Switching From Wix to WordPress: A Step by Step Guide

Wix works well for a lot of small businesses. It is simple, self contained and requires no technical knowledge to run. But some businesses reach a point where they need more control over content structure, templates, SEO workflows, integrations or development flexibility. That is when a move to WordPress starts to make sense.

This guide walks through the full process: when switching is worth it, how to audit the existing site, how to rebuild and migrate content, how to protect your SEO and how to handle the domain and DNS cutover. If you want the full picture of building an SEO ready website, our web design pillar guide covers everything. This article focuses specifically on the Wix to WordPress migration path.

The Straight Answer: Moving From Wix to WordPress Is Usually a Rebuild

You cannot export a Wix website and import it into WordPress as a working site. Wix uses proprietary technology that runs on its own servers and Wix blog posts cannot be directly exported to other platforms. The process is a rebuild with controlled content migration, not a one click transfer.

The typical process involves:

1. Auditing the existing Wix site (URLs, traffic, content, integrations)

2. Choosing WordPress hosting and setting up a private build environment

3. Recreating or redesigning the templates in WordPress

4. Moving or rewriting the page and blog content

5. Mapping old Wix URLs to new WordPress URLs

6. Rebuilding forms, integrations and conversion tracking

7. Testing everything on staging before going live

8. Switching the domain or DNS to point to the new WordPress host

9. Monitoring SEO, enquiries and performance after launch

You are not moving the Wix website file into WordPress. You are rebuilding the website in WordPress while protecting the content, URLs and business value that already exist.

Is It Worth Moving From Wix to WordPress?

Migration should solve a specific limitation, not just satisfy a vague feeling that WordPress is "more professional". Start by asking: what problem will moving to WordPress actually solve?

Switching may make sense when

• The website needs a more scalable content structure (dozens of service pages, location pages or resources)

• The business needs better control over templates and page layouts

• SEO content is becoming a major growth channel and Wix is limiting flexibility

• The business needs custom functionality or third party integrations that Wix does not support well

• The existing Wix site has become difficult to manage as it has grown

• A significant redesign is already planned (combining the platform switch with the redesign reduces disruption)

• The business wants more control over hosting, performance and development

Staying on Wix may make more sense when

• The site is small, simple and working well

• Changes are infrequent and the owner values simple all in one management

• The business does not need advanced integrations or custom development

• There is no clear performance, SEO or functionality problem worth solving

• The migration cost would not produce a meaningful business benefit

For a broader comparison of platforms beyond just Wix and WordPress, see our guide on which website platform is right for your business. And if you are weighing whether WordPress itself is the right call, our guide on whether WordPress still makes sense covers the trade offs honestly.

Wix vs WordPress: What Actually Changes?

Neither platform is universally better. Wix prioritises convenience. WordPress prioritises flexibility and ownership. The right choice depends on what the business actually needs. If you are new to the concept, our plain English guide to what a CMS is explains the basics.

Before You Migrate: Audit the Existing Wix Website

Do not start building until the existing site has been documented. A migration without an audit is how pages get lost, rankings drop and forms break without anyone noticing until it is too late.

Crawl and record every live URL

Capture every page: homepage, service pages, location pages, blog posts, contact page, campaign landing pages, policy pages, product pages, thank you pages and any old redirects. Create a spreadsheet with columns for current URL, page title, page type, organic traffic, ranking queries, backlinks, conversions, planned new URL, migration action and redirect destination.

Export performance data

Pull data from Google Search Console, GA4, Google Ads (if relevant) and any backlink tools available. Identify pages that generate traffic, pages that generate enquiries, pages with backlinks and pages ranking for important terms. These are the pages that absolutely cannot disappear without a plan.

Save the content and assets

Gather all page copy, blog articles, title tags, meta descriptions, headings, images, videos, downloadable files, testimonials, reviews, form questions, automated emails and legal pages. Once Wix is disconnected, this content becomes much harder to retrieve.

Take screenshots of the existing design

Capture desktop pages, mobile layouts, headers, footers, menus, forms, popups, galleries and interactive features. These screenshots become your reference even after Wix is disconnected.

How to Move From Wix to WordPress

Step 1: Decide what to keep, improve, merge or remove

Classify every important page. Keep pages that rank well, generate enquiries or have backlinks. Improve pages that have value but need clearer copy, better CTAs or stronger mobile UX. Merge pages that overlap or compete with each other. Remove pages with no traffic, no backlinks and no strategic purpose. Even removed pages need an SEO decision. Do not simply delete them and forget they existed.

Step 2: Choose WordPress hosting and build setup

The new WordPress site should be built privately before the live Wix site is touched. Choose reliable hosting with an Australian server option, staging environment, SSL, automatic backups and caching. Make sure the staging site is protected from public indexing while it is in development, but remove those restrictions before launch. For a comparison of hosting options, see our Australian web hosting comparison.

Step 3: Plan the WordPress sitemap

Do not automatically reproduce every weakness in the Wix structure. Plan the homepage, service pages, location pages, about page, case studies, resources, contact page, landing pages and legal pages. Keep existing URLs wherever they are already clear, relevant and performing well. Changing platforms does not mean every slug needs to change.

Step 4: Recreate the design in WordPress

The existing Wix design cannot be copied into WordPress as an editable template. Your options are: recreate the existing design closely (best when the brand and layout still work), improve the design during migration (best when mobile UX or conversion paths are weak) or start with a full redesign (best when the site structure is no longer fit for purpose).

Step 5: Move the page content

Page content usually needs to be copied manually, cleaned up, restructured and rebuilt inside WordPress blocks or templates. Preserve the topic and search intent, important headings, useful sections, FAQs, proof, internal links and image context. Do not cut a strong 1,500 word ranking service page down to three short marketing paragraphs just because the new design looks cleaner. Design improvement should not remove the information that made the page useful.

Step 6: Move the Wix blog

Wix blog posts cannot be exported directly to other platforms. Options include manual copying for a small blog, importing through an RSS or XML workflow, specialist migration services or custom scripts for large content libraries. You may also choose to migrate only the valuable posts rather than every old article. Check every migrated article for title, author, publish date, categories, body formatting, images, internal links, metadata and URL.

Step 7: Move products, bookings and other data

This depends on the Wix features in use. Wix supports exporting physical product lists, which helps with product migration. But product variants, images, customers, orders, subscriptions and app specific data still need separate handling. Bookings, events, memberships, payments, chat, automations and CRM records all need to be assessed individually. A five page service website is far easier to migrate than a Wix store with customers, orders and automations.

Step 8: Rebuild forms and conversion tracking

Recreate contact forms, quote forms, booking forms, newsletter forms, thank you pages, confirmation emails and CRM integrations. Then test: successful submission, validation, notification emails, mobile completion, CRM delivery, spam protection and GA4 events. Track successful submissions, not just button clicks. For help setting up tracking, see our guide to GA4 setup for small business.

How to Move From Wix to WordPress Without Losing SEO

SEO is where most Wix to WordPress migrations go wrong. Pages disappear, URLs change without redirects and rankings drop because nobody planned the transition. This section is non negotiable. For the full migration SEO process, see our website migration SEO checklist.

Preserve URLs wherever possible

Best case: the old Wix URL is /web design melbourne and the new WordPress URL is /web design melbourne. Keeping strong URLs unchanged reduces unnecessary complexity. Google treats a hosting move without visible URL changes differently from a site move where URLs change.

Create a complete URL map

Use columns for old URL, new URL, keep/merge/remove decision, redirect required, current traffic, current rankings, backlinks and notes. Every valuable old URL should have a planned outcome. Use our meta title and description checker to review your existing title tags and meta descriptions before deciding what to preserve and what to rewrite.

Add permanent redirects for changed URLs

Google recommends mapping old URLs to relevant new destinations and using permanent server side redirects for permanent moves. Redirecting everything to the homepage can confuse users and may be treated as a soft 404.

• Good: /old wix service page redirected to /new relevant service page

• Bad: Every deleted page redirected to the homepage

• Also avoid: Redirect chains, redirect loops, redirects to unrelated pages and broken old blog URLs

Preserve on page SEO elements

Review title tags, meta descriptions, H1s, subheadings, content depth, image alt text, internal links, canonical tags, schema markup and indexability. Do not blindly copy everything. Preserve what works and improve what is weak.

Submit the new XML sitemap and monitor indexing

After launch, confirm the sitemap contains only live, indexable URLs. Submit it in Google Search Console, inspect priority pages and monitor for indexing issues. Make sure canonical tags reference the correct live domain, the correct HTTPS version and the final page URL, not the staging site.

Do You Need to Transfer the Domain Away From Wix?

Not necessarily. There are two separate decisions here.

Option 1: Keep the domain registered at Wix. The domain can usually be pointed toward the new hosting environment through DNS changes. Wix says domains registered through Wix can be connected to external sites, though Wix domain nameservers cannot be changed, so a full transfer may be needed if the new host specifically requires nameserver control.

Option 2: Transfer the domain to another registrar. Wix provides a transfer away process through domain settings. This gives the business full DNS control at the new registrar.

The Safest Wix to WordPress Launch Sequence

1. Finish the WordPress site on staging. No unfinished live site development.

2. Run a complete pre launch crawl: URLs, titles, canonicals, noindex tags, internal links, image errors, forms, redirects.

3. Back up everything. Save the Wix content audit and the final WordPress build.

4. Prepare redirect rules before cutover. These should be ready, not invented after launch.

5. Point the domain to the WordPress hosting. Preserve email related DNS records.

6. Enable live site settings. Remove staging restrictions and confirm HTTPS.

7. Test the live site immediately: desktop, mobile, forms, calls, bookings, payments, analytics and important redirects.

8. Submit the sitemap and inspect key URLs in Search Console.

9. Keep Wix accessible briefly. Do not cancel everything before confirming that WordPress, email, tracking and redirects all work correctly.

Use our website launch checklist to make sure nothing gets missed during the cutover.

How Long Does a Wix to WordPress Migration Take?

These are planning ranges, not promises. Every migration has different variables.

Factors that increase the timeline include redesigning at the same time, rewriting copy, large blog libraries, ecommerce or bookings, complex forms, custom integrations, missing content, slow approvals, domain or access problems and SEO cleanup. For a realistic cost estimate, try our website cost estimator to understand what a project like this typically involves.

The number of pages alone does not determine the timeline. Functionality, content quality, integrations and SEO risk matter just as much.

What to Check After Switching to WordPress

First 24 hours

• Homepage and core pages load on desktop and mobile

• SSL certificate works (HTTPS, no mixed content warnings)

• Forms submit and arrive in the right inbox or CRM

• Phone links are clickable on mobile

• Analytics fires correctly (GA4, Google Ads if relevant)

• Important redirects resolve correctly

• Business email still works

• No staging references or noindex tags remain

First week

• Search Console shows the new site being indexed

• 404 errors are reviewed and addressed

• Redirect issues flagged in Search Console

• Organic landing pages are appearing

• Form submissions and phone clicks are being recorded

• Mobile usability is clean

• Speed looks reasonable on key pages

• No plugin or theme errors

First month

• Organic clicks and impressions compared to pre migration baseline

• Ranking changes for priority keywords

• Enquiry volume compared to previous month

• Conversion rate holding or improving

• Page indexing progressing across the site

• Core Web Vitals passing in Search Console

• Missing redirects caught and added

• Lead quality consistent

Some search fluctuation is normal during a migration. A severe or sustained drop should be investigated quickly rather than dismissed. For speed specific checks, see our guide on how to speed up your website.

Common Wix to WordPress Migration Mistakes

• Assuming the design can be exported directly. Wix templates cannot be copied into WordPress. The design needs to be recreated or rebuilt.

• Cancelling Wix before checking the new site. Keep Wix accessible until the WordPress site, domain, email and redirects are all confirmed working.

• Migrating pages without mapping URLs. Every valuable old URL needs a planned destination. Missing this step is how rankings disappear.

• Changing every URL unnecessarily. If an existing URL is clear, relevant and performing well, keep it. Changing platforms does not mean every slug must change.

• Forgetting blog images or formatting. A successful import does not mean the articles look right. Check every migrated post manually.

• Sending every old URL to the homepage. Google may treat mass homepage redirects as soft 404s. Redirect to the most relevant equivalent page.

• Leaving WordPress set to noindex after launch. Staging protection must be removed before or immediately at launch. This single mistake can make the entire site invisible to Google.

• Breaking business email during the DNS change. Email runs on MX records. If those are changed or deleted during the DNS cutover, business email stops working.

• Forgetting forms, analytics or Google Ads tracking. Rebuilding the front end without reconnecting tracking means the business cannot measure whether the new site is performing.

• Moving platforms without planning ongoing maintenance. WordPress needs hosting, updates, backups, security and plugin management. Budget for ongoing WordPress maintenance costs before committing to the switch.

Wix to WordPress Migration Checklist

Before building

• Define why the business is moving (what problem does WordPress solve?)

• Crawl all Wix URLs into a spreadsheet

• Export Search Console and GA4 data

• Identify ranking pages and pages with backlinks

• Save all copy, media and form configurations

• Document integrations, automations and third party tools

• Choose WordPress hosting

• Plan the new sitemap

• Create the URL map with redirect decisions

During the build

• Recreate or redesign templates in WordPress

• Migrate page content with manual QA

• Migrate blog posts and check formatting, images and URLs

• Preserve important title tags, meta descriptions and headings

• Rebuild forms and test submissions

• Configure GA4 and conversion tracking

• Optimise mobile layouts

• Set up backups and security

• Prepare all redirect rules

• Test everything on staging

Before launch

• Run a full crawl of the WordPress staging site

• Remove test content and placeholder pages

• Check canonical tags point to the live domain

• Confirm indexability settings are correct

• Test forms, phone links and integrations

• Verify DNS records including email MX records

• Prepare a rollback plan

• Confirm the redirect list is complete and loaded

After launch

• Crawl the live site for errors

• Test all redirects

• Submit the XML sitemap in Search Console

• Inspect priority URLs

• Monitor Search Console for indexing issues

• Monitor enquiry volume and lead quality

• Check 404 errors daily for the first week

• Review mobile speed

• Keep Wix accessible until migration is fully confirmed

What We Recommend at Elev8d

WordPress can give a growing business more control over content structure, templates, integrations, SEO workflows, hosting and custom functionality. But that control comes with more responsibility. A WordPress site needs reliable hosting, regular updates, backups, security and plugin management.

If Wix is meeting the business's needs, staying may be perfectly sensible. If the site has become a bottleneck for content, SEO, conversion or functionality, a properly planned WordPress migration can be worthwhile. The key word is properly planned. A rushed migration with no URL map, no redirect plan and no content audit is how businesses lose rankings, leads and momentum.

If you are considering a migration as part of a broader SEO strategy, our SEO guide for Melbourne businesses covers how site structure and platform choice fit into the bigger search picture.

FAQs

Can I transfer my Wix website directly to WordPress?

No. Wix uses proprietary technology, so the site cannot be exported and imported as a working WordPress site. The process is a rebuild with controlled content migration.

Can I export Wix blog posts to WordPress?

Wix does not support direct blog export to other platforms. Options include manual copying, RSS/XML import workflows, specialist migration tools or migrating only the valuable posts. Every imported post needs a manual quality check.

Will moving from Wix to WordPress hurt SEO?

It can if the migration is not planned properly. Preserving URLs, setting up redirects, maintaining on page SEO elements and monitoring indexing after launch are all essential. A well planned migration should protect existing rankings.

Can I keep the same domain when moving from Wix?

Yes. A Wix to WordPress migration does not require changing the domain. You are changing where the domain points, not the business's public address.

Do I need to transfer my domain away from Wix?

Not always. You may be able to point the domain to your new host while keeping it registered at Wix. A full transfer is only necessary if the new host requires nameserver control that Wix does not allow.

How long does a Wix to WordPress migration take?

A simple 5 to 10 page brochure site might take 2 to 4 weeks. A service business site with a blog might take 4 to 8 weeks. Ecommerce or complex sites can take 8 to 12 weeks or more. The timeline depends on content volume, integrations, SEO mapping and whether a redesign is happening at the same time.

Can I keep the same website design?

The visual design can be recreated in WordPress, but it cannot be exported from Wix as an editable template. Recreating a similar design is straightforward. Many businesses use the migration as an opportunity to improve the design at the same time.

What happens to my Wix forms and bookings?

Forms need to be rebuilt in WordPress using a form plugin or custom development. Bookings, events, memberships and other feature specific data need to be assessed individually and migrated or replaced with WordPress equivalents.

Is WordPress better than Wix for a growing business?

WordPress offers more flexibility for content structure, SEO, integrations and development. But it also requires more technical management. Whether it is better depends on the specific growth needs and the team's willingness to maintain a self hosted site.

When should I stay on Wix instead of moving?

If the site is small, working well and the business does not need advanced integrations, custom development or a content heavy SEO strategy, Wix may be the better choice. Migration only makes sense when it solves a genuine limitation.

Next Steps: Pick Your Path

• Decided to migrate? Start with the audit checklist above. Document every URL, export performance data and save all content before touching the Wix site.

• Still deciding? Ask what specific problem WordPress will solve. If the answer is vague, the migration may not be necessary yet. Try our website platform comparison tool to compare the options side by side.

• Need help with the rebuild? Talk to Elev8d about whether the switch is worthwhile and how to rebuild the site without losing content, URLs or search visibility. Our website development Melbourne team handles Wix to WordPress migrations with full SEO planning, URL mapping and post launch monitoring.

Sources and Further Reading

• Wix Support - Connect a Domain - Wix documentation on connecting domains to external sites

• Google Search Central - Site Moves - Google's guidance on site moves and URL changes

• Google Search Central - Redirects - Google's documentation on permanent redirects

• Australian Cyber Security Centre - Security basics for small businesses, including WordPress hosting and access control

• OAIC - Australian Privacy Principles - Privacy requirements for businesses collecting personal information through forms

General information only. Rules vary by situation, particularly around advertising claims, privacy, reviews and consumer law. If you are unsure about compliance, get professional advice.