How to Migrate Your Website to WordPress: A Seamless Step-by-Step Guide

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Key Takeaways

• Migrating to WordPress offers enhanced customization, scalability, and SEO benefits.
• A successful migration involves careful planning, backup, choosing the right host, content transfer, and thorough testing.
• Key steps include backing up files/databases, selecting hosting, exporting/importing content, setting up redirects, and testing functionality.
• Tools like UpdraftPlus, All-in-One WP Migration, and staging environments (WP Staging) streamline the process.
• Professional migration services are recommended for complex sites or if you lack technical expertise.

Did you know that 43% of websites run on WordPress? This staggering statistic highlights its popularity, driven by its flexibility, SEO benefits, and user-friendly design, as noted by Managed WP. Migrating your website to WordPress means transferring your content, design, and functionality to this powerful content management system (CMS).

However, embarking on this journey without a structured plan can be perilous. You risk significant downtime, frustrating broken links, or a detrimental loss of website traffic, a common concern highlighted by WP Support Specialists. Don’t worry – this step-by-step guide will navigate you through the process, showing you exactly how to migrate your website to WordPress safely and efficiently.

Why Migrate to WordPress?

Choosing to migrate your website to WordPress isn’t just about joining the crowd; it unlocks three major advantages that can significantly benefit your online presence:

1. Customization & Scalability

• With access to over 50,000 plugins and more than 10,000 themes, WordPress provides unparalleled flexibility. You can build virtually anything, from simple blogs and portfolios to sophisticated e-commerce stores and membership sites.
• Example: Use the powerful WooCommerce plugin to set up and manage online sales, or employ page builders like Elementor for intuitive drag-and-drop website design without needing to code.
• WordPress makes it easy to scale your site as your business grows. You can add new features, handle more traffic, and expand your content library without needing to rebuild your entire website from scratch, a key benefit mentioned by Angry Creative.

2. SEO & Performance

• WordPress is built with clean code and offers excellent SEO features right out of the box. Plus, powerful plugins like Yoast SEO help you optimize crucial on-page elements like meta tags, improve content readability, and automatically generate XML sitemaps for search engines.
• Faster loading times are critical for user experience and search rankings. WordPress sites, especially when paired with good hosting and optimization plugins, tend to perform well, contributing positively to SEO, as also noted by Angry Creative.

3. Rebranding & Modernization

• Is your current website built on an outdated platform like Joomla, Drupal, or even static HTML? Migrating to WordPress offers a chance to modernize your design, improve user experience, and enhance mobile responsiveness. Managed WP emphasizes this as a key reason businesses migrate.
• Ensure your new WordPress site looks great on all devices. For actionable tips on mobile optimization, explore our guide to responsive WordPress templates.

Step-by-Step Guide to Migrate Your Website to WordPress

Follow these essential steps to ensure a smooth and successful CMS migration to WordPress:

Step 1: Pre-Migration Backup

Never skip this step! A complete backup is your safety net.

• Backup your website files: Connect to your current server via FTP (using a client like FileZilla) and download all website files (including themes, plugins, uploads, and core files).
• Backup your database: Use tools like phpMyAdmin (often accessible via your hosting control panel like cPanel) to export your site’s database (usually as a .sql file).
• Consider using backup plugins if your current platform supports them. For existing WordPress sites moving hosts, plugins like UpdraftPlus offer reliable, automated backups, recommended by WP Support Specialists.

Step 2: Choose a WordPress Host

Selecting the right hosting provider is crucial for your new WordPress site’s performance and security.

• Top hosting recommendations:
  • Bluehost (Starting around $2.95/month): A popular and affordable option, great for beginners and small websites. Often recommended by WordPress.org itself.
  • WP Engine (Starting around $30/month): A premium managed WordPress host known for exceptional speed, robust security, and expert support, ideal for businesses and larger sites.
  • Other reputable options include SiteGround, Kinsta, and Flywheel.
• Ensure your chosen host offers features like easy 1-click WordPress installations, included SSL certificates (for HTTPS security), and sufficient resources (storage, bandwidth) for your site’s needs. Many guides, like this one from WP Engine, stress the importance of quality hosting.

Step 3: Export Content from Your Old Site

How you export depends on your current platform.

• From HTML sites: There’s no simple export tool. You’ll primarily rely on the files you downloaded via FTP in Step 1. Content (text, images) will often need to be manually copied and pasted into WordPress pages/posts later.
• From other CMS platforms (e.g., Joomla, Drupal, Shopify):
  • Look for built-in export tools. For example, Shopify allows exporting products, customers, etc., via CSV files.
  • Utilize specialized migration plugins. For instance, IsItWP mentions plugins like FG Drupal to WordPress or importers for Blogger, LiveJournal, etc., available within WordPress itself (under Tools > Import).
  • For complex migrations involving custom setups or large amounts of data, consider professional website migration services.

Step 4: Set Up WordPress and Import Content

Now, let’s get your content into your new WordPress installation.

• Install WordPress on your new hosting account (often via a 1-click installer).
• Using Migration Plugins: Plugins like All-in-One WP Migration or Duplicator are excellent if migrating *from* another WordPress site. They package your entire site (files and database) into a single file for easy uploading and import. All-in-One WP Migration offers a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface.
• Manual Method (for non-WordPress sources):
  • Use the built-in WordPress importers (*Tools > Import*) if you have exported content in compatible formats (like XML from Blogger/WordPress.com or CSV for products via plugins like WP All Import). See discussions on WordPress.org forums for guidance.
  • For HTML sites, you will likely need to manually recreate pages and posts, copying text and uploading images to the WordPress Media Library.
  • Install your desired theme and necessary plugins (like your page builder, SEO plugin, contact form, etc.).

Step 5: Test the Migrated Site Thoroughly

Before pointing your domain to the new site, rigorous testing is essential.

• Check for broken links (internal and external). Tools like Screaming Frog SEO Spider (desktop TKTK) or online broken link checkers can automate this.
• Test all website functionality: navigation menus, contact forms (e.g., Contact Form 7 submissions), sign-up forms, shopping cart/checkout processes (if applicable), search functionality, etc.
• Verify mobile responsiveness using browser developer tools or the Google Mobile-Friendly Test. Ensure the site looks and works correctly on various screen sizes.
• Check image loading and display.
• Review content formatting and layout on key pages.

Website Migration Checklist PDF (Free Resource)

To help you stay organized and avoid missing critical tasks during your migration, download our comprehensive website migration checklist PDF. It covers key stages:

Pre-Migration Tasks

• Full backup of website files and databases.
• Content audit: Review existing pages, posts, images, identify what to keep, update, or discard.
• Note any custom code, scripts, or special configurations on the old site.
• Crawl the existing site to get a full list of URLs (important for redirects).

During Migration Tasks

• Set up new hosting and install WordPress.
• Install and configure essential themes and plugins (page builder, SEO, security, caching).
• Import content (using plugins or manual methods).
• Map old URLs to new URLs and meticulously set up 301 redirects (crucial for SEO and user experience).
• Configure WordPress settings (permalinks, reading/writing settings, etc.).

Post-Migration Tasks (After Going Live)

• Update DNS settings to point your domain to the new host.
• Thoroughly test the live site (links, forms, functionality).
• Submit the new XML sitemap to Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools.
• Run an SEO audit using tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to catch any issues.
• Monitor website uptime using services like UptimeRobot.
• Monitor site speed with GTmetrix or PageSpeed Insights.
• Check Google Analytics tracking is working correctly.

Understanding Website Migration Services Cost

The cost of migrating your website to WordPress can vary significantly depending on whether you do it yourself or hire professionals.

DIY Migration Costs

• Hosting: Ranges from approximately $3 to $30+ per month, depending on the provider and plan (shared vs. managed).
• Domain Name: Usually around $10-$20 per year (you likely already own this).
• Premium Plugins/Theme: While many free options exist, you might opt for premium tools. Migration plugins (like All-in-One WP Migration Premium extensions for larger sites) can cost $69-$100+ (one-time or annual). Premium themes or page builders also have costs.
• Time Investment: This is the most significant “cost” for DIY. Migrating a small, simple site might take 10–20 hours, but complex sites can take much longer.

Professional Services Cost

• The cost for professional migration services typically ranges from $300 to $1,500+.
• Factors influencing the price include:
  • Site size (number of pages, posts, products).
  • Complexity (e-commerce features, custom post types, user memberships, forums).
  • Source platform (migrating from static HTML or an obscure CMS is often more complex than WordPress-to-WordPress).
  • Need for design updates or custom development during migration.
• Example: Migrating a 100-page e-commerce site with complex product data might cost around $1,200 or more, as suggested by examples from agencies like Managed WP.
• It’s often worth the investment to hire experts for complex tasks like multilingual site setups (using plugins like WPML or Weglot), migrating large user databases, or handling intricate custom functionalities. Learn more about our tailored website migration services.

How to Migrate WordPress to a New Host

Sometimes, the migration isn’t from another platform but simply moving an existing WordPress site to a better hosting provider.

Reasons to Switch Hosts

• Consistently slow loading times (ideally, pages should load in under 3 seconds).
• Frequent website downtime (aim for hosting with at least 99.9% uptime guarantee).
• Poor customer support from the current host.
• Need for more server resources (CPU, RAM) due to traffic growth.
• Seeking better security features or specialized WordPress hosting environments.

Migration Steps (WordPress to WordPress)

1. Backup Your Site: Use a reliable plugin like UpdraftPlus or Duplicator to create a full backup (files + database). Download the backup files to your local computer.
2. Use Host Migration Tools (if available): Many WordPress-friendly hosts (like SiteGround, Kinsta, WP Engine) offer free migration plugins or services. For example, SiteGround Migrator plugin allows for nearly automatic transfers. Check if your new host provides such a tool.
3. Manual Migration (using a plugin like Duplicator or All-in-One WP Migration):
   • Install WordPress on the new host.
   • Install the same migration plugin (e.g., All-in-One WP Migration) on the new WordPress installation.
   • Upload the backup file you created in step 1 and follow the plugin’s instructions to restore the site.
4. Update DNS Records: Once you’ve tested the migrated site on the new host (usually via a temporary URL or hosts file modification), update your domain’s DNS records (specifically the A record and possibly CNAME) to point to the new server’s IP address. Lowering the TTL (Time To Live) value (e.g., to 300 seconds) beforehand can help speed up DNS propagation, a tip often mentioned by providers like WP Engine. Wait for propagation (can take a few hours).
5. Final Checks: Test the live site again after DNS propagation is complete.

Ensuring a Seamless Migration: Pro Tips

Beyond the core steps, these professional tips can help guarantee a smooth transition:

Use a Staging Environment

• A staging site is a private clone of your website used for testing. Most quality managed WordPress hosts offer one-click staging environments.
• Alternatively, use plugins like WP Staging.
• Benefit: Test the entire migration process, theme changes, plugin compatibility, and functionality in a safe space *before* making changes to your live site or pointing your domain. This minimizes the risk of public-facing errors or downtime.

Preserve SEO Rankings

• Implement 301 Redirects: This is arguably the most critical SEO step during migration if URLs are changing. A 301 redirect permanently tells search engines (and users) that a page has moved. Map every important old URL to its corresponding new URL. Use the Redirection plugin in WordPress for easy management.
• Submit Your New Sitemap: Once live on WordPress, generate an XML sitemap (Yoast SEO does this automatically) and submit it to Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools. This helps search engines discover and index your new site structure quickly. InstaWP highlights the importance of post-migration SEO checks.
• Maintain Content Quality: Ensure that your valuable content is migrated accurately and retains its quality.
• For deeper technical SEO insights to apply post-migration, review our comprehensive technical SEO guide.

Communicate with Users and Stakeholders

• If significant downtime is expected (aim to minimize this by migrating during off-peak hours), inform your users or customers in advance.
• Keep internal stakeholders (marketing, sales teams) updated on the migration timeline and potential impacts.
• Highlight the benefits of the migration (e.g., faster site, better mobile experience) after completion.

Post-Migration Checklist

Once your new WordPress site is live, run through these final checks:

• Verify SSL certificate installation: Ensure your site loads correctly via HTTPS (check for the padlock icon in the browser address bar).
• Test Google Analytics tracking: Check real-time reports to confirm traffic is being recorded accurately.
• Perform a test transaction (if e-commerce): Check the entire checkout page functionality, including payment processing.
• Run website speed tests using tools like GTmetrix or Google PageSpeed Insights and address any major performance bottlenecks.
• Double-check 301 redirects are working as expected (use a redirect checker tool).
• Monitor 404 errors (pages not found) in Google Search Console and fix any that appear.
• Ensure all essential plugins are active and configured correctly.

When to Hire Professional Migration Services

While DIY migration is feasible for simpler sites, consider hiring professionals in these scenarios:

Complex Scenarios

• Large, complex websites: Sites with thousands of pages, extensive custom code, or intricate databases.
• E-commerce stores: Migrating product data, customer accounts, and order history requires precision.
• Multilingual sites: Properly migrating content and configuring plugins like WPML or Weglot can be tricky.
• Membership sites or forums: Migrating user data and ensuring permissions/integrations (e.g., with bbPress) work correctly. For strategic planning around complex rebuilds, exploring resources like our 2025 website redesign guide might offer valuable insights.
• Lack of technical expertise or time: If you’re uncomfortable with FTP, databases, DNS, and troubleshooting potential issues.

Vetting Providers

• Look for agencies or freelancers specializing in WordPress migrations.
• Check reviews on platforms like Trustpilot, Clutch, or Google Reviews.
• Request case studies or examples of similar migrations they’ve handled.
• Ask about their process, estimated timeline, and communication plan.
• Confirm what level of post-migration support is included (e.g., fixing issues that arise shortly after launch).
• Inquire about uptime guarantees during the migration process itself (though minimal downtime is always the goal).

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long does a website migration to WordPress usually take?

The timeline varies greatly. A simple blog migration might take a few hours to a day. A large, complex e-commerce site migration could take several days or even weeks, including planning, testing, and post-migration checks. Migrating from WordPress to a new host is often faster, potentially taking just a few hours if using host migration tools.

2. Will migrating to WordPress affect my SEO rankings?

Migration *can* temporarily impact SEO if not done correctly. The biggest risks are changing URL structures without proper 301 redirects, extended downtime, and slow page speeds on the new site. However, if done right (implementing redirects, optimizing performance, maintaining content quality), WordPress often leads to improved SEO in the long run due to its inherent SEO-friendliness and available tools. Careful planning and execution are key to preserving or improving rankings.

3. What is the difference between migration and redesign?

Migration focuses on moving your existing website content, data, and core functionality from one platform or host to another (like moving from Joomla to WordPress, or WordPress on Host A to WordPress on Host B). A redesign focuses on changing the website’s look, feel, user experience, and sometimes structure, often happening on the *same* platform. Often, a migration to WordPress is combined with a redesign to modernize the site simultaneously.

4. Can I migrate my website to WordPress.com instead of WordPress.org?

Yes, but understand the difference. WordPress.org is the self-hosted version (requiring your own hosting), offering full control and flexibility (plugins, themes, code). WordPress.com is a hosted service with limitations, especially on free/lower-tier plans (e.g., plugin/theme restrictions). While WordPress.com has import tools, migrating to self-hosted WordPress.org (following the steps in this guide) is generally recommended for full control and scalability, which is what most businesses need.