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Switching from WordPress.com to WordPress.org offers greater control, flexibility, and opportunities for growth. WordPress.com manages hosting but limits customization and monetization. On the other hand WordPress.org lets you install any plugin, modify themes freely, and fully monetize your site.
In this blog, we’ll dive into everything you need to know from prerequisite to post migration consideration. We’ll learn how WordPress development experts migrate their site from WordPress.com to WordPress.org. With that said, let’s get started!
Before you Move from WordPress.com to WordPress.org
Migrating from WordPress.com to WordPress.org can be a significant step in gaining more control over your website. Here’s a short checklist to go through before beginning with WordPress migration:
Purchase and Register Your Domain Name
Choosing a relevant domain name is crucial, as it reflects your brand and makes it easier for visitors to find you. Register your domain with a reputable registrar, ensuring you also consider extensions (like .com, .org). It’s advisable to secure your domain for multiple years to prevent accidental expiration.
Purchase a Web Hosting Plan
Select a web hosting plan that suits your budget and needs. Look for features such as uptime reliability, customer support, and scalability. Popular choices for WordPress.org include shared hosting for beginners and VPS or dedicated hosting for sites with high traffic. Research reviews and consider various WordPress hosting providers before choosing one.
Create a New WordPress.org Website on Your Web Server
After securing your domain and hosting, you can set up your WordPress.org site. Many hosting providers offer one-click installation, simplifying the process. Ensure you select an appropriate theme and customize your site settings to align with your brand identity from the start.
This checklist will help you navigate the transition from WordPress.com to WordPress.org more smoothly. Once done, let’s get started with how professional WordPress developers move their site from WordPress.com to WordPress.org.
Make the switch to WordPress.org with professional expertise!
How to Move from WordPress.com to WordPress.org?
Migrating a website from WordPress.com to WordPress.org involves several key steps. Here’s how you can migrate your WordPress site:
Step 1: Set Up Your WordPress.org Hosting
- Choose a Hosting Provider: Select a reliable hosting provider that supports WordPress.org. Some popular options include Bluehost, SiteGround, and HostGator.
- Register a Domain Name: If you don’t already have a domain name, register one through your hosting provider or a domain registrar like Namecheap or GoDaddy.
- Install WordPress: Most hosting providers offer one-click WordPress installation. Log in to your hosting account, navigate to the control panel, and find the WordPress installer to set up your new site.
Step 2: Export Your WordPress.com Content
Before starting the migration, it’s crucial to back up your existing content. Here is how you can take a backup of your WordPress.com site:
First, log into WordPress.com and navigate to the WordPress dashboard.
To export the content click on Tools in the left sidebar and select Export. After that you will get the option to choose what to export. Here you have options like:
- All content
- Posts
- Pages
- Media
Here we want to migrate the whole site so we’ll go with the All content option. Once selected click on the Download Export File button. This action will download an XML file containing your posts, pages, comments, categories, and tags to your computer.
Step 3: Import Content to WordPress.org
Access the admin panel of your new WordPress.org site by going to yourdomain.com/wp-admin. Then click on Tools in the left menu and select Import.
After that, find WordPress in the import options and click Install Now. Once installed, click on Run Importer.
Once the process gets completed, you will be redirected to the page where you can upload the previously exported file.
Click on the Choose File and upload the file we previously exported. After that click on the Upload file and import button. During the import process, you can assign the content to an existing user or create a new user. Ensure to check the box to Download and import file attachments to move your media.
Once you have assigned the post and given a name to the user click on the Submit button. If the import is successful you will be displayed the message as below:
Step 4: Transfer Media Files
Media files may not fully transfer during the import process. You can use one of the following methods:
- Manual Upload: Go to Media > Add New in your WordPress.org dashboard and export media files manually.
- Use a Plugin: Consider using plugins like Auto Upload Images to fetch images from your WordPress.com site automatically.
Step 5: Configure Your New Site
After all media files are imported you can begin to configure your new site. Here is what you may set up initially:
- Choose a Theme: Navigate to Appearance > Themes to choose a new theme for your WordPress.org site. You can browse from free and premium themes offered by WordPress.
- Install Essential Plugins: Go to Plugins > Add New and install WordPress plugins for functionality, such as SEO (Yoast SEO), security (Wordfence), and performance (W3 Total Cache).
- Customize Your Site: Navigate to Appearance > Customize to modify your site’s settings, such as site title, tagline, colors, and menus.
Step 6: Redirect WordPress.com Traffic
To redirect your old WordPress.com site to your new WordPress.org site, you need to purchase the Site Redirect upgrade on your WordPress.com account. After purchasing, follow the prompts to redirect visitors from your old site to your new one. This will help retain traffic and ensure visitors find your new site.
Step 7: Configure Permalinks
To set permalinks navigate to Settings > Permalinks in your WordPress.org dashboard. Choose a permalink structure that suits your site, such as Post name for SEO-friendly URLs.
Step 8: Finalize Your Migration
Review your new WordPress.org site to ensure all content has been imported correctly and that media files are displayed properly. Use a plugin like Better Search Replace to update internal links that may still point to the WordPress.com domain. After that, use tools like Google Search Console to submit your new site for indexing.
With that, the migration from WordPress.com to WordPress.org is completed. Once you’re satisfied, launch your .org site and deactivate your WordPress.com account. Now let’s checkout what expert WordPress developers do after they move the site from WordPress.com to WordPress.org.
After You Move from WordPress.com to WordPress.org
After migrating your site from WordPress.com to WordPress.org, follow these key steps to ensure everything is set up correctly and optimized on your new site:
- Set Up 301 Redirects: If you’ve changed your domain, set up 301 redirects from your old site to the new one to preserve WordPress SEO and direct visitors to the correct pages.
- Check SSL Certificate: Ensure your SSL certificate is properly set up and functioning to secure your WordPress site.
- Configure Google Analytics: Install Google Analytics to track visitor traffic, behavior, and site performance. You can use plugins like MonsterInsights or Google Site Kit to integrate Google Analytics seamlessly.
- Set Up Search Console: Add your new site to Google Search Console, which helps with indexing, diagnosing potential issues, and optimizing search engine visibility.
- Update DNS Settings: If you’ve changed your domain, ensure your DNS settings are updated to point to the new host.
- Crawl for Broken Links: Use tools like Screaming Frog SEO Spider to identify and fix broken links or errors that need fixing.
- Email Your Subscribers: If you changed your domain, inform your subscribers to maintain your communication flow.
- Deactivate Your Old Hosting Account: Once you confirm that everything is working well, you can cancel your old hosting service, but make sure to retain ownership of your domain.
- Implement a Backup Solution: Set up a backup solution to regularly back up your site data. Plugins like UpdraftPlus or Jetpack offer scheduled backups and restore options to ensure data security.
- Monitor Site Performance and Traffic: Keep an eye on site performance metrics through Google Analytics and address any dips in traffic. Regular monitoring lets you know if there’s any impact on your site visibility due to transition.
By taking these steps, you ensure your transition is smooth and your site remains optimized, secure, and fully functional. If you want to migrate your site seamlessly and reliably, consider getting assistance from our WordPress migration services.
Why Move from WordPress.com to WordPress.org?
Switching from WordPress.com to WordPress.org offers greater flexibility, customization, and control over your website. Here are the main reasons why many users make the transition:
Better Control and Customization
WordPress.org gives you full ownership and control over your website. You can choose from a wider range of themes and plugins, including custom or premium options, to build the exact look and functionality you want. Unlike WordPress.com, which has restrictions on what themes and plugins are available, WordPress.org allows for virtually unlimited customization.
Monetization Options
With WordPress.org, you have more monetization options. You can run ads, integrate with third-party ad networks, set up an eCommerce store, or use affiliate marketing. WordPress.com places limitations on monetization methods unless you’re on their highest-tier plan. That makes WordPress.org a more attractive option for people looking to generate income from their website.
Improved SEO Capabilities
WordPress.org allows for advanced SEO optimizations, giving you control over metadata, URL structure, and other SEO elements. Plugins like Yoast SEO or Rank Math enhance your ability to optimize for search engines, helping your site rank higher in search results.
Enhanced Ownership of Content
When you use WordPress.org, you fully own your content, files, and data. In contrast, WordPress.com maintains some control over user data and can restrict or remove sites that violate its terms of service. With WordPress.org, your content is hosted independently, providing more control over your content.
No Branding Requirements
Free WordPress.com sites display WordPress ads and branding. With WordPress.org, you won’t have such ads, and you have complete ownership over how your site looks and operates.
While WordPress.com offers ease of use for beginners, WordPress.org is a better option for users seeking customization, and control. If you are looking to build a scalable website that is robust and well-designed consider hiring WordPress developers.
Need help with migration? We’re here for you!
FAQs About Migrating from WordPress.com to WordPress.org
Wrapping Up
Migrating from WordPress.com to WordPress.org gives you full control over your website, offering better customization and monetization options. By knowing pre-migration steps (like setting up hosting and domain) you can ensure a smooth transition from WordPress.com to WordPress.org.
To begin with the migration, export your site and then import it to your WordPress.org site. Once done ensure to transfer media files and configure your new site with required plugins and themes. After your migration is completed make sure to follow the post-migration consideration we have mentioned.
If you are looking to build your website that performs optimally and is well-designed, hire WordPress developers.
