-5 days |
| Stakeholder alignment | Brief teams, assign responsibilities | Ongoing |
Team Preparation and Training
Identify who needs WordPress training before launch. Content editors, marketing teams, and site administrators require different skill levels. Schedule training sessions for the week before go-live, when the staging environment reflects final configurations, the same rollout timing works well in Squarespace to WordPress migration.
Assign clear ownership for migration tasks: content migration, design implementation, plugin configuration, and testing. This clarity prevents bottlenecks and ensures accountability throughout the Kentico to WordPress site migration process.
With thorough planning complete, you’re ready to execute the technical migration steps.
What Are the Steps to Migrate From Kentico to WordPress?
Setting Up Your WordPress Environment
Install WordPress on a staging server separate from your live Kentico site. Choose hosting that matches your traffic and performance requirements—managed WordPress hosting from providers like WP Engine or Kinsta simplifies maintenance and security.
Select a theme that matches your design goals. Many organizations choose starter themes like GeneratePress or Kadence, then customize through child themes. Alternatively, page builders offer visual design control without coding knowledge.
Content Export From Kentico
Kentico doesn’t offer direct WordPress export functionality. Three approaches handle content migration:
- Manual export: Export Kentico content to CSV or XML files through the admin interface. This method works for smaller sites (under 100 pages) and provides complete control over what migrates.
- Database extraction: Extract content directly from Kentico’s MSSQL database using SQL queries. This approach captures everything but requires database expertise and careful data mapping.
- Migration plugins: Third-party services like CMS2CMS or Kentico-specific migration tools automate much of the process, you can shortlist options using best WordPress migration plugins. These paid services handle content, categories, and basic media files with minimal manual work.
Content Import Into WordPress
Structure your WordPress custom post types and taxonomies before importing content. The WordPress Importer plugin handles XML files, while custom scripts or WP All Import manage CSV data with more control over field mapping.
Import content in phases: start with pages, then posts, followed by media files, this phased approach is also outlined in Wix to WordPress migration. This staged approach makes troubleshooting easier when content doesn’t map correctly.
Media Files and Assets Migration
Download all images, PDFs, and media files from Kentico. WordPress organizes uploads by year and month automatically, but you’ll need to update file paths in content that references them. The Better Search Replace plugin helps update old media URLs to new WordPress paths in bulk.
For large media libraries (1,000+ files), consider uploading directly via FTP to WordPress’s uploads directory, then use the Media Library Assistant plugin to catalog them within WordPress, you can compare media handling notes in Joomla to WordPress migration.
User Account Migration
Export user data from Kentico including usernames, email addresses, and role assignments. WordPress uses simpler role structures (Administrator, Editor, Author, Contributor, Subscriber) than Kentico’s granular permissions.
Create WordPress users through the Users > Add New screen or import via CSV using the Import Users from CSV plugin. Reset passwords for all users and communicate login details before launch.
| Migration Phase | Primary Tools | Critical Considerations |
| Environment setup | cPanel, Softaculous, hosting dashboard | Choose appropriate hosting tier |
| Content export | Kentico admin, SQL queries, CMS2CMS | Preserve metadata and taxonomies |
| Content import | WordPress Importer, WP All Import | Map custom fields correctly |
| Media migration | FTP, Better Search Replace | Update all file path references |
| User migration | Import Users from CSV plugin | Simplify role structures |
Design and Functionality Implementation
Recreate Kentico’s custom modules using WordPress plugins or custom post types. Common Kentico features translate to WordPress plugins: forms become Contact Form 7 or Gravity Forms, event calendars become The Events Calendar, and custom content displays use Advanced Custom Fields.
Test every page and post after importing. Verify that shortcodes, embedded media, and internal links work correctly. Broken elements often stem from path differences between Kentico and WordPress.
The technical migration creates your foundation, but several common concerns require specific attention.
How Are Common Kentico Migration Concerns Addressed?
Preserving SEO Rankings
Implement 301 redirects for every Kentico URL using the Redirection plugin or through .htaccess rules. Monitor Google Search Console for crawl errors immediately after launch. Submit your updated XML sitemap (generated by Yoast SEO or Rank Math) to help search engines discover your new structure.
Maintain identical meta titles, descriptions, and header tags from Kentico pages. WordPress SEO plugins make this straightforward through dedicated fields for each post and page.
Maintaining Form Functionality
Kentico forms require recreation in WordPress. Export form submissions data before migration if you need historical records. Contact Form 7 handles basic needs, while Gravity Forms or WPForms offer advanced logic, conditional fields, and third-party integrations.
Configure email notifications carefully—test each form multiple times to ensure submissions reach the right recipients and trigger appropriate automation.
Handling Dynamic Content and Personalization
Kentico’s personalization engine requires different WordPress solutions. Replace simple personalizations with conditional content plugins like If-So or Content Control. Complex scenarios may need custom development or marketing automation platform integration.
Session-based personalization becomes cookie-based tracking. Ensure GDPR compliance through consent management plugins like Complianz or CookieYes.
Database Size and Performance Optimization
Large Kentico databases create bloated WordPress installations if migrated completely. Archive old revisions and spam comments during import. Configure WordPress to limit post revisions through wp-config.php settings.
Implement caching immediately: server-level caching through your host, plus plugin-based solutions like WP Rocket or W3 Total Cache, then use WordPress site speed without plugins to cover the highest impact fixes beyond caching.
With technical concerns addressed, focus shifts to post-migration success factors.
What Happens After the Kentico to WordPress Migration?
Immediate Post-Launch Monitoring
Check site functionality hourly during the first 24 hours. Monitor server resources, page load times, and error logs. Set up uptime monitoring through services like UptimeRobot or Pingdom to catch downtime instantly.
Review Google Analytics data daily for the first week, watching for traffic drops or unusual patterns. Declining traffic often indicates redirect issues or missing pages that need immediate attention.
SEO Performance Tracking
Track keyword rankings using tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Google Search Console. Expect minor ranking fluctuations for 2-4 weeks as search engines recrawl and index your WordPress site. Significant drops signal problems requiring immediate investigation.
Monitor backlink health through your SEO tool. If major backlinks point to old Kentico URLs, contact site owners requesting updates to new WordPress URLs. This outreach preserves link equity and referral traffic.
User Training and Adoption
Schedule hands-on WordPress training sessions for content teams within the first week post-launch. Cover everyday tasks: creating posts, uploading media, managing menus, and using your installed plugins.
Create documentation specific to your WordPress configuration. Record short video tutorials for complex processes. This resource library reduces support requests and accelerates team independence.
| Post-Migration Task | Timeline | Success Metric |
| Functionality testing | First 48 hours | Zero critical bugs reported |
| SEO monitoring | First 30 days | <10% ranking fluctuation |
| User training | Week 1-2 | 80%+ team self-sufficiency |
| Performance optimization | Ongoing | <3 second page load times |
Continuous Optimization
WordPress requires regular maintenance: core updates, plugin updates, security patches, and database optimization, follow WordPress security to reduce risk as you scale Schedule these tasks weekly or use managed WordPress hosting that automates most maintenance.
Optimize images periodically using plugins like ShortPixel or Imagify. Remove unused plugins and themes to reduce security vulnerabilities. Back up your site weekly through your host or plugins like UpdraftPlus.
Many organizations underestimate migration complexity, which is where professional expertise provides significant value.
Do You Need Expert Help for Kentico to WordPress Migration?
When DIY Migration Makes Sense
Small sites (under 50 pages) with straightforward content structures suit in-house migration. If your team has WordPress experience and can dedicate 2-3 weeks to the project, DIY keeps costs minimal.
Websites without complex integrations, custom modules, or e-commerce functionality face fewer technical hurdles. Standard corporate sites or simple blogs migrate more smoothly without professional services.
Scenarios Requiring Professional Kentico to WordPress Migration Solutions
Enterprise sites with 500+ pages, multiple content types, and extensive media libraries benefit from expert management. Professionals prevent data loss, optimize migration efficiency, and handle unforeseen technical challenges.
Sites with critical integrations—payment processors, CRMs, marketing automation, custom APIs—require careful technical mapping. Professional WordPress development services ensure these connections work flawlessly post-migration.
Organizations lacking internal WordPress expertise save time and reduce risk through professional migration. The cost of expert services (typically $5,000-$25,000) often compares favorably to the hidden costs of extended internal team time and potential mistakes.
What Professional Migration Services Include
Full-service migration covers content audit, data transfer, design implementation, plugin configuration, testing, and post-launch support. Professionals handle redirect mapping, SEO preservation, and performance optimization as standard deliverables.
Expect 4-8 weeks for complete professional Kentico to WordPress migration solutions, depending on site complexity. This timeline includes stakeholder reviews, testing phases, and training sessions.
Key Takeaways
- Cost and usability improvements: WordPress eliminates licensing fees while providing intuitive content management that reduces training requirements
- Thorough planning prevents issues: Content audits, URL mapping, and technical assessments before migration minimize downtime and preserve SEO rankings
- Phased migration reduces risk: Importing content in stages—pages, posts, media, then users—makes troubleshooting manageable and ensures data integrity
- Post-launch monitoring is critical: Active SEO tracking, performance testing, and user support during the first month determine long-term migration success
- Professional services accelerate complex migrations: Expert help becomes valuable for enterprise sites, custom integrations, or teams without WordPress experience
Conclusion
Kentico to WordPress migration delivers tangible benefits through reduced costs, improved usability, and greater flexibility for growing organizations. The process requires systematic planning, careful execution, and consistent post-launch monitoring to maintain site performance and search rankings.
Whether you tackle the migration internally or partner with WordPress specialists, following this structured approach ensures your transition succeeds without disrupting business operations. Ready to discuss your specific Kentico to WordPress migration needs? Connect with our WordPress migration experts to explore how we can support your transition.
FAQs
Is WordPress Better Than Kentico?
WordPress offers lower costs, easier content management, and broader developer availability compared to Kentico’s enterprise-focused platform. For organizations prioritizing flexibility, community support, and budget efficiency, WordPress typically provides better value. Kentico suits large enterprises requiring advanced personalization and tight Microsoft ecosystem integration.
What Are the Disadvantages of Kentico?
Kentico’s primary limitations include high licensing costs, steep learning curve for non-technical users, and dependence on Windows hosting infrastructure. The platform requires specialized .NET developers, limiting your talent pool. Updates and customizations typically need vendor involvement, slowing implementation timelines compared to WordPress’s self-service capabilities.
Is Kentico SEO Friendly?
Kentico provides basic SEO functionality including meta tag management, XML sitemaps, and URL customization. However, configuration requires technical knowledge and lacks the intuitive interface of WordPress SEO plugins. WordPress platforms like Yoast or Rank Math offer more accessible SEO tools with real-time optimization suggestions.
How Much Does Kentico Cost?
Kentico licensing starts around $10,000 annually for small implementations and scales to $100,000+ for enterprise deployments. Additional costs include Windows hosting, developer resources, training, and ongoing support contracts. WordPress eliminates licensing fees entirely, with typical annual costs limited to hosting ($100-$2,000) and premium plugins ($100-$500).
