I’m pinching myself a bit that I’m actually typing up a post about self-hosted WordPress because making the transfer is something that I’ve wanted to do for almost two years. I’m so glad it’s all behind me and that I’m able to move forward with blogging on my improved platform!
When I started my blog back in 2008, Blogger.com was the most popular and simple choice for those looking to just share some words on a blank space. Because my site was simply nothing more than just a casual hobby blog, I never considered (or even knew about) switching to something else.
When I decided to give my blog a shot and dedicate a bit more time to it last spring, I began frequently stumbling upon post after post about why WordPress.org was the more superior option for a blogger like me. Not only did I feel very unequipped to transfer years of posts and comments from Blogger to WordPress myself, but I really wasn’t interested in dropping several hundred dollars to pay someone to do it for me. For a long time, I tried my best to find contentment with using Blogger.
To make a long story short, when my blogging and designer friend Elizabeth began offering her services several months ago for blog designs and transfers, I decided to take her up on it and tried not to look back. Several times I wanted to email her and say that I could justify spending money on my blog and that I wasn’t interested, but not only has this site been my favorite hobby for many years, but it’s also now a form of a small income for me. I knew I needed to take the leap, and I’m so glad I did!
The main reason I switched is because I became terrified about a year ago that something would happen to my site and that my online journal of Hadley’s life would be gone. Google owns Blogger, therefore owning all of my content. They could shut it down, purposely or “accidentally”, anytime without apologies. Man, that scared me! With WordPress.org, I now own all of my own content!
I also switched because of the options WordPress.org offers as far as layout, SEO, various plug-ins, and so forth. I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how simple creating my posts have become too; I always thought Blogger was a piece of cake, but now that I’m starting to figure out what I’m doing with WordPress, I’m so much more impressed!
For those currently using Blogger.com, WordPress.com (different than .org), or are considering getting started with blogging all together, here’s the process I went through to make the switch.
- I contacted Elizabeth with Chantilly Designs. She gave me a whole new design (you can read about that process here) and set up a date to begin the transfer to WordPress.
- I paid to begin hosting my site through ASmallOrange.com, even though I originally wanted to use BlueHost.com. My mac wasn’t cooperating with BlueHost, but I’m super happy so far with ASmallOrange.
- I paid for Genesis Framework (Elizabeth will walk you through all of this). I did all of the prepwork for the transfer on my end thanks to an incredibly simple checklist emailed by Elizabeth.
- On the first Friday of the month she began my transfer and I officially said goodbye to Blogger.com. Two nights later my site was officially up and running on WordPress! I have no idea how much work it was for her (I imagine a ton!), but I was able to sit back and know that all of it was safely in her hands.
- I “fought” for about a week with Disqus (my comment system) to get everything transferred properly after a few issues we had on their end, but the kind folks at Disqus worked hard and got all of my comments correctly transferred to the right posts.
Have questions? I’d love to answer them for you in the comments section or through email! I understand how overwhelming the whole idea can seem, so I’d be happy to share expense details privately and answer any other questions you’d like answered.
Elizabeth, you are such a gem! I can’t imagine this process being any easier than it was while working with you. Thank you!
Readers, here’s her site if you’d like to get to work with her!
Have a great Monday, friends!
Hi! I’m Erica, and I absolutely adore sharing my life on this website with you! I come here almost daily to blab about all of the things related to being a regular wife and mother in today’s ever-evolving society. I share about our new home, what’s on our kitchen table, what we’re hanging in our closets, where we’re traveling to next, my crazy 5 a.m. work outs, how I make time for girlfriends, our faith, and much more. We always have a lot of balls in the air and somewhat thrive on the chaos. I believe in the power of story-telling as a form of inspiration and entertainment, so I’m here to do both! I was born and raised in north Alabama and recently re-planted roots here again after my husband transitioned out of the Army (he is now in the Reserve and it’s going so well!) I’m a super proud mom to three little girls (ages 7, 4, and 1) who seem to be the stars of the show around here (for good reason – they’re pretty great!) I’m so glad you found me and are here reading! I hope we can get to know each other here on the blog as well as Facebook and/or Instagram. xoxo