How to Migrate from Joomla to WordPress: Step-by-Step Guide

Thinking of migrating from Joomla to WordPress? Joomla and WordPress are the top website builders and Content Management systems to create a website.

WordPress is the most popular CMS and the most powerful website platform globally. At the same time, Joomla is considered the next best platform after WordPress for business websites.

However, if we compare the two, WordPress leads the way with its ability to extend the platform through its thousands of plugins.

If you plan to migrate your Joomla site to WordPress, we will provide a simple step-by-step guide to help you migrate from one platform to another below.

One of the easiest ways to do this is by using the WordPress FG Joomla plugin, which automates much of the process, making your transition smoother and faster.

Why Choose WordPress over Joomla?

Before moving from a Joomla site to WordPress, we need to understand the main similarities and differences that come with moving.

Starting your business with the Joomla site is quite convenient and easy for beginners. However, as your business evolves, you need to reflect upon your growing needs and move forward accordingly.

WordPress Migration can seem like a risk or hard work for many. So, before moving, let’s take you through why and how to move from a Joomla site to a WordPress site to clear all your doubts and worries.

Joomla 1.0, Joomla 1.5, Joomla 2.5, Joomla 3.1, Joomla 3.7	WordPress
Has a complicated learning curve	Add-ons feature for support
Requires manual automation for updates	Automatic updates
Used only for publishing regular content	A Blogging Platform
7,900+ plugins	58,000+ free plugins and themes
Multilingual support	Challenging to get web developers on board because of less popularity
Less Prevalent	A popular choice on the web
Navigation menus, content management features, and web links are available in Joomla.	Easy assistance from high-quality web developers
Navigation menus, content management features, and web links are available in Joomla	WordPress has more customizable options for management

In conclusion, migrating from a Joomla site to a WordPress site is an ideal choice for growing a business. With WordPress plugins, themes, an active community, and flexibility, you can take everything to a grand level and make the most out of the platform.

Further reading: Top Reasons to Use WordPress for Your Website

Things to Keep in Mind Before Migrating

Before starting the actual migration process, you must prepare your website to make sure everything is saved and exported safely to WordPress.

• Create a complete backup of your Joomla website. You can try backup plugins!

• To ensure there is no negative impact on your site’s SEO and rankings, prepare and save a complete list of your Joomla URLs.

• Since WordPress is an open-source platform, you need to get a domain name and web hosting services on your own. Many hosting providers, such as DreamHost and Convesio, offer managed WordPress hosting services. You can also check our Web Host Reviews to know about the top web hosting providers for your WordPress website. 

• Once you have chosen your domain name and hosting provider, you can proceed with the installation process and set up your website. 

Find out: Best WordPress Development Agencies in India

Steps to Migrate From Joomla to WordPress

Now let’s get down to the business of step-by-step guides on how to move your website from a Joomla site to WordPress. In this process, we are using the FG Joomla to WordPress plugin for easy migration. This plugin helps you skip the manual work and any complications related to your content, SEO, and rankings.

So, read the step-by-step guide on how to make a seamless move of your Joomla site to WordPress using this plugin:

Step 1: Install the FG Joomla to WordPress Plugin

Install the FG Joomla to WordPress plugin inside your WordPress dashboard and prepare it for data import.

• Go to your WordPress dashboard and then Plugins
• Click on Add New and search for the FG Joomla to WordPress plugin
• Once you find the plugin, install and activate the FG Joomla to WordPress plugin

Step 2: Save Your Joomla Database Parameters

To migrate your site from Joomla to WordPress, you’ll first need to access your Joomla database parameters. These parameters contain essential information for connecting your Joomla site to a database. Here’s how to locate them:

• Locate the configuration file: In your Joomla root directory, look for the configuration.php file.

• Open the configuration file: Use a text editor to open this file. Inside, you’ll find key database parameters such as:
  • Database Type: Usually set to mysql.
  • Host: The database server address (often localhost).
  • User: The database username for accessing the database.
  • Password: The password associated with the database user.
  • Database Name: The name of your Joomla database.
  • Table Prefix: The prefix used for Joomla tables in the database.

• Note down the parameters: Be sure to record all these details, as you’ll need them for migrating to WordPress.

• Once you have your Joomla database parameters, you can proceed with using tools like the WordPress FG Joomla plugin to automate the migration process, ensuring all your Joomla content is transferred correctly to WordPress.

Step 3: Import Content from Joomla

Import your Joomla content through the plugin interface and confirm that all entries appear correctly.

• Switch to WordPress and click on the Tool tab
• Here, you’ll see Joomla FG as one of the options for importing 
• Click on it and Run Importer

Note: If you are willing to empty your old WordPress website content, including pages, posts, categories, tags, and media, you can either remove it or create a backup of it.

You can then reset your WordPress database by selecting ‘Remove all WordPress content’ and clicking ‘Empty your WordPress content’. 

Also Read: Migrate from Wix to WordPress

Step 4: Migrate Your Content to WordPress

Next, navigate the page and locate the Joomla website parameters. Once you see it, you can fill out all the information you noted in step 2 while saving the Joomla database.

• Once filled, test the database connection by clicking on the button at the end.

• Now scroll down to the main import option, where you can import content as drafts or even as published blog posts. 

• Now you can decide whether you want to import media or choose the same Joomla content images to be used as feature images in WordPress. 

• Next, click ‘Import Meta Keywords as tags’ to transfer your SEO settings to WordPress.

• Finally, scroll down, click Start/Resume Import, and let the plugin do the rest.

Know about: Best WordPress Website Migration Agencies

Step 5: Change Internal Links

Once the entire migration process is complete, click the Modify Internal Links button. By modifying internal links, you can map your current internal links to your new WordPress URLs.

Once you have updated your internal links, you have completed the migration process. Now, you can customize your WordPress website!

Also read: How to Migrate from Blogger to WordPress without Hassle.

Joomla to WordPress: Post-Migration Process

The process does not end here. Even after a successful migration, there are a few things that you need to take care of for a smooth transition post-migration. Working on WordPress can be a different and unique experience. You need to trust the process to achieve higher results.

Below are a few things you can do to ensure a final setup of your WordPress website:

Move Your Site Content to the Live Domain

During the migration process, everything is in the development stage. One must keep their content safe in the foothold till then. However, once the process is completed, you can trust and take all your content live on WordPress to move ahead.

Read about: Best Redirect Plugins for WordPress

Learn WordPress

Don’t worry if you’re not a WordPress expert. It’s actually relatively easy to get the hang of! But when moving from Joomla to WordPress, there are a few new things you’ll want to pick up.

For example, WordPress has a block editor (called Gutenberg) that works differently from Joomla’s system.

You’ll also be working with plugins and themes in a whole new way, and it’s worth taking a little time to understand how WordPress handles things like SEO, media uploads, and custom post types. It’s a learning curve, but once you get the basics, you’ll see how flexible and powerful WordPress can be.

Whether it’s WordPress maintenance or ongoing management, mastering the basics through WordPress training makes the entire process straightforward. Once you’ve got the fundamentals down, managing a WordPress website becomes a breeze.

Learn: How to Create Custom Post Type in WordPress Easily

Select a WordPress Theme for Your New Site

WordPress offers a wide variety of amazing themes and templates to match your brand identity and design your site beautifully.

However, if you already have a strong brand identity with your old theme, you may use the same theme so that your users are not confused by all the changes. If not, you can completely revamp your whole website as you like. 

Related: Fastest WordPress Themes with PageSpeed Data

Break-free Your Limits with All WordPress Features

Now that you have shifted to a more powerful, flexible, and creative platform from Joomla, you have opened up to new possibilities. Go ahead and browse WordPress’s extensive directory and find the right plugins and apps to enhance the functionality and results of your site.

Setting up URLs

Choosing an appropriate permalink structure in WordPress is essential. Permalinks are the web addresses of your posts and pages. Go to your WordPress dashboard, find the Settings option, and select Permalinks.

Though WordPress sets a default format, opting for the “Post name” format is often more user-friendly and SEO-compliant. However, if you run a news-focused site, it’s recommended to include the date in your URLs.

Handling Broken Links

A platform shift might result in a few broken links. Tools like the Broken Link Checker can help you spot and fix these, ensuring visitors can avoid dead ends on your site. Additionally, SEO tools like Google Search Console can flag pages that aren’t found.

Implementing Redirects

If URLs have changed during the migration, set up redirects to guide visitors to the correct pages. Redirect plugins such as Redirection can make this process simpler. For those using Hostinger, you can also establish redirects through the cPanel.

Extending Functionality with Plugins

Plugins enhance your site’s capabilities. Consider adding essential plugins for SEO (like All in One SEO), page building (Visual Composer), eCommerce (WooCommerce), and performance optimization (W3 Total Cache), among others.

Revamp Your Site’s Look

The design of your site can make or break the user experience. Browse other websites for design inspiration, prioritize mobile responsiveness, and maintain a clean and uncluttered layout. If you’re up for it, a basic understanding of HTML and CSS can give you more control over tweaks and customization.

Read: Become a WordPress Developer + Job Opportunities

Post-Migration Best Practices for Your New WordPress Website

After successfully migrating your site from Joomla to WordPress, the real work begins. To ensure your new WordPress site runs smoothly, here are some best practices to follow:

Review Your Content

Once your content is imported, ensure all blog posts, web pages, images, and media have been transferred properly. Check for any missing content or formatting errors and make necessary adjustments.

Fix Broken Links

Broken links can significantly affect SEO and the user experience. Use plugins like Broken Link Checker to identify and fix any faulty links, ensuring all links are active and directing users to the correct pages.

Set Up Permalinks

Permalink structure is crucial for SEO. After migration, make sure your URLs are clean, readable, and SEO-friendly. Pay special attention to page types and URLs, especially if you’re migrating from older Joomla versions like Joomla 1.0 or Joomla 1.5.

Install Key Plugins

SEO plugins and caching plugins are essential for enhancing site speed and improving search engine visibility. Installing these will help your site rank better and load faster, thereby enhancing the user experience.

Test Website Performance

Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to check your site’s speed. Website performance is crucial for retaining visitors, so ensure your site is optimized to load quickly, promoting better user engagement and improved SEO performance.

Enhance Security

Install security plugins to safeguard your WordPress site from malicious attacks. Additionally, set up automated backups of your database to ensure your site’s data is always protected.

Monitor SEO and Traffic

Monitor your SEO rankings and web traffic closely after the migration. Regularly track your performance to catch any issues early and make adjustments to your content or strategy.

Adapt Your Content Strategy

Post-migration is a good opportunity to revisit and adapt your content strategy. Focus on creating high-quality, engaging content that aligns with SEO best practices, ensuring your site remains relevant and ranks well.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Migrating from Joomla to WordPress

Migrating your site from Joomla to WordPress can unlock new possibilities for customization and enhanced ease of use. However, the process is not without its pitfalls. To help ensure a smooth transition, be aware of these common mistakes and how to avoid them.

Forgetting to Back Up Your Joomla Site

Don’t risk losing your hard work. Before you start moving things over, make a complete backup of your Joomla site.

This way, if anything goes wrong, you can always go back to where you started. Backing up ensures that all your data is safe and retrievable, providing peace of mind throughout the migration process.

Also Check: Best WordPress Backup Plugins

Ignoring SEO During the Move

Want to keep your search rankings? Don’t forget about SEO. Make sure you keep your old URLs and redirect them correctly to your new WordPress pages.

This helps search engines understand where your content has moved. Neglecting SEO can result in a significant drop in traffic and visibility, undoing years of search engine optimization efforts.

More to Check: Best WordPress Redirect Plugins (Free & Paid)

Not Checking Your Content After Moving

Have you ever played “Spot the Difference”? That’s what you need to do after moving your site. Compare your old Joomla pages with your new WordPress ones.

Look for missing images, broken formatting, or lost links. Fixing these early will save you headaches later. A thorough content review ensures that your site looks and functions as intended, maintaining a consistent user experience.

Also Check: How to Make a Resource Page for WordPress Website

Rushing to Delete Your Joomla Site

Hold your horses! Don’t rush to delete your Joomla site right after moving. Keep it around for a while as you get used to WordPress. You might need to refer back to it or grab something you missed.

Keeping the old site accessible allows for a smoother transition and provides a safety net if any data needs to be rechecked or transferred.

Skipping the Testing Phase

Do you think your site works perfectly after the move? Test it to be sure. Click through all your pages, test your forms, and make sure everything loads correctly.

It’s better to catch problems now than have your visitors find them later. Comprehensive testing helps identify any issues that might have been overlooked, ensuring your site is fully functional before going live.

Conclusion

We hope we made the entire process of moving your website from Joomla to WordPress quite seamless and easy. Now that you have concluded the migration process, you can focus on familiarizing yourself with your new, powerful website on WordPress. Discover its key features, available plugins, and premium plans.

In case you are a beginner and need assistance on how to migrate from Joomla to WordPress, you can check out Seahawk’s WordPress Migration Services for a hassle-free process.

Joomla to WordPress FAQs