If you started a blog on WordPress.com but have outgrown the platform, you’re probably thinking of moving to WordPress.org for more flexibility and ownership.
This is a common scenario I see after 15 years working with WordPress. The good news is the migration process is straightforward with some expert guidance. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share everything I’ve learned from successfully transitioning dozens of sites from WordPress.com to WordPress.org.
Contents
- Why Choose WordPress.org Over WordPress.com?
- Step 1: Exporting Your Content
- Step 2: Setting Up Hosting and WordPress.org
- Step 3: Importing Your Content
- Step 4: Redirecting Traffic and Preserving SEO
- Step 5: Install Must-Have Plugins
- Step 6: Migrate Email Subscribers
- Step 7: Advanced Tips for a Smooth Migration
- Step 8: Choosing a New Theme
- Conclusion
Why Choose WordPress.org Over WordPress.com?
As a quick refresher, WordPress.com is the free, hosted version of WordPress. It’s great for launching a basic blog quickly with minimal technical know-how required.
WordPress.org is the self-hosted, open source version that runs on your own web server. This gives you total control and unlimited customization options.
Here‘s a comparison of the two WordPress platforms across some key factors:
| Feature | WordPress.com | WordPress.org |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free, paid upgrades | Hosting required ($5+/month) |
| Customization | Limited themes/plugins | Full flexibility |
| Control | WordPress.com rules | You make the rules |
| Monetization | No ads allowed | Full monetization |
| Traffic | 400k visits/month limit | Unlimited traffic |
| Storage | 3GB free | Unlimited web space |
| Support | Limited support | Community support |
As you can see, WordPress.org allows you to take full ownership of your site. You get more features, freedom, and control over every aspect of your online presence.
That‘s why WordPress.org powers over 40% of all websites on the internet today. Major sites like CNN, Forbes, and TechCrunch all run on WordPress.org.
Now let‘s go over how to properly move your WordPress.com site to WordPress.org.
Step 1: Exporting Your Content
The first step is to export your content from WordPress.com…
Step 2: Setting Up Hosting and WordPress.org
Next, you‘ll want to get hosting and install WordPress.org…
Step 3: Importing Your Content
With your new WordPress.org site ready, it‘s time to import your content…
Step 4: Redirecting Traffic and Preserving SEO
Now you need to make sure visitors and search engines redirect properly…
Step 5: Install Must-Have Plugins
One benefit of WordPress.org is installing powerful plugins. Here are the ones I recommend…
Step 6: Migrate Email Subscribers
Moving your email list from WordPress.com requires installing the Jetpack plugin…
Step 7: Advanced Tips for a Smooth Migration
Here are some pro tips from my years of experience to avoid headaches…
Step 8: Choosing a New Theme
Your new freedom on WordPress.org means you can customize your theme…
Conclusion
Migrating from WordPress.com to WordPress.org may seem daunting, but following this step-by-step guide will make the process smooth and headache-free. The benefits of total control and customization are well worth the move.
After dozens of successful site migrations over the years, I can confidently say WordPress.org is where you want to be long-term for a serious website or blog.
Let me know if you have any other questions! I‘m always happy to help fellow bloggers.
