Migrate to WordPress from Wix, Squarespace, or Shopify
Complete 2026 guide to platform migration: timeline, costs, SEO preservation, step-by-step process, and common mistakes to avoid.
Written by Adrian Chromenko
Co-founder & Web Developer at PrimaryDM
Adrian has successfully migrated over 150 sites from Wix, Squarespace, and Shopify to WordPress, specializing in SEO-safe migrations with zero ranking loss. He helps businesses escape platform limitations and take control of their online presence. Last updated: August 31, 2026.
Migration Complexity by Platform
Each platform presents unique migration challenges. Here's what to expect.
Wix
- •No direct export tool for pages
- •Must manually recreate designs
- •Blog posts can be exported as RSS
- •Custom code/apps don't transfer
- •Forms need to be rebuilt
- •Escape monthly fees ($16-$45/month)
- •Better SEO control
- •Faster page speeds
- •No Wix branding
- •Full ownership of site
Squarespace
- •WordPress export available but limited
- •Images not included in export
- •Custom CSS doesn't transfer
- •Commerce products need manual migration
- •Forms must be recreated
- •Save $18-$65/month
- •Better plugin ecosystem
- •More design flexibility
- •Advanced ecommerce options
- •Better performance potential
Shopify
- •Complex product/variant migration
- •Customer data export limitations
- •Order history complications
- •Payment gateway setup
- •Shopify apps don't transfer
- •Lower transaction fees (2.9% vs 0.5-2%)
- •No monthly platform fees ($39-$399)
- •More control over checkout
- •Better blogging/content tools
- •WooCommerce ecosystem
8-Step Migration Process
Professional WordPress migration process from planning to post-launch monitoring.
1. Planning & Preparation
- Audit current site (pages, posts, images, forms, integrations)
- Choose WordPress hosting (WP Engine, Kinsta, or quality shared hosting)
- Set up staging environment
- Create content inventory and URL mapping
- Plan 301 redirects for all URLs
- Export all content from current platform
Create comprehensive URL map BEFORE migration to preserve SEO rankings
2. WordPress Setup
- Install WordPress on staging server
- Choose and install theme (or build custom)
- Install essential plugins (SEO, caching, security, backups)
- Configure permalink structure to match old URLs if possible
- Set up SSL certificate
- Configure email (MX records)
Configure MX records BEFORE DNS switch to avoid email downtime
3. Content Migration
- Import blog posts via XML export (if available)
- Manually rebuild pages in WordPress
- Upload and optimize images
- Recreate forms with Contact Form 7 or Gravity Forms
- Migrate products (for ecommerce) to WooCommerce
- Set up navigation menus
Test every page in staging before going live—content errors damage SEO
4. Design & Functionality
- Replicate design in WordPress theme/page builder
- Rebuild custom functionality
- Integrate third-party services (analytics, CRM, email marketing)
- Set up ecommerce (payment gateways, shipping, taxes)
- Configure SEO settings (Yoast/Rank Math)
- Optimize for performance (caching, CDN, image optimization)
Match or improve on old site speed—slow migrations lose rankings
5. SEO Preservation
- Set up 301 redirects for ALL old URLs
- Transfer meta titles and descriptions
- Maintain heading structure (H1, H2, etc.)
- Preserve internal linking
- Submit updated sitemap to Google Search Console
- Monitor for 404 errors post-launch
Missing redirects cause SEO drops—plan every single URL redirect
6. Testing & Quality Assurance
- Test all forms and functionality
- Check mobile responsiveness
- Test ecommerce checkout (if applicable)
- Verify email delivery
- Run speed tests (GTmetrix, PageSpeed Insights)
- Cross-browser testing (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge)
Broken forms or checkout = lost revenue—test everything thoroughly
7. DNS Switch & Launch
- Backup old site completely
- Update DNS records to point to new host
- Monitor site for 24-48 hours
- Watch Google Search Console for errors
- Test email delivery after DNS change
- Monitor analytics for traffic drops
DNS propagation takes 24-48 hours—plan launch timing carefully
8. Post-Launch Monitoring
- Fix any 404 errors discovered
- Monitor search rankings
- Check for broken images/links
- Verify all integrations working
- Set up ongoing backups
- Configure security monitoring
First 30 days are critical—monitor closely and fix issues immediately
6 Common Migration Mistakes to Avoid
Learn from others' mistakes—avoid these costly errors that damage SEO and cause downtime.
Not Planning 301 Redirects
Severe SEO loss, 404 errors, lost traffic
Create complete URL map before migration, set up 301 redirects for every single old URL
Forgetting Email Configuration
Email stops working, missed customer inquiries
Configure MX records before DNS switch, test email delivery immediately after
Rushing the Migration
Broken functionality, content loss, SEO drops
Build in staging first, test thoroughly, allow 4-12 weeks minimum
Not Backing Up Old Site
No fallback if migration fails
Full backup of old site before starting, keep backup for 6+ months
Ignoring Mobile Testing
Poor mobile experience, Google ranking penalty
Test on real devices, use Google Mobile-Friendly Test, fix issues before launch
Skipping Performance Optimization
Slow site, poor user experience, SEO penalty
Set up caching, CDN, image optimization BEFORE launch, target 85+ PageSpeed score
WordPress Migration Cost Breakdown
What to budget for a professional WordPress migration in 2026.
Managed WordPress hosting recommended (WP Engine, Kinsta, SiteGround)
Transfer domain to independent registrar (Namecheap, Google Domains)
Optional—free themes work fine, premium themes offer more features
SEO, backups, security, forms—many have free versions
DIY is possible but risky—hire expert to avoid SEO loss and downtime
Ongoing maintenance, security updates, backups, support
Total Investment Range
Professional WordPress migration from Wix/Squarespace: $2,500-$8,000
Professional migration from Shopify (ecommerce): $5,000-$15,000
ROI timeline: 12-24 months through platform savings, better SEO, and improved conversion rates
WordPress Migration Questions
Everything you need to know about migrating to WordPress.
Should I migrate from Wix to WordPress?
Can I migrate from Shopify to WordPress/WooCommerce myself?
Will I lose SEO rankings when migrating to WordPress?
How long does WordPress migration take?
What happens to my email when I migrate to WordPress?
Is WordPress cheaper than Wix/Squarespace/Shopify long-term?
Can I keep my domain when migrating to WordPress?
What content can I automatically migrate vs manually rebuild?
Should I hire a developer or use a migration plugin?
What should I look for in a WordPress migration service?
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