Start with records, access, and destination readiness
Estimate core articles, users, categories, tags, fields, comments, menus, media, languages, metadata, K2, other extensions, and public routes separately. Confirm Joomla version and API or Bridge access and whether the WordPress model is ready.
Separate the main cost workstreams
| Workstream | Typical scope | Main drivers |
|---|---|---|
| Core content | Articles, users, taxonomy, fields, menus, media | Volume, relationships, quality, access |
| K2 and extensions | Items, extra fields, component records | Connector fit, custom tables, transformations |
| SEO and redirects | Routes, metadata, links, sitemap, monitoring | URL variants, languages, routing control |
| WordPress implementation | Types, fields, plugins, templates, workflows | Destination readiness and development |
| Validation and cutover | Dry runs, reconciliation, delta, launch | Evidence depth, activity, risk, support |
Identify the factors that change the estimate
Cost changes with record volume, field diversity, category depth, menus, media discovery, comments, K2, other components, languages, access rules, URL variants, data quality, active publishing, dry runs, delta migration, and acceptance evidence.
Use packages as fit signals
Launch may fit smaller consistent core-content moves. Growth can fit broader media, taxonomy, URL, and validation work. Scale can fit higher volume, custom fields, languages, repeatable runs, and stricter reconciliation. Custom covers extension data, bespoke transformations, application work, or unusual constraints.
Confirm current limits and terms on pricing; package fit is not guaranteed before analysis.
Bring enough information for a useful estimate
Provide versions, component list, counts, representative samples, source access, language setup, URL settings, destination model, launch window, validation needs, and known exclusions. Include K2 field groups and extension-owned records separately.
Keep implementation and exclusions visible
Themes, templates, modules, plugins, forms, ecommerce, memberships, directories, search behavior, application logic, paid services, and unsupported records require separate scope. Password portability and identical URL behavior are not assumed.
Reduce avoidable cost before the dry run
Back up the source, inventory components and routes, prepare WordPress types and fields, remove obsolete scope intentionally, provide clean access, resolve owners, choose permalink and language rules, and define acceptance criteria.
Calculate the scope in the app
Compare broader CMS migration cost factors and the full migration scope, Joomla vs WordPress comparison, core import guide, K2 guide, redirect and SEO guide, and cost guide. Use the application estimate as a starting point, then validate access, destination readiness, exceptions, URLs, and evidence requirements.