Wix to WordPress Migration: A Complete Guide for a Smooth Transition

If you started your website journey with Wix, you’re not alone. Its drag-and-drop editor and beginner-friendly tools make it a popular choice. But as your website grows and your needs evolve, you might realize you need more control, flexibility, and scalability—leading you to WordPress.
Migrating from Wix to WordPress can feel daunting, especially if you're worried about losing content, SEO rankings, or functionality. But don't worry—with the right steps, tools, and guidance, you can make the switch smoothly and start enjoying all the benefits of WordPress.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the entire Wix to WordPress migration process,
Why Migrate from Wix to WordPress?
Here are some common reasons website owners switch from Wix to WordPress:
- Full Ownership & Control: WordPress is open-source, giving you complete control over your site files, hosting, and customization.
- Scalability: Unlike Wix, which has limitations as your site grows, WordPress can support everything from blogs to eCommerce stores and membership portals.
- Thousands of Plugins: Extend your site’s functionality with 60,000+ plugins.
- SEO Flexibility: With plugins like Yoast SEO or Rank Math, WordPress gives you advanced SEO control.
- Cost Effectiveness: You can choose your hosting provider and only pay for what you need.
Step 1: Prepare for Migration
Choose a Hosting Provider
Since WordPress is self-hosted, you'll need to select a hosting company. Popular choices include:
- Bluehost
- SiteGround
- Hostinger
- WP Engine (for managed hosting)
Ensure the host supports one-click WordPress installation.
Install WordPress
Once you’ve chosen your host, install WordPress. Most hosts offer a simple installation process through cPanel or their dashboard.
Step 2: Export Your Wix Content
Unfortunately, Wix doesn’t offer a direct export feature. But you can migrate your content manually or use a plugin or third-party service.
Method 1: Manual Migration
Blog Posts
Wix does allow you to export blog posts via RSS:
- Add /blog-feed.xml to your Wix URL (e.g., https://yourwixsite.com/blog-feed.xml)
- Download the XML file.
- In your WordPress dashboard, go to Tools > Import > RSS, install the importer, and upload your file.
Note: Images may not import automatically. You can use the plugin "Auto Upload Images" to fix that.
Pages & Media
Unfortunately, static pages (About, Contact, Services, etc.) have to be recreated manually. Copy and paste the text into new WordPress pages, and upload images to the Media Library.
Step 3: Rebuild Your Site Design
You’ll need to design your site from scratch, but that’s also an opportunity for a refresh!
Choose a Theme
Pick a responsive, SEO-friendly WordPress theme. Recommended options:
- Astra (lightweight and fast)
**GeneratePress
**
**Kadence
**
**Blocksy
**
Many come with starter templates to speed things up.
Use a Page Builder (Optional)
If you liked Wix’s drag-and-drop interface, you might want to use:
**Elementor
**
**Beaver Builder
**
**WPBakery
**
These tools make it easy to design visually without coding.
Step 4: Match Functionality with Plugins
WordPress offers plugins for almost every feature Wix had:
Wix Feature | WordPress Plugin Alternative |
Contact Forms | WPForms, Ninja Forms, Contact Form 7 |
SEO Tools | Yoast SEO, Rank Math |
Social Media Feeds | Smash Balloon, Social Snap |
eCommerce | WooCommerce |
Newsletter Signup | Mailchimp for WordPress, Newsletter |
Step 5: Redirect URLs (Preserve SEO)
To retain your search engine rankings:
- Use 301 redirects: If your URLs changed during the move, set up 301 redirects from old Wix URLs to the new WordPress URLs. Use plugins like Redirection or add redirects to your .htaccess file.
- Submit a New Sitemap: Install Google Site Kit or Yoast SEO to create a sitemap and submit it to Google Search Console.
- Update Internal Links: Ensure all internal links point to your new WordPress pages/posts.
Step 6: Test and Launch
Before going live:
- Preview all pages
- Check for broken links (use Broken Link Checker plugin)
- Test forms and plugins
- Optimize for mobile
- Enable caching (with LiteSpeed Cache or W3 Total Cache)
Post-Migration Tips
Secure Your Site
Install a security plugin like Wordfence or Sucuri to protect your site from threats.
Speed Optimization
Use a plugin like WP Rocket or LiteSpeed Cache, optimize images with ShortPixel, and consider a CDN like Cloudflare.
Monitor Performance
Use Google Analytics and Search Console to track your traffic and index issues.
Need Help Migrating from Wix to WordPress?
While this guide provides a comprehensive overview, migrating your website from Wix to WordPress can be time-consuming—especially if you're not tech-savvy or your site has lots of content.
If you’d rather skip the hassle, consider hiring a WordPress migration expert. At [Your Company Name], we offer seamless Wix to WordPress migration services, ensuring all your content, design, and SEO value transfers smoothly—without downtime or data loss.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Is it possible to keep my Wix domain when moving to WordPress? Yes! If you purchased your domain through Wix, you can either transfer it to your new hosting provider or point it to your WordPress site using DNS settings.
Q2. Will I lose my Google rankings when I migrate? Not necessarily. If you set up proper 301 redirects and maintain similar content structure, you can preserve or even improve your SEO over time.
Q3. Can I migrate a Wix eCommerce store to WordPress? Yes, but it requires more manual effort. You'll need to recreate products in WooCommerce and use CSV imports or tools like Cart2Cart to assist.
Q4. How long does the migration process take? Depending on your site’s size and complexity, it can take a few hours to several days. For a basic website, a weekend is typically sufficient.
Q5. Can I migrate my Wix site to WordPress without downtime? Yes, if you build your WordPress site on a temporary domain or staging environment, then switch your DNS when ready, there should be zero downtime.
Final Thoughts: Make the Move with Confidence
Migrating your website from Wix to WordPress may seem like a challenge—but it’s a challenge worth taking. WordPress offers unmatched flexibility, complete control over your content and design, and endless possibilities for growth. Whether you’re building a blog, a portfolio, or a full-scale business website, WordPress is the foundation that can scale with you.
If you’re comfortable with technology, you can follow this step-by-step guide to handle the migration yourself. But if you'd prefer expert help or just want peace of mind during the transition, don’t hesitate to reach out.
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