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

move your blog from wordpresscom self hosted easy steps
April 11, 2025
3 min read
By Cojocaru David & ChatGPT

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How to Move Your Blog from WordPress.com to Self-Hosted in 3 Easy Steps

Moving your blog from WordPress.com to a self-hosted WordPress site unlocks greater control, customization, and growth potential. In just three simple steps—choosing a hosting provider, exporting your content, and importing it to your new site—you’ll gain full ownership of your blog’s design, plugins, and monetization. Let’s dive in!

Step 1: Choose the Best Web Hosting for Your Blog

Your hosting provider is the backbone of your self-hosted blog. A reliable host ensures speed, security, and scalability. Here’s what to look for:

  • Performance: Prioritize SSD storage and fast servers for better load times and SEO.
  • Uptime: Aim for at least 99.9% uptime to minimize downtime and lost traffic.
  • Support: 24/7 customer service is essential for troubleshooting.
  • One-Click WordPress Install: Simplifies setup—no technical skills needed.
  • Scalability: Ensure your plan can grow with your blog’s traffic.

Top-rated hosts like Bluehost, SiteGround, and Kinsta offer beginner-friendly plans. After signing up, use their one-click installer to set up WordPress.

Step 2: Export Your Content from WordPress.com

WordPress.com makes exporting your content straightforward:

  1. Log in to your WordPress.com dashboard.
  2. Go to Tools > Export.
  3. Click Export All to download an XML file (includes posts, pages, and media).
  4. Save the file securely—this is your backup.

For large blogs, plugins like All-in-One WP Migration can simplify transfers, but the built-in export works for most users.

Step 3: Import Content to Your Self-Hosted Site

With your new WordPress site ready, follow these steps:

  1. Log in to your self-hosted dashboard (e.g., yourdomain.com/wp-admin).
  2. Navigate to Tools > Import.
  3. Select WordPress, install the importer (if needed), and click Run Importer.
  4. Upload your XML file from Step 2.
  5. Assign content to authors and check “Download and import file attachments” for media.
  6. Click Submit and wait for the import to complete.

Afterward, review posts, images, and formatting. Update permalinks if needed and reinstall your theme/plugins.

Bonus: Redirect Your Old WordPress.com Site

Keep your audience and SEO rankings by redirecting traffic:

  • WordPress.com Site Redirect: Purchase this paid upgrade to auto-redirect visitors.
  • DNS Update (Custom Domains): Point your domain to your new host’s nameservers.

“Self-hosting isn’t just about files—it’s about freedom to create without limits.”

By following these steps, you’ll seamlessly transition to a self-hosted blog with full creative control. Ready to explore plugins, themes, and monetization? The journey starts now!

#WordPress #Blogging #SelfHosting #SEO #WebDevelopment