How to Migrate From WordPress.com to WordPress on Your Own Site
One of the most common questions we get is, “How do I migrate from WordPress.com to WordPress on my own site?”
Well, thanks to WordPress.com’s generous support for self-hosting, the process of migrating to WordPress on your own site is actually pretty easy. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the entire process, from canceling your existing WordPress.com account to setting up your self-hosted WordPress site.
The Good News
One of the things that makes the process of migrating from WordPress.com to WordPress on your own site so easy is that you don’t have to do any of the work. All you need to do is follow these steps:
Step 1: Begin the Process
The first step is to begin the process either through the WordPress.com Self-Hosting application or through your web host’s interface. We’ll discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both methods in detail below, but for now, it’s important to know that this step is necessary, regardless of which method you choose. Once you’ve begun the process, you’ll be able to continue with the next step.
Step 2: Choose a Hosting Service
The next step in the process is to choose a hosting service. It’s important to note that there are different requirements for a hosting service compared to a domain registration service, so don’t choose the latter thinking that it will automatically satisfy your hosting needs. Domain registration services provide you with a free domain and help you set up your website, whereas a hosting service gives you a web space that you can use to launch your website. Not all hosting services are created equal, so make sure you’re choosing the right one for your needs.
Thankfully, WordPress.com has you covered with regards to this. They provide a wealth of information about the various hosting services available, so you can rest assured that you’re making the right choice for your needs. Even better, they even provide you with coupons and discounts if you sign up for their hosting through one of their official promotions.
Step 3: Install WordPress
Once you’ve chosen the right hosting service for your needs, you can move on to the next step which is to install WordPress on your site. In order to do this, simply visit the WordPress website and click the install button. You’ll be taken to a page where you can enter your username and password. Once you’ve entered these details, click the blue button to continue. You’ll then be presented with a screen asking you to pick an install location. Simply click the option that gives you the best experience (usually your hosting provider’s location) and then click the blue button to continue. You’ll then be presented with a page asking you to choose a WordPress theme and a few other options. Once you’ve made your selection, click the blue button to continue. You’ll then be presented with another page where you can enter your admin email address and a memorable password. Make sure you use a unique and strong password for this as the admin area is the most important part of your site. Make sure you keep your admin email address as the same as the one you used to create your WordPress.com account because we’ll be using this to help you get started with your new site. Once you’ve entered your admin email address and password, click the blue button to continue. You’ll then be presented with a page where you can copy and paste the URL of your newly created WordPress website into an email, tweet or other posting to let your colleagues, friends, and followers know about your new site. This is very important because having a working URL allows you to have a working blog post, which is needed for getting started. Make sure you remember this URL, as you’ll be using it in the next step.
Step 4: Login to Your New Site
Once your website has been successfully installed, you can log in to your new WordPress site and begin using it. In order to do this, simply visit the WordPress login page and click the login button. You’ll then be presented with a page asking you to enter your username and password. Make sure you enter these details correctly, as we’ve just entered them on the previous page (installation step). Once you’ve logged in successfully, you can then navigate to the dashboard to begin using the various features of WordPress.
The Bad News
Although the process of migrating from WordPress.com to WordPress on your own site is easy, it doesn’t mean that it’s without its downside. One of the primary concerns you’ll have is keeping your existing WordPress.com account active while you have your new site up and running. If you stop paying your subscription fee for your existing WordPress.com account, then you’ll be presented with a warning that you’re about to lose access to all your content. This means that, unless you want to start from scratch, you’ll have to keep paying the fee so you can keep access to your content. Luckily, there is a way around this through the use of a VPN. A VPN will allow you to securely connect to the internet even when you’re outside of your home country, which is exactly what you need to keep accessing your content when you’re abroad. Keep in mind that using a VPN also hides your activity from your ISP (Internet Service Provider), which can lead to legal trouble or at the very least, an uncomfortable conversation.
The Final Step
The last step in our walkthrough is to simply visit the URL of your new WordPress site in a web browser. You’ll then be presented with a page that allows you to select your region and then a slider that adjusts the price of your subscription based on the location of your computer. Simply select your location, and then click the blue button to continue. You’ll then be taken to a page where you can enter your payment information. As we’ve already entered this information on two previous pages (installation and login), we’ll need to click the confirmation button to proceed. When you’ve done this, your WordPress site will be instantly launched and you’ll be able to begin using it to its fullest.
Now that you’re a pro, you can answer a question that has been plaguing both beginners and experienced website owners alike: how to migrate from WordPress.com to WordPress on your own site. Keep in mind that this process is fairly easy, but it does require you to have a minimum amount of technical knowledge.