How to Properly Switch From Wix to WordPress (Step by Step)

How to Properly Switch From Wix to WordPress (Step by Step)

Wix, known for its quick and easy website-building capabilities, is a popular choice for many aspiring website owners. However, as users delve deeper into their online ventures, they often encounter limitations and escalating costs when trying to add advanced features. If you’re looking for more features and flexibility without breaking the bank, transitioning to a self-hosted WordPress website is a smart move. WordPress, powering over 43% of websites on the internet, offers unparalleled power and customization options. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the process of transitioning from Wix to WordPress, granting you complete control over your website’s growth.

Overview

Switching from Wix to WordPress might seem like a daunting task, but we’ve identified the most straightforward method: importing your blog posts via RSS. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll cover each aspect of transferring your Wix website to WordPress. The duration of the migration process largely depends on the number of pages on your Wix site, but it typically takes about an hour. Let’s dive into the process.

Step 1: Sign Up for WordPress Web Hosting

Your journey to starting a WordPress blog begins with obtaining web hosting for your website. Web hosting serves as your website’s home on the internet, where all your files and data are stored. Additionally, you’ll need a domain name (e.g., www.yoursite.com) to establish your website’s online address.

While Wix hosts your website for you, this limits your options. WordPress, being open-source software, requires you to purchase web hosting and a domain name. We strongly recommend using Bluehost, an official WordPress.org recommended hosting provider. By using our exclusive Bluehost coupon code, you can get a free domain and enjoy over 60% off web hosting costs. If you’d like to explore other hosting options, we’ve compiled a list of the best WordPress hosting providers, including SiteGround and HostGator.

If you’ve already registered a domain name with Wix, there’s no need to worry. When signing up with Bluehost, you can simply enter your existing domain under the “I have a domain name” option.

Step 2: Setup Your New WordPress Site

After securing your new hosting plan, you’ll need to install and configure WordPress. With Bluehost, WordPress is automatically installed for you, allowing you to log in to your WordPress dashboard from your hosting account. Most other WordPress hosting providers offer 1-click WordPress installers from their hosting dashboard. If you require guidance on installing WordPress, consult our step-by-step guide for beginners.

Upon accessing your WordPress admin area, it’s advisable to configure your permalink settings. Permalinks determine the structure of your blog post URLs. Customize them to your preference to create user-friendly links. This can be done by navigating to Settings » Permalinks in your WordPress dashboard and selecting your desired permalink structure before saving changes.

Step 3: Customize Your Site’s Design

Now that you have your WordPress site set up, it’s time to tailor its appearance. WordPress themes, akin to Wix templates, dictate the visual presentation of your website. A plethora of free WordPress themes is available, catering to various tastes, from minimalistic designs to feature-rich layouts.

As a beginner, it’s prudent to begin with a straightforward theme for ease of use. We offer a list of recommended simple WordPress themes to help you get started. If you’re uncertain about selecting the right theme, refer to our guide on choosing the perfect WordPress theme for valuable tips and advice.

Once you’ve found a theme that suits your vision, install it by following our comprehensive guide on how to install a WordPress theme. Keep in mind that you can always change your theme later, so don’t invest excessive time in this step. The paramount task at hand is migrating your content from Wix to WordPress.

Step 4: Import Your Wix Blog Posts to WordPress

In this pivotal step, we will transfer your Wix blog posts to your new WordPress site. Wix operates as a closed platform, making it challenging to migrate content away from Wix manually. However, we can simplify the process by importing your Wix RSS feed, obviating the need to recreate each blog post.

To commence, download your Wix RSS file. You can locate this file by appending “/feed.xml” or “/blog-feed.xml” to your Wix website URL. For those without a custom domain on Wix, your RSS feed can be found at “username.wixsite.com/blogname/feed.xml” or “username.wixsite.com/blogname/blog-feed.xml,” where “username” refers to your Wix username, and “blogname” is your blog’s name.

Once you’ve accessed the appropriate URL, a page filled with code will appear. Right-click anywhere on the page and select “Save As” to download the file to your computer.

With your RSS file in hand, log in to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to “Tools » Import.” Click the “Install Now” link under the RSS heading. After a brief moment, you’ll find a link at the top of the page labeled “Run Importer.” Click this link.

Next, click the “Choose File” button and select the “feed.xml” file you downloaded earlier. Once selected, click the “Upload file and import” button. At this juncture, your blog post content has been successfully transferred. However, there’s one remaining issue: your post’s images remain hosted with Wix.

To resolve this, install and activate the “Auto Upload Images” plugin. Plugins are akin to apps for WordPress, enhancing its functionality. You can follow our step-by-step guide on installing WordPress plugins for assistance.

After installing and activating the plugin, re-save each post containing images. The plugin will import the images within these posts. To expedite this process, access the “Posts » All Posts” page and click on the “Screen Options” button at the top. Increase the “Number of items per page” field to 999 and click “Apply.” WordPress will display 999 posts at once.

Select all your posts, then choose “Edit” under the bulk actions menu. Click “Apply,” and a quick edit box for all selected posts will appear. Click “Update,” and WordPress will update all your posts simultaneously.

Step 5: Import Your Wix Pages to WordPress

Now that your blog posts have been imported successfully, it’s time to transfer your Wix pages to your WordPress site. Unfortunately, Wix doesn’t offer an automated method for this, so you’ll need to recreate each page in WordPress manually.

Begin by navigating to the Wix page you want to transfer. Highlight all the content (excluding the page title), right-click, and select “Copy.” Next, log in to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to “Pages » Add New” to recreate the page. Enter the page title at the top of the page, then right-click and select “Paste” to replicate the content.

Step 6: Create Your Main Navigational Menu

To ensure effortless navigation for your visitors on your new WordPress website, create a main navigational menu. Access the “Appearance » Menus” section, assign a name to your menu, and click one of the “Create Menu” buttons.

Step 7: Redirect Wix to WordPress

With your new WordPress site complete, it’s crucial to inform your readers of your move and establish proper redirection. This ensures that all visitors to your old site land on corresponding pages on the new site while signaling search engines of the migration. Please note that redirection to your WordPress site is only possible if you had a custom domain on Wix.

Step 8: Add Essential WordPress Plugins

WordPress plugins extend the functionality of your site, similar to how Wix apps operate. A vast array of plugins is available, both free and premium. If you’re unsure where to begin, explore our articles on the best WordPress plugins and must-have plugins for all websites. If you’re looking for a drag-and-drop page builder reminiscent of Wix, consider using one of the top drag-and-drop WordPress page builder plugins like SeedProd.

Conclusion

Switching from Wix to WordPress might seem intricate, but it offers immense benefits in terms of flexibility and control. Follow this step-by-step guide to ensure a smooth transition, and you’ll be well on your way to harnessing the full power of WordPress for your website.