Moving From Weebly to WordPress But Keeping Domain Name

  • Unknown's avatar
    ymontross95 · Member ·

    Hello, I work for a small business that wants to move from Weebly to WordPress, redesign the site completely using Elementor Pro, but keep the domain name. The site is hosted by GoDaddy. I need guidance to know where to start this process. These were the steps I think I should approach this:
    1: the company would purchase the WordPress Business plan and Elementor Pro plugin
    2: build the website in WordPress
    3: connect the GoDaddy domain
    4: make permanent 301 redirects from the old site to the new one right?

    Or should I just transfer the Weebly site to WordPress first and then work to rebuild it after?

    Any tips, helpful resources, videos, etc would be appreciated!

    Self-declared URL: http://www.najupets.com
    Jetpack: Unknown
    WP.com: Unknown

    The blog I need help with is: (visible only to moderators and staff)

  • fstat · Staff ·

    Hi there,

    I’m thrilled to hear that you’re interested in moving your company’s website to WordPress.com! The Business plan is an excellent choice as it offers a variety of powerful features, including support for the Elementor plugin you’re interested in using.

    You’ll be happy to know that there’s no need for 301 redirects since you can easily connect your existing domain to the WordPress.com site. Domain connection will ensure that visitors are automatically redirected to the new site without any issues.

    To help you further with the site migration process, I suggest checking out our step-by-step guide on how to move your website from Weebly to WordPress.com:

    WP
    Import a Site » Import from Weebly
    in WordPress.com Support
    3 min read
    You can transfer your Weebly site contents directly to your WordPress.com site using automated migration. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to move your site’s pages, posts, and comments, as well as any media items, including photos, videos, and embedded files. Your theme, custom domain, and personal settings will not be transferred over, but we’ll provide additional instructions you ca

    And for connecting your GoDaddy domain, please follow our guide on how to point your domain name to WordPress.com:

    WP
    Domains » Connect a Domain
    in WordPress.com Support
    5 min read
    If you already own a domain name with another provider, you can use that domain with your WordPress.com site. Once you complete the steps below, instead of your site address being something like yourgroovysite.wordpress.com, your site’s address will be something like yourgroovydomain.com. Follow the steps in this guide to keep your domain registered with your current provider and use it to show

    If you have any questions or need further assistance during this process, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re always here to help!

  • Unknown's avatar
    ymontross95 · Member ·

    Thanks for replying! I have looked through some articles but I wanted to make sure I got the steps right and nothing breaks. And I’m not sure why but the “Import From Weebly” article doesn’t work, it says page not found.

    So just to clarify I should go through the GoDaddy account, add on WordPress there, pay for the services, create the new website, connect the domain name, and that’s it? Or it would be better to migrate the current site first, connect the domain name in order to get the redirects properly connected first, and then build the new site in a subdomain until it’s ready? Or does it not matter?

    And one other question, which you may or may not have the answer to this, but would the emails that are attached to the domain name i.e (email visible only to moderators and staff), will there be any issues receiving emails once the site is moved to WordPress? Sorry I have a lot of questions, I just want to make sure I understand the process first before just diving in!

  • staff-totoro · Staff ·

    Hi there,

     And I’m not sure why but the “Import From Weebly” article doesn’t work, it says page not found.

    For me the link is working correctly, but let me add it as a hyperlink instead, which you may have an easier time visiting: https://wordpress.com/support/import/import-from-weebly/

    Please note that those instructions apply to WordPress.com specifically. For a WordPress site hosted with another provider you typically need to install a “plugin” that will add that functionality since it does not come built in to the version of WordPress they use. You can usually find that via a Google search.

    So just to clarify I should go through the GoDaddy account, add on WordPress there, pay for the services, create the new website, connect the domain name, and that’s it?

    You can do either, and it is mostly up to your preference. To explain, we’re an independent provider of WordPress sites, a “managed host” if you will. We’re not directly connected to GoDaddy so it’s possible to have a WordPress site with us or with them directly.

    One thing worth considering is that because we are a managed host that specializes only in WordPress, we take care of a lot of things automatically that other hosts do not, such as automated backups, core software updates, security scanning and brute force login protection, and importantly we provide in-house support for any WordPress questions you have.

    For other hosts (such as GoDaddy) WordPress is just one of the many platforms they allow you to install on your account, so they provide hosting support in case you have issues with how your hosting is setup, but they do not provide site support specifically. In that case you will need to take care of your own backups, software updates, security hardening, finding help when you have questions, etc. It’s much more of a DIY affair, if you will, and we tend to recommend it only to site owners that are more experienced with WordPress and ready to take on those challenges.

    Also worth noting that the Business Plan only works on WordPress.com sites. I’m not sure what GoDaddy offers in this area but I wanted to clarify that it applies specifically to sites hosted with us.

    Or it would be better to migrate the current site first, connect the domain name in order to get the redirects properly connected first, and then build the new site in a subdomain until it’s ready?

    That is exactly what we recommend. On WordPress.com you can fully set up your new site with us before pointing the domain here. That way your current site can stay “live” until your new one is ready.

    When you first create your site we will assign a private subdomain you can use to get set up out of public view. When you are ready to “launch” the new site to replace the current one, that is when you will want to “map” or transfer your domain to us. We would walk you through that process when the time is right.

    I’m unsure if GoDaddy offers subdomains or “temporary URLs” for this purpose so you may need to check with them directly.

    but would the emails that are attached to the domain name i.e (email visible only to moderators and staff), will there be any issues receiving emails once the site is moved to WordPress?

    Based on what I see for your current domain settings, you are using Outlook for your email yes? Is that through Office 365? If so we can easily connect to it. https://wordpress.com/support/add-email/add-email-through-office-365/

    To answer your other question, it is possible to connect your domain to WordPress.com (so your site can use that custom address) but still have your current email remain accessible. When you are ready to “lauch” your new site to replace the old one, we can guide you through that process and make sure email is running smoothly.

    Sorry I have a lot of questions, I just want to make sure I understand the process first before just diving in!

    Nothing to worry about here, we don’t expect you to have gone to college for this stuff. :)

    If you have any further questions feel free to ask away! Thanks!

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