I’m back!
How are you all? I have only been away from the blogging world for about 2 weeks but it is crazy how much I have missed writing and the lovely blogging community.
As you can probably tell, I have a new blog. One of my blogging goals for 2016 was to go self hosted and finally after months of putting it off, I have finally done it.
There is still a lot of tweaking that needs to be done before I am completely happy with my new blog but I am already being able to get things looking and working better than I ever could on Blogger. After over a year just making do with Blogger, I am so happy I took the step to go self hosted, Word Press has so much more to offer in terms of customisation and plug ins. It has only been a few days but I am already in love with Word Press and I don’t care who knows it.
If you are thinking of making the move from Blogger to self hosted Word Press, here is how I did it using TSO Host..
Step 1
Back up Blogger blog
Before you do anything else, back up your Blogger blog. I really can’t stress this enough, if something goes wrong during the migration process (which it might) if you have backed up your blog then none of your content/pictures/comments will be lost forever – every bloggers worsed nightmare, right? Backing up your blog takes a grand total of 2 minutes and is definitely worth every second. I followed this easy to follow guide to help me back up my blog.
Step 2
Register with TSO and pay for hosting
There are lots of different websites you can use to host your blog, I went for TSO as I have heard lots of good things and the monthly hosting fee is really cheap. Setting up an account is easy, just go to tsohost.com , click on Cloud Web Hosting and select your hosting package. I went for the standard package for £2.99 per month, it includes every thing a blogger needs and free website migration is part of the package. Registering all your details is easy and doesn’t take much time at all.
Step 3
Set up your website on TSO control panel
Before your blog can be migrated from Bloger to WordPress there are few things you need to do. Once your account has been registered, TSO will send you an email detailing what you need to do next. Once you have signed into your control panel you will need to add your website domain, install the WordPress application and set up your custom email account and mailbox (if you don’t already have one). This is all very straightforward as the Control Panel is really user friendly and easy to understand, there are loads of great guides on the TSO knowledge base if you get stuck .
Step 4
Request a migration
Once you have done all the above you can now send TSO a request to move your blog from Blogger to the new hosting platform. Simply click ‘free website migration’ in the basic management tools section of your control panel. You will be asked to fill in some details about your current blog and provide the TSO team with your log in details – very embarrassing for me as my password is pretty stupid. Once you have sent your migration request it is time to play the waiting game. TSO aim to complete all migrations within 3 working days, I requested mine on the Thursday and it was completed by the Sunday night.
Step 5
The migration process
It is likely you have very high security settings on your Google account, these settings will not like someone else trying to sign into your account from a random location and laptop. Make sure you regularly check your email during the migration process so you can send the team any security access codes they may need. I got a random text with a code from Google on Sunday, it was only when I checked my email I realised the guy migrating my blog couldn’t do anything until I sent it to him so he could get in to my account. I found the migration process very stressful as I had stupidly changed the name servers beforehand, this meant my domain was redirecting to WordPress from the Thursday and none of my content was there until the Sunday night when the migration was done. Sorry to anyone who visited my blog over those few days and wondered what was going on!
TSO can only move posts, comments and photos over from Blogger, any html you have on there or anything you have in your sidebar will be lost so make sure you save it or know how to retrieve it from your backed up blog. Unfortunately for me, lots of my photos didn’t survive the move and the formatting in the majority of my posts has been messed up. I am now going to have to spend a lot of time going back through all my old posts, adding the pictures back in and fixing the general layout. This is a bit annoying but I guess it could be worse, at least all my posts and comments made it over in one piece.
Step 6
Change nameservers
Once the migration is complete TSO will send you instructions on how to preview your new site before it is permanently moved over on to the new platform. If you are happy with it you then need to change the nameservers in the control panel of wherever you purchased your domain name (if you set up a new domain with TSO you don’t need to worry about this). I was silly though and I changed my nameservers with GoDaddy before the migration, here is the guide I followed, so I did not have to do this step as my blog was already redirecting to WordPress. The nameservers you need will be in the first set up email you received when you registered with TSO,
Step 7
Start blogging with WordPress
Now all that is done you can finally start to explore your new blog, yay. Once your blog has been moved you will get an email with all your login details for your WordPress dashboard. I have used WordPress in a previous job so I have a general understanding of how things work over here but I still have A LOT to learn, if you are a newbie here is a great beginners guide. I have installed a theme, a few essential plugins and set up my new mailing list. There is still a lot to do, especially with all the old posts to fix, but I am loving using WordPress and if you have spent a long time having your creativity restricted by Blogger, I am sure you will love it too.
So that’s it! It is nowhere near as stressful as you may think, especially with TSO sorting out the most complicated bit for you. If going self hosted is something you have been mulling over for a while I say just go for it. Yes things might look a bit wonky once they come out the other end but it’s nothing that can’t be fixed in time. I hope this post comes in useful if and when you do decide to take this big step in your blogging journey, good luck!
Have you gone self hosted, how did you find the process? If you are thinking about moving to WordPress, has this post encouraged you to go for it? I would love to know what you think of my new blog, any honest feedback would be really appreciated as I feel there is still a lot to WordPress that I am yet to discover.
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* After my recent blog move from Blogger to Word Press, some of my posts have been left looking a bit strange. I am working my way through everything and sorting out the formatting, hopefully it won’t take me too long! If you come across a post with strange looking formatting please let me know as I might have missed it. Thank you 🙂 *
I’m still on blogger… not massively tempted to leave just yet, but if I do I know where to come to for advice! #BloggerClubUK
Author
I think Blogger is great to start with but it just got to the point for me when I couldn’t do everything I wanted to and it got quite frustrating. Well, if you ever decide to move I hope this post comes in handy!xx
Very handy guide. I’m a new blogger so am always interested to read these types of posts. Its good to see how others progress and how I could improve my blog in the future xx #BloggerClubUK
Sonia recently posted…Should Kids Be Allowed To Lose?
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Glad you found it useful. Good luck with your new blog, hope you are loving the whole experience xx
Years ago when I blogged (a completely different blog), I was self-hosted. I even designed my own WordPress themes. Now I’ve taken a step away from web development and having a more relaxed approach with Blogger. I have pondered going self-hosted again, but I’m not really wanting to take the plunge just yet. Your guide will be very useful to others, no doubt. I know there’s a fair few bloggers who want to go self-hosted but are unsure how to go about it. #BloggerClubUK
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I guess after doing it as a job for years, using Blogger would make a nice change. I think if you are happy where you are there is no need to go self hosted, I simply did it so I could make my blog do more things. Blogger never help me back when it came to work opportunities and things like that. I hope someone does find this useful 🙂 xx
I moved from Blogger to WordPress too as I didn’t have a clue how to use blogger. Not that I really know what I’m doing with wordpress lol but I do find it *easier* to use. When I changed over I didn’t have a clue how to do everything you just mentioned though so I had to copy and paste all my old posts and then add photos later. It took ages but I got there in the end. This post would have come in very useful a year ago 😉
#bloggerclubuk
Author
Oh wow, I bet that did take ages! Good on you for getting it done, I think I would have given up if I had to copy and pasts every post. I am finding WordPress pretty easy too, nowhere near as difficult as I was expecting anyway xx
Hi Wendy – love the new blog, looks so proffesh!
I moved from wordpress to wordpress using TSOHost and it was a headache at the time but as you say – definitely worth it.
At the time I struggled to find blog posts with advice, so good on you for putting this out there for others.
Thanks for sharing with #coolmumclub
Author
Aww thank you! Glad you like the new blog :). Yes I couldn’t really find anything that broke the whole process down so I hope this helps someone who is planning on moving. It was a bit of a nightmare at times but I am definitely glad I did it. Thanks for hosting #coolmumclub xx
I moved from WordPress to self hosted WordPress. The process went smooth enough. Just the waiting was a bit annoying but I can’ t recommend it enough especially when you want to take blogging a bit more serious. #thelist
Janine Dolan recently posted…My Blogging Corner Wish List – The IKEA Version
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Yes, the waiting bit annoyed me too. I definitely agree going self hosted is the way to go if you want to up your blogging game.xx
Oh what a great guide. I am with TSO host too and mostly I have been very happy with them. I am loving the new blog by the way, it’s lovely 🙂 xxx
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Aww thanks Emma 🙂 I got a lot to do before I’m totally happy with it but I prefer it to my old blog already xx
Glad the move all went well Wendy! You make it sound pretty painless! I’m on WordPress but not self hosted….I’ve been thinking about making the leap soon but I’m going to need some time to deal with doing it! Your new blog looks great! #TheList x
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It really wasn’t that bad at all Cheryl. You should do it if it’s something you want to do, I bet it’s even easier if you’re already using WordPress. Aww thanks, glad you like the new blog 🙂 xx
Really good guide, glad it went ok. I’m on WordPress but not self hosted, at the moment I don’t really understand the difference and it’s on my to do list to find out more. I get tied up in knots bout the jargon, I saw your heading that you were going self hosted but then using tso hosting. I’m so un-techie!:) maybe I am self hosted!!
Mainy
#fortheofblog
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I am not really sure what it means if you are already using WordPress, maybe just that you would completely own your blog and be able have more plug ins/customise it more? I’m not sure as I have always used Blogger up until now. Haha I am not really techie either, just learnt lots of stuff along the way!Good luck if you do decide to do it 🙂 xx
This is a really thorough and helpful post. When I went self-hosted I had a bit of a ‘mare trying to change over my domain name, but we always get there in the end. I’m sure anyone on blogger and looking to make the switch will really appreciate this post. Well done you for taking the plunge! Your blog looks fab x #coolmumclub
Author
Aww thank you for the blog compliment :). Yea I got in a bit of a stress over the domain name thing too but I found a really clear tutorial on google and then it was easy. I really hope someone finds this useful as I couldn’t find anything else that broke down every step. If it helps one other blogger then I am happy 🙂 xx
I am on blogger and thinking of going self hosting. I still have a lot of improvement to make with my blog, but going self hosted is one of my aims and this guide will be very helpful.
#fortheloveofBLOG
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Good luck when you decide to make the move! I really hope this guide helps you 🙂 xx
This is will be a great help for anyone who wants to make the move from blogger to WordPress. I have been thinking about it but I do love blogger!!! But if I do make the move I know where I can go for advice #KCACOLS
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I really hope it helps someone and if you do decide to switch this post will still be here waiting for you 🙂 xx
I recently moved from WP.com to self hosted and havent looked back since – I blimmin’ love it. If you havent already, get the editorial calendar plug in – you can view and drag and drop posts and drafts, it’s brilliant. Thank you for linking up with #KCACOLS and hope to see you next week!
Author
I love it too!Ohh thanks, I haven’t got that one yet so I will be installing it now, sounds really useful.xx
Congrats on the new site! I made the move last November and I’m so glad I did 🙂 I did all the migration myself and it really isn’t as hard as you think, it only took about half an hour. I’m glad I did it myself now because I didn’t lose any pictures or formatting, putting all of that right is going to be a nightmare! Love the new look 🙂
Thanks for linking up to #BloggerClubUK 🙂
Debbie
Random Musings recently posted…Thought Of The Week – Week 23
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Aww I wished I’d known that, I thought it would be really difficult and require loads of coding knowledge so I didn’t bother. It is going to so long to sort out the formatting and pictures but I’ll get there in the end..I hope!Aww thanks, I’m really pleased with how it looks actually, still lots to do but I’m happy. Thanks for hosting #BloggerClubUk xx
I went self hosted last month – it was the best decision I have made. I love WordPress and it was so easy to move my wordpress.com stuff over, but the previous Weebly move was a nightmare! The new blog looks great, and your guide for moving is really helpful #KCACOLS
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Thank you :). Yes, I am already loving it..so glad I took the plunge. I can imagine moving from Weebly was a right nightmare!xx
I am far too scared to do this, although I’ve heard great things about going self hosted (I don’t actually even know what this means, I am so rubbish at it) I find it hard to follow even simple instructions so I’ll probably stick with blogger until I can’t any longer then wish I’d changed sooner…
Aaaah!
Site is lookning great though 🙂
#KCACOLS
Fran @ Whinge Whinge Wine recently posted…Ten top tips for harmonious holidays
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Aww thank you :). It just means you own your blog and have more control of the design and stuff. Apparently brands take you a bit more seriously if you are self hosted, I’m yet to see if this is true. I just needed to get away from Blogger before I ended up smashing my laptop because nothing would work right haha. It is really not that difficult and the sooner you do it the less there will be to fix if something goes wrong 🙂 xx
Congrats on making the move! Really nice and clear guide to how to do it too. I’m in the minority camp – I love Blogger! – but I know lots of people are really contemplating the move. x #KCACOLS
Jess Powell (Babi a Fi) recently posted…Micro Playmobil Worlds
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Thank you :), I am glad I’ve finally done it! I loved Blogger for a long time, it was only when I started wanted to do things and the code wouldn’t work or it didn’t look right that I decided it was time to leave. If you love it then there’s no reason to move really xx
I’ve been thinking of moving from WordPress.com to WordPress.org but I’m concerned about the photo issue. Sounds like stress! Great post xx #anything goes
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I’m not sure what it would be like if you’re already on WordPress. The photo thing has been a nightmare, I am adding them all back in..slowly!xx
Hi Wendy, I also use TSO and found it relatively easy. I had been toying with the idea for a while and then randomly decided to just do it! I’ve never looked back to be honest 🙂 #fortheloveofblog
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Glad to hear you are having a good experience with TSO too 🙂 I’m also glad I decided to make the move xx
I use blogger – I’m happy with it for now, and I use a lot of html code (each post includes follow buttons at the end) so I couldn’t cope with losing all of that… I also think there is a lot I still have to learn about blogger. I know there aren’t as many fancy options, but at the moment I’m really focusing on my blog content. One thing that does annoy me with blogger is that links to posts on Twitter don’t display a photo so I always have to add one in as extra. I read this post with interest though – I don’t know if I will ever switch over, but I like to see what others have done and how easy it was! #KCACOLS
Author
If you;re using lots of html it would be quite annoying to have to put all that back in. If you’re happy on Blogger then there’s no reason to move really 🙂 If you do ever decide to though you know where I am 🙂 xx
I wrote a post recently on how to move to a self-hosted WP blog and I had quite a few people asking me how it worked as they were using Blogger so this post will be useful for quite a few people I imagine! Are you enjoying using WP in comparison? The blog is looking lovely! Thanks for sharing with us on #fortheloveofBLOG x
A Mum Track Mind recently posted…I’m Going to BritMums Live!
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Ohh, well I hope those people find this post and they find it useful. Yes, I am loving WP, really wishing I had made the move sooner as I have a lot of things to fix after the move but I definitely prefer it :). Thanks for the blog compliment and thanks for hosting 🙂 xx
Thanks for sharing your experience! I decided to start out self-hosting with WordPress. So far I love it and all the many options. It’s only been a month but I have found it very user friendly. Hope you continue to enjoy it. #KCACOLS
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I soo wish I had started off self hosted. I am glad you are enjoying using WordPress, I’m loving it so far xx
congrats!! I found going from wordpress.com to selfhosted was quite a shock! It was easy but there was more to do then I expected. Loving it though and your walk through was great! I hope all is going well. Take care! #KCACOLS
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I made the move from Blogger to WordPress in Febraury and am so glad I did. I love WordPress with a passion. The move was a bit stressful, mainly because the guys handling the migration talk ‘tech speak’ rather than English. But all worked out in the end. I still have a lot of formatting work to go on old posts but I much prefer writing new content, so that’s on the backburner 🙂 #KCACOLS
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Ahh I emailed my support person back every time he said something I didn’t understand, he seemed happy to put it in to non computer genius terms for me though :). Ahh I’m the same, I really just want to get new content out there so fixing the old posts is going to be a very long process. Glad to hear you’re happy you made the move xx
Congratulations on the new blog!
I’m still stuck on blogger, and I’ve been mulling over the idea to move to WP for months now. Honestly, it’s just fear that’s holding me back-I’m terrified to lose everything, or to lose my views and rankings. Ugh-why can’t it be more simple! Definitely going to look into TSOHost, because you’ve inspired me to finally make the move… #KCACOLS
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I felt exactly that way for months, it’s better to do it now so if something goes wrong there is less things for you to fix. I worried about page views and stats too but it’s not been that bad, I still have the same domain name so I think that has helped. Good luck with the move if you decide to go for it xx
Good for you for getting off blogger. WordPress is so much better and much more up to date too. Good luck with it – there’s plenty of advice out there if you ever need it. #kcacols
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It is sooo much better, I love it! There are still a lot of things I need to learn so I will be searching for lots of advice. Please let me know if you have any tips 🙂 xx
Wendy the new blog looks great! And this is a really useful post for anyone wanting to make the blogger to wordpress move! x #KCACOLS
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Thank you 🙂 I am so pleased with it. Got a lot still to do but I already love it way more than my blogger blog xx
I made the jump from blogger to WordPress in July! Don’t know why I didn’t do it sooner! I’m still going through old posts and need to get a better theme for mine. Xx
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Yay! As a WordPress fun I’m happy to hear you changed the platform. First of all I wanted to mark that with a great free WordPress plugin named “Really Simple SSL” you can change your website status to “secure”, as it has affect on your Google rankings.
My second question was – the way of website migration is cool, but have you heard about CMS2CMS service? It moves the website automatically, so everything works really fast and easy. You can try free demo migration to check it out