[ad_1] It gets said about many aspects of running a website, but your choice of platform is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. However, mistakes happen and needs change. If you’re currently looking to switch from Wix to WordPress, you’ll want to make the process as smooth as possible. While there’s nothing wrong with Wix in some aspects, it’s a closed-source problem to WordPress’ open-source solution. If you want to make the switch, there’s a lot of ‘donkey work’ in getting posts, pages, and media from one platform to another. As such, this post will show you how to switch from Wix to WordPress step-by-step. We’ll cover all of the aspects you need, and mention some future considerations too. Comparing Wix to WordPress On the surface, there’s a lot to like about both Wix and WordPress. For example: They both offer a full-featured solution for creating a website. Building a layout using both platforms is a breeze. The extendable nature of both solutions means you’ll be able to create a site to your exact requirements. Overall – and it might be polarizing to say – Wix does represent a good platform in some use cases and for some site owners. However, there are some drawbacks that warrant attention. Why You’d Want to Switch From Wix to WordPress In a bubble, Wix represents a dependable solution for creating and managing your website. However, you may have come up against some of the following issues: You’d like to run more than one site, without increasing your current budget. The storage for your Wix account has run out. You want to scale your site for more traffic and growth. The requirements you have for an eCommerce site can’t be met with Wix. In all of these cases, a switch from Wix to WordPress makes sense. Note that we’re talking about self-hosted WordPress here, rather than the .com version. Self-hosted WordPress is a full-fledged Content Management System (CMS) that can be tailored to your exact requirements. What’s more, the core software is free, as are thousands of themes and add-ons called ‘plugins’. Of course, you’ll need to pay for some aspects of hosting your WordPress website, but on the whole, you stand to save money by switching. Also (and it’s something we consider the most important aspect), you have total control over how to run and present your website. How to Switch from Wix to WordPress (In 6 Steps) As we noted, making the switch from Wix to WordPress is tougher than other platforms. This is because Wix doesn’t let you export your content with the same flexibility as its competitors. As such, there are a few steps you’ll need to take to get everything ported over: Purchase suitable hosting. Pick a theme for your site. Import your Wix content into WordPress. Design your new layout. Add functionality to help your new site meet your needs. Redirect your old site to the new one. We’ll dedicate more time to some of these steps than others, so let’s get to it! 1. Choose a Suitable Hosting Provider Before you think about making the switch from Wix to WordPress, you’ll need somewhere to host your new site. Wix includes hosting in its monthly price, while self-hosted WordPress doesn’t. Even so, you’ll usually pay around the same price for your own host, and get more control over your performance to boot. If you’re wondering which host to choose, we’ve looked at a number of options previously. However, the field is more packed for WordPress, given how popular the CMS is. As such, you might want to consider managed hosting. This keeps the control and flexibility with you, while letting your host handle under-the-hood tweaks. If you’re still unsure which host to choose, we’d recommend A2 Hosting: They have good support, a wide selection of plans, and suitable options for a range of budgets. We’ve covered them before (+ 52% off coupon) at WPKube, and had a lot of good things to say about the entire service. Installing WordPress You’ll also need to install WordPress in some cases. However, a lot of hosts include a one-click installer such as Softaculous, or pre-install WordPress for you. If you’re fortunate to have WordPress pre-installed, a chunk of the work is already done for you. However, if not, WordPress is a snap to set up. In fact, we’ve covered this in a previous article, so check that out if you need the guidance. 2. Choose the Right Theme For Your New WordPress Site Once WordPress is up and running on your host, there are a few tasks you’ll want to check off. We’ll talk about some of these later, but for now, getting your site looking right is our focus. WordPress uses ‘themes’. Think of them as ‘skins’ for your site, that can also implement additional functionality in some cases. While there are hundreds of themes available for free, they’re not usually the best fit for a business site, for a few reasons: You’ll get better support under normal circumstances with a premium theme. The functionality will be more robust. Free themes often have a reduced set of features in order to convince you to upgrade. Updates will be more frequent, as developers can devote their whole time to fixing bugs and enhancing the theme. You should look to pay around $50–100 for a decent premium theme, although you can find options at all price points. What’s more, there is lots of choice for your industry or niche. When it comes to narrowing down your options, consider how established the developer is, how often a theme has been updated, and other user’s reviews before stumping up the cash. Once you’ve chosen a theme, you’ll need to install it on your site. WPKube has put together the ultimate guide to getting themes up and running on your site, so check that piece out if you need the assistance. 3. Import Your Wix Content Into WordPress Here is where making
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