Wix to WordPress Migration Explained: A Practical Roadmap

Wix and WordPress are two of the most widely used website platforms, but they cater to very different needs. Wix appeals to beginners thanks to its easy drag-and-drop interface and all-in-one pricing model. WordPress, on the other hand, powers more than 40% of all websites globally, making it the most flexible and customizable solution on the market. Many site owners eventually find themselves outgrowing Wix and looking for more control, scalability, and long-term value. That’s where the process of Wix to WordPress migration comes in. This guide explains why migration is worth it, how to migrate Wix to WordPress successfully, how to prepare, the different ways to move your content, and the steps needed for a seamless transition.

Why Migrate from Wix to WordPress?

Making the switch isn’t just about trying something new, as it’s usually motivated by real growth needs. Wix is fantastic for starting out, but as websites expand, its limitations become more noticeable. WordPress, with its open-source foundation, offers far greater possibilities.

Flexibility and Control

Wix restricts customization to its own tools and templates. WordPress, however, gives you direct access to themes, plugins, and even the code itself, meaning your site can be tailored to exact specifications.

Scalability

A small blog or portfolio may fit on Wix, but businesses scaling into eCommerce, membership platforms, or large content hubs benefit from WordPress’s capacity to grow without hitting platform walls.

Plugins and Integrations

Wix has a limited app marketplace, whereas WordPress boasts tens of thousands of plugins. From SEO tools to advanced security features, you can integrate virtually anything with WordPress.

Cost Efficiency

Wix bundles hosting, templates, and features into tiered pricing. As you upgrade, costs climb quickly. With WordPress, you only pay for hosting, a domain, and premium plugins you actually need, often making it more budget-friendly in the long run.

Key Considerations Before Migration

Before you begin the move, it’s crucial to understand what migration involves and what decisions must be made upfront. Choosing between WordPress.com and WordPress.org is the first step: WordPress.org (self-hosted) is strongly recommended for full control. Hosting is another major factor, as your provider determines site performance and reliability.

Other points to consider include:

• Deciding whether to transfer your existing domain from Wix to your new hosting provider or simply connect it via DNS.
• Preparing for potential downtime during the switch and planning how to minimize it.
• Reviewing your site’s design and structure to determine what should be recreated, updated, or removed in WordPress.

By handling these choices early, you avoid unnecessary disruptions later in the migration process.

Preparing for the Migration

Preparation is what makes or breaks a smooth migration. Rushing into it without a clear plan often results in missing content, broken links, or SEO issues. The more organized you are before you start, the easier the transition will be. This is especially true if you want to move a website from Wix to WordPress, since the platforms handle design and data in very different ways.

Some key preparation steps include:

• Backing up Wix content – Although Wix doesn’t allow full backups, you can manually save text, images, and downloads so nothing gets lost.
• Listing all site assets – Take inventory of your pages, blog posts, product listings, media, and forms to ensure everything is accounted for.
• Selecting a WordPress theme – Pick a theme that closely resembles your Wix design or take the opportunity to refresh your site’s look.
• Preparing an SEO checklist – Document current meta titles, descriptions, and URL structures so you can replicate them in WordPress and avoid losing search engine rankings.

Migration Methods

There isn’t just one way to perform a Wix to WordPress migration. Learning how to migrate Wix to WordPress depends on the size of your website, the type of content you manage, and whether you prefer a manual or automated process.

Manual Copy-Paste Migration

This involves recreating your Wix site page by page in WordPress. It’s time-consuming but gives you complete control over design and formatting. It’s best suited for small sites or those wanting to restructure during migration.

RSS Feed Migration for Blogs

If you primarily run a blog, you can export your content from Wix through an RSS feed. WordPress can then import these posts automatically. While images and formatting may need manual adjustments, this saves a lot of effort compared to copying hundreds of articles one by one.

Third-Party Tools and Services

For larger or more complex sites, automated migration tools and professional services are often the best choice. These solutions handle much of the heavy lifting, minimizing the chance of errors. While they come with a cost, they’re worth considering if you can’t afford downtime or data loss.

Step-by-Step Wix to WordPress Migration Process

Once you’ve chosen your method, the actual migration process begins. Following a structured plan ensures nothing gets missed.

1. Set up WordPress hosting and install WordPress. This provides the foundation for your new site.
2. Choose and install a theme. Pick something similar to your Wix design or explore new layouts for a refreshed look.
3. Transfer content. Use manual methods, RSS feeds, or migration tools to move pages, posts, and media.
4. Recreate navigation. Set up menus and internal links to match or improve upon your Wix site’s structure.
5. Configure plugins. Install essential plugins for SEO, caching, backups, and security.
6. Check media files. Upload and organize images, videos, and downloads to ensure everything displays correctly.
7. Set up redirects. Redirect old Wix URLs to their new WordPress equivalents to preserve search rankings and prevent broken links.

Post-Migration Tasks

The migration doesn’t end when the content is transferred, as your new WordPress site needs fine-tuning. Once everything is in place, it’s time to test, optimize, and prepare for growth.

Important post-migration steps include:

• Testing all functionality, including contact forms, buttons, and navigation.
• Running speed optimization through caching plugins and image compression.
• Setting up Google Analytics and Search Console for performance tracking.
• Reviewing responsiveness on different devices and browsers.
• Submitting a new sitemap to search engines so your site can be re-indexed quickly.

Common Challenges and Solutions

No migration is perfect, and a few common issues tend to arise. The key is knowing how to resolve them quickly.

1. Formatting inconsistencies – Page layouts may not carry over cleanly, requiring manual adjustments.
2. Broken links and missing media – Always double-check internal links and re-upload missing files.
3. SEO ranking fluctuations – Expect some temporary changes in search rankings; use redirects and SEO plugins to minimize impact.
4. Learning curve – WordPress offers much more control than Wix, but it requires learning how to manage themes, plugins, and hosting settings.

Tips for a Smooth Migration

Beyond technical steps, there are best practices that make the entire process easier. Starting with a staging environment prevents mistakes from affecting your live site. Migrating your most important pages first ensures that your core site is up and running quickly, while secondary pages can be refined later.

It’s also wise to communicate with your audience if downtime is expected, so they aren’t caught off guard. Finally, thoroughly test redirects and SEO settings before fully launching your WordPress site.

Conclusion

Wix to WordPress migration is an investment in your website’s future. If you choose to move a website from Wix to WordPress, the process requires planning and effort, but the benefits of flexibility, scalability, and full ownership make the switch worthwhile. Whether you run a personal blog, a growing online store, or a business website, WordPress gives you the tools and freedom to keep building without limitations. With the right approach, you’ll not only migrate successfully but also position your site for long-term growth.

Power Your New WordPress Site with SiteValley

After completing your Wix to WordPress migration, reliable hosting is the key to ensuring your new site performs at its best. At SiteValley, our shared hosting plans are designed to combine affordability with robust features like free SSL, daily backups, DNS Anycast, and built-in security. With support always on hand, your WordPress site will be backed by the stability it needs to grow.

For the best balance of cost and capability, we recommend our Pro Hosting plan, which includes hosting for up to 10 websites, unmetered space and traffic, 100 branded emails, a free domain, and strong security protection, making it an excellent fit for most growing WordPress sites.