Migrating from WordPress.com to WordPress.org

Embarking on a WordPress migration journey from WordPress.com to a self-hosted WordPress.org setup can feel like deciding to leave the comforts of home for exciting new adventures. 

Illustration of the W logo of WordPress hovering in front of layers of computer screens, all in a blue hue

Why Migrate? The Allure of WordPress.org

Before getting our hands dirty with the nitty-gritty of WordPress migration, let’s muse over why you’re considering this shift. WordPress.com is great for starters, with its no-fuss setup and low maintenance. But it can feel like living in a furnished apartment. All set up, but perhaps a tad restrictive.

Once you shift to WordPress.org, it’s like moving into your own house. It’s all yours—you decide the architecture, the decor, and the rules. You get to install any plugin, tinker with any theme, and, more importantly, it opens its doors to potentially monetizing your site. If customization and sovereignty stir your heart, a WordPress migration is up your alley.

Getting Your Ducks in a Row: Pre-Migration Checks

Now that you’re hyped up, let’s ensure you’ve got the essentials ready before you jump ship. To start, you’ll need a reliable web hosting provider. Think of web hosting as your digital landlord. Consider Tresseo Web Hosting with their generous resources and expert support staff to help website owners.

1. Domain Name Setup: If your domain lives at WordPress.com, you can carry it along. Why leave the good stuff behind? Or perhaps you fancy a change? Either way, set up or transfer your domain with your host to keep things smooth.

2. A Fresh WordPress Installation:  With a hosting plan in place, unleash the famous one-click WordPress install. This is your playground awaiting decoration! Make sure everything’s working—think of it like checking the plumbing in your new house.

An illustration of a WordPress logo and a loading bar

Migration Magic: Moving Your Content

Here’s where the rubber meets the road in your WordPress migration story.

Exporting from WordPress.com: Imagine gathering your belongings, that’s essentially what you do here. Head to your WordPress.com dashboard, select tools, then export. Grab all content—posts, pages, and media—it’s akin to packing boxes for the big move.

Importing to WordPress.org:  Hop over to your new host, go to the dashboard and hit import. It’s time to unpack and arrange your objects in your grand WordPress.org home. Make sure everything makes it from the living room to the basement. Utilize the WordPress importer tool; it’s like hiring movers, doing the heavy lifting.

Tying Up Loose Ends: Post-Migration Tasks

The WordPress migration might seem complete, but imagine coming into your new home and realizing you forgot to arrange the furniture.

Permalink Transition:  Set up permalinks to maintain your site’s old structure or switch to a more SEO-friendly one. It’s all about deciding if you like the open-concept or prefer rooms divided by beautiful arches.

SEO and Redirects:  Got a Google ranking that’s dear to you? Keep search engines and visitors informed by setting up redirects from the old WordPress.com URLs to your shiny new WordPress.org pages. A simple redirection plugin will be your knight in shining armor here.

A blue toy truck is shown on a wooden surface. It's filled with colorful, floating icons. There are trees blurred in the background and a bright light at the top

Theme and Plugin Alignment:  Think of themes and plugins as the curtains and artwork. 

Reinstall or choose new ones that reflect your style and needs. Customize them to your heart’s delight—it’s your canvas now!

Relish the Freedom

Pulling off a WordPress migration from .com to .org is much like moving into a new phase in life. Initially overwhelming, but immensely rewarding as you set eyes on the new possibilities. From more plugins and themes to full-scale customization, the benefits of this transition are worth every step.

So, roll up your sleeves and dive in—you’ll find the journey transformative. Don’t shy away from seeking help when needed, and remember, the best adventures await those willing to take the first step.

Ready to swap the guided tour for the driver’s seat?

Let this move be the first of many bold ones in your blogging voyage. 

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