Challenges in Migrating to Framer & How to Overcome Them

Challenges in Migrating to Framer & How to Overcome Them

Challenges in Migrating to Framer & How to Overcome Them

Harish Malhi

Harish Malhi

Harish Malhi

Founder of Goodspeed

When you migrate to Framer, you get a sleek, modern design and faster build times, but the transition isn’t always smooth. Many businesses experience temporary SEO fluctuations, missing content, or unexpected design inconsistencies, leading to lost traffic and frustrated users. 

Without proper planning, these issues can escalate, delaying your launch and negatively impacting your site's performance. However, these challenges are completely avoidable with the right approach. 

In this guide, we’ll cover the common challenges in migrating to Framer and share proven solutions to help you maintain SEO rankings, preserve content integrity, and ensure a seamless user experience.

1. “Where Did My Traffic Go?”: SEO & Ranking Fluctuations

Even well-executed attempts to migrate to Framer often result in temporary ranking drops, as Google takes time to reassess a website’s structure. Many sites experience 10–30% traffic loss in the first month after migration due to URL changes, metadata updates, and disrupted backlinks. 

Without a redirect strategy and careful SEO adjustments, businesses may struggle to recover their visibility.

Why It Happens

  • URL structure changes confuse search engines, making it harder to recognise pages that have moved.

  • Loss of metadata and structured data reduces search relevance, affecting rankings.

  • Broken backlinks weaken domain authority, leading to ranking fluctuations.

This is especially true for content-heavy websites, where improper migration can result in deindexed pages and lost keyword rankings. 

How to Fix

  1. Map and implement 301 redirects to ensure old URLs point to their corresponding new pages.

  2. Double-check metadata and structured data before launch to retain search relevance.

  3. Use Google Search Console to monitor crawl errors and submit an updated sitemap.

Incorporating these steps ensures a smooth migration process without sacrificing search visibility. To further protect rankings, it’s crucial to optimise site structure and metadata following SEO best practices for Framer templates.

2. “All My Content Didn’t Port!”: Data Loss & Content Gaps

One of the most frustrating challenges in migrating to Framer is content loss, where blog posts, images, or media files fail to transfer correctly. If critical assets are missing post-migration, your website may feel incomplete, disrupting user experience and engagement.

Common Pitfalls

  • Images and media files break due to URL path mismatches.

  • Blog archives fail to transfer properly, leading to missing posts or formatting issues.

  • Manual adjustments may be required for embedded content and custom elements.

This issue is preventable with a structured migration plan. When Formula Bot transitioned to Framer, Goodspeed’s team ensured a seamless content transfer by backing up their entire site, verifying each page in a staging environment, and performing a post-launch audit. This approach minimised content loss and preserved the website’s original structure.

How to Prevent It

  1. Perform a full site backup before migration to protect all content.

  2. Create a detailed content inventory listing all pages, media files, and dynamic elements.

  3. Use a staging environment to check for missing content before going live.

A content validation strategy like this helps businesses avoid unnecessary rework and ensures a flawless transition. 

As David Bressler, CEO of Formula Bot, noted after his migration, "They exceeded my expectations and showcased their creativity." Goodspeed’s thorough approach eliminated content gaps and allowed them to launch confidently.

For more insights on preventing content loss, check out our guide on best practices for content migration.

3. “This Doesn’t Look Right!”: Design Inconsistencies & UX Hiccups

Many businesses switch to Framer for its visual editing tools and creative flexibility, but inconsistencies can arise during migration.

Differences in layout structure, typography, and responsive elements can create a disjointed user experience, especially if the original site relied heavily on custom code.

Common Design Issues

  • Branding mismatches occur when fonts, colours, or UI elements don’t transfer correctly.

  • Misaligned layouts break due to variations in design frameworks.

  • Mobile responsiveness problems cause content to appear distorted on different devices.

For example, when The Nations moved to Framer, Goodspeed implemented a global style guide and optimised it for multiple devices to ensure that branding remained cohesive across all devices.

Practical Fixes

  1. Rebuild layout modules directly in Framer instead of copying over incompatible custom code.

  2. Create a shared style guide to maintain consistent fonts, colours, and UI components.

  3. Test responsiveness across multiple devices to eliminate alignment issues.

As Olivier Mermet, Group Product Manager at Zen Educate, put it, "Goodspeed’s reactivity, collaboration, and good energy were impressive." Working closely with a design team that understands Framer’s native capabilities can drastically reduce post-migration inconsistencies, helping your website maintain a professional and polished appearance.

For additional performance enhancements, explore our guide on optimising Framer templates for speed and efficiency.

4. “Why Is This Taking Forever?”: Unexpected Delays & Bottlenecks

Website migrations often take longer than expected, especially when teams underestimate the complexity of moving to Framer. Delays can stem from technical challenges, approval bottlenecks, and content reformatting, causing frustration and missed deadlines.

Without a clear migration roadmap, businesses risk extending timelines beyond what was originally planned.

Common Bottlenecks

  • Large-scale sites require extensive restructuring – Bigger websites with multiple content types and custom-built features often need additional time for proper integration.

  • Dependency on external approvals slows progress – Marketing teams and stakeholders may delay decisions on branding, content updates, or SEO changes.

  • Unrealistic timelines cause rushed deployments – Poor planning can lead to hasty launches with unresolved issues, requiring post-migration fixes.

Speeding Up the Process

  1. Establish a realistic migration timeline with clear milestones and review phases.

  2. Assign a single point of contact (project manager or team lead) to oversee decisions and approvals.

  3. Break the migration into sprints, tackling high-priority sections first to maintain momentum.

Adopting an agile migration approach ensures progress remains steady and avoids last-minute roadblocks. With Framer’s built-in CMS reducing development time, businesses can also streamline content updates while maintaining high design quality.

5. “I Need This Tool!”: Integration & Plugin Roadblocks

One of the biggest challenges in Framer site migration is ensuring compatibility with third-party tools. Businesses that rely on CRM systems, eCommerce platforms, or automation software may find that some integrations don’t carry over seamlessly, leading to gaps in functionality.

Common Integration Issues

  • CRM and email marketing tools may lack direct Framer support – Essential customer data and automation workflows could be disrupted.

  • E-commerce features may require custom solutions – Platforms like Shopify or Stripe might need additional configuration.

  • Missing APIs and plugin alternatives – Businesses accustomed to WordPress or Webflow plugins may need to find new workarounds for missing functionality.

Solution Paths

  • Utilise Framer’s built-in CMS and explore API integrations to connect essential tools.

  • Adopt no-code connectors like Zapier to bridge the gap between Framer and third-party platforms.

  • Explore alternative plugins for any missing features from the previous platform.

Ensuring a seamless integration experience is key to a frictionless migration. Businesses looking to extend Framer’s functionality can explore third-party tool integration strategies to find the best approach for their needs.

6. “Am I On My Own?”: Lack of Post-Migration Support

Many businesses worry about what happens after migration—especially if they lack an in-house development team. Without ongoing support, even minor tweaks can become frustrating challenges, making it difficult to keep the site updated and optimised over time.

Real Concerns

  • No immediate support for technical issues – If something breaks post-migration, businesses may struggle to troubleshoot.

  • Lack of team training on Framer’s CMS – Marketing teams often need guidance on how to manage content, publish updates, and tweak designs.

  • Uncertainty about long-term maintenance – Some businesses assume Framer migration is a one-time task, only to realise ongoing improvements are necessary.

How to Ensure a Smooth Transition

  1. Request a detailed handover guide, including best practices for using Framer’s CMS.

  2. Choose a support plan that includes troubleshooting, maintenance, and regular updates.

  3. Train internal teams on Framer’s no-code interface to handle basic content edits and design tweaks independently.

Ensuring long-term support prevents businesses from feeling stranded after migration. 

Goodspeed’s clients often complement our great long-term support. As this fintech project manager put it, "Everything was delivered on time, and all of our questions were answered almost instantly!"

For those planning a Framer migration, partnering with a team that offers ongoing post-migration services can eliminate unnecessary stress and ensure continued success.

7. Q&A: Clearing the Fog on Framer Migration

Migrating your website can bring up a lot of what-if scenarios. Below are answers to some of the most common concerns businesses have when making the switch to Framer.

Will migrating hurt my SEO if I have lots of old blog content?

If done correctly, migration does not have to result in long-term SEO losses. While temporary traffic dips are common, businesses that implement 301 redirects and maintain structured data can recover rankings within a reasonable timeframe. 

However, poor execution can lead to significant issues—a study by Polaris Agency found that 80% of unmanaged migrations roll back within 30 days due to technical and SEO failures, highlighting the importance of a well-structured migration plan.

How long does a typical Framer migration take?

The timeline depends on the size and complexity of your website. Simple sites with minimal integrations can migrate within a few weeks, while larger platforms with complex content structures and custom elements may take a few months.

The key is setting realistic expectations and assigning a dedicated project manager to oversee the transition.

Can I revert back if something goes wrong mid-migration?

If proper backups are taken before migrating, rolling back is possible but rarely necessary. Instead of reverting, it’s often better to troubleshoot issues and implement fixes post-launch. Ensuring a staging environment is used before going live prevents major disruptions and allows businesses to catch errors before they impact the live site.

Is my marketing team able to handle content updates without dev help?

Absolutely. Framer’s no-code CMS is designed for non-technical users, allowing marketing teams to edit content, update pages, and tweak designs without needing developer intervention.

A fintech company that partnered with Goodspeed previously relied on developers for small site updates. However, they found that post-migration, their marketing team could make real-time content changes without bottlenecks, significantly improving workflow efficiency.

Conclusion

Migrating to Framer doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right strategy, businesses can successfully navigate SEO fluctuations, content migration, design consistency, and tool integrations while minimising downtime. Whether it’s redirect planning to preserve rankings, sprint-based migration approaches to prevent delays, or post-migration training to empower your team, there are solutions for every challenge.

A well-structured migration process ensures SEO stability, a smooth Framer site migration, and full functionality post-launch. By learning from past migrations and leveraging Framer’s intuitive editing capabilities, businesses can experience a smoother transition while unlocking the full potential of modern web design. 

Worried about challenges? Book a free consultation to navigate your migration effortlessly.

Written By

Harish Malhi

Founder of Goodspeed

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Looking for insights or a fresh perspective on your project?

Looking for insights or a fresh perspective on your project?

Looking for insights or a fresh perspective on your project?

At Goodspeed Studio, we’ve been crafting solutions with Framer for years, and we’re happy to share our perspective. Let’s brainstorm ideas together—no strings attached.

At Goodspeed Studio, we’ve been crafting solutions with Framer for years, and we’re happy to share our perspective. Let’s brainstorm ideas together—no strings attached.

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