Switching content management systems can be complex, but with proper guidance, you can transition smoothly and benefit from Strapi's open-source features. Understanding the benefits of a headless CMS can help you make an informed decision. In this guide, we will look at how to migrate from Contento to Strapi.

Differences Between Contento and Strapi

Understanding the migration process involves comparing Contento and Strapi's features and functionalities. Understanding the API-first vs Git-based CMS approaches can clarify the differences in how these systems manage content.

Understanding Contento and Strapi

Contento is a headless CMS that lets you manage and deliver content across platforms. It offers content modeling, APIs for content delivery, and tools for workflows and localization.

Strapi is an open-source headless CMS built with JavaScript. It provides complete control over content modeling and API customization, offering both REST and GraphQL APIs. Strapi is self-hosted, giving you full access to the code and the ability to customize every aspect of your CMS.

Key Differences in Features and Functionality

• Content Modeling and Structure:

  • Contento: Provides predefined content models focused on ease of use.
  • Strapi: Allows you to create custom content types and structures tailored to your needs using the Content-Type Builder. For more detailed guidance, refer to the guide on content modeling in Strapi.

• Hosting and Ownership:

  • Contento: Typically a SaaS solution with cloud hosting.
  • Strapi: Self-hosted, giving you control over your infrastructure and data, and continuously updated with new capabilities like the new Strapi 5 features. And you can also host on Strapi cloud.

• Customization and Extensibility:

  • Contento: Offers limited customization and relies on built-in functionalities.
  • Strapi: Fully customizable, with the ability to extend capabilities through plugins and custom code.

• API Flexibility:

  • Contento: Provides fixed APIs that may not adapt to complex requirements.
  • Strapi: Offers customizable REST and GraphQL APIs, allowing you to tailor API responses. You can leverage Strapi GraphQL queries and mutations for more flexibility. Additionally, Strapi supports various authentication methods, such as Strapi JWT authentication, for secure API access.

• Internationalization:

  • Contento: Built-in support for content localization and multiple languages.
  • Strapi: Supports internationalization by default through a plugin that allows managing content in different languages, known as "locales." For practical implementation, consider the Strapi i18n setup.

• Rich Text Handling:

  • Contento: Offers rich text editors with advanced formatting options.
  • Strapi: Offers integration options for WYSIWYG editors like CKEditor and can be customized to use other rich text editors.

When to Choose Strapi Over Contento

• Full Control Over CMS: If you need complete ownership and extensive customization, Strapi's open-source nature provides that.

• Customization Needs: Projects needing tailored content structures and custom functionalities can benefit from Strapi's flexibility, which can help boost developer productivity.

• Self-Hosting Preference: If you prefer to host your CMS on-premises or within your cloud infrastructure, or on Strapi Cloud, Strapi provides that capability.

• Cost Efficiency: Strapi's open-source model can reduce licensing costs compared to proprietary CMS solutions.

• Development Stack Alignment: Teams working with JavaScript may find that Strapi meshes well with their existing tech stack.

Preparing for Migration

Preparing carefully ensures a smooth from Contento to Strapi migration.

Assessing Your Current CMS Setup

Analyze your existing Contento configuration:

• Document Content Types and Fields: List all your content types, fields, and data structures used in Contento.
• Catalog Assets: Create an inventory of all media assets like images, videos, and documents.
• Identify Workflows and Integrations: Note any workflows, plugins, or third-party integrations in your current setup.
• Map Content Relationships: Understand how different content types relate to each other.
• Review Localization Settings: If your content supports multiple languages, document the localization configurations.

Planning Your Migration Strategy: Contento to Strapi migration:

With a clear understanding of your current setup, plan how to migrate from Contento to Strapi:

• Set Up Resources: Prepare the tools needed for migration, such as export utilities from Contento and scripts to transform data.
• Create Corresponding Content Types in Strapi: Use Strapi's Content-Type Builder to replicate your Contento content models.
• Develop Migration Scripts: Write scripts to map and transform data from Contento's format to Strapi's structure.
• Coordinate with Your Team: Involve your development and content teams to align the migration with ongoing projects and workflows.

Backing Up Your Content and Data

Before making any changes, back up your existing content:

• Export Content from Contento: Use Contento's export features to save your data, typically in a structured format like JSON.
• Save Media Assets: Download all media files and assets used in your CMS.
• Secure the Backups: Store the backups in a safe location, ensuring they are accessible during migration.
• Verify Backup Integrity: Check that all content and assets have been successfully backed up and are complete.

Setting Up Strapi

Set up Strapi to match your existing CMS structure before migrating your content.

Install and Configure Strapi

Install Strapi using npx:

1npx create-strapi@latest my-project

This command creates a new Strapi project in a directory called my-project. Follow the prompts to configure your project settings. Once the installation is complete, navigate to the project directory:

1cd my-project

Start the development server:

1npm run develop

Strapi will launch in development mode. Access the admin panel at http://localhost:1337/admin and log in using the credentials you set during installation.

Create Content Types and Collections

In the Strapi admin panel, recreate your existing content structures:

1. Go to the Content-Types Builder in the dashboard.
2. Click Create new collection type.
3. Name your content type to match one from your current CMS.
4. Add fields that correspond to those in your existing content type.
5. Repeat these steps for each content type you need to migrate.

For complex data relationships, set up the appropriate associations between content types. This alignment makes the migration process smoother and helps maintain data integrity.

Set Up User Roles and Permissions

Manage user access through customizable roles:

1. Navigate to Settings > Roles in the admin panel.
2. Select a role to edit or create a new one.
3. Define permissions for each role, specifying which content types and actions (create, read, update, delete) they can access.
4. Assign roles to your team members as needed.

Properly setting up roles and permissions ensures that each user has the appropriate access level, enhancing security and collaboration within your team.

How to Migrate Content from Contento to Strapi

To migrate your content, import your data into Strapi and verify everything works.

Importing Content into Strapi

Use the Import Export Entries plugin to import your content:

1. Set Up Strapi:

   • Install Strapi by running:

     1npx create-strapi@latest my-strapi-project

   • Navigate to your project directory:

     1cd my-strapi-project

   • Start the Strapi development server:

     1npm run develop

2. Install the Import Export Entries Plugin:

   • In your Strapi project, install the plugin using the command:

     1npm install strapi-plugin-import-export-entries

   • Enable the plugin by creating a config/plugins.js file with:

     1module.exports = ({ env }) => ({
     2  'import-export-entries': {
     3    enabled: true,
     4  },
     5});

   • Rebuild the admin panel with:

     1npm run build --clean

3. Prepare Your Content Data:

   • Ensure your content data from Contento is formatted to match Strapi's structure. This may involve transforming your data to align with the content types and fields you've set up in Strapi.

4. Import Your Content:

   • Run the command below to start import:

npm run strapi import -- -f /path/to/my/file/export_20221213105643.tar.gz.enc

• You will have to specify the import file as shown above. You can also exclude data types during import , Include only specified data types during import and also bypass all command line prompts. If the data you are importing is encrypted, you can also pass an encryption key. Visit the Strapi documenation to learn more about Data import in Strapi.
• Start the import process and wait for it to complete.

Verifying Content Integrity

After importing your content, verify that everything has transferred correctly.

1. Review Content Entries:

   • Check all content entries in the Strapi admin panel to ensure they have been imported.
   • Confirm that all fields contain the expected data.

2. Check Relationships:

   • Verify that relationships between different content types are intact.
   • Adjust any associations that may not have mapped correctly during the import.

3. Inspect Media Assets:

   • Ensure all media files have been uploaded and linked properly.
   • If necessary, upload media assets manually and update references in your content entries.

4. Validate Content Types:

   • Compare the content types in Strapi with those from Contento to ensure consistency.
   • Make any needed adjustments to fields or content type structures.

5. Test API Endpoints:

   • Use Strapi's REST or GraphQL API to fetch your content.
   • Confirm that the data returned matches your expectations.

6. Update Your Frontend Application:

   • Modify your frontend code to interact with Strapi's APIs.
   • Test your application to ensure content is displaying correctly.

By carefully importing your content and verifying each aspect, you can smoothly transition from Contento to Strapi while maintaining data integrity.

How to Customize Your Strapi CMS

After migrating your content, customize Strapi to fit your organization's needs.

Tailoring Content Types and Fields

Define custom content types to align Strapi with your content structure. Use the Content-Type Builder in the Strapi admin panel to create content types that mirror your previous models. For guidance on content modeling in Strapi, refer to the guide. Set up fields, relations, and components to match your existing data. Ensure that field names and types are consistent to maintain data integrity. Adjust your content types as needed to fit Strapi's structure.

Implementing Custom Workflows

Adapt the content management workflow to your processes. While Strapi's approach to content versioning and publishing differs from other platforms, you can adjust settings to control content states. Be aware that changes to published content go live immediately, as Strapi uses a simple draft/published flag without separate draft versions. Plan your workflow accordingly to manage content updates efficiently.

Using Plugins and Extensions

Extend Strapi's functionality by utilizing plugins from the Strapi marketplace. For example, the "Import Export Entries" plugin can simplify content migration and management. To install it, run npm install strapi-plugin-import-export-entries in your project, configure it in config/plugins.js, and rebuild your admin panel. Plugins can enhance Strapi's capabilities, allowing you to add features that suit your specific requirements.

Testing and Launching Your New CMS

Before going live, ensure everything works correctly.

Conducting Thorough Testing

Thoroughly test your new CMS to identify and fix any issues:

• Verifying Data Integrity: Ensure all content, assets, and relationships migrated accurately.
• Confirming Content Structures: Check that content types in Strapi match your previous setup.
• Testing the Frontend: Integrate your frontend with Strapi's APIs to confirm content delivery.

Consider migrating a subset of data first to validate the process. Once satisfied, proceed with a full migration and test extensively.

Training Your Team on Strapi

Help your team get comfortable with Strapi by providing training sessions and following best practices for onboarding content managers to Strapi. Familiarize content creators and editors with Strapi's admin panel and content management features. Demonstrate how to:

• Create and edit content types.
• Manage media assets.
• Use plugins and extensions you've implemented.

Hands-on training will enable your team to adapt quickly to the new CMS.

Launching Your Strapi-Powered CMS

When everything is in order, it's time to launch your new CMS. Coordinate with your development and content teams to schedule the launch at a suitable time. Update any frontend applications to point to Strapi's APIs. After launch, monitor the system closely to address any unforeseen issues promptly.

Post-Migration Considerations

Post-migration, focus on maintaining the performance and reliability of your CMS.

Monitoring Performance and Stability

Monitor your Strapi instance to ensure it runs smoothly. Use a production-ready database like PostgreSQL or MySQL for better performance. Adjust Strapi's configuration to handle increased load if necessary. Pre-download media assets and configure responsive images to optimize content delivery. Regularly test your application to catch any issues early.

Continuous Improvement and Optimization

Continuously refine your Strapi setup to meet evolving needs. Implement batching or parallel API calls to improve efficiency, especially when working with large datasets. Adjust your content models and update scripts as necessary. Regularly review your content structures and workflows to find areas for optimization.

Staying Updated with Strapi Releases

Stay informed about the latest Strapi updates. New releases may include important features, security patches, and performance improvements. Regularly check the official documentation and update your Strapi instance when new versions are available. Keeping your CMS up to date ensures you're benefiting from the latest advancements and maintaining compatibility.

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