How To Move From Blogger to WordPress – Import and Migrate Easily

Do you want to know “How to Switch from Blogger to WordPress”?

Think of your blog platform like a house.

Sometimes, you want to move to a new and fancier house, and that’s exactly what switching from Blogger to WordPress is like.

It might sound like a big deal, but I have got a plan with 10+ simple steps to make the move smooth and exciting!

Why Switch?

Imagine your blog is a car.

Blogger is like a reliable sedan, but WordPress is like a customizable sports car.

It gives you more power and control.

About 42% of all websites on the internet use WordPress, showing it’s a popular choice for a reason!

Switch from Blogger to WordPress (14 Steps)

1. Backup Your Blogger Blog

Log in to Blogger: First, sign in to your Blogger account using your username and password.

Select Your Blog: Choose the blog you want to move. If you have multiple blogs, make sure you pick the right one.

Access Settings: In your Blogger dashboard, look for a menu called “Settings,” and click on it.

Backup Your Content: Within the “Settings” menu, you’ll find a section called “Other.” Click on it, and there will be an option to “Backup content.”

Click on this.

Blogger will create a special file that holds all your blog posts and comments. This is like making a copy of your blog.

Download the Backup: Once Blogger is done creating the backup, you’ll see a download link for an XML file.

Click on that link to save the file to your computer. This file contains all your blog content.

2. Set Up Your WordPress Site

Create a WordPress Website: If you haven’t already, it’s time to build your new website using WordPress.

Think of WordPress as a platform to make your blog look how you want it to.

Make it Yours: Customize your WordPress site by choosing a design theme, adding useful tools called plugins, and setting up your website the way you like it.

Think of it like decorating your new home to make it feel comfortable.

3. Install and Configure WordPress Importer Plugin

Go to Your WordPress Dashboard: Once your WordPress site is ready, log in to your WordPress dashboard.

This is like the control centre for your new website.

Import Tool: In your WordPress dashboard, there’s a section called “Tools.” Click on it to open it up.

Choose Blogger: Inside the “Tools” section, you’ll see an option for “Import.”

Click on it, and you’ll be presented with different platforms you can import content from.

Look for “Blogger” and click on it.

Plugin Installation: WordPress will ask you to install a special tool, called a plugin, to help move your content from Blogger.

Click to install this plugin.

4. Authorize Access to Blogger

Install the Importer: Once you’re in your WordPress dashboard and have clicked on “Blogger” in the “Import” section, you’ll see a button that says “Install Now.”

Click on it, and then you’ll need to press another button that says “Activate Plugin & Run Importer.”

This is like preparing a tool to help you move things.

Give Permission: After activating the plugin, WordPress will ask for permission to access your Blogger account.

It’s similar to granting access to a friend to come inside your house.

Follow the instructions, which are like the rules your friend needs to follow, and give WordPress permission to get your Blogger stuff.

5. Import Blogger Content

Choose Your Blog: Once you’ve given permission, WordPress will show you a list of your Blogger blogs (if you have more than one).

You need to select the Blogger blog you want to move.

Think of it like choosing which box of your stuff you want to unpack first in your new home.

Start the Import: Find the “Import” button and click on it.

This is like telling the tool, “Okay, start moving my things now.”

Wait for the Magic: The tool called an importer, will start copying everything from your Blogger blog to your WordPress site.

This part might take a little time, especially if you have a lot of stuff on your blog.

Imagine it’s like watching a moving truck load your furniture; it can take some time.

6. Map Blogger URLs to WordPress URLs

Matching Old and New Addresses: During the importing process, WordPress might ask you to make sure that the web addresses (URLs) of your old Blogger posts match with the new ones in WordPress.

This is important because it helps keep your website organized, just like making sure all your books are on the right shelves.

Follow the Instructions: WordPress will guide you through this step with on-screen instructions.

It’s like following a map to make sure you don’t get lost.

Just do what it says, and your new website will know where to find everything from your old blog.

7. Review and Update Posts

Check Your Stuff: After all your Blogger content has made its way to WordPress, it’s time to look through it.

See if your blog posts, pictures, and comments came over correctly.

Think of it like unpacking your boxes after a move and making sure nothing got broken.

Fix Anything That’s Not Right: You might notice that some things need fixing, like the way your text looks or how your pictures are placed.

It’s a bit like tidying up your new house to make it just the way you want it.

8. Set Permalinks Structure

Go to Permalinks: Inside your WordPress dashboard, you’ll find a section called “Settings.” Click on it, and then choose “Permalinks.”

This is where you can make your website’s web addresses look the way you want them to.

Choose Your Web Address Style: In “Permalinks,” you can pick how you want your web addresses to look.

Try to match the style you had on Blogger if possible.

It’s like deciding if you want your new house’s address to be “123 Main St” or “Apt 456, Elm St.”

9. Redirect Blogger to WordPress

Help Old Visitors Find You: You want people who used to visit your Blogger blog to find your new WordPress website.

To do this, you need to set up something called “redirects.”

This is like putting up signs to guide your friends to your new home.

Edit Your Blogger Template: If you’re comfortable with making changes to your Blogger blog, you can edit the template to add these signs.

They’re called “301 redirects.” They tell the internet, “Hey, this page has moved over there.”

Use a Plugin: If you’re not familiar with coding or website technical stuff, you can use a special tool called a “Redirection Plugin” in WordPress.

This plugin can help with the redirecting process without you needing to be a computer expert.

10. Update Internal and External Links

Look at the Links: First, go through your blog posts and see if there are any links to other pages or posts on your blog.

These are called “internal links.” It’s like making sure the pathways inside your house lead to the right rooms.

Make Sure External Links Work: Next, check the links that go to other websites.

These are “external links.”

You want to ensure they still work and take your visitors to the right places on the internet.

It’s similar to checking that the roads outside your new home lead to the right places in town.

11. Customize Your WordPress Site

Make It Look How You Want: Now it’s time to make your WordPress site look and feel just the way you like it.

Choose colours, fonts, and styles that match your taste.

This is like decorating and arranging your new home so it feels comfortable and suits your style.

Add Helpful Tools: Think of plugins as gadgets or appliances for your website.

You can install and set up these plugins to add cool features like social media buttons, contact forms, or anything else you need on your site.

Organize Your Website: Create menus and arrange widgets to make it easy for your visitors to navigate your site.

Menus are like signs that show the way, and widgets are like handy tools you put in your rooms to make them more useful.

12. Test Your Site

Check Everything: Before you show your new website to the world, take some time to go through it carefully.

Open your blog posts, look at images, read comments, and click on links to make sure everything works as it should.

It’s similar to giving your new house a final inspection before inviting guests over.

13. Notify Your Audience

Tell Your Followers: If you have people who regularly read your blog, they’ll want to know about your move to WordPress.

Imagine it’s like inviting friends to your new home. Let them know where to find you!

Give Instructions: Explain how your readers can follow your new WordPress blog.

You might want to share the website address, any new email subscription options, or social media links.

It’s like telling your friends your new address and phone number.

14. SEO and Sitemap

Stay Search-Friendly: Search engines like Google use a map of your website called a sitemap to understand what’s on your blog.

After moving to WordPress, you’ll want to update this map, so Google and other search engines can find your new content.

Notify Google: Think of it as sending a postcard to Google to let them know you’ve moved.

You can use Google Search Console to do this.

It’s like telling the post office your new address so you can keep getting your mail.

Wrapping Up – How to switch from Blogger to WordPress

Switching your blog from Blogger to WordPress is a bit like moving to a new house.

It might seem daunting, but by following these 14 steps, you can make the transition smoothly.

You’ll have your content, website design, and web address all set up just the way you like it. So, don’t worry, and take it step by step.

Once you’re settled in your new online home, you can continue sharing your ideas and stories with your readers.