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Within the last week, you might have noticed that I made the switch from BLOGGER to WORDPRESS. I am so excited that I decided to make the switch over to WordPress. Are any of you in the same boat right now? It definitely was a debate for me because I thought I loved Blogger so much. But after reading tons of reviews and asking friends in blogland about the pros and cons, I decided it was time for me to make the switch. After saving up for months and debating (it only took me a year, lol) I am finally a WORDPRESS blog owner.
For those of you debating or who have a friend debating, here are some reasons why I chose to make the switch to WordPress (.org) and why you should think about it too!
5 Reasons to Switch to WordPress
1. Self-hosting: If you are getting serious about blogging, like I was, it is more practical to be self hosted. Plus, no more worrying about Blogger shutting your blog down or flagging your site.
2. Customization: Open up so many more options with plug ins, designs, posts and personal flare!
3. Better SEO = Better/More Traffic: With better SEO trackers right off the bat, WordPress increases traffic to your site (which means more readers!), WordPress SEO is super user friendly.
4. $$ PRICE $$: WordPress is FREE! All you pay for is self-hosting, which in my opinion is worth it, your content is YOURS, you have more FREEDOM, and opportunities are endless!
5. Security Options: With WordPress comes several security options that allow you to protect your site and to own it completely!
So how did I make the switch?
After hours and hours upon research, I decided that I did not want to attempt the move myself. Now I am pretty good with computers, but I just didn’t want to risk it and put in the extra hours that could potentially end in disaster. This doesn’t mean that you can’t do it, because YOU CAN! If you are willing to and are pretty code with coding, it is worth a shot to save some extra cash. If not, I suggest you contact Lisette from High Note Designs (she also blogs over at Northern Bell Diaries) . She offered one of the most affordable packages (that had the most to offer) and she is so sweet. A lot of people want $175-$300 just to make the switch without helping with some of the bells and whistles. Lisette was so nice and willing to move my site quickly and efficiently. She also was very easy to communicate with and helped me with anything I needed.
// I also purchased my self-hosting through Bluehost and my domain was previously purchased through GoDaddy.
Have you made the switch? If so, how did it go and what are your thoughts on switching? What are your reasons?
I switched a few months ago. Like you, I loved Blogger but just heard too many good things about WordPress. Did it by myself, but ended up losing some Disqus comments because I changed the permalink format before importing syncing. Oh, well. I was really worried about bots hacking my site, but WordPress has some great security plugins!
Glad you made the switch! I am still getting used to it but love it so far! I wish I could have done it myself to save a few bucks, but you do what you gotta do! At least you got it done, yay for you doing it on your own!
I’m in the process of moving everything myself. It’s a long process!
I’m literally in the process of signing up for blue host and moving my blog right now!
Yay! So excited to see how you like it Laura!
well, my domain name is throwing a fit, but people say that’s the hard part!
I am with wordpress, but am thinking of paying to ‘upgrade’ so that i’m , what do you call it ‘self-hosted’? where it gets rid of the .wordpress….. i want to add so many things but can’t because i’m not yet self hosted…
Are you with WordPress.com and not WordPress.org? I think it is totally worth the upgrade to be self-hosted and it allows you to have so much more customization!
All I’ve ever used is self-hosted wordpress and I loooove it 🙂
Since I have made the switch, I will never go back!
i’ve thought a million times about switching over but just haven’t yet…it’s on my to do-eventually list!
Betsy it took me forever to finally decide but now that I have done it, I am so glad I did!
I love wordpress too! The analytical are wonderful. Glad you are enjoying the change.
Thanks I am so glad I made the switch. I’m still learning though!
I made the switch, never going back!!!
Same here, Lauren!
Definitely part of the wordpress family!
Yay! Go WordPress!
I just love wordpress! I used it at work so I already had an understanding of how to use it. I love all the things you can do with it!
I love it. There are so many possibilities!
I love wordpress. Made the switch a few months ago and love it. Totally agree with you on payino someone cause I can’t image the nightmare it would have been with my trying to do it on my own. Lol… totally not tech savy. Great post!
I love technology but I am horrible at HTML coding! Paying someone was definitely the way to go!
I tried switching once, but it was just too complicated. So far, I’ve been happy with hosting my domain through blogger.
I love Blogger as well, but ever since I switched I would never go back! WordPress is really convenient. It’s definitely something to really think about.
I definitely prefer WP over Blogger and I’ve used both extensively! Good points 🙂
Thanks Chelsea! Glad you enjoyed it!
I am definitely a lover of WordPress! These are some great reasons to move to WP!
Thanks Carly! WordPress has so many perks!
I purchased my domain via Godaddy and migrated myself from blogger to wp and I love it, still working on it but watched to many youtube videos enough to make me do it myself
That’s awesome! I love YouTube when it comes to stuff like that. So glad you were able to switch over on your own! I give you props!
Good for you! I love that Disqus works with both WP and Blogger- at least that’s one thing I wouldn’t have to worry about!
xo, Hima
Hima Hearts
Yes! I was so happy that Disqus was on both because I love it so it was a win win!
That’s great – I almost switched to Blogger, to be honest with you, but am glad I didn’t.
Really? Well I think it’s great to test the waters with both and then to stick with the one that suits you the best!
I always rec WP!
Isn’t it great!!?
I’ve really been contemplating this so thank you so much for this post. I think you sold me on making the switch.
No problem Ashley! If you have questions feel free to ask me! Glad you are deciding to make the switch.
Lisette transferred mine as well, and she was a pleasure to work with! SO happy I finally made the switch! Yay on new changes for you!
Isn’t Lisette a sweetheart?! I love my wordpress now!!
Eeeeek I’m too scared to!
It definitely made me nervous because I didn’t want to lose anything and I was so glad that I didn’t! Making the switch was so easy and I am loving all of the plugins you can have with WP.
I switched awhile back and have not regretted it since. I actually just upgraded my hosting as well.
Thats awesome Cassie! I will never go back!
I’ve been wanting to switch but I’m terrible with change! Thanks for sharing this, I’ll keep it in mind!
Glad to help a little bit, Jess! If you have any questions feel free to ask me!
My switch was easily one of the most horrific. After just a day of being live, some kind of insane error occurred and ruined my site, so it had to be completely redone. And since then it’s been one error after another, and I PAID someone to migrate my site. I lost 90% of my following, tanked my stats, and haven’t recovered since then.
That being said, I’m still optimistic because my site is thebomb.com now and I just love the platform!
Oh no! So sorry to hear that that happened during your switch! However I’m glad your optimistic and that it is up and running smoothly!
I’ve always self hosted. Love WordPress 🙂
Great tips!
Glad you enjoyed the tips! Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks so much for the sharing this with me! Will be checking out Lisette. 🙂
No problem Iris! Glad to help!
I’ll have to keep this in mind!
It is super helpful! Thanks for stopping by Alyssa!
Thank you!
That is exactly how I felt!
Seriously! I am so happy!
Thanks Ashley! You’re the best!
Thank Kristen! You are too kind!
Gosh, I wish I did that to begin with!
Yes me too! If you have any tips for me let me know!
Congratulations on switching! You’re blog looks great. I agree with all of your reasons. And, you really don’t need to know code to move over by yourself. It’s pretty easy.
Just wanted to add that apart from the above-mentioned, WordPress outshines another CMS solutions in the following:
it is user- and SEO- friendly,
it is extremely multifunctional,
it privides its users with tons of gorgeous themes and plugins.
However, it’s not a problem at all to migrate from any other CMS to WordPress. Once, I’ve realized my CMS (in my case it was Tumblr) doesn’t fit my needs – I moved to WP with the help of CMS2CMS. It’s online migration utility, cheap and fast and it actually works. Here is the tool. http://app.cms2cms.com/wizard