Want to take your blog up a notch? Switching from WordPress.com to WordPress.org gives you way more freedom—more control over your site, better customization options, and the ability to make money however you like. But, it can seem a bit overwhelming, especially with the risk of losing content or your site going down.

Don’t stress! In this simple guide from Owrbit, we’ll show you how to make the switch without a hitch. We’ll break down the differences between WordPress.com and WordPress.org, help you pick the right hosting, and guide you through the whole process. Whether you’re just starting out or already a pro, this guide will give you what you need to make the move smoothly. You’ll keep everything intact—your content, design, and audience.

Introduction to WordPress.com & WordPress.org

WordPress.com :

WordPress.com is a hosted platform that simplifies website creation, making it a great choice for beginners or those who prefer a hands-off approach. It takes care of all the technical aspects, such as hosting, security, and updates, so users can focus on building content. WordPress.com offers several pricing plans, starting with a free plan that allows users to create a basic site using a WordPress.com subdomain.

WordPress.org :

WordPress.org, often referred to as the self-hosted version of WordPress, offers complete freedom for users to build and customize their websites. With WordPress.org, you can choose your own hosting provider, install custom themes and plugins, and have full control over every aspect of your site. This makes it a popular choice for developers, businesses, and anyone who wants a more personalized and feature-rich website.

Key Differences Between WordPress.com and WordPress.org :

When deciding between WordPress.com and WordPress.org, understanding their differences is essential. While both platforms use the same core WordPress software, they cater to different types of users and offer distinct features.

• Hosting & Ownership :
  • WordPress.com: Hosting is included, and WordPress.com manages everything for you, from security to updates. With the free plan, you’re limited to a subdomain (e.g., yoursite.wordpress.com).
  • WordPress.org: You’re responsible for your own hosting, which means you have full control over your site and can use your own custom domain name.
• Customization :
  • WordPress.com: Customization is limited unless you’re on a paid plan. You can only install themes and plugins from their approved selections.
  • WordPress.org: You have unlimited customization options. You can install any theme or plugin, modify code, and fully customize your site to meet your needs.
• Cost :
  • WordPress.com: Free to start, but premium features (like a custom domain, extra storage, and e-commerce options) require paid plans.
  • WordPress.org: The software is free, but you’ll need to pay for hosting, domain registration, and any premium themes or plugins you want to use.
• Monetization :
  • WordPress.com: Monetization is restricted unless you’re on a Business or higher plan. Ads are placed on free sites, and you cannot run your own ads unless you upgrade.
  • WordPress.org: You can fully monetize your site with ads, affiliate marketing, e-commerce, or any method you choose, with no restrictions.
• Control & Flexibility :
  • WordPress.com: Ideal for beginners or those who prefer a hands-off approach. WordPress.com handles all the technical aspects, but this means less control over your site.
  • WordPress.org: Perfect for those who want full control. You can tweak every part of your website, but you’re also responsible for maintenance, security, and updates.
• Support :
  • WordPress.com: Comes with built-in support, especially on paid plans. Basic support is available for free users through forums.
  • WordPress.org: Support comes from the community via forums, but you’ll need to handle troubleshooting yourself or hire a developer if needed.

Why Move from WordPress.com to WordPress.org?

Moving from WordPress.com to WordPress.org is all about gaining more control and flexibility for your blog or website. Here’s why making the switch can be a game-changer:

1. Full Ownership: With WordPress.org, you own your site and everything on it. You’re not limited by the rules of WordPress.com, which gives you the freedom to make changes as you like.
2. Unlimited Customization: WordPress.org allows you to install any theme or plugin you want, giving you endless ways to customize your site’s design and functionality. You’re not restricted by the limited options of WordPress.com.
3. Monetization Freedom: On WordPress.com, you have limitations on how you can make money from your site (like ads). With WordPress.org, you can use whatever advertising or affiliate programs you choose, without restrictions.
4. More Control Over SEO: With WordPress.org, you can fully optimize your site for search engines by using advanced SEO plugins and tools that aren’t available on WordPress.com.
5. No More Ads: WordPress.com displays ads on free plans that you have no control over. On WordPress.org, you have full control—no ads unless you want them.
6. Advanced Features: If you’re looking to add features like eCommerce or membership sites, WordPress.org offers more powerful tools and plugins to help you scale your site easily.

Guide To Move your Blog from WordPress.com to WordPress.org :

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Step 1 : Exporting Your Data from WordPress.com :

• Log In: Sign in to your WordPress.com account and go to your dashboard.
• Switch to WP Admin:
  • Click the three-dot menu next to your site name.
  • Select WP Admin.

• Access the Export Tool:
  • In the left column, click on Tools.
  • Then click on Export.
• Export All Content:
  • Click the Export All button.

• Download the File:
  • Wait for the export file to be ready.
  • Click the download link to save the zip file to your computer.
  • You will also receive an email with the download link.

• Unzip the File:
  • After downloading, unzip the file on your computer.
• Locate the XML File: Inside the unzipped folder, find the XML file containing all your posts, pages, images, comments, and other site data.

Step 2 : Choose The Best WordPress Hosting Provider :

When it comes to WordPress hosting, Owrbit is the best choice for getting your website up and running smoothly. Here’s why:

Reliable WordPress Hosting :

• Fast Performance: Owrbit’s hosting services ensure that your WordPress site loads quickly, providing a better experience for your visitors.
• Enhanced Security: Owrbit prioritizes your site’s security, keeping your data safe and protecting against potential threats.
• Always Accessible: With Owrbit, your website will be up and running 24/7, so your audience can always reach you.

User-Friendly Management :

• All-in-One Solution: Manage your WordPress site easily with Owrbit’s intuitive dashboard, allowing you to focus on creating content rather than worrying about technical issues.
• Top-Notch Customer Support: Owrbit offers excellent customer support to help you with any questions or issues you might encounter.
• Competitive Pricing: Enjoy a range of affordable hosting plans tailored to different needs, ensuring you find the right fit for your website.

With Owrbit, you can establish and maintain a strong online presence with confidence!

Steps to Buy High Performance WordPress Hosting From Owrbit :

1. Visit Owrbit’s Website: Go to Owrbit’s site to explore their WordPress Hosting options.
2. Sign Up: Create an account by entering your email address and setting up a password.
3. Choose Your Hosting Plan: Select the wordpress hosting plan that fits your needs from Owrbit’s offerings.
4. Enter Domain Name: If you already have a domain name, enter it during signup. If you don’t, you can purchase a new domain directly through Owrbit.
5. Complete Registration: Fill in your personal details to finish the registration process.
6. Verify Email: Check your email for a verification message from Owrbit and click the link to activate your account.
7. Set Up Your Website: Once your account is active, log in to Owrbit’s dashboard. You can use their website builder to create your site or upload your own files.
8. Manage Your Website: Use Owrbit’s dashboard to manage everything about your site—adding content, handling domains, and accessing support when needed.

Step 3: Setting Up WordPress.com :

Now that you’ve exported your WordPress.com data, it’s time to set up a fresh WordPress installation on your web hosting. Here’s how to do it:

1. Install WordPress:
   • If you signed up with Bluehost, WordPress is automatically installed for you.
   • If you chose a different hosting provider, follow our step-by-step tutorial to install WordPress in just 5 minutes.
2. Import Your Content:
   • Once WordPress is installed, it’s time to import the content from your WordPress.com site into your new self-hosted WordPress website.

Now you’re ready to start customizing your new site!

Step 4 : Importing Content into Your Self-Hosted WordPress Site :

To transfer your content from your old WordPress.com site to your new WordPress.org site, follow these steps:

• Log In: Sign in to the admin area of your newly installed WordPress website.
• Go to Import Tools:
  • Navigate to Tools in the left sidebar.
  • Click on Import.
• Install the WordPress Importer:
  • Find the WordPress option and click on the Install Now button.

• Run the Importer:
  • Once the installation is complete, click the Run Importer link.

• Upload Your XML File:
  • You’ll be prompted to upload the XML file you downloaded earlier from WordPress.com.
  • Click the Choose File button, select the file, and then click Upload file and import.

• File Size Note:
  • If your file is larger than 2MB, you have two options:
    • Contact your web hosting provider to temporarily increase the upload limit.
    • Use a WXR file splitter to break your file into smaller pieces.
• Assign Content:
  • During the import process, you can assign the imported content to an existing user or create a new user.
• Import File Attachments:
  • Make sure to check the box to import file attachments so that your images are correctly imported.

After completing these steps, your content from WordPress.com should be successfully imported into your new self-hosted WordPress site!

Step 5 : Importing Your Blog Links :

If you’ve been using the Links feature on your WordPress.com blog to store blogroll or other links, follow these steps to import them. If you weren’t using this feature, you can skip to Step 6.

• Understand Blogroll Support:
  • WordPress does not natively support the blogroll feature. If you have only a few links, check our guide on how to add blogroll links in WordPress without a plugin.
  • If you have many links and want to keep the blogroll functionality, continue with these steps.
• Locate Your OPML File:
  • Blogroll links are exported in OPML format, which is an XML format for links and link categories.
  • Access your OPML file at this URL:
    • For a WordPress.com subdomain: http://example.wordpress.com/wp-links-opml.php (replace “example” with your blog’s subdomain).
    • For a custom domain: http://www.example.com/wp-links-opml.php (replace “example” with your custom domain).
• Save the OPML File:
  • When the OPML file opens in your browser, save it to your desktop by pressing CTRL+S (or Command+S on Mac).

• Prepare to Import Links:
  • Since self-hosted WordPress does not have a link manager enabled by default, you’ll need to install the Link Manager plugin.
  • Although this plugin hasn’t been updated in years, it’s safe to install as it still works well.
• Activate the Link Manager:
  • After activating the Link Manager plugin, a new menu item labeled Links will appear in your WordPress admin bar.

• Install the OPML Importer Plugin:
  • Next, install and activate the OPML Importer plugin. This will add an importer tool for your blogroll links.
• Run the Importer:
  • Go to Tools » Import and click on the Run Importer link below the Blogroll importer.

• Upload Your OPML File:
  • On the Blogroll importer page, click the Choose File button to select the OPML file you saved earlier.
  • Click on the Import OPML File button to continue.

• Complete the Import:
  • WordPress will import your links and link categories from the OPML file.
  • You’ll see a progress indicator, and once it’s done, a success message will confirm that your blogroll links have been successfully imported.

Step 6 : Making Your Old Blog Private :

If you don’t want to redirect your old users to your new site, you can make your old WordPress.com blog private. Here’s how to do it:

1. Access Your Old Blog’s Dashboard:
   • Log in to your old WordPress.com blog.
2. Go to Settings:
   • From the left menu, click on Settings.
   • Then select General.
3. Adjust Privacy Settings:
   • Scroll down to the Privacy section.
   • Select the Private option.
   • Click on the Save Settings button.

This will make your old WordPress.com blog private, so only you and any approved logged-in users can see it.

Important Note :

If you’ve built a loyal audience over time, consider keeping your blog public. If your blog has been online for a while, it’s likely indexed by Google and other search engines.

Redirecting your old users to your new blog (as explained in Step 6) is highly recommended, especially if your site has an established presence. This way, you maintain your search engine rankings and keep your audience engaged!

Step 7 : Redirecting Visitors and Preserving SEO :

When moving your site, it’s important to redirect users to your new location using a 301 redirect. This helps preserve your search rankings. Here’s how to do it if you’re transitioning from WordPress.com to WordPress.org:

1. Understand the Limitation:
   • Since you can’t access the .htaccess file on WordPress.com, you can’t set up redirects manually.
2. Use the Site Redirect Feature:
   • WordPress.com offers a paid upgrade called Site Redirect. This feature allows you to set up the necessary 301 redirect to keep your search engine rankings intact.
3. Set Up Site Redirect:
   • Go to the Site Redirect page on your WordPress.com account.
   • If you have multiple sites, select the one you want to redirect.
4. Enter Your New Domain:
   • On the next screen, enter the domain name of your new WordPress.org site and click the Go button.
5. Cost of Site Redirect:
   • The Site Redirect feature costs $13 per year. This will create a 301 redirect that sends visitors and search engines from your WordPress.com blog to your new site.

How Long to Keep the Redirect Active?

• You can keep paying for the Site Redirect for as long as you want. However, keeping it for at least two years is recommended, giving your old users time to remember your new domain name.

Update In-Post URLs :

• If you’ve interlinked your posts, make sure to update all the in-post URLs to reflect the new domain. You can refer to our article on how to update URLs when moving your WordPress site for guidance.

Custom Domain Users :

• If you have a custom domain on WordPress.com, you don’t need to worry about redirects. Just change the DNS records to point to your new host, and you’ll retain all your SEO benefits.

Congrats, You have successfully moved your blog site from WordPress.com to WordPress.org.

FAQs About Moving from WordPress.com to WordPress.org :

Checkout WordPress.com vs WordPress.org: Key Differences Explained 2025