Help moving back from self-hosted

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  ryrysmom · Member · May 23, 2014 at 5:34 am

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  I have been self-hosted (through hostgator) for about two years. I would now like to cancel my hosting account and just have wordpress host my blog (I simply don’t need to be self-hosted).

  I do pay for my domain name through wordpress and I don’t want to change that, of course.

  Can you please tell me how I can switch FROM self-hosted BACK to free wordpress hosting while keeping my existing blog, login, etc? I found the instructions for switching from self-hosted, but it seemed to be written for people who weren’t already with wordpress. I did export the xml file from hostgator as described, but then I got stuck. If I log into my admin page (http://thebabyisfine.com/wp-admin/) and go to tools -> import -> wordpress and upload that file, aren’t I just uploading the files right back to hostgator, since they currently host me? I need to make sure I am getting AWAY from hostgator :)

  Thanks!

  The blog I need help with is: (visible only to logged in users)

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  rachelmcr · Member · May 23, 2014 at 1:53 pm

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  Hi there,

  To move back to WordPress.com, you’ll need to import your content in your WordPress.com blog’s dashboard here: https://thebabyisfine.wordpress.com/wp-admin/

  You may also want to go to Store > Domains in your dashboard and temporarily switch your primary domain to thebabyisfine.wordpress.com (instead of your domain thebabyisfine.com). That will let you go to that WordPress.com address to view and set up your blog here just the way you want it, but in the meantime visitors will still see your HostGator blog at your domain.

  When you’re ready to make the switch from HostGator to WordPress.com, you can then point your domain back to the WordPress.com name servers. You can do that under Store > Domains, with the Edit Domain button next to your domain name. On the “Name Servers” tab you can select “Use WordPress.com Name Servers” to switch your domain back to your WordPress.com blog.

  Then, you can set your domain back to the primary domain on your blog and you’ll be all set. Please let me know if you have any questions about that. :)

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  ryrysmom · Member · May 23, 2014 at 2:13 pm

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  Thanks! Perfect explanation :) I will do those steps today!

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  rachelmcr · Member · May 23, 2014 at 3:03 pm

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  You’re welcome. :) If you’d like any more help once you get started with it, just let me know!

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  ryrysmom · Member · Jun 15, 2014 at 4:52 am

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  OK, I’m afraid I need a bit more help!

  Here’s what I’ve done so far:

  First, I switched my primary domain to thebabyisfine.wordpress.com as you recommended.

  Then, I exported my blog from https://thebabyisfine.wordpress.com/wp-admin/

  Then imported it to https://thebabyisfine.wordpress.com/wp-admin/

  After receiving the email that the transfer was complete, I went to thebabyisfine.wordpress.com to check it out and confirm that everything had been transferred. I understand that my theme and whatnot weren’t going to transfer over – that’s OK. But I still am concerned that some things aren’t “right”. My “about me” page is blank – is that correct? Any way to copy that over (other than just copying and pasting)? And will all my post title links still be the same, or will I have a bunch of broken links all over the place?

  I just want to make sure everything is good to go before I point the domain back to wordpress and cancel hostgator.

  THANKS! :)

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  kardotim · Member · Jun 19, 2014 at 6:18 am

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  Sorry for the delay. I see that ‘about’ page is filled now. Your links will still work properly once the domain is mapped to your WordPress.com blog.

  Please let us know if you need any further assistance!