How to Migrate WordPress.com Website to WordPress.org

Hey there! If you’re feeling a bit boxed in by WordPress.com and dreaming of more freedom with your website, you’re in the right place. 

Migrating to a self-hosted WordPress.org site might sound like a big leap, but don’t worry; we’ve got you covered.

We’re going to walk through the process of taking your WordPress.com website to WordPress.org together, step by step, and provide plenty of practical tips. 

Whether you’re a blogger, a small business owner, or just someone who wants full control over their online space, this guide will make the process clear and doable. 

Let’s dive in!

WordPress.org vs WordPress.com

Let’s get an overview of the key differences between WordPress.org vs WordPress.com. 

If you’re struggling to choose, then this blog about WordPress.org vs WordPress.com might help you.

When do you need to migrate from WordPress.com to WordPress.org

You might be having quite a good time with WordPress.com, but something’s nagging you. Maybe your site’s growing, or you’re hitting walls with what you can do.

Let’s figure out if it’s time to pack up and move to WordPress.org from your cozy rental apartment at WordPress.com.

You want to take things into your hands

Customizations: When you want a unique design that WordPress.com doesn’t offer. If you think a design might change your game, then it’s time to move.

Plugins: If you need advanced tools or membership features, you have to move to WordPress.org.

You are thinking about more money

Ads and Affiliates: WordPress.com restricts a lot in terms of monetization. If money is on your mind, then you should move to WordPress.org.

eCommerce: Wanna build an online store? Plugins like WooCommerce are on WordPress.org, which can make it a breeze.

Your site is growing

Traffic: When more visitors are coming to your site than you initially planned, it’s hard for WordPress.com to hang on.

Content overload: If you are managing a growing blog or portfolio, let WordPress.com handle it.

You are up for a challenge

When you’re planning to grow yourself, want to explore the world of WordPress, and find your potential, then it’s high time you move to WordPress.org. It’s also an opportunity to grow your technical skills.

6 Easy steps to move content from WordPress.com to WordPress.org

Alright, if the decision is made, that means you’re moving to WordPress.org! 

This might feel like a big deal, but we’ve broken it down into five simple steps. Whether you’re tech-savvy or a total newbie, you’ve got this. 

Let’s get your content from Point A to Point B without breaking a sweat.

1. Choose your domain and host

As you already know, WordPress.org is self-hosted, which means you need to choose a hosting solution for yourself. 

There are a lot of cheap as well as popular hosting providers in the market. We suggest you choose a reliable one. Also, many hosts throw in a free domain for the first year. Keep your eyes on those.

A domain name is also required if you don’t want to stick with your WordPress.com domain (like yoursite.com). Choose a catchy and relevant one.

2. Export site content from WordPress.com

When you’re ready with your domain and host, it’s time to export your content first. Go to your WordPress.com dashboard. 

Then click on Tools, and you’ll find the Export option there. Clicking on Export will redirect to a page like this. 

You have to click on Export all if you want to move everything; you can also choose specific things to export. 

After clicking Export all, it will take a while, and a Download option will appear. Click on it to download your content to your device.

3. Install and set up WordPress.org

As you’re done exporting your content, now you have to set up your place where you want to use that content, meaning your WordPress.org site.

Installing WordPress.org is quite easy, and most of the hosting providers have a one-click installation solution that makes this job super-easy.

Once you’ve logged into your hosting account, find the control panel. This could be something like cPanel or Plesk, it depends on your host.

Many hosting services offer one-click WordPress installation, typically found under “Website” or “Software and Services.” Look for tools like Softaculous, Fantastico, or QuickInstall to get started fast.

Click on the WordPress installer, and it will guide you through the setup process. You’ll need to enter some necessary details like your site name, username, and password. Keep these pieces of information somewhere safe in case you forget!

Once you’ve installed WordPress, it’s time to give your site a fresh look. Choose a simple theme to get started, you can pick a fancy one later.

4. Import content into the self-hosted WordPress.org website

Now you’re ready to import your content to your self-hosted WordPress.org website.

Go to the Tools section of your WordPress.org dashboard. There you’ll find the Import option. 

Clicking the Import option will take you to this page, and you’ll find the WordPress importer; you’ll have to install it.

Now, when the importer is installed successfully, a Run importer option will appear; click on it.

You’ll be redirected to a page named Import WordPress, where you have to upload the file from your device that you exported from your previous site.

This shows that the import is done!

Don’t forget to Assign Authors to your WordPress site. You can create a new one or choose from existing ones.

5. Make Your WordPress.com site private 

Now you have to make a choice. You can either make your WordPress.com site private or you can redirect your visitors from that site by paying a fee.

Let’s see how you can make your WordPress.com site private. 

First, visit your previous WordPress.com dashboard. From the left menu, you need to click Settings, General menu, and scroll down to the ‘Privacy’ section.

Select the Private option from the Privacy section.

But keep one thing in mind!

If you have a growing blog and a decent audience base, it means your site is well-indexed by Google, so you might need to think about redirecting people from your old site. 

6. Redirecting from WordPress.com to WordPress.org

If you wish to redirect your audience from your old site, this step is for you.
Go to the Settings option of your old site’s dashboard. There, you’ll find a Redirect option highlighted. Click on that.

Now, you’ll see this payment page, and it takes $13 to redirect your WordPress.com site to the WordPress.org site.  

Put your billing information and proceed to payment.

With successful payment, you will be provided with a confirmation like below.

Now you’re all set to use your site in WordPress.org.

Things to watch out for when migrating 

Migrating is like moving house- mostly smooth, but you might trip over a box or two. Here’s how to dodge the common pitfalls and keep your site humming.

• Broken Links and Images: Links or pics might not transfer right, leaving you with 404 errors. Run a plugin like Broken Link Checker post-migration. Re-upload any missing media manually.
• SEO Slip-Ups: Search rankings could dip without proper redirects. Set up 301 redirects and install Yoast SEO to manage your sitemap and metadata.
• Theme/Plugin Hiccups: WordPress.com themes or widgets might not play nicely on WordPress.org. Find similar WordPress.org themes/plugins and test them out.
• Lost Customizations: Custom CSS or widgets don’t auto-migrate. Copy CSS from WordPress.com’s customizer and paste it into your new site. Rebuild widgets by hand.
• Subscriber Snags: Email lists or comments might not come along. Use Jetpack to sync subscribers; ensure comments are in your export file.
• Downtime Drama: Your site could be offline during the switch. Migrate during quiet hours and test everything before going live.
• No Backup, No Bueno: Something goes wrong, and you’re stuck. Back up your WordPress.com site before starting- better safe than sorry!

Moving forward

Congratulations, you’ve made it! Migrating from WordPress.com to WordPress.org is a big win, and now you’re sitting pretty with a self-hosted site that’s all yours. 

We’ve covered the why (freedom and control), the when (outgrowing limits), and the how (six easy steps). Plus, you’re armed with tricks to sidestep any migration mishaps.

Now, the fun begins! Play with plugins, tweak your design, and start growing your site your way. 

How do you feel about your new setup? Was this guide a lifesaver? Drop a comment below. We’d love to hear your story or answer any questions. Happy building on your shiny new WordPress.org site!

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