Best workflow to fully redesign an existing website with KrafterPro?
Hi everyone!
I’m planning a complete redesign of two of my existing websites using Divi 5 and KrafterPro, and I’d like to make sure I start with the cleanest possible workflow.
Both websites have been running for years and contain quite a lot more than just pages and posts: plugins, plugin data and settings, users, forms, CRM data, LMS/e-learning content, ecommerce data, automations, SEO settings, etc.
So starting with a fresh WordPress installation and simply rebuilding/importing the content isn’t really an option for me.
I’m absolutely fine with rebuilding all the pages from scratch — actually, that’s what I’m planning to do.
What I need to preserve is the existing WordPress installation and its data/ecosystem.
My question is therefore:
What would be the recommended workflow to introduce KrafterPro into an existing, established website and completely rebuild its design system with it?
For example, would you recommend:
- cloning the existing production site to a staging/local environment;
- removing the old Divi layouts/presets/design system while keeping the site data;
- installing/configuring KrafterPro there;
- importing a KrafterPro base system and adapting its variables/presets to the brand;
- rebuilding the Theme Builder templates and pages;
- then migrating the redesigned site back to production?
Or is there a better/safer workflow specifically recommended for KrafterPro when you cannot start from a clean WordPress installation?
I’d especially like to avoid bringing years of obsolete Divi styles/presets into the new design system while, at the same time, making absolutely sure I don’t lose any plugin data or configuration.
Basically: keep the engine and all its data, rebuild the entire body around it. 😄
Thanks for any advice on the cleanest way to approach this!
This is similar to a question I have posted about how to migrate my clients' Divi 4 sites to DIVI 5 / KrafterPro, when there are hundreds of pages and posts. The time required to touch every page/post becomes prohibitive from a time and cost perspective. I've wondered if there are AI tools or procedures that might cut the time down to a manageable size.
Hey Randal Birkey ! Thanks for your support!
So you didn't get any solutions on your topic either?
This is so frustrationg!!!
Hope we'll fine a solution...
Claire Négrier It's not surprising because things are so new and changing rapidly. I am playing around with DIVI AI to see if I can find ways to use it to help convert my and my client's sites from D4 to D5. I'll let you and everyone know if I discover anything.
Thanks Randal Birkey !
This is a good question Claire and I would include new sites created using the Divi premade layouts and copying existing pages from other sites using json files, where the problems are similar. We need to establish a step by step workflow. I have a number of test sites and I think using these to establish your workflow before diving into your production site is wise.
I have explored using KrafterPro as a tool to manage the existing variables and presets before even installing the KrafterPro Design System. In your list, if item 3 moved to two it would assist in understanding and clearing any conflicting items. You can see any currently installed variables and presets in the "Export design system" section. Note that if you install Divi Premade layouts even with the include presets off, some are still added for each layout, and you need to manage these.
Once you have your existing items under control you can work on the colours in KrafterPro to align with your brand colours and set the fonts. Applying the brand should establish these.
Once you have all your variables and presets on each page under control, it is then where you can consider installing the KrafterPro Design System. I haven't gone past this point yet but expect to have to edit the modules using the KrafterPro presets.
This seems like some painstaking work is required not to get things in a mess, but I think you are on right lines.
It would be good to see some collective guidelines on this as it will be a continuing issue for KrafterPro users.
Thanks Steve Booth ! This is really helpful.
There are actually two important details I should have mentioned.
Both of my existing websites are still running Divi 4, so they don't currently have a Divi 5 design system with variables/presets that I need to preserve. My first step will therefore be to clone each existing website and migrate the clone from Divi 4 to Divi 5.
Also, I have already created my KrafterPro design system on a clean test site, with my brand colours, fonts, variables and presets. So ideally, I don't want to recreate that work on the migrated website — I'd like to import that existing KrafterPro system into it.
So in my specific case, would the recommended workflow be:
Existing Divi 4 site → clone → migrate to Divi 5 → check/clean what the migration created → install KrafterPro → import my existing KrafterPro design system → rebuild the pages using the new presets?
My priority is to keep all the existing WordPress/plugin data while completely rebuilding the visual side of the site.
Would that change anything in the workflow you suggested?
Claire Négrier I think your workflow would work for you. The only difference from my workflow is building your own Design System. I will try that. I would still use KrafterPro to analyse the migrated site before importing your design system to check there are no anomalies imported. The only other problem I foresee is the maintenance of any site data held in any plugins as these may detach from the existing live site. If the live site is not taking regular orders or subscriptions or similar this should be ok.