The Ultimate Guide to Migrating Your Website From Weebly to WordPress

Key highlights

• Migrate from Weebly to WordPress for complete control, enhanced customization and long-term flexibility.
• Preserve SEO by mapping URLs, setting 301s and verifying slugs during the Weebly to WordPress migration.
• Choose your method: copy manually, use an importer or outsource large sites.
• Speed up setup with WordPress-optimized hosting, one-click install, backups and security.
• Launch on Bluehost to auto-install WordPress with WonderSuite, get 24/7 support and enjoy free SSL for a seamless Weebly to WordPress migration.

If you’re new to web development, Weebly is a good starting point due to its simplicity and user-friendly interface. You may even enjoy the cost savings of its free website hosting service.

But as your website grows, you may need more control and customization options to enhance its design and functionality.

That’s where WordPress comes in. With about 43–44% of all websites using WordPress in 2025, the platform is a clear winner for sites of all sizes. Apart from its ease of use, WordPress offers myriad themes and plugins to customize your website.

If you want to move your website from Weebly to WordPress, we’ve got you covered. This guide provides all you need for a smooth migration.

Why move from Weebly to WordPress?

When your Weebly site starts to outgrow drag-and-drop limits, moving to a WordPress site gives you control, scale and long-term flexibility. Many site owners migrate Weebly to wordpress to gain plugin flexibility and long-term control.

The shift is straightforward: purchase hosting, run a quick WordPress installation (often a one-click installation process) and manage your new WordPress site from the familiar WordPress admin dashboard.

1) Full control and true content ownership

On WordPress, you own the stack: files plus the WordPress database.

Your Weebly content and Weebly data are not locked inside a builder. After a Weebly to WordPress migration, you can export, back up or move your entire WordPress website whenever you need.

Daily work is simple: log into the WordPress admin dashboard to create posts, add relevant images and organize all the pages without the constraints of the Weebly editor. If you plan to convert Weebly to WordPress, you’ll own your files and database going forward.

2) Design freedom with cleaner editing

A WordPress website lets you tailor layouts, typography and templates with themes and the WordPress editor.

You can mirror or refine your current look from the Weebly site URL, keep brand consistency and build new sections faster. Teams that convert Weebly to WordPress keep brand visuals consistent while unlocking deeper layout control.

If you are seeding a large build, tools like a bulk page creator tab make it easy to scaffold pages on a new WordPress website, then populate them with content and media.

3) SEO structure that scales with you

WordPress makes technical SEO practical. If you used meta keywords in weebly, shift focus to titles, descriptions and clear permalinks.

You can set a clear URL structure, choose a sensible permalink structure and keep subscribers via an RSS feed (and multiple feeds if you publish by category).

During WordPress migration, you can preserve the Weebly blog audience by pointing importers at your Weebly feed URL or main import feed page, then verify correct post slugs before launch.

Domain changes are cleaner too. Confirm domain settings on your registrar’s domains page for your Weebly domain and WordPress domain.

4) Straightforward setup and flexible migration paths

You can install WordPress in minutes and choose how to move content.

Prefer control?

Do the migration manually: export Weebly pages, download HTML files and import pages into a new WordPress installation.

Want speed?

Choose automated migration with an automated service or use the WordPress importer tool to upload an XML file in a WordPress-compatible import format, then finish mapping in the import posts tab. Either route fits neatly into the overall WordPress migration process.

5) Room to grow: from content to commerce

As your new site evolves, WordPress scales from simple pages to an online store, memberships or courses, without replatforming.

Starting on modern web hosting gives you faster pages, better uptime and optional CDNs. Many hosts bundle a free domain name (or free domain) with plans.

You can attach it to your new WordPress site and expand over time instead of rebuilding later.

6) Operational reliability and simpler maintenance

Managing a WordPress site is predictable.

Theme and plugin updates, scheduled backups and security hardening keep things stable after the Weebly to WordPress migration.

Because everything lives in your hosting account, you can iterate safely, test changes on staging and keep publishing from the WordPress admin dashboard, with the freedom to adapt your structure and content as your goals change.

Weebly vs. WordPress: Features comparison

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of the migration process, let’s briefly consider how WordPress outperforms Weebly.

1. Flexibility and customization

Weebly offers a drag-and-drop website builder that allows you to design simple pages quickly. WordPress, however, opens the door to a vast universe of themes and plugins that offer unparalleled flexibility and customization options.

WordPress offers ~60,000 free plugins and 12,000+ free themes. Weebly’s App Center lists 200+ apps and while its built-in themes are limited (roughly 40–50+), you can import third-party themes.

2. Content management and organization

While Weebly shines in its simplicity, WordPress delivers a robust content management system (CMS).

With WordPress, you can categorize, tag and even design custom post types, which allow you to have complex content structures.

This not only makes your website more organized and navigable but also enhances the user experience. Visitors can easily find what they’re looking for, and search engines can understand your content better, potentially improving your ranking in search results.

3. eCommerce capabilities

Weebly offers integrated eCommerce solutions that are simple to set up and manage, especially for beginners. However, its eCommerce features are basic and might not cater to the needs of a growing online business.

On the other hand, WordPress not only meets those needs but also allows you to scale your business. You can integrate your site with powerful eCommerce plugins like WooCommerce and deliver a superior shopping experience to your customers.

4. SEO tools and plugins

While Weebly has some built-in SEO tools, WordPress offers a more comprehensive approach to search engine optimization.

You have more control over meta descriptions, meta titles and keywords, which helps you fine-tune your website to rank higher in search results.

For SEO, choose a dedicated plugin like Yoast SEO or Rank Math. When you transfer Weebly to WordPress, migrate titles and descriptions carefully.

Jetpack focuses on security, performance, backups and other features; its advanced SEO options are part of paid plans.

What to do before migrating from Weebly to WordPress

As we dive into the migration process, let’s look at some preparatory steps you can take to ensure a smooth transition.

1. Back up your Weebly website

Creating a backup for your website is arguably the most crucial step when migrating from Weebly to WordPress.

Think of your backup as a safety net. During the migration process, there’s a risk of data loss or corruption. A backup ensures you won’t lose the valuable content you’ve worked hard to create.

So, even if something goes wrong during migration, you can restore your website to its previous state. A verified backup makes it easier to migrate Weebly to WordPress if you need to retry any step.

2. Register a new domain name

A domain name is your site’s address on the internet. It’s the unique name that people type into the address bar to visit your website.

For instance, in the URL https://www.[example].[com], example.[com] is the domain name.

Your domain is an integral part of your brand identity and online presence. So, it’s important to choose a memorable name that reflects your brand’s personality.

Bluehost can help you find the perfect domain for your website. The Bluehost domain search tool lets you choose a unique website name that helps your brand stand out.

3. Choose the right WordPress hosting provider

Without a hosting account, your website won’t be accessible to anyone. So, selecting the right web hosting provider isn’t just a routine step — it lays the groundwork for your website’s performance, security and growth.

Opt for a web host that offers WordPress-optimized plans. Managed WordPress hosting from Bluehost is your best bet if you want to outsource technical tasks like updates and backups. Bluehost experts can help you transfer Weebly to WordPress faster, so you can focus on content.

Our team of experts will maintain your website routinely to ensure it’s fast, secure and stable. This gives you time to focus on other business activities, like sales and marketing.

4. Set up your WordPress website

Once you’ve chosen a web hosting service, it’s time to install WordPress. Many hosting companies offer one-click installations, making this process quick and easy.

Bluehost takes WordPress hosting a step further. With our WonderSuite onboarding, WordPress is installed automatically during setup – you can log in immediately after provisioning.

This saves you the time and hassle of setting up the website yourself. It also ensures your WordPress website is installed correctly from the start.

After installation, familiarize yourself with your WordPress dashboard, as it will be your new control room.

How to migrate a website from Weebly to WordPress

There are three ways to migrate your website from Weebly to WordPress:

• Copying and pasting your content manually.
• Using free tools like the Weebly to WordPress Importer.
• Outsourcing the migration process to professionals.

Let’s look at each method in detail.

1. Migrate your website manually

Going the manual route means getting involved in the whole migration process. It’s a great option if you prefer total control over every aspect of the migration.

Because this method gives you full control, it requires time and technical expertise. Choose this route if you must convert Weebly to WordPress while preserving layouts and media placement.

That said, here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Choose a WordPress theme.

Go to your WordPress dashboard > Appearance > Themes.

Click on Add New Theme, then search for your preferred theme and tap Install.

Popular free WordPress themes include Astra, Ocean WP and Sydney.

Next, click on Activate to make the theme active.

You can customize the theme to mirror your Weebly site or create a new design from scratch.

Step 2: Create new pages and posts.

The manual method entails copying content from Weebly and pasting it on WordPress. To do this, you need to create pages and posts on your new website.

You can create new pages individually or in bulk using a WordPress plugin like Bulk Page Creator.

If you choose to create new pages manually, return to your WordPress dashboard and click on Pages > Add New Page. Then, create the number of pages you need.

If you choose the plugin option, go to Plugins > Add New Plugin.

Search for Bulk Page Creator, then install and activate the plugin.

Once the plugin is active, go to Settings > Bulk Page Creator.

Next, check the Multiple Pages mode box and enter the names of the pages you want to create. Use commas to separate each page name (e.g., page1,page2,page3).

Then, click on Update Site to save changes.

Step 3: Copy and paste your content from Weebly to WordPress.

Copy your pages, blog posts, images and other content from your Weebly site.

Once that’s done, here’s how to move your content to your new WordPress pages:

• Paste the main text of the page.
• Upload images to the WordPress Media Library.
• Insert images in your content.
• Align images as desired.

Repeat this process for all your Weebly pages.

2. Use free tools like the Weebly to WordPress Importer

Free tools like the Weebly to WordPress Importer come in handy if you want to automate the migration process. It’s often the fastest way to migrate Weebly to WordPress for posts, pages and basic media.

The Weebly to WordPress Importer converts your Weebly content into a format you can easily import into WordPress. This speeds up and simplifies the migration process.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use the tool:

Step 1: Export content from your Weebly website.

Visit the Weebly to WordPress Importer website and provide your Weebly website’s URL, your name and email address in the designated fields.

The tool will set the WXR format as the default for exporting. This format allows you to export all your content with categories, comments and authors.

Next, click on the Export my Weebly Website button. The Weebly to WordPress Importer will now convert your Weebly website’s content into a WordPress-friendly export file.

Once the export is ready, you’ll see a button to download your Weebly export file. Right-click the button and select Save link as from the dropdown menu. This will save the export.xml file on your computer.

Step 2: Import posts and pages to your WordPress website.

Head over to your WordPress dashboard and go to Tools > Import.

Scroll down to the WordPress importer and click on Install Now. WordPress will download and install the importer plugin.

After the installation, click on Run Importer to open the importer tool.

Next, tap the Choose File button and select the export.xml file you downloaded. Then, tap Upload file and import to start the import process.

WordPress will prompt you to assign authors. You can either import an author from your Weebly site, create a new author profile or assign all imported content to an existing user on your WordPress site.

Check the Download and import file attachments box. This will transfer images and other media from your Weebly website to your WordPress Media Library.

Click Submit to begin the importation process.

Once the process is complete, you’ll receive a message confirming your content has been successfully imported.

3. Outsource the migration process

The third way to migrate your website from Weebly to WordPress is by outsourcing. This method is ideal if you run a massive website with hundreds or thousands of pages and would prefer to focus on growing your business rather than handling the technicalities of migration.

Proven agencies can transfer Weebly to WordPress at scale, including URL mapping and design parity.

Here’s how to outsource the migration process:

• Find a reputable service provider: Choose a web host with positive customer reviews and a track record of successful Weebly to WordPress migrations. Examples of reputable website migrators include CMS2CMS and WordHerd.

• Provide your website details: You’ll need to provide your Weebly login credentials and access to your WordPress hosting account. So, it’s important to choose a service provider you can trust.

• Let the experts handle it: The website migration service will handle the entire process, from content transfer to design replication and search engine optimization.

What to do after migrating from Weebly to WordPress

Let’s look at some important things to do after migrating your website to ensure it runs smoothly.

1. Double-check your content

Check your new website to confirm you’ve migrated all your posts, pages, and media correctly. Also, ensure you’ve imported all the images from your Weebly website to the WordPress Media Library.

This step is like unpacking after a move — you want to make sure everything made it over and is in good condition. If you previously used meta keywords in Weebly, replace them with clear titles and meta descriptions.

2. Set up redirects

Setting up redirects after migrating your website ensures a seamless transition and prevents visitors from landing on a 404 page.

This process depends on whether you have a custom domain or a subdomain from Weebly.

Let’s look at both scenarios.

Scenario 1: For custom domains (e.g., example.com).

Log in to your domain registrar (the company where your domain is registered) and open the Nameservers settings for your domain.

If your domain is registered with Square/Weebly, you can edit nameservers in Online > Domains > Manage domain > Nameservers.

Update the nameservers at your domain registrar to point to your new host. For Bluehost, use ns1.bluehost.com and ns2.bluehost.com.

Click the Save button to apply the changes. DNS updates can take 24–48 hours to propagate.

Scenario 2: For subdomains (like example.weebly.com).

Log in to your Weebly account, click Settings, then navigate to the SEO tab.

Scroll to the Header Code option and paste the following code:

<meta http-equiv="refresh" content="0;url=https://www.[yourdomain].[com]">

Make sure to replace yourdomain.com with the domain name of your new WordPress site.

Click on the Save button, then hit Publish to update your website with these changes.

3. Set up permalinks

A permalink is a web address that leads to a specific page on the internet.

To set up your permalinks, go to Settings > Permalinks in your WordPress dashboard.

Select Custom Structure and add the structure of your Weebly site URL. This will keep your URLs consistent and maintain a familiar navigation experience for users.

4. Install essential plugins

Plugins extend the functionality of your website. While there’s a plugin for everything, it’s wise to start with the essentials.

These include:

• Security plugins like Wordfence help protect your site from threats.
• Backup plugins like Jetpack Backup (paid) or UpdraftPlus (free) help you schedule regular backups and quick restores.
• SEO plugins like Yoast SEO or Rank Math help you optimize titles, meta descriptions and schema.
• Caching plugins like W3 Total Cache to improve your website’s speed.

5. Set up analytics

Install Google Analytics to monitor your website’s performance.

The platform tracks key performance indicators (KPIs) such as page load times, bounces and conversions. This helps you improve your website’s performance and keep visitors engaged.

Final thoughts

While Weebly might offer some features ideal for creating a simple website, it may not have the functionalities you need to grow your business. With the tutorial above, you can confidently migrate your website from Weebly to WordPress.

As you do so, consider the pre-migration tips we discussed, like registering your domain name and picking the right hosting provider. These will determine how smoothly your WordPress website runs.

Bluehost offers lightning-fast WordPress hosting with round-the-clock support and top-notch security, ensuring optimal website performance.

Get started with Bluehost WordPress hosting today!

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