Initially, Wix may seem like a convenient platform to build a website, but as you scale your business, you will be pissed with the limitations of features in Wix. That’s when you turn to WordPress. The flexibility & hyper customization features of WordPress makes it suitable for all businesses. And, of course, it’s easy to use & maintain.
Migrating from Wix to WordPress may seem like a daunting task, but with our step-by-step guide, you’ll be up and running on WordPress in no time.
We’ll walk you through the entire process, from transferring Content From Wix to WordPress to steps after migration. Say goodbye to the limitations of Wix and hello to the endless possibilities of WordPress in 2023.
Let’s dive into the simplified step-by-step guide to migrating from Wix to WordPress!
Transferring Content From Wix to WordPress
In this initial phase, we’ll cover everything you need to know about transferring your content to WordPress. This includes investing in a domain and hosting provider, installing WordPress, and importing your pages from Wix to WordPress. Let’s start!
Invest in a domain name & hosting
Before you can start building your new WordPress site, you need to invest in a domain name and hosting. Your domain name is the unique web address that visitors will use to find your site, and your hosting provider is the service that stores your website files and makes them available to the internet.
WordPress is a self-hosting platform, meaning you will have to invest in managed web hosting & domain name. Take your time while choosing a hosting platform. We recommend DreamHost (check our review here). Choose from our list of Best Cloud Hosting Services of 2023.
WordPress site set up
Now that you have a secure domain and hosting, it’s time to set up your new WordPress site to get started with Wix to WordPress migration.
Follow these steps for installing WordPress and customizing your site to your liking for an amazing Wix to WordPress migration.
1. Install WordPress & Set up your site
WordPress is one click install away from your hosting panel. Once you have installed WordPress, log in to your dashboard by adding wp-admin ahead of the domain name.
2. Customize Your Site
After successfully installing WordPress, you can customize it as you wish. WordPress has a variety of themes and plugins to help you customize every aspect of your website.
To get started, go to Appearance -> Themes -> Add New.
Related: 10 Fastest WordPress Themes With PageSpeed Data 2022
You can edit each element on your page and experiment with them without touching a line of code, making it easier to adapt as a new WordPress user.
Import your posts from Wix to WordPress
Now it’s time to transfer your content from Wix to WordPress. Wix doesn’t easily allow the migration of content from Wix to WordPress. But, no worries, we have simplified the steps to transferring Wix to WordPress.
How to Use RSS to Import Wix to WordPress
To get started, download your Wix RSS file by adding /feed.xml or /blog-feed.xml to your Wix website URL.
You will see a full page of code. Right-click anywhere on the page and click save to download the file. If the file is saving as .txt, make sure to rename it to .xml and then save it.
Now go to your WordPress dashboard, click on Tools -> Import -> Click Install Now link under the RSS heading.
Next, click on the run importer option .
Now you will be able to upload the RSS file you downloaded previously. Once you select the file, click Upload file and import. You will see a confirmation message when the upload & import is done.
You can view the transferred blog posts by clicking on ‘Posts.’
Note: The RSS migration only transfers your blog posts. If you want to import your Wix pages, the only option is to build pages from scratch.
Import your pages from Wix to WordPress
After getting done with the blog posts, it’s time to import your pages from Wix to WordPress.
There is no automated way to do this, so you must recreate all your pages manually by copy-pasting.
Open your Wix website, and copy the page. Next, head up to WordPress dashboard, click on pages, then Add new.
Now, paste the copied content from Wix to this page on WordPress. You have to do the same for all pages.
If you wish to design the pages, you can use a drag-and-drop page builder like Elementor, which helps you with page layout and design.
To download elementor, go to Plugins -> Add New -> Elementor -> install -> activate.
Once you have activated Elementor, go to pages -> Add new -> Edit with elementor
You can use elementor to recreate the same page in WordPress as it was in Wix. On the left, there are many widgets you can drag and drop to the page to build your dream design.
Elementor is one of the most popular page builders and has excellent features which are easy to use for even a beginner. It also has a premium version, which gives you access to all the locked features. The premium version costs around $49/year.
Related: How To Add Custom CSS In Elementor?
Steps After Migrating to WordPress
Congratulations on the successful Wix to WordPress migration. Now that your content has been transferred and your new WordPress site is up and running, it’s time to take care of some post-migration steps.
Creating WordPress Menu
A navigation menu helps users explore your website easily. It also adds to a good user experience. Here’s how you add a navigation bar.
Go to WordPress dashboard -> Appearance -> Menus.
Now, give the menu a name & click on create menu.
On the left, you can see ‘Menu Items’; select the pages you want to be shown in the navigation menu. Click on the ‘Save menu’ once done.
You can also choose the display location of the menu in the menu settings below. You will be presented with different menu location settings based on the selected theme.
Related: What is Mega Menu?
Website Redirection: Wix to WordPress
Now that Wix to WordPress migration is complete, you must be wondering why redirecting my site is important.
Well, If someone is using the old Wix URL of your website, redirection makes sure that they end up on your new WordPress site. It also helps to sustain the backlinks you have gained from your old Wix site to the new WordPress site.
Now let’s jump on how to redirect the Wix website to WordPress website.
Note: You cannot redirect your Wix to WordPress if you are using the Wix subdomain.
First, open notepad on your laptop/pc and copy this code (without quotes):
“var hashesarr = {
“#!about/ghit7”:’/about-us/‘,
“#!contact-us/fe37”:’/contact/’,
“#!dog-article/c6hg”:’/dog-article/’
};
for (var hash in hashesarr) {
var patt = new RegExp(hash);
if (window.location.hash.match(patt) !== null) {
window.location.href = hashesarr[hash];
}
}”
We have added 3 example URLs in the following format:
“#!about-us/c1it7”:’/about/’,
The first part of the string, #!about/ghit7, is to be replaced with your old Wix URL, and the second part, /about-us/, with the URL of the new WordPress page.
Now you have to do this manually for each page of the website.
Once you are finished with the entire process, save this file as redirects.js.
Next, upload this file to your public_html/wp-admin/js directory on your website’s server.
You can use the File Manager on your web hosting account or an FTP client to upload the file.
Lastly, edit your theme’s functions.php file (Appearance -> Theme editor -> Theme functions) and add this code at the bottom of the file (without quotes).
“function wpb_wixjs () {
wp_enqueue_script( ‘wixredirect’, get_stylesheet_directory_uri() . ‘/js/redirects.js’, array(), ‘1.0.0’, true);
}
add_action(‘wp_enqueue_scripts’, ‘wpb_wixjs’);”
Save changes. And finally, the redirection also has been done. You can try it for yourself if it works. Type in your old URL and see if the redirection worked.
Related:
How To Avoid Multiple Page Redirects?
What is 301 Redirect?
How To Redirect 404 Page To The Home Page In WordPress?
Adding Essential Plugins
To get the most out of your new WordPress site from Wix to WordPress migration, it’s essential to add the right plugins. Plugins are third-party tools that can help you optimize your site for search engines, track your site’s performance, and more. Here are some essential plugins you would need on your new WordPress site:
Yoast SEO
Yoast SEO is a powerful tool designed to help you optimize your site’s content for search engines, making it easier for your target audience to find you online. With features like real-time content analysis, keyword optimization, and XML sitemap creation, Yoast SEO is a must-have for any website owner looking to improve their search engine visibility.
Related: Best WordPress SEO Plugins 2022
Learn SEO with Seahawk SEO blogs & SEO glossary
Google Analytics
After successfully migrating from Wix to WordPress, you should know there’s a powerful tool that helps you decode your audiences’ behavior. If you’re looking to better understand your website’s traffic and user behavior, there’s no better tool than Google Analytics. This powerful plugin allows you to track your site’s performance, monitor your visitors’ behavior, and gain valuable insights into your audience’s preferences and interests.
With features like real-time analytics, custom reports, and audience segmentation, Google Analytics is an essential tool for any website owner looking to optimize their site and maximize their online impact.
Might Help: How To Add Google Analytics To Your WordPress Site?
These posts will help you further with plugins:
- Best WordPress Image Optimization Plugins
- Best WordPress Live Chat Plugins
- Best WordPress SEO Plugins
- Best WordPress Backup Plugins
- Best WordPress Contact Form Plugins
- Best Redirect Plugins For WordPress
Conclusion
Migrating from Wix to WordPress can be a heavy task, but not when we have explained the entire process step by step in a simplified manner.
In this post, we elaborated on the step-by-step Wix to WordPress migration and how you can customize your new WordPress website. We provided you with two solutions for your Wix to WordPress migration. Either you can do it yourself or you can take help from professional WordPress Experts.
Nevertheless, we hope that this Wix to WordPress migration guide helps you in a seamless transition.
Can’t do it yourself? Take help from professionals
Doing Wix to WordPress migration by yourself can leave a scope of mistakes here and there that you might not be able to rectify in the future.
To avoid this hampering your business, take help from professionals with experience and expertise in WordPress.
Seahawk is solely dedicated to WordPress & provides professional WordPress services to all kinds of businesses. From Site Migration to WordPress Web design to Hacked site repair to Site Optimization, you name it, and we do it all. We Offers various WordPress Conversion Services.
Choosing to opt for professional Wix to WordPress migration services? Contact us now!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long WordPress migration will take depends on the size of your existing Wix website, your current SEO settings, and your familiarity with the WordPress website.
Yes, you can migrate any website to WordPress. Have a look at our site migration services:
XD to WordPress Migration
Figma to WordPress Migration
PSD to WordPress Migration
Sitecore to WordPress Migration
WordPress is more than 40% of the internet, and its customization and flexibility are unmatched. Even in usability, WordPress hails the flag. Here’s our detailed analysis of Wix vs. WordPress for you to make the right choice for your business.
We have done in-depth comparisons based on SEO, price, usability, design, support, etc
Yes, you can easily transfer your domain out of Wix. All you have to do is log into your Wix account, go to the Domains tab, and click on the Transfer Domain button.
