What sort of support is given when moving to wordpress.org?
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Hi there, I am looking into going self hosted here soon in order to help further monetize my blog and do some other things that I am unable to do here on this hosted side. I see that for $125 someone can transfer it all over for me. I know zero about all this, when I started me blog a year ago I was a blank slate and have done everything that you see now through learning. I would love to do it all myself but am worried it will be difficult and interrupt my blog and affect my readers.
So if I paid to have a wordpress engineer help, what does it exactly include? I pretty much want everything I have now. I know that I will need certain things like plugins, etc. but I don’t know what it is that I need. Will they be able to tell me and set me up with it all? I want to make sure I’m protect with spam, etc…again basically all I get now with hosted wordpress.
Also, will my theme and all I have done with it stay or do I need to start at ground zero for that? I worked hard to get my site to look like it is with a LOT of help from you guys..in fact my blog is featured in the 2014 page as an example! I’m a little overwhelmed at having to start over, would wordpress.org engineers be able to help the same way you guys did?
I am looking to go to Bluehost, which I see you partner with. Will the worpress transfer include help with them and all they have to offer? Sorry for all the questions, as I said I don’t know much about it all. So trying to research and prepare myself so that when I make the jump it goes smoothly.
Thanks in advance for your answers and tips/ideas of all I need to do!
The blog I need help with is: (visible only to logged in users)
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Hey there!
That’s very exciting about your self-hosted site. I’ve been watching you site grow for the past year…it looks beautiful and I’m sorry to see you go :)
Have you see our Guided Support information page? It seems as if it may answer all the questions (and more!) that you posed:
http://en.support.wordpress.com/guided-transfer/
We can also assist you, should you choose to do all the steps yourself. We have a step-by-step guide for making the move:
http://en.support.wordpress.com/moving-a-blog/#moving-to-wordpress-org
As we only support sites hosted here at WordPress.com, all issues with the new site – including the importing of the file – must be taken to the WordPress.org support community:
I hope this helps! If you have any other concerns, drop me a note. Thanks much!
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Thank you so much for your kind words! I have LOVED being here and wish I could stay but I am beginning to miss out on some monetizing opportunities and if I want to grow into a business I need to be able to take advantage of those. But, I refer everyone that asks me about blogging to wordpress.com and talk very highly of you guys!
I will look at all that you posted and let you know if I have any questions. Appreciate your help!
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Ok, so read through it. It seems that the transfer is pretty easy??? If I do it myself are you guys available to tell me what plug ins I need to have, etc. to keep all the extras I have now? Does it walk me through uploading plugins? I didn’t see that. Or is that fairly simple to figure out? If I start it myself and just end up not being able to can I have a guided transfer at that point to pick up the pieces, Lol? From what I can tell my current site isn’t affect right? Until I do that last step of transferring the whole thing over?
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Hi there!
Thank you so much for your kind words! I have LOVED being here and wish I could stay but I am beginning to miss out on some monetizing opportunities and if I want to grow into a business I need to be able to take advantage of those. But, I refer everyone that asks me about blogging to wordpress.com and talk very highly of you guys!
I don’t blame you at all! It seems to make sense for your site, and how you want it to evolve!
And that’s so lovely about your referring us. That makes me feel even more proud of WordPress.com!
It seems that the transfer is pretty easy??? If I do it myself are you guys available to tell me what plug ins I need to have, etc. to keep all the extras I have now? Does it walk me through uploading plugins?
You should be able to install WordPress on your new server, and also install Jetpack, pretty easily. Many web hosts actually have a one-click, simple installation for WordPress, since the software is pretty widely used.
The export from WordPress.com is simple, too. We can help with that.
Once you begin to upload to your self-hosted site, and install plug-ins, we can’t help. We don’t have any access to any other servers but our own, and will no longer have access to your files. However, the WordPress.org forum is an excellent source of information. Your new web host should be able to help out as well.
If I start it myself and just end up not being able to can I have a guided transfer at that point to pick up the pieces, Lol?
Certainly. We’re good paramedics when it comes to that :)
From what I can tell my current site isn’t affect right? Until I do that last step of transferring the whole thing over?
You are correct. The current WordPress.com site will remain as-is. I generally advise users not to delete their old sites. Just make them private, so they’re hidden from the rest of the internet. But, you will have access to all that content, should you ever need it again. We will never delete it, no matter how long it sits dormant.
I hope this is helpful info for you! I think you should be able to do the transfer on your own. Frankly, having a WordPress.org site takes more elbow-grease, as you are your own site manager. In my opinion, it’s best to learn the ins-and-outs during the transfer, so you understand how everything works.
All the best to you!
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Thank you! Yes, I plan to just hide my current site and not delete. I read it was the best way. Just in case!
Do you have any tips or examples of things I will need to manage “elbow grease” wise when I’m over there? Just trying to prepare myself and figure out how much extra time I need to devote…
I plan to go to Bluehost so I will call them and ask some questions as well, but does WordPress.org have a way to contact, like what we are doing now, other than looking in the forums? I’ve looked around a bit but have some specific questions to ask and I couldn’t find a contact link.
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Oh and also…I should wait to export my stuff from this blog at a time that I have a break from posting I’m guessing…is creating a post on the .org platform pretty similar to this one?? So if I need to post before I have it all completely done will I be able to?
Also, I’ve heard a few reviews that people lost subscribers, but the transfer info says I will retain everyone right?
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Hi again!
Thank you! Yes, I plan to just hide my current site and not delete. I read it was the best way. Just in case!
You always keep well informed. That’s why I think you’ll be able to do the move on your own.
Do you have any tips or examples of things I will need to manage “elbow grease” wise when I’m over there? Just trying to prepare myself and figure out how much extra time I need to devote…
Well, should anything go wrong, say…like your email gets wonky, or your site goes down for some unknown reason, or your layout goes awry on a post and you don’t know why…these are things you’ll have to figure out on your own, rather than email us. It’s like the difference between renting and owning :)
Instead of calling the landlord when your pipe bursts, you’ll have to find your own plumber.
I plan to go to Bluehost so I will call them and ask some questions as well, but does WordPress.org have a way to contact, like what we are doing now, other than looking in the forums? I’ve looked around a bit but have some specific questions to ask and I couldn’t find a contact link.
WordPress.org/self-hosting is all community based. This means you’re seeking help from other users. OR…you could also throw money at a problem, and get a professional to help with the site. Once you move, your site is out of our hands entirely, and we really can’t help.
The only thing we can assist with is Jetpack, as it will be connected to your WordPress.com account.
I should wait to export my stuff from this blog at a time that I have a break from posting I’m guessing…is creating a post on the .org platform pretty similar to this one?? So if I need to post before I have it all completely done will I be able to?
I think your timing sounds perfect. And…creating posts on .org is almost identical to the Classic version of WordPress.com.
Also, I’ve heard a few reviews that people lost subscribers, but the transfer info says I will retain everyone right?
If you keep the same URL, and you transfer your subscribers, you’ll be fine. For sure!
Thanks again! Be well.
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Got it! Thanks! I didn’t realize .org was a community site and not run like .com. The renting versus owning analogy is great. But I’m guessing if something goes wrong Bluehost should be able to help because they host my site…I’ll call tomorrow and chat with them as well.
As for professional help, is there a link to available people or if not what would I search for, so I know I am hiring the right person?
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Hi!
The renting versus owning analogy is great. But I’m guessing if something goes wrong Bluehost should be able to help because they host my site…I’ll call tomorrow and chat with them as well.
I’m not going to lie: that was the first time I thought of that analogy, and I was so proud of myself, I had to tell a colleague :)
Yup! Bluehost is very helpful.
As for professional help, is there a link to available people or if not what would I search for, so I know I am hiring the right person?
There are folks on the WordPress.org site who are listed…I think the best thing to do is looks at their reviews and referrals. We don’t really keep up with them, and can’t endorse anyone in particular.
However, Bluehost might have a list available!
Thank you! You’re the model WordPress.com → WordPress.org transferrer!
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Haha!! Nice one….I’m totally going to use it if anyone ever asks me!
Thanks again, I’m sure Bluehost will be great if I need the help. Going to shoot for the next few weeks to take the plunge. EEEE!!!!
But I will definitely continue to endorse you guys. You have been SO awesome every step of the way.
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Awesome!
Well, along the way, if we can help you with WordPress.com-related questions, definitely drop us a line!
Take care.
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Called Bluehost and they were awesome. Said I could use their 24 hour support throughout the process and they can help with a ton. Question, I’m guessing after I sign up with blue host and download wordpress I can then log in to the worpress.org site in order to post a question? I couldn’t find a way to post anything in their forum, just look stuff up.
Thanks!
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Hey!
Question, I’m guessing after I sign up with blue host and download wordpress I can then log in to the worpress.org site in order to post a question?
You got it! You should create a WordPress.org account. Your WordPress.com account will be separate from your WordPress.org user account.
Exciting!
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Hi again,
So I am having issues with the process. I am following the step by step. I have signed up with bluehost, have wordpress installed, I exported my content through tools export and all content, but when I go to import it isn’t doing it. No posts or pages are importing…help
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Hey there!
I can’t help on the import side, unfortunately. But, I can certainly help with the export, if that’s where the problems lie.
Could you check with Bluehost and ask if there are errors with your import? Let me know. If you need me to run another export for you, I certainly can. But, let’s make sure everything is working well on that end first. Otherwise, you may be duplicating work unnecessarily.
Thank you so much!
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So I was on the phone with bluehost tech support for 4 hours last night…yup 4. They are great. But they are stumped as to why it isn’t working and pretty much on their end it all look like it should. They think it’s the export thats an issue…corrupt and broken files…BUT I ended up just paying their staff to handle it all for me. Not sure why it has caused so many issues but in my current state (8 1/2 months preggo with 2 kids already and a traveling hubby) it was worth the money to not deal. Lol.
I will need help transferring over my stats and followers/subscribers so I’ll get in touch when that step is up.
Thanks!
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Howdy!
Your patience is amazing. Four hours?! I’m impressed!
If you want me to re-reun an export for you, and email it to you, I’ll do it. Just let me know!
I’d be happy to move your followers and stats. Once you’re ready to move forward, just make sure you have downloaded and activated Jetpack on your new site. Bluehost can certainly assist, if you need. Or, you can download Jetpack from here:
It’s free and very simple to install…and will give you most of the tools you’re used to!
Best of luck with all your juggling! Sending good vibes.
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Thanks so much. Yes, 4 hours into the night. I was exhausted when my two toddlers woke me up a few hours later. Lol!! I’m still talking to them about whether they can do all I want for the service I’m paying. My main issue is that I took the Twenty Fourteen theme and changed a ton using CSS to give it the look I want. But I got a lot of help from the WordPress.com staff because I don’t know CSS really. I don’t want to lose all my work. So I’m trying to find a way to have it transfer over or find someone I can pay to do it correctly. I really just want my current site just like it looks and functions to be put on the .org side… Make sense? I’ll let you know if I need a re export.
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Hey there!
Definitely make sure you’ve copied/pasted all your CSS from WordPress.com…and you can provide it to Bluehost, or add it yourself. Or pay someone to adjust it for you :)
The nice thing is that you can still access your site’s CSS in WordPress.org.
I don’t want to overwhelm you, but this WordPress.org support page might help:
http://codex.wordpress.org/Site_Design_and_LayoutYou’re doing awesome! Cheers.
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