Direct migration · Straightforward
Moving your site off WordPress.com.
WordPress.com provides a standard XML content export. On some plans a migration plugin or downloadable backup can make the move more direct.
What WordPress.com lets you take
The standard XML contains posts, pages, comments, categories, tags, and links to media. It does not contain the theme design, customizations, plugins, or the actual media files.
- Posts, pages, comments, categories, tags, and menus
- Media references and separately downloaded media
- Users and plugin data when a full migration method is available
- Domain, subscribers, and email through separate procedures
What gets rebuilt
- Theme styling when only XML is available
- WordPress.com-specific blocks and paid services
- Forms, subscriptions, stats, and automations that depend on the old plan
- Any missing media links or plugin features
We can rebuild an informational site as a custom static site.
A WordPress.com site whose job is explaining your services doesn't have to become WordPress. A static site on Cloudflare Workers has no database or plugins to update, and forms and analytics still work.
If your staff publish often or you need store or membership plugins, WordPress is the better fit. We recommend one after looking at the site.
Gather these first
- WordPress.com administrator access
- The XML export or a full backup when the plan provides one
- A separate media-library export
- Theme name, plugin list, custom CSS, redirects, subscribers, and forms
- Domain, DNS, email, and paid subscription details
Export from WordPress.com
Step 1
Keep the site public so the new WordPress installation can fetch media files during import.
Step 2
In the dashboard, go to Tools, Export, choose All content, and click Download Export File.
Step 3
Go to Tools, Export Media Files and download the media archive as a separate safety copy.
Step 4
If the site is on a plugin-enabled plan, check whether a migration plugin or full backup is available. We will choose the cleaner method after reviewing access.
Step 5
Record the active theme, plugins, widgets, menus, custom CSS, forms, subscribers, stats, and any paid WordPress.com features.
Step 6
Do not make the old site private or cancel the plan until every imported image and file has been verified.
Watch for
- The XML points to images on the old site; it does not contain those files.
- Large sites may receive a ZIP containing several XML files.
- WordPress.com subscriptions, subscribers, and domain registration each have their own handoff steps.
Questions
Does hosting include migration?
Yes. There is no migration fee. We review the current site first so you know the plan. New features beyond recreating the existing site are scoped separately before we do them.
Will my website go offline?
No. The old site stays up while the new one is built, and we don't cancel the old service until the new one passes review.
Do I have to transfer my domain?
No. The domain can stay with its current registrar and point to us.
What happens to my business email?
We copy every mail-related DNS record before launch. We don't move or cancel email unless that is part of the plan.
Ready to leave WordPress.com?
Send the site address. Moving is free with hosting, and the old site stays up until the new one passes review.