How to Migrate from WordPress.com to Your Own Hosting

Introduction

WordPress.com is a free and easy platform to start a blog. But when you grow, its limitations show: you can’t install paid plugins, you don’t have total control and premium plans are expensive. Migrating to your own hosting with WordPress.org gives you total control and more freedom.

In this article you’ll see how to migrate from WordPress.com to your own hosting.

Difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org

Aspect	WordPress.com	WordPress.org (your hosting)
Plugins	Limited	All
Themes	Limited	All
Control	Limited	Total
Monetization	Restricted	Free
Cost	Free (with limitations)	Hosting + domain

WordPress.org is the version you install on your own hosting. It’s the one 99% of professional websites use.

Step 1: Contract hosting and install WordPress

1. Contract a hosting plan with WordPress (like miHosting’s).
2. Install WordPress with Softaculous in one click.

Step 2: Export your website from WordPress.com

1. Log in to your WordPress.com panel.
2. Go to Tools → Export.
3. Choose Export all.
4. Download the XML file.

Step 3: Import into your new WordPress

1. In your new WordPress, go to Tools → Import.
2. Choose WordPress.
3. Install the importer if you don’t have it.
4. Upload the XML file you downloaded from WordPress.com.
5. Check the option to download attached images.

The importer brings your articles, pages, images and comments.

Step 4: Review content

After import:

• Check articles are correct.
• Verify images have been imported.
• Review comments are there.

Step 5: Configure redirects

If you have a free WordPress.com plan (with domain yourblog.wordpress.com), you can configure a paid redirect so old visits reach your new domain.

If you already had your own domain on WordPress.com, you just have to change DNS to the new hosting.

Step 6: Choose a theme and configure plugins

Now that you have total control, choose a quality theme and install the plugins you need (SEO, cache, security).

Useful tips

• Do the migration at a quiet time. Don’t do it in a rush.
• Check images are imported. It’s what fails most.
• Take the opportunity to improve. Now you have total control: optimize SEO and speed.
• If you have a paid WordPress.com plan, cancel after migrating. You no longer need it.
• Ask for help if you need it. WordPress.com migration is simple, but if you have doubts, open a ticket.

Frequently asked questions

Can I migrate all my content?

Yes. Articles, pages, images and comments are migrated with WordPress’s exporter/importer.

Do I lose SEO?

If you configure redirects or keep your domain, no.

How much does migration cost?

If you do it yourself, free. If we do it, migration is free with our hosting plans.

Do I need to know programming?

No. Migration with the importer is automatic.

Can I keep my WordPress.com domain?

If it was yourblog.wordpress.com, you can redirect it (paid). If it was your own domain, simply change DNS.

From WordPress.com to your own hosting: total control

Migrating from WordPress.com to your own hosting gives you total control, more plugins, more themes and more freedom. Migration is simple with WordPress’s importer.

If you need help migrating, at miHosting we offer free migration with our plans. Open a ticket from your client panel.