After writing my guide on How to Start a Blog on WordPress, I got a lot of emails asking about switching from Blogger to WordPress, the migration process, and whether Blogger or WordPress is better.
Many of you asked which platform is better: Blogger (Blogspot) or WordPress? Also, what happens if you move your Blogspot blog to self-hosting? I’m not an expert, but I’ve tinkered with it enough to offer some help.
These instructions are pretty basic. If you don’t have the time or feel overwhelmed, consider paying someone to migrate your blog for you.
Some tips here will repeat from my How to Start a WordPress Blog post, aiming to make things easier so you don’t have to switch between posts for the basics.
If you sign up for Bluehost through my link and get at least 12 months of hosting, you get a free domain and discounted pricing!
This guide covers the basics of transferring a blog from Blogger to WordPress. It’s impossible to cover everything in one post, and I don’t want to be held responsible if anything goes wrong. But if you’re comfortable researching online for extra help, this guide should be enough.
If you just want to start a new blog on WordPress, follow the How to Start a Blog post and announce your move on your old blog. Done!
If you’re not comfortable doing the switch yourself, many website designers offer migration services. Email me if you need recommendations.
Here’s why you should move to WordPress from Blogspot:
If you want to make money blogging, start with a self-hosted blog like Bluehost. I recommend self-hosted WordPress (WordPress.org) over Blogger or WordPress.com. A $10 domain from Blogger or GoDaddy doesn’t mean you own it.
Advertisers and readers can tell if you’re on Blogger or free WordPress, which looks unprofessional. Your blog can be deleted at any time on these platforms, which happened to me once. This can hurt your chances of making money online.
Trust me, self-hosted WordPress is the way to go for monetizing your blog.
My income reports show that my blogging income took off after switching to WordPress. Being self-hosted on WordPress through Bluehost offers:
– A more professional website, increasing your chances of making money.
– Complete control over your blog.
– Ownership of your blog, without the risk of it being deleted.
If you’re interested in starting your own blog, I have a tutorial that shows you how to start for as low as $3.49 per month with Bluehost. You’ll also get a free domain if you purchase at least 12 months of hosting.
Switching to WordPress from Blogger isn’t for everyone, but it’s definitely better. I hesitated for over a year before switching, but I’m extremely happy I did and regret not doing it sooner.
If you’re deciding between Blogger and WordPress, there are many positives to being on WordPress.
Before you start the migration, back up your blog and everything attached to it. Some posts might need editing after the switch.
Step 1: Domain
Decide if WordPress is for you. If yes, get your domain. If you already have one, skip to Step 2. I bought my domain through GoDaddy and never looked back. You can get your domain and Bluehost web hosting for a cheap price. Use my Bluehost link for a free domain with a 12-month hosting plan.
Step 2: Hosting
Next, get your web hosting. Bluehost is a great option, starting at $3.49 per month. It’s cheaper if you pay for a year upfront. Sign up for 12 months or more for the best pricing and a free domain.
– Go to Bluehost and click the sign-up button.
– Choose “I have a domain name” or create one through Bluehost.
– Enter your info and select your hosting plan.
Self-hosted blogs offer more freedom and control. You can use any theme, make your blog look how you want, and run your own ads.
For connecting your domain and hosting, read Steps 3 and 4 in my How to Start a Blog post.
Step 3: Transfer your Blogger blog to WordPress
Start transferring your Blogger blog to WordPress. It’s easy!
– Log into WordPress, go to “Tools” on the left sidebar.
– Click “Import” and select the Blogger option.
– Authorize and grant WordPress access to your Blogger info.
– Select your blog and press import.
– Wait for the posts and comments to import.
– Set authors and review categories, posts, and comments.
Other tips:
To avoid broken links, keep the same Permalink structure. Go to Settings > Permalinks in WordPress and use /%year%/%monthnum%/%postname%.html.
Revert all posts on your old Blogger site to Draft to avoid duplicate content penalties from Google. Don’t delete the old posts; just keep them in draft mode.
Transfer Your Feed:
Warn your readers before the transfer and update your feed to keep your subscribers. Log into Blogger, go to Settings > Other > Site feed, and type your new URL in the Post Feed Redirect URL.
Have you moved your blog from Blogger to WordPress? What’s holding you back? What made you choose Blogger or WordPress?