Are you ready to take your Blogger blog to the next level by moving it to WordPress? WordPress is the most popular content management system in the world, powering over 43% of all websites. It offers many advantages over Blogger, including more control, flexibility, and features.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll walk you through the process of moving your custom domain Blogger blog to WordPress step-by-step. Whether you‘re a blogging beginner or an experienced webmaster, you‘ll find everything you need to make the transition as smooth as possible. Let‘s dive in!
Step 1: Get Started with WordPress Hosting
The first step is to sign up for a WordPress hosting account. We recommend using Bluehost, one of the largest and most trusted hosting companies in the world. They‘re an official WordPress recommended hosting provider and offer a simple one-click installation process.
To get started, head over to Bluehost‘s website and click the "Get Started" button. Choose a hosting plan, enter your domain name, and complete the registration process. Bluehost offers a free domain name for the first year, so you may want to consider using it as your primary domain.
Once you‘ve signed up, log in to your Bluehost control panel and navigate to the "My Sites" tab. Click the "Create Site" button and follow the prompts to set up your WordPress site. Be sure to choose the "Custom Installation" option and enter your Blogger domain name.
Step 2: Change Your Domain‘s DNS Settings
Now that your WordPress site is set up, you need to point your custom domain to it. This process involves changing your domain‘s DNS (Domain Name System) settings.
First, log in to your domain registrar‘s control panel. This is the company where you originally registered your domain name, such as GoDaddy, Domain.com, or Namecheap.
Locate the DNS settings for your domain and remove any existing records that point to Blogger, such as CNAME or A records. Take note of these records in case you need to reference them later.
Next, add your WordPress hosting provider‘s DNS settings. Bluehost‘s DNS settings are as follows:
ns1.bluehost.com
ns2.bluehost.com
The exact steps for changing your DNS settings will vary depending on your domain registrar, but the process is generally straightforward. If you need help, consult your registrar‘s support documentation or contact their customer support team.
Keep in mind that DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to propagate fully. During this time, your domain may not resolve correctly. Don‘t worry – this is normal!
Step 3: Export Your Blogger Content
While you‘re waiting for your DNS changes to take effect, you can get started exporting your content from Blogger.
Log in to your Blogger account and go to the "Settings" menu. Under the "Manage Blog" section, click the "Back up Content" button. Blogger will generate an XML file containing all your posts, comments, and pages. Save this file to your computer.
Step 4: Import Your Blogger Content to WordPress
Now it‘s time to import your Blogger content to WordPress. Log in to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to the "Tools" menu. Click the "Import" link and choose "Blogger" from the list of options.
If the Blogger importer plugin isn‘t already installed, WordPress will prompt you to install it now. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
Once the plugin is installed, click the "Activate Plugin & Run Importer" link. You‘ll be prompted to upload the XML file you exported from Blogger. Choose the file from your computer and click the "Upload file and import" button.
WordPress will now import your Blogger content, including posts, pages, comments, and images. Depending on the size of your site, this process may take several minutes to complete.
After the import process is finished, you‘ll have the opportunity to assign an author to the imported content. Choose an existing WordPress user or create a new user account as needed.
Step 5: Redirect Your Permalinks
WordPress uses a different permalink structure than Blogger, so you‘ll need to set up redirects to ensure that any existing links to your Blogger content continue to work.
In your WordPress dashboard, navigate to the "Settings" menu and click the "Permalinks" link. Choose the "Custom Structure" option and enter the following code:
/%year%/%monthnum%/%postname%.html
This permalink structure will closely match the default Blogger permalink structure, minimizing the number of broken links.
Next, install and activate the Redirection plugin. This plugin will allow you to easily set up redirects for any remaining broken links.
In your WordPress dashboard, navigate to the "Tools" menu and click the "Redirection" link. The plugin will automatically detect any broken links and suggest redirects. Review the suggested redirects and make any necessary changes, then click the "Add Redirect" button to save them.
Step 6: Redirect Your Feeds
In addition to redirecting your permalinks, you‘ll also need to redirect your RSS feeds to ensure that your subscribers continue to receive your content.
To do this, you‘ll need to edit your WordPress site‘s .htaccess file. This file is located in your site‘s root directory and controls various server configurations.
Using an FTP client or your hosting provider‘s file manager, locate the .htaccess file and download it to your computer. Open the file in a text editor and add the following code at the very top of the file:
RewriteEngine on
RewriteCond %{HTTP_USER_AGENT} !FeedBurner [NC]
RewriteCond %{HTTP_USER_AGENT} !FeedValidator [NC]
RewriteRule ^feed/?([_0-9a-z-]+)?/?$ http://feeds.feedburner.com/yourfeedname [R=302,NC,L]
Replace "yourfeedname" with the name of your Feedburner feed. If you‘re not using Feedburner, you can replace the entire "http://feeds.feedburner.com/yourfeedname" URL with the URL of your WordPress feed (e.g. "http://yourdomain.com/feed").
Save the .htaccess file and re-upload it to your server, overwriting the existing file. Your RSS feeds will now be redirected to your WordPress feed.
Step 7: Choose a WordPress Theme
One of the great things about WordPress is the wide variety of themes available. Your theme controls the look and feel of your site, so it‘s important to choose one that reflects your brand and meets your needs.
To browse available themes, log in to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to the "Appearance" menu. Click the "Themes" link to browse the official WordPress theme directory, or click the "Add New" button to upload a custom theme.
When choosing a theme, look for one that is responsive (meaning it looks good on mobile devices), customizable, and well-supported by the developer. Some popular free themes to consider include:
- Astra
- OceanWP
- GeneratePress
- Hello Elementor
- Neve
If you‘re willing to invest in a premium theme, some top options include:
- Divi by Elegant Themes
- Avada by Theme Fusion
- X Theme by Themeco
- BeTheme by Muffin Group
- Enfold by Kriesi
Once you‘ve chosen a theme, install and activate it from the "Appearance" menu. Customize your theme‘s settings as desired, referring to the theme‘s documentation or support resources if needed.
Step 8: Extend WordPress with Plugins
In addition to themes, WordPress also offers a huge library of plugins that can add new features and functionality to your site. Some essential plugins to consider installing include:
- Jetpack – Offers a suite of features including site stats, security, and social media integration.
- Yoast SEO – Helps optimize your site for search engines and social media.
- WPForms – Allows you to easily create contact forms, surveys, and other types of forms.
- MonsterInsights – Adds Google Analytics tracking to your site.
- WP Super Cache – Speeds up your site by caching pages and posts.
- UpdraftPlus – Backs up your site and allows you to easily restore it if needed.
To browse available plugins, log in to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to the "Plugins" menu. Click the "Add New" button to browse the official WordPress plugin directory, or use the "Upload Plugin" button to upload a custom plugin.
As with themes, be sure to choose plugins that are well-supported and regularly updated to ensure compatibility and security.
Step 9: Get Help When Needed
Moving your blog from Blogger to WordPress can be a challenging process, especially if you‘re new to WordPress. Fortunately, there are plenty of resources available to help you along the way.
The official WordPress Codex is a great place to start, offering a wealth of documentation and tutorials on every aspect of WordPress. If you need more personalized support, the WordPress support forums are a great place to ask questions and get help from experienced WordPress users.
In addition, there are many WordPress-focused blogs and resources that offer helpful tips, tutorials, and guides. Some of our favorites include:
- WPBeginner – Offers a wide range of tutorials and guides aimed at WordPress beginners.
- WPExplorer – Provides helpful resources on WordPress themes, plugins, and development.
- WPKube – Offers a mix of WordPress tutorials, news, and reviews.
- WPLift – Provides a variety of WordPress tips, tricks, and resources.
With these resources at your disposal, you‘ll be well-equipped to tackle any challenges that come up as you move your blog from Blogger to WordPress.
Conclusion
Moving your Blogger blog to WordPress can be a daunting task, but the benefits are well worth the effort. With the increased flexibility, customization options, and powerful features offered by WordPress, you‘ll be able to take your blog to new heights.
By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure a smooth transition from Blogger to WordPress. From choosing a hosting provider and setting up your domain, to importing your content and customizing your site‘s design and functionality, we‘ve covered all the key steps involved.
Remember, moving your blog to WordPress is just the beginning. With the wide range of themes, plugins, and resources available, the possibilities for your WordPress site are truly endless. So go ahead and make the switch – your blog (and your readers) will thank you for it!
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