Migrating a Wix site to WordPress can offer greater flexibility in terms of hosting, extensions, structure and future developments. However, switching platforms is not simply a matter of copying and pasting pages: URLs, media files, forms, SEO settings and visitor behaviour must all be handled systematically.
It is impossible to guarantee a migration without any fluctuations in traffic, as Google needs to crawl and re-index the new pages. However, an accurate site map, appropriate redirects and post-launch checks significantly reduce avoidable risks.
Wix is suitable for many simple projects thanks to its integrated interface. However, a business may wish to switch to a different solution when its website becomes more complex, its integration requirements change, or it wants greater technical control.
Migrating isn’t automatically the best option. If your Wix site meets your needs perfectly, the cost remains reasonable and you aren’t missing any features, staying on the platform may be a sensible choice. You need to weigh up the total cost of the change against its expected benefits.
Wix does not provide a complete, universal export of the site in the form of a WordPress site ready for import. The transfer process varies depending on the content and features used. It is therefore important to distinguish between data that can be retrieved and elements that need to be recreated.
| Element | Migration approach | Point to watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Blog posts | Export available depending on the format: RSS feed or structured transfer | Check the dates, categories, authors and images |
| Standard pages | Rebuilding in WordPress | Keep useful texts and research ideas |
| Images and files | Download and then import into the media library | Check the names, dimensions and alternative text |
| URLs and SEO metadata | Manual inventory and reconciliation schedule | Set up 301 redirects if URLs change |
| Forms and bookings | Playtime with a suitable tool | Test message reception, confirmations and data |
| Online shop | Export/import based on available data or a controlled transfer | Products, variants, customers, orders and payments |
| Design and animations | Reconstruction within a theme or a framework | Avoid replicating effects that slow down the website |
Before making any changes to the website, make a list of all the important URLs: the homepage, services pages, contact pages, articles, campaign pages and product pages. For each URL, note down its title, purpose, any traffic it receives and where it will be located in WordPress.
Google Search Console and website analytics can help you identify pages that attract impressions, clicks or conversions. Don’t just copy the most prominent pages into the menu: some deep-level pages may attract traffic through a specific search query.
You should also back up your text, images, documents, forms and business information. Retain access to the domain and the DNS configuration. Avoid cancelling the old service before you have approved the new website and checked that you can manage the domain.
Install WordPress on a suitable hosting service, enable HTTPS and choose an appropriate theme. The choice of theme should meet the project’s needs, not just look good in a demo. Limit plugins to the features you need and check that they are actively maintained.
Rewrite your priority pages with a clear hierarchy: a single main heading, informative subheadings, useful links and a clear call to action. Reuse high-quality content, but take advantage of the migration to correct outdated information, overly vague text and pages that overlap.
For images, download the originals where available, optimise their file size and use descriptive filenames. Alternative text should describe the images accurately, without artificially cramming them full of keywords.
The priority for SEO is to match each important old URL to a relevant landing page. If a URL changes, set up a 301 permanent redirect. Avoid redirecting all old pages to the home page: both users and search engines should be directed to the content that actually meets their query.
Redirects must be tested individually. A chain of redirects or a loop can slow down access and cause errors. Old URLs with no equivalent should not be automatically redirected to an unrelated page.
On the test site, check the pages on a computer and a smartphone. Test all forms, call-to-action buttons, links, menus, downloads, search functions and any payment processes. Also check the legal pages and confirmation messages.
The pre-production site must not be indexed by mistake. At launch, check that the visibility settings are correct, that public pages are accessible to web crawlers, and that the sitemap matches the new site. An error such as ‘discourage search engines’ may block indexing if it remains enabled.
Plan the switchover for a time when the team can step in if any problems arise. Keep a copy of the previous site and ensure you can revert to it if a major fault occurs. After the DNS change, some visitors may still see the old version whilst the changes propagate.
Once live, open Google Search Console, submit the sitemap, check the priority URLs and monitor 404 errors, excluded pages and changes in click-through rates. Compare the results with an equivalent period rather than just a few isolated hours. Search engines may take some time to crawl all the new pages.
The price depends on the number of pages, the volume of articles, whether an online shop is required, the complexity of the forms and the SEO work involved. A small showcase site of just a few pages requires less preparation than a site with hundreds of products, customer accounts and an order history. The quote must distinguish between site rebuild, content migration, redirects, testing and support.
Ask whether the price includes setting up WordPress, transferring images, 301 redirects, SEO metadata, testing and a post-launch rectification period. These elements are more useful than a simple ‘per page’ price with no further details.
Elvis Web can assist you with project preparation, rebuilding the site using WordPress, migrating content and carrying out SEO checks. The first step is to review the existing site, identify the pages to be retained and the required functionality, and then draw up a realistic migration plan.
To prepare for the review, please gather the Wix address, domain access details, a list of features and the pages that generate enquiries. Take a look at our range of WordPress website creation and migration, then request a personalised quote.
No, one should not assume that a complete and accurate export is possible. Some content can be exported or retrieved from a feed, whilst pages, the design and several features will need to be rebuilt.
A migration can lead to fluctuations. Preserving URLs, setting up appropriate redirects, restoring content and carrying out checks in Search Console help to minimise the risk.
Not necessarily. Keeping the same domain name generally makes the transition easier; it is mainly the URL structure that needs to be checked.
A small website can be migrated in a matter of days to a few weeks. The time required increases with the volume of content, the number of features and the need for manual intervention.
Once you have confirmed the backup, the new website, the domain, the redirects, the forms and the main pages, please also check the terms and conditions relating to your subscription and the domain.
Contact us now to discuss your project. We’ll provide a free, no-obligation quote within 24 hours.
