Looking for WIX migration to WordPress Guide?
Website owners are now increasingly migrating from Wix to WordPress. It’s because WordPress’ flexibility, customization, and control seem second to none for a solid online presence. And this guide covers the entire process in simple steps to ensure a smooth transition without losing your content or SEO value.
01. Pre-Migration Preparation
Assessment of the Wix Website
Track the inventory of your existing content, including – webpages, blogs, media, forms, and products. Also, take notes of any custom functionality or integrations.
Planning WordPress Setup
Choose a hosting provider to select a desired WordPress theme. List all the essential plugins you need. Now, determine whether you need any custom developments.
Setting a Timeline
Carefully evaluate the possible time needed for each step. Choose a low-traffic period for the switch. Also, stakeholders should be informed about potential downtime.
02. Setting Up the WordPress
Installing WordPress
Start by signing up for a hosting plan. Use the one-click WordPress installation if possible. Alternatively, you’re to install WordPress manually by –
- Downloading WordPress
- Creating a database
- Uploading files via FTP
- Running installation script
Configure Basic Settings
Set up your website title and tagline to configure the permalink structure. It should preferably match the Wix URL structure. Now, set your time zone and date format. You can also create accounts for team members.
Installing Essential Plugins
Among all the wildly different options, consider the following –
- Wordfence
- Yoast SEO or Rank Math
- UpdraftPlus
- WPForms or Contact Form 7
- WP Rocket
Installing and Customizing Theme
Pick a theme that closely matches your Wix design. Then, install the theme from the repository or upload a premium one. You can customize the logo, color scheme, typography, and layout from theme settings.
03. Content Migration
Manual Migration (Pages and Posts)
You must create new WordPress pages to match the Wix site structure. Start doing copy-and-paste the content from Wix by –
- Using the Classic Editor plugin for a simpler interface
- Updating internal links to reflect the new structure
- Adjusting the formats as needed in the WordPress editor
Export-Import for Blogs
Find a Wix to WordPress migration plugin/service. Without any automation tool, execute the following –
- Copying each blog manually
- Recreating categories and tags
- Updating publication dates for matching
Media File Migration
Download all media files from your Wix site. Start uploading them to your WordPress media library by –
- Using the ‘Add New’ option in the Media section
- Implementing a bulk upload plugin for efficiency
- Updating image links to find the new media URLs
Forms and Contact Info
Recreate your forms using a WordPress form plugin. You must ensure all contact information is updated on relevant webpages. Test the form submissions to verify functionality.
E-commerce Migration (when applicable)
Setting up a WordPress solution is necessary when using Wix for e-commerce. You can do it via –
- Incorporating WooCommerce
- Manually recreating the product listings
- Importing product data using CSV
- Configuring payment gateways and shipping
04. Design and Functionality
Recreating Wix Design Elements
Use WordPress page builders (Elementor, Beaver Builder) to recreate all the complex layouts. Implement custom CSS for specific design elements. You can also consider hiring a WordPress developer to replicate the exact design.
Replace Wix Apps with WordPress Plugins
Identify and enlist the apps you currently use on Wix. Start finding equivalent WordPress plugins, such as social media integration, newsletter signup, gallery displays, booking systems, etc. Install and configure these plugins to match your Wix functionality.
Custom Functionality
Assess the custom features on your Wix site to determine whether existing WordPress plugins can replicate the functionality. Otherwise, consider custom plugin development or theme modifications.
05. SEO Considerations
URL Structure
You better maintain similarities for URL structures to your Wix site. For changes in URLs, employ 301 redirects by –
- Using a plugin like Redirection
- Mapping Wix URLs to WordPress URLs
Metadata Migration
Now transfer the meta titles and descriptions through –
- An SEO plugin like Yoast SEO or Rank Math
- Manually input meta info for page and post
- Preserving the alt texts for images/pictures
Sitemap Generation
It’s time to generate a new XML sitemap using SEO plugins. Submit the new sitemap to Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools as well.
Preserve Existing SEO Elements
Maintaining your content’s header structure (H1, H2, etc.) is essential. Keep keyword optimization intact during transfers. You must ensure the full preservation of the internal linking structure.
06. Testing and Quality Assurance
Functionality Testing
Carefully check all the webpages and posts/blogs for proper display. Also, test the navigation menus and internal links. Verify form submissions and e-commerce functions (when applicable). Ensure absolute responsiveness on different devices and browsers.
Performance Testing
Employ tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to check your website speed. Optimize the images while looking into browser caching. Don’t forget to implement a Content Delivery Network (CDN).
SEO Audit
Conducting a full SEO audit is necessary with tools like Screaming Frog. Check thoroughly for any broken links to fix such issues asap. Verify that all your important webpages are indexable.
User Testing
Invite team members or trusted users to navigate the new website. Start gathering feedback on usability and design. Make necessary adjustments based on user reviews and recommendations.
07. Launch Preparation
Backup the New WordPress Site
You must create a full backup of all WordPress files and databases. So, store the backup in a secure and off-site location if possible.
Update DNS Settings
Obtaining the IP address of your new WordPress host is mandatory. Access domain registrar settings to update the new WordPress host’s IP address. For Cloudflare or similar services, update the DNS settings.
08. Post-Launch Tasks
Monitor Site Performance
Watch for any potential errors or issues in the first 48 hours. Use Google Analytics to monitor traffic and user behaviors. Don’t forget to check the server logs for unusual activities.
Verify Search Engine Indexing
After submitting your new sitemap to search engines, use Google Search Console to request reindexing. Keep a close eye on the search rankings regarding important keywords.
Update External References
You must update every listing or directory with your website URL. So, inform partners or affiliates of your website change. The same goes for social media profile links.
Implement Ongoing Maintenance
Set up regular backups without hesitation. You better keep WordPress core, theme, and plugin updated. Regularly reviewing and optimizing your site’s performance and security is also important.
Wrapping Up
Successfully migrating your website from Wix to WordPress requires a cautious approach for every step involved in the process. No matter what you do, maintaining the resources, quality, design, and SEO must get priority. Despite the complex process, WordPress has many long-term benefits. That’s why the migration seems a worthwhile endeavor for conscious website owners.
Contact Tectera a web development company in Toronto for more information.
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