Canva has been an excellent, thriving, and recognized tool for designing pleasing websites. Unfortunately, it still lacks WordPress’s enormous flexibility, SEO capabilities, and scalability. You may design a website in Canva and want to move it to WordPress.
Such a measure enables better functionality from every aspect. However, you need to follow a well-structured conversion process. The article covers a detailed step-by-step guide for different methods to achieve the conversion with expert suggestions and best practices.
Method #01 – Manual Conversion (Rebuilding in WordPress)
It’s the most precise way to convert a Canva website to WordPress. Canva doesn’t offer direct export to WordPress. So, you’re to manually rebuild the design using a WordPress page builder like Elementor, Divi, or Gutenberg.
Steps for Manual Conversion
- Export Canva Design – Download the Canva website design in PDF or PNG format. Use these files as a reference during the rebuild process.
- Set Up WordPress – Install WordPress on your domain and hosting. Choose a lightweight theme like Astra, GeneratePress, or Kadence.
- Install a Page Builder – Elementor, Divi, Beaver Builder, or Bricks are the most popular options. Install your preferred plugin for drag-and-drop design.
- Recreate the Canva Design – Use the images, fonts, and colors from your Canva design. Rebuild each section manually using the page builder.
- Add Functionality – Add contact forms, sliders, galleries, or e-commerce features using WordPress plugins. Optimize for SEO and performance.
- Test and Launch – Always review the desktop, tablet, and mobile design. Check for broken links, SEO issues, and/or loading speed.
Method #02 – Canva to HTML to WordPress
Another approach is to extract the HTML from Canva (though Canva doesn’t offer direct HTML export) and embed or convert it into WordPress.
Steps for Canva to HTML to WordPress
- Capture Canva Layout – Download the Canva design in PNG. Use an HTML converter tool to generate basic HTML/CSS from the image (optional but rarely accurate).
- Create a Custom HTML Page in WordPress – Go to Pages > Add New in the WordPress Dashboard. Now, switch to the HTML (Text) editor.
- Manually Code the Layout – Use Canva design as a visual reference. Write HTML and CSS to match the design. Add WordPress dynamic elements (header, footer, menus) using PHP or page builder widgets.
- Add Content and Images – Upload all your images/pictures into the Media Library. Insert content using HTML or Gutenberg blocks.
- Test and Optimize – Likewise, ensure a responsive design. Test the loading speed using third-party tools like PageSpeed Insights.
Method #03 – Use Canva Designs as Background Images in WordPress Sections
This method works best when preserving the Canva look but still benefiting from WordPress functionality.
Steps for Canva Background Method
- Download Canva Sections as Images – Download each section (hero, services, about, contact) as PNG files. Keep the images in high resolution.
- Install Elementor (or any Page Builder) – Create a new page in WordPress. Use Elementor Sections or Containers.
- Set Canva Sections as Background – Set the background image in each section to the Canva section. Add transparent content boxes over the background for editable text.
- Optimize for Mobile – Ensure background images resize properly for mobile devices. Consider creating mobile-specific sections if needed.
- Add Functional Elements – Use page builder widgets to add some buttons, links, and forms over the images.
Best Practices for Canva to WordPress Conversion
- Plan– Break the Canva design into sections (header, hero, about, services, contact). Identify which parts should be dynamic content (text, buttons) and which can be static images.
- Optimize Images – Canva exports large images, which can slow down WordPress. Implement tools like TinyPNG to compress images before upload.
- Use Global Colors and Fonts – In page builders like Elementor, set global colors and fonts to match Canva’s design. It can ensure consistency across all pages.
- Focus on Responsiveness – Canva designs are static, but WordPress websites need to work on all devices. Test each section on desktop, tablet, and mobile.
- Use SEO-Friendly Structure – Replace image-based text with actual HTML text. Incorporate H1, H2, and H3 tags more appropriately.
- Add WordPress Features – Integrate contact forms (WPForms, Fluent Forms). Add SEO plugins (Yoast, Rank Math). Install caching plugins (WP Rocket) for faster loading.
Expert Suggestions
- Use Figma for more control.
- Choose a professional theme.
- Consider hiring a developer.
- Don’t overload with plugins.
- Always prioritize the speed.
Converting a Canva website to WordPress has some definite perks in terms of functionality, SEO, and scalability. Despite having no direct Canva-to-WordPress export, you can successfully migrate a design.
Manual rebuilding with Elementor provides the best long-term results. Following the best practices like responsive design, image optimization, and SEO focus ensures your converted site is good and working.
Contact Tectera a web development company in Toronto for more details.