Legacy PHP to Laravel
Plain PHP or CodeIgniter apps moved to Laravel module by module, sharing the database during the transition.
Migration & Modernization
Move old systems to modern ones, without stopping the business
I migrate legacy PHP apps to Laravel, upgrade outdated Laravel versions, move stores to Shopify, move apps from shared hosting to Docker and the cloud, and rebuild slow websites for speed and SEO.
Step by step, no big-bangData & SEO protectedRollback plan for every releaseOld system kept until the new one is proven
How I work
A note from Emad
Migrations scare people for good reason. A lot can go wrong, and the old system usually runs something important. My approach is deliberately calm. I read and map the old system first, run old and new side by side, move one piece at a time and keep a rollback plan for every step. My own website is an example: I moved it from a React single-page app to a fast static site so search engines and AI assistants can read every page.
Is this you?
Sound familiar?
- Your app runs on an old PHP or Laravel version that no longer gets security updates
- Every change to the old system is slow and risky
- Your hosting can't handle queues, traffic or modern deployments
- You want to leave WooCommerce or another platform without losing rankings
- Your website looks fine but search engines barely index it
What I deliver
Laravel upgrades
Laravel 6, 7, 8 or 9 upgraded to Laravel 12 one version at a time, with PHP upgrades, package replacements and tests.
Store migrations
WooCommerce and other platforms to Shopify, with products, customers, orders and SEO redirects.
Server & cloud migration
Shared hosting or old VPS to Docker on DigitalOcean or AWS, with backups, monitoring and near-zero downtime.
Database migration
Schema cleanup, MySQL and PostgreSQL moves, and data transformations with verification and rollback.
SEO-safe website rebuilds
Slow or JavaScript-only websites rebuilt as fast, crawlable pages with every old URL redirected.
Related work
Projects I've built
Web + iOS + Android
TWG Platform
One platform for membership, retail, e-commerce, events, raffles and studio bookings, with six Shopify stores synced in and Staff and Client apps on iOS and Android.
6 Shopify stores connectedLaravel 12 · Vue.js · Flutter · Passport · Docker · Shopify APISaaS · Affiliate tracking
TrackReward
Multi-tenant, multi-domain affiliate platform with coupons, real-time commissions and recurring payouts.
10,000+ transactions / monthLaravel · Vue.js · MySQL · Stripe · DigitalOceanShopify
Electronics Store, Dubai
Shopify store for a gadget retailer: 341-product catalog import, collection structure and mega menus.
341 products importedShopify · Liquid · CSV automationAffiliate platform
MustHaveKitchenTool
Amazon affiliate comparison site with fast search and an automated product data pipeline.
Laravel 12 · MySQL · Redis · Meilisearch · PlaywrightProcess
How we'll work together
Clear scope, weekly progress you can see, and your code in your own repository.
Audit
Read the code, database, integrations and URLs. Write a map of what exists and what depends on it.
Safety net
Staging copy, backups, and tests that pin down how the old system behaves today.
Migrate in steps
One module, version or service at a time, each released and verified on its own.
Switch & retire
Traffic moved over, old system kept as a fallback, then removed once the new one is proven.
Tools I use
LaravelPHP 8.xLaravel ShiftViteDockerDigitalOceanAWSNginxMySQLPostgreSQLShopifyCloudflareGitHub Actions
Pricing & timelines
Every migration starts with an audit, which produces the migration map and a realistic plan. The migration itself is quoted per phase, so you can stop after any phase with a working system. I never switch traffic without a tested rollback.
FAQ
Common questions
Something else on your mind? Ask me directly. I usually reply within 24 hours.
Can you migrate our app without downtime?
For most apps, users see a few minutes of maintenance at most. The new system is built and tested alongside the old one, and the final switch happens during a quiet hour.
Should we rewrite the old system from scratch?
Usually not. A gradual migration, where Laravel sits in front of the old app and takes over one module at a time, is far less risky than a big-bang rewrite and keeps the business running.
How do you protect our data during migration?
Full backups before every step, migrations tested on a staging copy first, row counts and key records verified after each move, and a written rollback plan.
Will our SEO rankings drop?
Not if every old URL is mapped to its new location with a 301 redirect and page titles, descriptions and content are carried over. I export the old URL list before starting and test every redirect.
How long does a Laravel upgrade take?
It depends mostly on the number of third-party packages and existing tests. After reviewing your composer.json and codebase, I can give a clear estimate.
Can you move us from shared hosting to the cloud?
Yes. I containerize the app with Docker, build the new server next to the old one, test on a temporary domain and switch DNS when everything is verified.
Read more
Guides on this topic
Migrating a Legacy PHP App to Laravel Without Stopping Your Business
How I move old plain-PHP or CodeIgniter applications to Laravel step by step, keeping the business running, the data safe and the URLs intact.
Read article
Upgrading an Old Laravel App to Laravel 12: The Checklist I Actually Use
A practical checklist for upgrading Laravel 6, 7, 8 or 9 applications to Laravel 12: PHP version, packages, breaking changes, tests and safe deployment.
Read article
From Shared Hosting to Docker on DigitalOcean: A Calm Server Migration Plan
How to move a Laravel or PHP app from shared hosting or an old VPS to Docker on DigitalOcean or AWS, with backups, DNS, SSL and almost no downtime.
Read article
Moving From WooCommerce to Shopify: What Breaks and How to Keep Your SEO
A practical guide to migrating a WooCommerce store to Shopify: products, customers, orders, URLs and 301 redirects, apps and the mistakes that cost rankings.
Read articleLet's talk about your project
Tell me what you're trying to fix or build. You'll get a straight answer on whether I can help, and how.
Other services: AI Automation & AgentsSaaS & Web AppsiOS & Android AppsShopify & E-commerce