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Switching to WordPress? Step-by-Step Tips, Takeaways & Tools

ByJudith Updated on Reading Time: 5 minutes
How to migrate your website to WordPress

Switching a website to WordPress can be a significant decision, and website owners should carefully consider several factors before doing so. This process can only benefit your online presence and potential when approached with knowledge and understanding.

Here are all the touchpoints involved in switching a website to WordPress. This is not an extensive how-to but rather a guide to inform you of what is involved and what you need to consider when moving your website to WordPress. Take your time, plan accordingly, and then move forward.

Top 5 WordPress Considerations

  • Consideration: Assess the complexity of migrating existing content to WordPress. This includes text, images, videos, and other media.
  • Takeaway: Plan a seamless migration strategy to ensure minimal disruption to your website’s content and structure. Use tools and plugins available for content migration.
  • Consideration: Evaluate themes’ availability and customization flexibility in WordPress.
  • Takeaway: Choose a theme that aligns with your brand and is customizable to meet your design preferences. Familiarize yourself with WordPress customization options and consider getting assistance from a Pro if needed.
  • Consideration: Examine the plugin ecosystem to ensure the availability of features and functionalities your website needs.
  • Takeaway: Research and install essential plugins for security, SEO, performance optimization, and other functionalities. Be cautious not to overload your website with unnecessary plugins, which can negatively impact performance.
  • Consideration: Analyze the potential impact on SEO when transitioning to WordPress.
  • Takeaway: Implement proper SEO practices during and after the migration. Redirect old URLs to new ones, update meta tags, and ensure a smooth transition to maintain or improve search engine rankings. Google wrote about this.
  • Consideration: Analyze the potential impact on SEO when transitioning to WordPress.
  • Takeaway: Implement proper SEO practices during and after the migration. Redirect old URLs to new ones, update meta tags, and ensure a smooth transition to maintain or improve search engine rankings.

Key Takeaways When Moving to WordPress:

  • Thorough Planning: Plan the migration process meticulously to avoid disruptions and data loss.
  • User Experience: Prioritize a positive user experience by selecting a user-friendly theme and optimizing website performance.
  • Security Measures: Implement robust security measures to protect your website from potential vulnerabilities.
  • Training and Support: Ensure your team is adequately trained on using WordPress or has access to reliable support channels.
  • Testing: Conduct thorough testing before and after migration to promptly identify and address any issues.

By considering these factors, website owners can make a well-informed decision and successfully transition their website to WordPress.

Step-by-Step Guide to Switching to WordPress

Here’s a step-by-step guide in order of priority for switching a website to WordPress, along with recommended tools:

Priority: High

Steps:

  • Identify and list all existing content, including pages, posts, images, and media files.
  • Categorize content based on importance and relevance.

Priority: High

Steps:

  • Research and select a reliable WordPress hosting provider.
  • Consider factors such as performance, security features, support, and scalability.

Recommended Tools: WPMU, SiteGround, Kinsta.*

Priority: High

Steps:

  • Install WordPress on your chosen hosting platform. Quality managed WordPress hosting makes this easy with a click or two.
  • Based on your website’s needs, you should select a responsive and customizable theme. I recommend Kadence. Here’s why.

Recommended Tool: Kadence

Priority: Medium

Steps:

  • Use migration tools or plugins to transfer content from the existing platform to WordPress.
  • Verify that all content is accurately migrated and URLs are correctly redirected.

Recommended Tools: All-in-One WP Migration, UpdraftPlus: WordPress Backup & Migration Plugin

Customize Design and Layout

Steps:

  • Customize the chosen theme to match your brand identity.
  • Adjust layouts, fonts, colors, and other design elements.

Recommended Tools: WordPress’ Built-in Customizer.

Priority: Medium

Steps:

  • Install plugins for SEO, security, performance optimization, and other essential functionalities.
  • Be selective to avoid plugin bloat.

Recommended Tools: Yoast SEO, Wordfence Security, W3 Total Cache.

Priority: Medium

Steps:

  • Update meta tags, titles, and descriptions for SEO.
  • Set up redirects for old URLs to maintain search engine rankings.

Recommended Tools: Yoast SEO Premium, Redirection

Priority: Medium

Steps:

  • Strengthen security with firewalls, login protection, and regular security audits.
  • Regularly update WordPress core, themes, and plugins.

Recommended Tools: Wordfence Security, Sucuri Security, iThemes Security

Priority: Low

Steps:

  • Provide training for content creators and administrators on using WordPress.
  • Create documentation for everyday tasks and troubleshooting.

Recommended Tools: WordPress Training videos,* internal documentation.

Priority: High

Steps:

  • Conduct thorough testing of the entire website before and after migration.
  • Check for broken links, formatting issues, and functionality.

Recommended Tools: BrowserStack, Google PageSpeed Insights, Broken Link Checker.

Priority: High

Steps:

  • Set up regular backups of your WordPress site, including databases and files.
  • Have a recovery plan in case of unexpected issues.

Recommended Tools: UpdraftPlus, BackupBuddy, VaultPress.

Priority: Low

Steps:

  • Set up Google Analytics or other analytics tools to monitor website performance.
  • Monitor website speed and user interactions.

Recommended Tools: Google Analytics, MonsterInsights, GTmetrix

What’s your next step?

You’ve already taken it by reading this article. Now, follow through on each item, prepare as much as possible, and proceed methodically.

Following these steps in order of priority and using the recommended tools can streamline switching to WordPress while ensuring a smooth transition and optimal performance.

Once that is all in place, the real fun begins! You’ll have a website that you can work on and grow to contribute to your success. It doesn’t get any better than that.

At your service,

*Some of the links on this page are to companies with which I have a professional affiliation.
Read my complete affiliate statement here.

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