How to Migrate From Tumblr to WordPress: A Simple Guide

If you are a website owner turned blogger, you must be aware of Tumblr. This popular free blogging platform is great for people who want a personal blog or a simple website. However, as the brand grows, the need to migrate from Tumblr to WordPress arises. 

Switching from Tumblr to WordPress is a great choice if you want more power, functionality, and freedom to customize. WordPress is an influential platform that can help you create almost any kind of website. 

But how do you migrate from Tumblr to WordPress? Is there an easy way out? Of course, where there’s a will, there’s a way! We are here to help you with an easy WordPress migration guide on how to move from Tumblr to WordPress in a few simple steps. 

So, let’s get started. 

Why Migrate from Tumblr to WordPress?

Well, if you are still on the fence about moving from Tumblr to WordPress, then think of it this way: WordPress is an open-source CMS platform, and you’ll have all the freedom you need to scale up your blog and overall web design. Making this switch can open new possibilities for WordPress developers, bloggers, and businesses 

This means you actually dare to do whatever you want with your WordPress site without the restrictions that free blogging platforms like Tumblr might have. And sure, Tumblr has some great free and premium themes, but WordPress really takes it to the next level when it comes to theme choices and customization. Plus, with a massive WordPress directory at your disposal, you can easily add cool new features to your WordPress site—no coding required.

Tumblr’s dashboard is user-friendly, but it doesn’t match what the WordPress dashboard offers. Tumblr is great for social networking, but WordPress is all about giving you the tools to manage everything—from your posts and media to comments and plugins—all in one place.

Below is a quick comparison to help you strengthen your decision to migrate from Tumblr to WordPress: 

Features	Tumblr	WordPress
Ease of Use	Very user-friendly and simple	User-friendly with more advanced options
Customization	Limited customization with themes and basic options	Highly customizable with thousands of themes and plugins
Themes & Plugins	No plugin support. Offers free and premium themes	Thousands of themes and plugins to choose from
Dashboard	Simple, focused on social networking	Comprehensive, focused on full site management
Content Ownership	Limited control, hosted on Tumblr servers	Full control, self-hosted
SEO	Basic SEO options	Advanced SEO options with plugins like AIOSEO
Social Networking	Strong, Built-in social features (reblogs, likes)	Social features can be added via plugins
Monetization	Limited options for monetization	Extensive options for ads, e-commerce, and more

Further reading: Top Reasons to Use WordPress for Your Website

Things to Check Before Migrating from Tumblr to WordPress

Migrating from Tumblr to WordPress is an exciting step, but before you make the move, there are a few important things you should check to ensure a smooth transition:

• Backup Your Tumblr Content: Before you start the migration process, make sure to back up all your Tumblr content. This includes posts, images, and any other media files. Although the migration process should retain most of your content, having a backup ensures that nothing gets lost in the transfer.

• Choose the Right WordPress Hosting: WordPress.org requires self-hosting, so you’ll need to choose a reliable hosting provider. Look for a host that offers good performance, security, and support to handle your site’s needs as it grows.

• Review Your Tumblr Content: Not all content types or formats translate perfectly between Tumblr and WordPress. Review your Tumblr posts to see if any content might need to be adjusted or reformatted once it’s on WordPress. 

• Install WordPress: Once you have hosting, you can install WordPress with just one click through your hosting provider. If you need help, most hosts will assist with the installation.

• Prepare for Customization: Unlike Tumblr, WordPress offers extensive customization options. Prepare to spend some time tweaking your site’s appearance, layout, and features to make the most of what WordPress has to offer 

Know about: Best WordPress Website Migration Agencies

Migrate From Tumblr to WordPress in 4 Simple Steps

You don’t have to worry about migrating Tumblr to WordPress, which is a daunting process. Here’s a quick and easy guide to help you move your Tumblr blog to your new WordPress site.

It’s a simple process and should help you move from Tumblr to WordPress in a few minutes! 

Check out the steps below: 

Getting Started with the Tumblr Importer Plugin

First, go to your WordPress dashboard, hover over “Tools,” and click on “Import.” From the list, select “Tumblr.”

You’ll be prompted to download and install the Tumblr Importer plugin—this is the tool that will handle the migration for you. Just click “Install Now,” and after it’s installed, click “Activate Plugin & Run Importer.”

Now that the plugin is ready, it needs access to your Tumblr account to start the import. To do this, you’ll need to create an app on Tumblr that will allow your WordPress site to connect to Tumblr.

Creating an OAuth App on Tumblr

Don’t worry—this sounds more technical than it really is! The plugin will guide you, but here’s a quick rundown:

1. Open a new browser tab and go to tumblr.com/oauth/apps.
2. Click the big green button that shows “+ Register application.”
3. You’ll need to fill in a few fields: Application Name, Application Website, Application Description, and Default Callback URL. The first two can be anything you like, but for the website and callback URL, just use your WordPress site’s URL.
4. Scroll down, check the CAPTCHA to prove you’re not a robot, and click “Register.”

Read: Migrate from Wix to WordPress 

Authorizing and Importing Your Tumblr Blog

After registering your app, Tumblr will give you a long code called the OAuth Consumer Key. Copy this code, go back to your WordPress site, and paste it into the OAuth Consumer Key field.

Next, you’ll need the Secret Key. On Tumblr, click “Show secret key” to reveal it, then copy and paste it into the Secret Key field on WordPress.

Click “Connect to Tumblr.” If everything is set up correctly, you’ll see a link to authorize the connection. Click “Authorize the Application,” and when Tumblr asks for permission, click “Allow.”

Now, you’ll see a list of your Tumblr blogs in WordPress. If you’ve set up a test blog, it should appear here. Use the dropdown to choose which WordPress author should be credited for the imported posts, then click “Import this Blog.” Sit back and let the migration happen!

Also read: How to Migrate from Blogger to WordPress Without Hassle?

Checking and Tweaking Your Content in WordPress

Once the import is done, your posts will automatically appear on your WordPress site. Take a moment to check how everything looks. 

In our test, we noticed that while the text came through perfectly, images were imported as galleries rather than full-sized pictures. This might happen if your Tumblr post was originally a photo set. It’s a good idea to do a test run with a few posts before moving everything over just to see how the content looks. 

The plugin does a great job of bringing over your content, but you might need to make some tweaks, especially with images. The good news is that you won’t have to re-upload everything manually—WordPress takes care of that for you. 

Just keep in mind that while your posts and tags will transfer over, titles might be blank, so you’ll need to fill those in yourself, which can take some time if you’re moving a lot of posts. 

Read: Contentful to WordPress Migration: Best Practices and Tips

Things to Do After Moving From Tumblr to WordPress

Congratulations on making the move from Tumblr to WordPress! Now that you’re here, it’s time to get familiar with your new platform and make the most of its features. Here are a few key steps to help you settle in and start customizing your new site.

Personalize Your WordPress Theme

One of the first things you’ll probably want to do is give your blog a fresh look. Want to redesign your wesbite? Go to the WordPress theme and choose a new look for your website. WordPress offers a massive range of themes, both free and premium, that you can explore to find the perfect fit for your style. 

Take some time to browse through different themes, whether you’re looking for something minimalist, photography-focused, or magazine-style. Once you’ve found a theme you love, installing it is simple, and you can start tweaking it to match your vision.

Related: Fastest WordPress Themes With PageSpeed Data

Add Functionality with WordPress Plugins

WordPress plugins are a great way to enhance your site’s functionality without needing to code. These handy tools let you easily add features like contact forms, social media sharing buttons, analytics, and much more.

Since there are so many premium and free plugins available, it’s a good idea to start with the basics and gradually add more as you get comfortable. You’ll find that these plugins can transform your site and make it more interactive and engaging for your visitors.

Read about: Best Redirect Plugins For WordPress

Get Comfortable with WordPress

While WordPress is intuitive and user-friendly, there’s always a bit of a learning curve when you’re getting started with something new. Spend some time exploring the dashboard, experimenting with settings, and learning how to manage your posts, pages, and media.

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.”

There are plenty of resources available online to help you get the hang of things, so don’t hesitate to look up tutorials or guides as you go. The more you explore, the more confident you’ll become in using all the tools and features WordPress has to offer.

Learn: How to Add New Users to Your WordPress Website?

Wrapping Up 

Wrapping up and migrating from Tumblr to WordPress might feel like a big step, but it’s a move that can really elevate your blogging experience. With a bit of planning, backing up your content, and following the steps to bring over your posts and media, you’ll find the process smoother than you might think. 

WordPress not only gives you more control and customization options, but it also connects you with a community that’s just as passionate about content creation as you are. So, go ahead—make the switch and unlock the full potential of your blog. Happy blogging!