Website development requires a significant investment of time, effort, and money. WordPress is one of the most well-known names, with more than 42% of the websites developed using it. But, migrating your WordPress-based website from one platform to another is a question to look after. You can either look to migrate from WordPress.com to WordPress.org if you are looking for full control or flexibility.
Both the modes of WordPress are unique in themselves, where the “.com” version is a hosted platform and offers limited customization options. On the other hand, “.org” is a self-hosted platform that provides complete control but requires extensive technical skills. However, the process of migration from “.com” to “.org” requires careful consideration of important factors like management and security of data.
If you are not comfortable with the technical aspects of migration, hiring a professional WordPress development company is of greater importance. The experts will take care of all the important steps and factors while performing the WordPress migration.
Steps to Migrate WordPress.com to WordPress.org
Migration of your “.com” based website on WordPress to the “.org” domain is challenging. This is because it can’t be done in the standard way. This requires one to follow a streamlined process to get it done. From creating an account on WordPress.org to setting permalinks, you have to follow all the required steps. Some of the important steps are illustrated below:
1. Export Your WordPress.com Data
The first step in migrating your site from WordPress.com to WordPress.org is to export your “.com” domain data to a “.org” based website. To do this, start by logging in to WordPress.com head over to the “My Sites” tab, and click “WP Admin.” This will take you to the dashboard, where you can navigate to the “Tools” tab where you can select the “Export” option.
This, in turn, will create a Zipped XML file that contains every form of content on your website, including pages, posts, comments, and everything. You can use this created file later to import your website’s content to “WordPress.org.”
2. Import Your Data to WordPress.org
To start the process, start by logging in to the self-hosted version of WordPress. This will take you to the dashboard of the platform with a menu full of options. Click on the “tools” and select import and install the WordPress importer tool first.
The importer will start the process as soon as you upload your XML-based (unzipped) file that contains all the content. You may need to configure your permalinks after the process is complete.
Here are some additional tips for importing your WordPress.com data:
- If you have a lot of data, the import process may take a while. Be patient!
- If you encounter any errors during the import process, try re-uploading your XML file.
- You can contact WordPress.org support for help if you’re still having trouble.
By following these steps, you will be able to import your website successfully.
3. Customize Your WordPress.org Website
Now that you have completed the process, head over to your newly migrated website, you’ll find the menu option is not properly organized like it was, content is misplaced, and so on. This requires polishing off your website and making it look like it was before.
You can do this by performing the required customization through an option at the top left of the homepage of your website. Just click the button and head over to the section that requires customization. By performing this step, you can manage to give your website an exact look and feel like it was before.
4. Implement Redirection
Do you think all the toil you have put so far is done? Not yet, because the users that are visiting, gaining information or services, can still access your “.com-based” website. It is because, till now, redirects have not been set. Keep in mind that it costs a sum of money per year for redirection.
You can do this by heading over to the dashboard of your WordPress.com website, looking for the “Manage” option, and selecting settings. On this page, click on “redirects.” This will take you to the page where you have to fill in the address of your website, and pay the required fees of migration. By completing the payment and filling in the form with your website’s address, you will successfully redirect your migrated website from WordPress.com to WordPress.org.
Alternate Method
These were the methods that one could perform to successfully and easily migrate a website from the .com to .org domain of WordPress. However, the process requires extensive time, precision, and technical know-how. The alternate method to get it done with perfection is by working with a WP development company. A company has the experience and expertise to complete the necessary migration process efficiently and on time by keeping data intact.
The role of technically sound experts brings numerous benefits alike:
1. Theme Customization
One of the benefits is theme customization and development if required. The experts will leverage their expertise and significantly enhance the visual appeal and functionality of your website. A team of WP developers is also helpful in the development of a theme tailored to the requirements of a business.
2. Integration of Plugins
If you work with a team of skilled experts, they will help you integrate necessary plugins on your website. If needed, they will also recommend and integrate necessary plugins or optimize the previous ones to enhance the functionality of your website.
3. Performance Optimization
One of the issues that a migrated website often faces is lagging down in performance. If you have migrated a website that is offering sluggish performance, this will drive the users away from your website. Working with a proficient team can be helpful here. They will perform the necessary steps, whether it’s optimizing the code or finding a plugin that is causing the problem, to optimize the performance and uplift the user experience.
4. Security Measures
Providing a secure web experience to the users can uplift the image of your brand. Working with professionals can give you an advantage in this as they are aware of the advanced security measures. They will help you integrate them into your website and protect the information of your website from potential threats. This proactive approach includes regular security audits to implementing a Safety Security Layer (SSL) to help you mitigate risks and protect your data.
Conclusion
The self-hosted platform of WordPress provides enhanced flexibility to perform the required customization to make your website look the way you want it to be. When it comes to website migration, you have to follow a certain set of outlined steps. These steps are detailed in this blog to set up the right path of website migration. From exporting your website to redirecting it, ensure you follow every step with precision. This is because one mistake can lead to the loss of data or downtime in the performance of a website.
By following these steps, you can move your website. However, you should consider that some of the steps might take extensive or some technical know-how. You can hire WordPress developers if you are not well-versed in it. Their expertise in customizing a theme to implementing security measures can enhance your web presence and ensure a successful migration.
About the Guest Author
Emily White is a project manager at CSSChopper, a top-rated web development company with a wide range of technical expertise. She is not just a manager but loves writing, too. She likes to spend her spare time listening to music and composing knowledgeable articles.
