The day I migrate a SharePoint site to another site, I realise how important it is to move content without hampering user experience. SharePoint is powerful, but migration can be irritating if you don’t know where to start. From my past experience, I have learned that a well-planned approach makes the process hassle-free and smooth.
In this article, I will guide everything I have learned so far to move sites between SharePoint accounts. What steps I followed and what challenges you may face, and if you are planning to move to any site, then I will guide you on how to do that safely and securely.
In this article, I will guide everything I have learned so far to move sites between SharePoint accounts. What steps I followed and what challenges you may face, and if you are planning to move to any site, then I will guide you on how to do that safely and securely.
Why I Prefer to Migrate SharePoint Site to Another Site Instead of Rebuilding
I always prefer to migrate SharePoint site to another site instead of creating a new one from scratch, as it is time-consuming and risky. Below, you'll get to know why migration is better than rebuilding a new one:
It keeps the site structure intact
Preserves lists, libraries, metadata and views
Maintains workflows and automation when possible
Reduces downtime
Keeps users familiar with existing content
How I Move Sites Between SharePoint Accounts When Needed
Things are difficult when you try to move sites across tenants or different Microsoft 365 subscriptions. It involves handing:
That’s the reason I used to prepare a planned approach, as understanding the old environment helps me to create the exact site experience on the new account.
Also Read: Create a Document Library in SharePoint
What I Check Before I Migrate SharePoint Site to Another Site
These are my personal checklist that saves me from unexpected issues:
Check site size and storage, as when the document library is very large, it needs to be moved in smaller chunks.
Always check the compatibility of custom web parts and modern pages before moving them.
I always make a list of the current permissions so that I can recreate them on the new site.
I always check workflows and Power Automate flows, as some flows need manual reconnection after migration.
Check list and library settings; if not supported, create a new one manually.
Movesites Between SharePoint Accounts: Common Challenges that I have Faced
The challenges I faced while migrating across accounts:
Lost permission inheritance
Broken links
Missing customizations
Limited manual migration options
Large file batches are throttling SharePoint’s API
Workflow and automation reconfiguration
Additional Resource: How to Manage SharePoint Access
How I Migrate SharePoint Site to Another Site (Step-by-Step)
Steps that I personally follow:
#Step 1. Evaluate Source Site
I used to check many things before, like storage, structure, and workflows
#Step 2. Create the Target Site
I recreate the same template on the team site or the communication site, and after that, fix the settings.
#Step 3. Prepare Content for Transfer
This is the step where I used to rename the files, so it helps me clean the libraries that I never use, and organise the content.
#Step 4. Choose a Migration Method Before Migrate SharePoint site to another site
I select one of these according to the situation:
Manual download and upload
SharePoint’s built-in move/copy options
PowerShell- based migration for advanced users
Professional migration tools
#Step 5. Execute the Migration
First, I transfer the lists, and after that, the libraries, pages, web parts, and settings
#Step 6. Reconfigure Permissions
I reassigned the permissions to users and groups manually
#Step 7. Validate Everything
Make sure to check structure, workflows, links, metadata, and version history
#Step 8. Final Testing and Handover
I always test it with the user team to ensure that there is nothing I missed.
When I Move Sites Between SharePoint Accounts, I Prefer Using a Tool
After I had done the migration a couple of times, I realised that the manual method is time-consuming and risky in terms of data loss when moving sites between accounts or tenants. This is the main reason I started using Professional Tool.
This is also a challenge using a tool that is reliable and secure, and I came across SysTools SharePoint Migration Tool, which is reliable and securely helps you in migration. The reason I prefer to use this tool is that it migrates entire sites, lists, libraries, and pages, and also supports bulk site-level migration and many more.
Whether I am migrating a single site or moving multiple sites between SharePoint accounts, this tool speeds up the process.
Post-Migration Checks I Always Perform
Once migration is done:
Page layouts and web parts
List item count match
Document library permissions
External sharing links
File version history
Custom views and filters
Workflows and automation flows
These are some checks that ensure the migrated site works the same in the new environment.
Author’s Verdict
We all want a hassle-free migration. When you understand how to migrate SharePoint site to another site and choose the correct method for migration, everything becomes simple. Whether you are restructuring the site or planning to move sites between SharePoint accounts, follow the right steps and use a reliable and secure tool that I have mentioned above.
