TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preparation for Migration
Step 1: Review Current Mailchimp Setup
Identify Key Assets: List all audiences, email campaigns, automation workflows, and forms that need to be migrated.
Document Design and Content: Take screenshots or notes of the design, content, and settings of each email and form to replicate them in Sem Express.
Evaluate Data Volume: Assess the number of contacts and campaigns to be migrated.
Step 2: Define Migration Objectives
Set Clear Goals: Identify the reasons for migrating to Sem Express, such as integrated CRM features, enhanced automation, or cost efficiency.
Prioritize Critical Features: Focus on migrating the most critical features first to minimize disruptions.
Step 3: Prepare Backup
Export Data from Mailchimp: Export all relevant data, including contact lists, email campaigns, and automation workflows.
Backup Data: Ensure all exported data is securely backed up before starting the migration process.
Migrate Contacts, Campaigns and Automations
Step 1: Export Data from Mailchimp
Export Contacts: Navigate to Audience > All contacts in Mailchimp. Export your audience data by selecting the relevant contacts and downloading them as CSV files.
Export Email Campaigns: Access Campaigns > All Campaigns and export any reusable content or HTML templates.
Export Automations: Document the settings of existing automation workflows, including triggers, actions, and segments.
Step 2: Import Contacts into Sem Express
Import Contacts: In Sem Express, navigate to Contacts > Import Contacts and upload the CSV file(s) exported from Mailchimp.Map any custom fields to ensure that all data is correctly imported.
Migrate Forms and Landing Pages
Step 1: Recreate Forms in Sem Express
Rebuild Forms: Use Sem Express’s Sites > Forms to recreate the forms from Mailchimp. Ensure that fields, validation rules, and submission actions match those used in Mailchimp.
Embed Forms: Embed the recreated forms on your website or landing pages using the provided embed code.
Step 2: Recreate Landing Pages in Sem Express
Rebuild Landing Pages: Navigate to Sites > Funnels in Sem Express to recreate the landing pages you had in Mailchimp. Use Sem Express’s templates or start from scratch to ensure the design matches your original pages.
Publish Landing Pages: Connect a custom domain if needed, and publish the landing pages to make them live.
Email Campaign and Automation Migration
Step 3: Recreate Email Campaigns in Sem Express
Choose a Template: In Sem Express, navigate to Marketing > Emails > Templates to select a suitable template or start from scratch.
Recreate Content: Copy the text, images, and links from your Mailchimp emails into the Sem Express email builder. Ensure that the layout and design elements match the original Mailchimp campaigns.
Set Up Unsubscribe Links: Use Sem Express’s built-in unsubscribe merge tags to comply with email regulations.
Step 4: Recreate Automations in Sem Express
Rebuild Automation Workflows: Navigate to Automations > Workflows in Sem Express to recreate your Mailchimp automations. Set up triggers, actions, and conditions to match the original Mailchimp workflows.
Use Pre-Built Recipes: Leverage Sem Express’s workflow recipes if they match any of your existing Mailchimp automations to save time.
Setup Integrations
Step 1: Reconnect Integrations in Sem Express
Re-establish Email Integrations: Navigate to Settings > Integrations in Sem Express and reconnect any necessary third-party services (e.g., Zapier, social media platforms).
Set Up Payment Processing (if applicable): If you were using e-commerce features in Mailchimp, set up payment gateways in Sem Express under Settings > Payments.
Step 2: Set Up Analytics
Enable Tracking: Use Sem Express’s built-in analytics to monitor the performance of your email campaigns and landing pages.
Implement Third-Party Analytics (if needed): Re-implement any tracking codes (e.g., Google Analytics) that were used in Mailchimp by navigating to Settings > Tracking.
Final Checks and Team Training
Step 1: Perform Final Data Validation
Cross-Check Data: Verify that all contacts, email campaigns, and automation workflows have been successfully migrated and are functioning correctly in Sem Express.
Test Email Campaigns: Ensure that emails are being sent correctly, including all personalization tags and unsubscribe links.
Step 2: Train Team Members
Sem Express Training: Provide training to your team on how to use Sem Express’s email builder, workflows, and CRM features.
Leverage Support Resources: Encourage your team to use Sem Express’s support and documentation for ongoing learning and troubleshooting.
Step 3: Monitor and Optimize
Monitor Performance: Regularly check the performance of your campaigns and workflows in Sem Express, making any necessary adjustments.
Continuous Improvement: Stay updated with Sem Express’s new features and updates to continually improve your setup.
Decommissioning Mailchimp
Step 1: Transition Period
Run in Parallel: Consider running both Mailchimp and Sem Express in parallel for a short period to ensure a smooth transition.
Gradual Phase-Out: Gradually phase out Mailchimp as you gain confidence in Sem Express’s capabilities.
Step 2: Cancel Mailchimp Subscription
Final Data Backup: Ensure that all necessary data has been securely backed up before canceling your Mailchimp subscription.
Official Cancellation: Follow Mailchimp’s process to cancel your subscription and terminate any associated services.
Step 3: Post-Migration Review
Review Success: Evaluate the success of the migration, documenting any challenges and solutions.
Ongoing Monitoring: Keep an eye on your Sem Express setup post-migration to catch and resolve any issues promptly.
