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Complete guide to WordPress to Webflow migration
Webflow's customer base doubled from 100,000 in 2020 to 200,000 by 2022, which clearly points out the growing popularity of this platform. It’s often seen as a modern, intuitive, and flexible no-code builder that provides better options than more traditional platforms, such as WordPress. Therefore, there are many reasons people opt for WordPress to Webflow migration. We will help you get to know all of them and learn how to make this transitioning process as seamless as possible.
Why move from WordPress to Webflow?
WordPress is perhaps the most famous website builder globally. It’s estimated that over 810 million sites are made with WP. Its scalability, straightforwardness, and flexibility, combined with a free plan, have all contributed to WP’s vast popularity.
However, this web builder does come with some limitations that are becoming more pronounced as time passes by. Security issues, chaotic code, slower performance on bigger sites, and limited customization without coding knowledge are some of the reasons business and creators decided to migrate from WordPress. With all the brilliant features Webflow offers, it doesn’t come as a surprise that many of them choose this web-building platform as the best Wordpress alternative. Take a look at the table bellow for a brief Webflow vs. WordPress comparison.
Can I use WordPress in Webflow?
Before opting to migrate their website, some may wish to explore other options that allow them to combine features of these two web builders. While there is no possibility of using WP in Webflow, you can use Webflow’s WordPress plugin, which allows you to build your site visually in Webflow. While it’s a plugin that allows you to have complete design control, it still can’t provide you with all the benefits that come with the Webflow platform. If you wish to experience them all, then migrating is the best solution.
Can I transfer Wordpress to Webflow? Things to consider before migrating
Website migration isn’t always simple, especially if you’re planning to transfer a large website. The best course of action is hiring a top-ranked Webflow agency with vast experience in WordPress to Webflow migration. However, whether you decide to do it on your own or get professional help, it’s necessary to understand how the migration process works before you take action. Not only that, but there are some important challenges to consider before the transition is completed, such as:
- The adjustment period - you won’t become a Webflow expert overnight. Learning a completely new platform will take time. The amount of time needed will depend on your previous experience and knowledge. That being said, if you opt to leave this part of the process to your design partners, the learning curve won’t be your concern.
- Content transfer - since migrating content can become complex, the best course of action is hiring a Webflow web design agency to assist you.
- Functionality - Webflow and WP work differently, and they don’t have the same range of features, plugins, and integrations. If your website relies on particular plugins, ensure that similar features can be offered by Webflow as well.
- SEO influence - to keep your search engine rankings, the migration process must be done skillfully and with the proper SEO practices.
Step-by-step guide on how to migrate Wordpress to Webflow
How do I migrate a site to Webflow? This process would be most efficient and stress-free in the hands of those with plenty of experience. However, if you plan to switch to Webflow on your own, there are certain steps you should make sure not to miss.
Step #1 - Backing up your current work
Even if your current website leaves a lot to be desired, its content can still be valuable for your business. Creating a backup for your current website is a safety net in case something goes wrong. It’s a way of keeping your hard work and all of the previous site investments safe.
Step #2 - Exporting your WordPress content
The main obstacle you’ll face is the format of the exported data since WP exports it in XML by default, and Webflow requires CSV. However, all you have to do is get a plugin that allows for CSV exports or export in an XML format and use an XML to CSV converter.
That being said, keep in mind that media can’t be moved this way - you’ll need to transfer images and other similar elements the other way. Additionally, if you have multiple content types (blog posts, testimonials, projects), you’ll need separate CSV files for each.
Step #3 - Setting up your Webflow project
Once you’ve exported your content, it’s time to start building your new Webflow site. You can either choose a pre-made template or start from scratch for complete customization. Webflow’s visual editor gives you full control over your design without requiring complex coding.
One key difference between WordPress and Webflow is how content is structured. In WordPress, content is mainly managed through:
- Pages - static content like Home, About, and Contact pages,
- Posts - dynamic content, typically used for blogs,
- Custom Post Types (CPTs) –used to create content beyond standard posts and pages typically with the help of plugins or manual coding.
Webflow approaches content differently - by using CMS Collections. Instead of having fixed post types, you can create custom collections with unique fields completely in line with your needs and vision. For example, if you're building a real estate website, you can create a CMS Collection for properties and define fields such as price, location, and number of bedrooms.
This difference means you’ll have to take a moment to map out how your content will be organized in Webflow before importing your data.
Step #4 Importing content into Webflow
To import your content into Webflow, go to the Collection you’ve chosen and upload the CSV file. You’ll also need to connect the column from your CSV to the CMS field in Webflow to which it responds.
As for media files, you can:
- Manually upload them and link them to their CMS items,
- Keep the image URLs if they are stored online since you can keep the web addresses of those images in your CSV file. You’ll just need to tell Webflow to use those URLs in the "Image" section.
- Use automatic solutions (for example, Zapier), especially if you plan on large migration. It’s the simplest way to connect WordPress media files directly to Webflow.
Step #5 - Rebuilding pages and design in Webflow
Unlike content, your WordPress site’s design won’t transfer automatically. This means you’ll need to manually rebuild the pages in Webflow. However, with Webflow, you won’t need plugins and coding knowledge - previous design knowledge, however, would be a plus. Webflow has a visual drag-and-drop builder that will help you build outstanding UX/UI designs that drive results.
WordPress relies heavily on themes and plugin-based customization, Webflow, on the other hand, provides cleaner and flexible layouts with built-in responsiveness and high website usability. This means you can create a pixel-perfect design and be certain your site performs well across all devices.
Step #6 - Keeping your rankings safe
The step many forget about is setting up 301 redirects to ensure that your old WordPress URLs still work and don’t result in broken links. Therefore, make sure to remember to connect old URLs to their new Webflow counterparts.
We can’t talk about ratings and not mention SEO. So, is Webflow SEO better than WordPress? While Wordpress relies on plugins for SEO, Webflow offers built-in SEO tools to help maintain and even improve your search visibility. You can customize meta titles, descriptions, and slugs for each page. Additionally, Webflow automatically generates clean code, which helps with faster loading speeds - a key ranking factor.
Step #7 - Connecting your domain and going live
The final step in your migration is connecting your custom domain and ensuring everything is in place before going live. However, before hitting publish, it’s crucial to run a final quality check to ensure exceptional user experience design. It’s important to look for any broken links, test mobile responsiveness, analyze load speed, and so on. Once you make sure everything is in place, you’re ready to publish.
Post-transition checklist - What to do after WordPress to Webflow migration
A post-migration checklist confirms that everything works as it should and allows you to fine-tune any details when needed. Here's what you should focus on:
- Double-check content formatting - since formatting may shift during migration, review all pages to ensure that text, images, and other media are correctly formatted;
- Review SEO settings - make sure meta titles, descriptions, and slugs are correctly set for every page so your site can remain fully optimized for search engines;
- Test contact forms and integrations - these elements can highly influence user experience
- Check analytics and tracking - to track user behavior and act accordingly, check that analytics tools are correctly set up on your Webflow site.
As the final step, you may want to announce the migration to your audience. Inform your users about any changes they may encounter. This could include updates to the site design, new features, or improvements that affect their experience.
Final thoughts - Is Webflow right for you?
Is Webflow worth it? Making the switch to Webflow can definitely pay off, but whether it’s the right platform for you depends on your unique needs and preferences. Webflow is made especially for users who value complete design control and customization. If that’s what you’re looking for, then this web builder can be the right option for you.
However, it’s quite obvious that migrating your website to Webflow is not a piece of cake, which is why many opt for expert assistance. If you choose this course of action, as well, don’t hesitate to reach out to Devolfs team. We’re here to help make the transition easy and successful, so make sure to contact us and book your consultation.
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