Sometimes you outgrow your platform or realize it’s not the right fit. Migration is disruptive but manageable with the right approach.
When to Consider Migration
- Current platform lacks features you need
- Costs have become unsustainable
- Technical problems are affecting member experience
- Platform is sunsetting or unstable
- You need better support or customization
Before You Decide
Migration is expensive in time and energy. Before committing:
- List specific problems with your current platform
- Verify the new platform actually solves them
- Consider if workarounds could address issues
- Talk to others who’ve made the switch
Planning the Migration
Timeline: Allow more time than you think. 3-6 months for complex migrations isn’t unusual.
Data inventory: What data needs to migrate? Member info, content, payment history, forum posts?
Feature mapping: How will current workflows translate to the new platform?
Testing: Set up the new platform and test thoroughly before migrating anyone.
The Member Experience
Your members shouldn’t suffer for your platform decision. Plan for:
- Clear communication about what’s changing and why
- Minimal disruption to their access
- Support for anyone who struggles with the transition
- Preserved history where possible
Migration Approaches
Big bang: Everyone moves at once. Cleaner but riskier.
Phased: Migrate groups gradually. Safer but more complex to manage two systems.
Parallel: Run both systems temporarily. Most work but lowest risk.
Payment Migration
This is often the trickiest part:
- Can subscriptions transfer, or do members need to re-subscribe?
- How do you handle members mid-billing-cycle?
- What about annual members with months remaining?
Plan this carefully and communicate clearly.
Post-Migration
- Monitor for issues aggressively in the first weeks
- Have support ready for confused members
- Gather feedback on the new experience
- Document what you learned for future reference
Considering a platform migration? Let’s talk about making FeralFrog your new home.