Do you want to move your blog from WordPress.com to WordPress.org?

Many beginners start with WordPress.com, but quickly realize their limitations and want to switch to the self-hosted WordPress.org platform.

In this step-by-step guide, we will show you how to properly move your blog from WordPress.com to WordPress.org.

Why migrate from WordPress.com to WordPress.org?

WordPress.com allows anyone to create a blog by creating an account. However, beginners quickly realized that there are many limitations on their free WordPress.com blogs, such as limited profitability, inability to install plugins, displaying third-party ads to users, and more.

That's why users quickly move to the stronger and more popular self-hosted WordPress.org platform.

To see the differences between the two platforms, see our complete comparison of WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org.

We recommend using WordPress.org because it gives you full ownership of the website and freely control over all its features. To learn more about all of these features, see our full WordPress reviews and the pros and cons.

That being said, let's see how to properly migrate your blog from WordPress.com to WordPress.org.

Things you need before you start

To get started with self-hosted WordPress.org, you need a WordPress hosting account and a domain name.

We recommend Bluehost because they are one of the largest hosting companies in the world and are officially recommended WordPress hosting providers.

They also offer WPBeginner users free domain names and 60% discount on web hosting. You can start with it for $2.75 per month (this also includes free SSL).

→ Click here to receive exclusive Bluehost deal←

If your WordPress site already has a custom domain name, you still need web hosting. Continue to register Bluehost and add your blog domain under the Domain step.

In the later steps, we will show you how to keep the same domain without losing search rankings when transferring from WordPress.com to WordPress.org.

In addition to hosting accounts, you need to access your WordPress.com account so that you can easily move posts, pages, images, comments, and other data to your self-hosted WordPress website.

Free Bonus: Since many people ask for this, we now offer a free migration from WordPress.com to WordPress.org as part of our free WordPress blog setup service. During this guided transfer, one of our team of experts will complete the entire migration for you (100% free). This means you can switch from WordPress.com to WordPress.org without any risks.

However, if you like to learn and do things yourself, you can follow our step-by-step tutorial below.

Video tutorial

https://www.youtube.com/embed/X11eujRBo_c?version=3&rel=0&fs=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparentSubscribe to WPBeginner

https://www.youtube.com/subscribe_embed?usegapi=1&channel=wpbeginner&layout=default&count=default&origin=https://wpbeginner.com&gsrc=3p&ic=1&jsh=m;/_/scs/apps-static/_/js/k=oz.gapi.en.vQiXRrxCe40.O/am =AQ/d=1/rs=AGLTcCMBxIGVyXSdvvcs43a64yHt_P7dfg/m=__features__#_methods=onPlusOne,_ready,_close,_open,_resizeMe,_renderstart,oncircled,drefresh,erefresh&id=I0_1448178294715&parent=https://wpbeginner.com

If you prefer written instructions, please continue reading.

Step 1: Export data from WordPress.com

First, you need to log in to the WordPress.com website and go to your account dashboard.

In the left column, you need to click on the Tools ? Export menu and then click on the Export All button.

This allows you to export your WordPress website. Once the export file is ready, the download link will be displayed. You can click to download the zip file to your computer.

WordPress.com will also email the link to your email address.

After you download the file to your computer, you need to unzip it.

In it, you will find an XML file containing all posts, pages, images, comments, custom fields, categories, tags, navigation menus, and other data.

Step 2: Set up WordPress

Now that you have exported your WordPress.com data, the next step is to set up a brand new WordPress installation on your web hosting.

The installation of WordPress is very simple, with just a few clicks. If you register Bluehost like the one mentioned above, WordPress will be installed automatically for you.

Or, if you choose a different hosting service, you can follow our step-by-step tutorial to install WordPress in 5 minutes.

Once WordPress is installed, you can import the content into a new self-hosted WordPress website.

Step 3: Import content into a self-hosted WordPress site

To import the old WordPress.com site content to the new WordPress.org site, you need to log in to the admin area of ??the newly installed WordPress site.

From here, you need to visit the Tools ? Import page and click the Install Now button below WordPress.

WordPress will now install the WordPress importer for you.

When finished, click the "Run Import Program" link to continue.

It will take you to a screen where you will be asked to upload the WordPress.com XML file that was downloaded in Step 1 of this tutorial.

Click the Select File button to select the file, and then click the Upload File and Import button.

Note: If your file size is greater than 2MB, then you have two options. One is to ask your web hosting company to temporarily increase the limit so that you can continue the process. Another option is to use the WXR file splitter to split the file.

When you start importing, you can assign the imported content to existing users or create new users.

You can also choose to import file attachments. You must check this box to correctly import the image file.

Step 4: Import your Blogroll link

If you have been using the linking feature on your WordPress.com blog to store blogrolls or other links, you need to follow these instructions to import them. Users who do not use this feature can skip to step 5.

WordPress itself does not support blogroll. If you don't have many links in your blog volume, see our guide on how to add blog volume links in WordPress without using plugins.

However, if you have too many links or you want to keep the blog feature, keep reading.

Blogroll links are exported in OPML format. It is an XML format that allows you to export and import links and link categories. Your WordPress.com link has an OPML file with the following address:

http://example.wordpress.com/wp-links-opml.php

Replace the example with a subdomain of your WordPress.com blog.

If you use a custom domain on the WordPress.com website, you can access your OPML file by visiting the following URL:

http://www.example.com/wp-links-opml.php

Your OPML file will open in a browser window and you need to save it to your desktop. Press CTRL S (Command S on Mac) to save the file to your computer.

Now that you have backed up your WordPress.com links, the next step is to import them into WordPress. However, self-hosted WordPress does not enable Link Manager by default.

You need to install and activate the Link Manager plugin. The page of the plugin shows that it hasn't been updated for many years. That's because it doesn't require updates, you can install this plugin with confidence.

Once activated, the plugin will add a new menu item marked "Link" to your WordPress admin bar.

Next, you need to install and activate the OPML Importer plugin. The plugin enables a new importer tool that allows you to import blogroll links.

Once activated, you need to visit the Tools ? Import page and click the Run Importer link below the Blogroll Importer.

On the Blogroll importer page, you need to upload the previously saved OPML file.

Click the Select File button to select the file, and then click the Import OPML File button to continue.

WordPress will now import your links and link categories from the OPML file.

You will be able to see the progress and once completed, you will see the success message.

Step 5: Set your WordPress.com blog to private

Now, if you don't want to redirect old users to a new website, this will be your last step.

First, visit the WordPress.com dashboard for your old blog. From the menu on the left you need to click on Settings ? General menu and scroll down to the Privacy section.

From here, you need to select the "Private" option and click the "Save Settings" button.

This will make your old WordPress.com blog a private blog and will only be visible to you or other logged in users you approved.

Note: If you have been writing for a while and have a loyal reader, it doesn’t make sense to leave them hanging.

Also, if your blog has been around for a while, it is likely to be indexed by Google and other search engines.

You can follow Step 6 to keep all search engine rankings and easily redirect your old users to your new blog (highly recommended if your website is already established).

Step 6: Redirect visitors and retain SEO

Redirecting users to a new location using 301 headers is the standard solution to maintain search rankings when moving websites from one place to another.

Since you do not have access to the .htaccess file on WordPress.com, you cannot make any changes to preserve search engine rankings.

However, WordPress.com offers a paid upgrade feature called Site Redirection, which provides this feature.

Just go to the site redirect page. If you have multiple websites on WordPress.com, you will be asked which one you want to redirect.

On the next screen, you will be asked to provide the domain name you want to redirect visitors to. Enter the domain name for the new WordPress.org site and click the Start button.

Note: Site redirection is a paid upgrade, and costs $13 per year. It will add 301 redirects to redirect visitors and search engines of your WordPress.com blog to your new website.

Some people will ask: How long should I continue to pay for this off-site redirection feature?

The answer is as long as you want. However, we believe 2 years is enough for your old users to remember your new domain name.

If you are changing the domain name, the other thing you want to do is update all the URLs in the post. If you have ever created links to each other in your post, you must update these links. You can use our article to learn how to update your URL when you move your WordPress website.

If you have a custom domain on WordPress.com, you don't need to worry about anything. Simply change the DNS record to your host and you will retain all SEO benefits.

FAQ

We wrote the first version of this article in January 2013. Since then, we have received a lot of good questions. We've answered a lot of these questions via email or comments, so we think it would be nice to put the popular questions together in a place that everyone can see.

What happens to my WordPress.com subscribers?

Thankfully, WordPress.com allows you to migrate your subscribers in one condition. You must use their Jetpack plugin, which adds the same subscriber features as WordPress.com.

After installing and activating the Jetpack plugin, you will need to contact the WordPress.com team and ask them to migrate subscribers for you. We hope that in subsequent versions of Jetpack, this will become easier and users will be able to do it themselves.

Can you help me transfer from WordPress.com to WordPress.org for free?

Absolutely. As part of the free WordPress blog setup service, we offer migration from WordPress.com. If you need our help, just sign up. free

How much does it cost to switch to WordPress.org?

WordPress is free. However, there are some of the lowest web hosting costs. We recommend you read this article: Why is WordPress free? What is the cost and what are the gains?

I've paid WordPress.com. Can I get a refund?

Yes you can. If you recently purchased a custom domain or paid plan from WordPress.com, you can ask them for a full refund.

Note: Domain name registration can be cancelled within 48 hours after registration. Plans and other purchases can be cancelled within 30 days of purchase.

Will my image be corrupted?

No, they won't. When you use the import file for transfer, all additional images are downloaded and the link is updated.

However, we noticed a warning. If your image URLs start with files.wordpress.com, they are not converted. If you find that the image URL has not changed and still points to WordPress.com, we recommend that you use the Import External Image Plugin, which will solve this problem.

I registered my domain through WordPress.com. Can I still move?

Yes you can. WordPress believes in empowering users and giving them complete control over their content. If you already have a domain name through WordPress.com, you only need a web hosting account.

We recommend that you use Bluehost or any other WordPress hosting provider to set it up. During the registration phase, you will be asked if you have a domain name or want to register a new domain name.

Simply select the "I Have a Domain" option and insert the domain name you registered with WordPress.com.

The next thing you want to do is change the name server to point to the hosting provider. We can assist as part of the free setup service. You can also seek support from your web hosting provider.

Will my website crash when I switch?

If you do it right, NO. The method we suggest above will ensure that your website will never go down. If you are worried, please know we are here to help you. Welcome to use our free setup service at any time.

Can I add an online store to my WordPress.org site?

Yes, you can easily add an online store to your self-hosted WordPress.org site at no extra cost. Since Bluehost and other popular web hosts offer free SSL certificates, you can simply install the WordPress e-commerce plugin to add the online store.

What must-have WordPress plugins do you recommend?

Now that you have switched to self-hosted WordPress.org, you can install as many plugins as you like.

Here are our recommended options:

• AIOSEO – Improve your website’s SEO ranking (used by 3 million websites).
• WPForms – Add a smart contact form to your website (has been used by 6 million websites).
• SeedProd – Easily customize your login page with drag-and-drop builder – for all WordPress themes.
• MonsterInsights – Learn how people find and use your website. This is a must-have for bloggers and small business owners.
• PushEngage – Connect with visitors after they leave their website.
• Copyer – Create daily backups for your new website in an emergency.
• OptinMonster – Helps you get more email subscribers and succeed in your blog journey.

Apart from that, we recommend that you check out our expert selection of essential WordPress plugins and useful blogging tools to manage and grow your blog.

You can install all these plugins from inside the WordPress dashboard. We have created a step-by-step guide on how to install WordPress plugins.

I want to change the WordPress theme of the website, is that OK?

Yes, you can change your WordPress theme at any time. Another great thing about switching to WordPress.org is that you get extra customization options and more themes to choose from.

In the WordPress admin sidebar, click the Appearance Menu drop-down menu and select Theme to install the theme.

We have carefully selected some of the best topics to help users avoid choice paralysis. See our guide on the best free blog themes and the best WordPress versatile themes.

You may also want to check out our guide on how to properly change WordPress themes.

We hope this article helps you correctly migrate your blog from WordPress.com to WordPress.org. You might also want to check out our list of the most important things you need to do after installing WordPress, and our ultimate guide on increasing your blog traffic.

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