How to Move Your Website from WordPress.com to WordPress.org

How to Move Your Website from WordPress.com to WordPress.org

If you’ve been using WordPress.com and are ready to take full control of your website with WordPress.org, this guide will walk you through the process step by step. By the end, you’ll have successfully migrated your site with minimal hassle.

What You’ll Need Before You Start

1. A domain name: You may already have this from WordPress.com.
2. Web hosting: Choose a reliable WordPress hosting provider (e.g., Bluehost, SiteGround, or HostGator). For more info/help with choosing the right hosting provider, see our list of the top 10 best WordPress hosting providers.
3. Access to your WordPress.com account: To export your content.
4. Access to your new hosting account: To set up WordPress.org.

Step 1: Export Your Content from WordPress.com

1. Log in to your WordPress.com dashboard.
2. Navigate to Tools > Export.
3. Select All Content to export everything (posts, pages, comments, media, etc.).
4. Click Download Export File, and save the XML file to your computer. This file contains all your website’s content.

Step 2: Set Up WordPress.org on Your New Hosting

1. Purchase hosting if you haven’t already.
2. Most hosting providers have a one-click WordPress installation. Log in to your hosting account and look for the WordPress installer.
3. Follow the prompts to install WordPress. You’ll need to:
   • Choose your domain name.
   • Create an admin username and password.

Once installed, you’ll be able to log in to your WordPress.org site at yourdomain.com/wp-admin.

Step 3: Import Content into WordPress.org

1. Log in to your new WordPress.org dashboard.
2. Go to Tools > Import.
3. Install the WordPress Importer plugin if prompted.
4. Upload the XML file you exported from WordPress.com.
5. Assign authorship:
   • Reassign posts to an existing user.
   • Alternatively, create a new author account.
6. Click Submit to complete the import process.

Step 4: Transfer Media Files

WordPress doesn’t always import media files automatically. To ensure all your images and media are transferred:

1. Use a plugin like Auto Upload Images or Media Sync.
2. Alternatively, download your media manually from WordPress.com and upload it via Media > Add New in your WordPress.org dashboard.

Step 5: Update Permalinks

1. Navigate to Settings > Permalinks in your WordPress.org dashboard.
2. Choose your preferred URL structure (e.g., Post Name).
3. Save changes to ensure all links work properly.

Step 6: Redirect Visitors and SEO

1. Purchase the Site Redirect Upgrade on WordPress.com:
   • Go to Settings > Domains in WordPress.com.
   • Purchase the redirect service to forward traffic from your old site to the new one.
2. Update your DNS settings with your domain registrar to point to your new hosting provider.

Step 7: Install Essential Plugins

To enhance your new WordPress.org site, install these essential plugins:

• Yoast SEO: For search engine optimization.
• Akismet Anti-Spam: To protect against spam comments.
• Jetpack: For added features like site stats and security.
• Backup Plugin: To create regular backups of your site.

Step 8: Customize Your WordPress.org Site

1. Choose a theme: Go to Appearance > Themes and select or upload a theme.
2. Customize settings: Use the Customizer to adjust your site’s layout, colors, and fonts.
3. Add widgets and menus to enhance your site’s functionality.

Step 9: Test Your Website

1. Visit your site to check if everything looks and works as expected.
2. Test links, images, and functionality to ensure a smooth user experience.

Final Tips

• Backup your site: Before starting, create a backup of your WordPress.com site.
• Patience is key: The process may take some time, especially if your site has a lot of content.
• Ask for help: If you run into issues, reach out to your hosting provider’s support team.

By following this tutorial, you’ll gain full control of your website with WordPress.org, unlocking more customization and monetization options!