How to Migrate from Webflow to WordPress: 6 Steps

Planning on migrating from Webflow to WordPress? You are right where you need to be. Moving any website or online store can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to. And if you are choosing to migrate Webflow to WordPress, we are here to make it easy for you.

Both Webflow and WordPress are great website-building platforms. However, you will need more features and functionality as your website grows. WordPress is an advanced CMS platform that allows you to build your site with several features and plugins. So, let’s start and check how to migrate from Webflow to WordPress seamlessly.

Let’s get started.

Why Migrate from Webflow to WordPress? 

Webflow has long been admired for its intuitive drag-and-drop interface and sleek website design capabilities, making it a popular choice for many businesses. However, the recent increase in Webflow’s fees has prompted many users to reevaluate their options. As these costs continue to rise, switching to a more cost-effective and versatile platform like WordPress becomes an increasingly attractive alternative. If you’re facing budget constraints due to Webflow’s price hike, now might be the perfect time to explore what WordPress has to offer.

Webflow’s Drawbacks

Lack of Technical Support: Webflow’s limited customer support is another significant drawback. When you encounter technical issues or need assistance with advanced customization, the lack of timely support can lead to prolonged downtimes and lost revenue.

Cost Implications: The recent price surge has made Webflow an increasingly expensive choice, particularly for small to medium-sized businesses. This hike can significantly impact your budget, prompting many to look for more affordable alternatives.

Limited Features: While Webflow offers a sleek design experience, it falls short in terms of advanced features, especially for larger or more complex websites. The platform’s limited eCommerce capabilities and lack of robust plugin support can stifle your website’s growth.

Why WordPress is the Better Choice?

With Webflow’s recent pricing changes, many are finding WordPress to be a more flexible, scalable, and cost-effective solution. Here’s why making the switch to WordPress is a smart move:

Flexibility and Scalability: WordPress is renowned for its flexibility, allowing you to customize your website to meet your exact needs. With thousands of themes and plugins available, you can add nearly any functionality you require, from eCommerce features to advanced SEO tools. This scalability makes WordPress suitable for websites of all sizes.

High-Profile Users: WordPress’s versatility and reliability are evident in its extensive user base, which includes high-profile organizations like NASA, the White House, and the NBA. This level of trust speaks volumes about WordPress’s ability to handle complex and high-traffic websites.

Robust Community and Support: The WordPress community is vast and supportive, offering users access to a wealth of resources, plugins, themes, and regular updates. Engaging with the community provides opportunities to learn from industry leaders, gain valuable insights, and solve challenges efficiently.

Read here: Top Reasons to Use WordPress for Your Website

Recent Webflow Pricing Updates and Social Reactions

The recent increase in Webflow fees has stirred significant concern across the digital landscape. Many businesses, particularly small to medium-sized enterprises, have expressed frustration over the unexpected hike. The price increase has driven current subscribers to take to social media, voicing their displeasure and exploring alternatives.

Social media platforms have seen a surge in discussions among Webflow users, with many expressing disappointment in the lack of transparency and the sudden financial burden. This dissatisfaction has sparked a growing interest in more cost-effective content management systems (CMS) like WordPress, which offers greater flexibility and scalability without the hefty price tag.

If you’re among those reconsidering your CMS options due to Webflow’s new pricing model, it’s an opportune moment to explore what WordPress has to offer. Not only does WordPress provide a more affordable solution, but it also supports a wider range of features and customization options, making it a strong contender for those looking to migrate.

Webflow vs WordPress: Quick Comparison 

Let’s look at a quick comparison between Webflow and WordPress for better clarity of both Webflow and WordPress features: 

Factors	Webflow	WordPress
Pricing	Starts from $14/mo	A free and open-source platform
Web Hosting	Hosting is included	Need to buy a separate hosting service
SEO Tools	Built-in SEO Tools	A wide variety of best SEO plugins are available
Site Editor	Visual	Visual and Coding
Blogging	Limited blogging features	Began as a blogging platform itself and is best for creating blogs
eCommerce	No Free plugin is available to set up an eCommerce platform. The paid version starts from $29	Free and paid plugins to set up an e-commerce platform.
Customer support	AI Chatbot for common issues, customer support available at regular hours	Offers WordPress help, community forums and support guides
Security	Comes with in-built security features	Security can be added through integrations and various security plugins available

Ways to Migrate Webflow to WordPress

Migrating a website from Webflow to WordPress can seem complex, but breaking it down into steps makes the process manageable. Here are a few methods to help you make the switch:

Hire a Professional

• Choose a Developer: Select an experienced developer or WordPress agency for a custom site migration.
• Outline Requirements: Clearly communicate your Webflow design and content needs.
• Supervise the Process: The developer will handle the technical work, but provide feedback as needed.

Pros: Saves time and offers customized results.
Cons: Costly; dependent on developer’s and agency’s expertise.

Manual Migration

• Export Content: In Webflow, export your HTML, CSS, and image files.
• WordPress Installation and Set Up: Install WordPress on your hosting provider, then create a theme or use a pre-made one that matches your Webflow design.
• Import Content: Add HTML content to your WordPress pages manually. Use the CSS files to retain styles, adjusting for WordPress compatibility.
• Link Assets: Re-upload images and assets to WordPress’s media library, updating links as needed.

Pros: Complete control over the design; retains custom styling.
Cons: Time-intensive; requires HTML/CSS knowledge.

Also read: Steps to Convert HTML to WordPress Theme

Using a WordPress Plugin

• Install WP All Import: Use an import plugin like WP All Import to migrate your content from Webflow.
• Export Webflow Data: Export your data as a CSV or XML file from Webflow.
• Import into WordPress: Use the plugin to import the exported file, mapping fields to WordPress custom fields.

Pros: Fast and doesn’t require coding; keeps SEO settings.
Cons: Some design elements may not carry over perfectly.

Preparing for Webflow Site to WordPress Migration

Switching from Webflow website to WordPress requires planning to ensure a smooth transition. Here’s how to prepare:

Analyze Your Current Site: Begin by reviewing all the pages you’ll need to migrate and making a detailed list to stay organized. Identify unique design elements, such as layouts, animations, or custom scripts, so you can replicate these in WordPress. Additionally, export the HTML, CSS, and images from Webflow for future reference during the migration.

Plan Your WordPress Setup: Decide on a theme that closely resembles your Webflow design, or plan for custom development if you need a unique look. Also, identify essential plugins you’ll need for SEO, forms, auto upload images, and page building.

Prepare for SEO Migration: To retain your SEO rankings, start by backing up important SEO data, including titles, meta descriptions, and image alt text. Prepare to set up 301 redirects for URL changes, ensuring search engines and users are directed to the correct pages. Additionally, plan to monitor site performance with tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to track any ranking or traffic fluctuations.

Test Before Launch: Create a staging site to thoroughly build and test your WordPress site before going live. This way, you can catch and fix any design or functionality issues, ensuring everything matches your Webflow site as closely as possible.

How to Migrate from Webflow to WordPress?

To migrate your blog or website from Webflow to WordPress, follow the steps below: 

Step 1: Get a Web Hosting and Install WordPress

Since WordPress is an open-source CMS platform, it provides you with the freedom of complete customization of your website. However, there are a few things you need to take care of when migrating to WordPress. Unlike Webflow, WordPress does not come with a self-host and you will require a new web host for your website. So, you’ll need to get the following done:

• Get a web host provider for your WordPress sites like Dreamhost and WP Engine. You can also check Seahawk Web Host Rankings to know about the top web hosting providers for your WordPress website
• In order for WordPress to work, you’ll need to make changes to your DNS and update your existing domain records on WordPress. If you are functioning on a domain registrar, you can log in to its settings and manage the DNS there. You can also use a web host service and update your domain records from your hosting control panel.
• Now download the core software from WordPress.org and install it on your hosting server.
• Install an SSL certificate for added security.
• Once you have selected your hosting server and changed your DNS setting, you can now access the main WordPress admin dashboard 
• You can access it by going to the URL yourdomain.com/wp-admin from the browsers address bar and begin with your migration process 

Related: Reasons to Avoid Cheap Hosting for WordPress Websites

Step 2: Export Your Content from Webflow to WordPress

Once you are done with the WordPress setup, you can export the content and web files from your Webflow dashboard. 

• Go to Webflow Designer> Collections panel where all your website data and files are stored 
• Now select and transfer any of your Webflow projects using the CMS export feature 
• With you can automatically export content like standard web pages, blog posts, gallery pages, embedded blocks, texts, and images 

Note: There are a few content pieces that you cannot export automatically and will need to do the manual work for it. It includes event pages, product pages, video blocks, audio files, custom CMS, album pages, and index pages.

Need help with it? choose Seahawk’s WordPress migration services.

Read: Figma Vs WebFlow

Step 3: Import Content to WordPress

Now that you have created a backup of your content from Webflow, you can import that content into WordPress. 

• Go to your WordPress admin dashboard 
• To import files, go to Tools> Import and select WordPress from the import options
• Once your plugin is installed you need to activate it 
• You can now import and upload all your exported files from Webflow to WordPress
• Once you have completed the above steps, go to the import settings and pick a username for your files. This can be your name as you are the administrator but you can always choose a different name too 

Interesting read: How Many WordPress Plugins Should You Install?

Step 4: Pick a WordPress Theme

When migrating from Webflow to WordPress, you must note that direct design transfers aren’t possible. But do not worry—WordPress boasts an impressive array of themes, ready to bring your site to life. 

The beauty of WordPress themes lies in their flexibility. Each theme offers plenty of customization options, allowing you to tweak and tune the aesthetics to match your vision. What’s more, the vast majority of these themes come without a price tag, though premium options are also available that won’t break the bank.

Read and learn: How to Rebrand Your WordPress Website

Step 5: Setting Up Your WordPress Permalinks

The next step here involves customizing your WordPress permalinks, the architects behind your site’s URL structure. Navigate to Settings > Permalinks within your WordPress control panel to dive into permalink settings. 

Within this section, you’ll see a variety of structuring options. Opting for the “Post name” configuration comes highly recommended. This ensures your URLs neatly consist of your domain followed by a specific page or post slugs. It helps you streamline your site’s navigation and enhance its SEO friendliness. 

Once you’ve selected, hit the “Save Changes” button. With that, you’re all set to progress to the concluding phase of your setup.

Read: How to Set Up & Launch Your WordPress Site

Step 6: Link Your Custom Domain Name to Your New WordPress Site

After moving your website to WordPress, your website address or domain name (like “mysite.com”) might still be taking people to your old site on Webflow. To fix this, you need to update a few settings so that your domain name points to your new site hosted on WordPress.

Here’s how you do it in simple steps:

Find Your New Hosting Nameservers: Your new web hosting company will give you a couple of nameserver addresses. They usually look something like this:

• ns1.yournewhost.com
• ns2.yournewhost.com

Log In to Your Domain Registrar: This is where you bought your domain name (like “mysite.com”). You might have done this through Webflow or another company.

Update DNS Settings: Once you’re logged in, look for a place to update your DNS settings or nameservers. Replace the existing nameserver addresses with the new ones provided by your WordPress hosting company.

Wait for the Changes to Take Effect: It can take a little while (sometimes up to 48 hours) for these changes to spread across the internet. During this time, your domain will start pointing to your new WordPress site.

Related: Tips for Choosing a Domain Name

Read More: Free WordPress Hosting Providers

Things to Check After the Successful Webflow to WordPress Migration 

Post Webflow to WordPress migration, here are a few things that you should check:

Import Images to WordPress Website (Use a WordPress Plugin)

WordPress does not support the automatic import of images from other website builders. In this case, you will need to manually upload all your images or use a WordPress plugin to complete the progress. 

Review All Your Content

To make sure you have completed a successful migration process, you always need to double-check all your migrated website content. So, make sure to review all the files on your new website thoroughly and check if all the important data is successfully migrated from Webflow to WordPress.

Making Your Site Public

Before you can welcome visitors to your site, you must remove any maintenance mode or under-construction pages. In WordPress, this is typically done through your site’s settings or with the help of a maintenance mode plugin. 

Ensure that all essential pages are in place, such as the homepage, about page, contact page, and any other crucial content relevant to your site’s purpose.

Know About: Best WordPress Maintenance Service Providers

Monitoring After Launch

Launching your WordPress site is just the beginning of the process. You must regularly check its performance and user engagement to ensure its success. Here are some tools and strategies to help you:

• Google Analytics: Get Google Analytics going on the site to track visitor behavior, traffic sources, and other valuable insights. This free tool provides invaluable data to help you understand how users interact with your site.

• WordPress Plugins: Explore WordPress plugins designed to monitor site performance and user engagement. Plugins like Jetpack offer features such as site stats, security monitoring, and downtime alerts.

• SEO Tools: Utilize SEO tools to track your site’s search engine rankings and identify areas for improvement. Plugins like Yoast SEO provide comprehensive SEO analysis and optimization recommendations.

• Performance Testing: Regularly assess your site’s performance using tools like GTmetrix or Pingdom. These tools examine all the factors, such as page load speed, server response time, and overview performance optimization.

Know: How to Migrate from Joomla to WordPress

Conclusion 

We hope we made the entire migration process from Webflow to WordPress quite seamless and easy. Now that you are done with the migration, you can focus on familiarizing yourself with your new partner in crime – WordPress!

Learn about its amazing features, plugins, and premium plans. Both WebFlow and WordPress have their different approaches and pros- cons. However, moving to WordPress can help you grow your website, blog, business, or any other website with added flexibility. So, get set and go! 

FAQs About Webflow to WordPress Migration