Overview
Thinking about switching your current website to WordPress? You’re not alone. WordPress powers over 40% of the web – and for good reason. It’s flexible, user-friendly, and scalable. This guide will walk you through how to migrate your website to WordPress without losing your content, SEO rankings, or peace of mind. Whether you’re on Wix, Squarespace, or a custom CMS, I’ve got you covered. And if you’d rather not do it alone, I’m here to help.
1. Audit Your Existing Website
Before migrating, take inventory of your current site. List all the pages, blog posts, media, and key features you want to move. Identify what can be improved in the new version—design, structure, or speed.
2. Choose Hosting and Set Up WordPress
Pick a reliable WordPress host like SiteGround, Bluehost, or Cloudways. Use their one-click WordPress installation tools. Make sure your hosting includes SSL, backups, and security features to protect your new site.
3. Select a WordPress Theme
Pick a responsive theme that reflects your brand and content style. Themes like Astra, GeneratePress, or Kadence are great for performance and customization. If you’re rebuilding from scratch, use a page builder like Elementor or Bricks to visually design pages with ease.
4. Plan Your Permalinks and URL Structure
Preserve your old URLs where possible to maintain SEO rankings. Set WordPress permalinks to “Post name” for clean URLs. Use 301 redirects if URLs change to ensure old links don’t break.
5. Migrate Your Content
You can migrate content manually by copying pages/posts into WordPress, or use plugins like FG Joomla to WordPress, CMS2CMS, or Migrate Guru depending on your original platform. Double-check formatting, links, and images after migration.
6. Upload Media Files and Downloads
Move your image galleries, downloadable files (PDFs, eBooks, etc.), and videos to the WordPress media library. Ensure filenames and alt texts are SEO-friendly.
7. Install Essential Plugins
Add plugins for SEO (Rank Math), security (Wordfence), performance (WP Rocket), and backups (UpdraftPlus). Recreate any forms using WPForms or Fluent Forms. Test each feature to ensure it works as expected.
8. Test Everything Before Going Live
Preview your site on different devices. Check every page, form, and button. Fix any broken links. Use a staging site before making the live switch. Once satisfied, update your domain settings and launch.
FAQs
Q1: Will migrating to WordPress hurt my SEO?
Not if you do it right. Maintain URL structures or use proper redirects, and carry over metadata and alt tags.
Q2: How long does a website migration take?
It depends on the size and complexity. Simple sites may take a day or two; large, dynamic sites can take a week or more.
Q3: Do I need to know coding to migrate?
No. With the right tools and plugins, most migrations can be done without touching code.
Q4: Can I keep my old design in WordPress?
You can closely replicate it, but consider improving it with WordPress features and better performance options.
Final Thoughts
Migrating to WordPress is a smart move for anyone who wants better control, performance, and scalability. With careful planning, the right tools, and a bit of patience, it’s a smooth process that pays off.
Need help making the move? I’ve helped many businesses and bloggers transition to WordPress without the stress.
👉 Schedule a call with me and let’s make your website migration seamless and successful.