How to Move from Blogger to WordPress (Our 2006 Switch)

In March 2006 we decided to move from Blogger to WordPress, taking QuickOnlineTips from a blogspot address to our own domain. This post tells that story and then gives the steps that work today if you want to make the same switch.

Quick answer: Export your blog from Blogger as an XML file, set up self-hosted WordPress on your own domain, and import the file with the Blogger Importer plugin. Then match your old URLs or redirect them, point your feed and custom domain to WordPress, and check Search Console for errors. Keep the old Blogger blog online so redirects keep working.

Why we moved from Blogger to WordPress in 2006

I had planned to republish to my custom domain through Blogger’s FTP publishing service, but it meant a loss of control over the blogspot address. I would have had to keep republishing back and forth between the blogspot and domain-hosted addresses to edit both. Taking up a new account with the same blogspot address would have deleted the earlier URLs, leaving lots of 404 pages and lost traffic. I wrote more about these feed, link and PageRank issues at the time.

So I attempted the much-awaited move to WordPress on www.QuickOnlineTips.com. Readers using my FeedBurner feed had a seamless transition and probably did not notice any change, because the new WordPress feed now sourced the FeedBurner feed instead of the Blogger Atom feed. For a while I was busy fixing posts, links and the template, with crosslinks between the two blogs.

Blogger support could not provide a search-engine-friendly 301 redirect, so the old blog was phased out gradually as search engines picked up the new site. I liked WordPress from the start; you can read my initial reactions to WordPress.

How to move from Blogger to WordPress today

The process is much easier now than in 2006. Here are the main steps:

1. Get hosting and a domain. Install self-hosted WordPress on your own domain. Most hosts offer one-click installs.
2. Export from Blogger. In Blogger, open Settings and use the option to back up or export your content. It downloads an XML file with your posts and comments.
3. Import into WordPress. In WordPress go to Tools > Import, install the Blogger importer, and upload the XML file. It brings in posts, comments and images, though it has not been updated for recent WordPress versions, so check the results carefully.
4. Match your permalinks. Blogger URLs look like /YYYY/MM/post-name.html. Setting a similar permalink structure in WordPress reduces the redirects you need.
5. Redirect the old blog. If you used a custom domain on Blogger, simply point that domain to your new host. If you used a blogspot address, follow our guide on how to redirect Blogger to WordPress.
6. Move your subscribers. Update any feed or email service so it reads the new WordPress feed.

After the move

• Add the new site to Google Search Console and submit the sitemap.
• Check that images loaded correctly; some may still point to Blogger’s image servers.
• Fix internal links that still point to the blogspot address.
• Keep the old Blogger blog online and do not delete it.

If you are still deciding, these posts can help: self-hosted blog vs free blog and does your blog need its own domain.

FAQ

Will I lose traffic if I move from Blogger to WordPress?

There is usually a temporary dip. Keeping URLs the same, or redirecting each old URL, keeps most of your rankings.

Can I move comments and images too?

Yes. The Blogger export file includes comments, and the WordPress importer can bring images across. Check a few posts afterwards to confirm.

Is WordPress better than Blogger?

WordPress gives you far more control over design, plugins, SEO and monetization. Blogger is free and simpler but more limited.

Should I delete my Blogger blog after moving?

No. Keep it online so links and redirects to your old posts keep working.