---
title: Deploy an existing CMS site
slug: dxp/cms12-docs/deploy-an-existing-cms-site
docTags: 
createdAt: 2026-06-01T17:39:49.387Z
---

:::hint{type="info"}
**When is this applicable?**
This is an onboarding scenario for an **existing site which you want to move to a cloud-based environment for the first time**, for further development and maintenance there. In this case, you already have a database with content, and you will need to get that restored to the correct application, which will be done by Optimizely.
:::

## Before you start

This topic uses Visual Studio with the Optimizely extensions to publish profiles. However, you can also use [other deployment methods](docId\:tVoNfoWxiall5N1goWPMD).

- See [DXP requirements](docId\:tH8LtpR9f_RAt-J55B8Hj) for recommended software versions, tools, and services when deploying.
- See [Get started with DXP](docId\:qhf6bI8u3v38CNZw88Zkx) for deployment information.

## Create the output files

To deploy from your local development environment, export the database as a `.bacpac` file and upload it to the DXP integration environment’s storage account. Optimizely support will import it for you.

You can also upload the BLOBs directly (unpacked) to your DXP integration environment’s storage account.

Also, you can deploy the code using Visual Studio or the deployment tool of your choice to the DXP integration environment.

### Application

1. In Visual Studio:
   1. Right-click on your project and select the **Publish** tab.
   2. Select **Custom.**
   3. Enter a name for the publish profile.
   4. Click **OK.**

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/4RPxynvVGjCYJwxm7d4OT-20260826-135109.jpg)

2. On the **Connection** tab:
   1. Select **File system** as the **Publish method**
   2. Select a target location for the files
   3. Click **Next**.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/PQaB-3Sq-WA6l_eHNOgV_-20260826-135109.jpg)

3. On the **Settings** tab:
   1. Select **Release** for publishing **Configuration.**
   2. Click **Publish**.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/MWLcUb5tMmu4cX11E4LHv-20260826-135109.jpg)

4. Locate the application files in the target folder you selected in step 3, and zip them using a zip tool of your choice.

### Database

1. In MS SQL Server Studio:
   1. Connect to the database to use.
   2. Select and right-click on the database.
   3. Select **Tasks** > **Export Data-tier Application...**

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/KeBRcRd8AlTNtk_5WIFZc_598f832-09.jpg)

2. In the **Export Settings** tab:
   1. Select **Save to local disk**
   2. Select a target location for the files
   3. Enter a name for the `bacpac` file
   4. Click **Next**.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/U8hBxraZyP22i_4Tgw76v-20260826-135109.jpg)

3. After the export, verify the results and click **Close**.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/mdPY27Tr4WwfVhSbC34xS-20260826-135109.jpg)

### Media/BLOB

1. In Visual Studio, right-click on your project and select **Open folder in File Explorer**.
2. Locate the `blobs` folder under `App_Data`, and zip the content of the `blobs` folder using a zip tool of your choice.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/s850-6qFtSdoO-jmgSCv8_79c5ff7-dxcblobs.png)

## Upload the output files

When you have created the output files, you can deploy the code yourself. For the `bacpac` and `media/BLOB` files, contact [customer support](mailto\:support@optimizely.com) and follow the instructions provided. You will receive the keys to upload the `bacpac` and `media/BLOB` files to the upload container on the storage account, and Optimizely will finalize the deployment.