How to move your blog from wordpress.com to self-hosted in 3 easy steps

move your blog from wordpress.com self hosted easy steps
April 11, 2025
5 min read
By Cojocaru David & ChatGPT

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Take Control: A Simple Guide to Moving from WordPress.com to Self-Hosted WordPress

Ready to unlock the full potential of your blog? Moving from WordPress.com to a self-hosted WordPress platform gives you unparalleled control, flexibility, and customization options. This guide breaks down the process into three manageable steps, empowering you to take charge of your online presence. Whether you’re dreaming of advanced plugins, exploring monetization strategies, or simply striving for optimal performance, self-hosting is the key.

Step 1: Choosing the Right Web Hosting Provider

Your web hosting provider is the foundation of your self-hosted blog. Think of it as the land where your online home will reside. A reliable host ensures speed, security, and consistent uptime, providing a solid platform for growth. Consider these key factors when making your choice:

  • Performance: Opt for hosting with fast servers and SSD storage for quicker loading times, which directly impacts user experience and SEO.
  • Uptime Guarantee: Look for providers guaranteeing at least 99.9% uptime. Downtime can deter visitors and affect your search engine rankings.
  • Customer Support: 24/7 customer service is invaluable for troubleshooting any issues that may arise. Choose a host known for responsive and helpful support.
  • One-Click WordPress Installation: A one-click installer simplifies the setup process, making it easy to get your WordPress site up and running quickly.
  • Scalability: Ensure your hosting plan can accommodate your blog’s growth over time. Can you easily upgrade resources as your traffic increases?

Popular and highly-rated hosting providers include Bluehost, SiteGround, and Kinsta, each offering different features and pricing plans. Once you’ve selected a provider and signed up, use their one-click installer to install WordPress.

Step 2: Exporting Your Content from WordPress.com

WordPress.com simplifies the process of exporting your content, making the migration relatively painless. Follow these steps to create a backup of your blog:

  1. Log in to your WordPress.com dashboard.
  2. Navigate to Tools > Export.
  3. Select Export All to download an XML file containing all your posts, pages, comments, and media.
  4. Save the XML file to a safe location on your computer. This is your comprehensive blog backup.

For particularly large blogs with extensive media libraries, using a plugin like All-in-One WP Migration can streamline the transfer process, particularly if you encounter issues with the standard export/import method. However, the built-in WordPress.com export should work for most users.

Step 3: Importing Your Content to Your Self-Hosted WordPress Site

With your content exported and your self-hosted WordPress site ready, it’s time to bring your blog to its new home.

  1. Log in to your new WordPress dashboard. This is typically accessed by adding /wp-admin to your domain name (e.g., yourdomain.com/wp-admin).
  2. Go to Tools > Import.
  3. Find the WordPress option in the list and click Install Now. If it’s already installed, click Run Importer.
  4. Click Choose File and upload the XML file you exported from WordPress.com in Step 2.
  5. You’ll be prompted to assign authors to the imported content. You can create a new user or assign the content to an existing user on your new site. Be sure to check the box to “Download and import file attachments” to import your images and media.
  6. Click Submit to begin the import process.

After importing, meticulously check your posts, pages, and media library to ensure everything transferred correctly. Pay close attention to image links and formatting. You may need to manually update permalinks to match your desired structure, and reinstall your preferred theme and plugins.

Bonus: Redirecting Your Old WordPress.com Site

To retain your existing audience and avoid losing valuable search engine traffic, setting up a redirect from your old WordPress.com site to your new domain is crucial.

  • WordPress.com Site Redirect: The easiest option for WordPress.com sites is to purchase a Site Redirect (a paid upgrade on WordPress.com). This automatically redirects visitors from your old WordPress.com address to your new domain.
  • DNS Settings Update (for Custom Domains): If you were using a custom domain with your WordPress.com site, update your DNS settings at your domain registrar to point to the nameservers provided by your new hosting provider. This ensures that your domain name resolves to your self-hosted site.

Conclusion: Your Blog, Your Rules

Migrating from WordPress.com to a self-hosted WordPress site empowers you to truly own your online presence. By following these three straightforward steps—choosing a reliable host, exporting your content, and importing it to your new site—you’ll unlock a world of possibilities for your blog’s future.

“Self-hosting is more than just moving files; it’s about gaining control and unleashing your creative potential.”

Congratulations on taking this significant step! Now, explore the vast ecosystem of WordPress themes, plugins, and optimization techniques to build the blog of your dreams. The possibilities are endless!