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WordPress.com Migration & Switching Guide 2026

WordPress has the broadest importer, reading WXR and most XML, plus a free expert migration. The open WXR export makes it easiest to leave, so lock-in is lowest.

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WordPress.com Migration verdict

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WordPress is the easiest builder to move into and out.

It has the broadest importer of the group, reading WXR and almost any XML. It can pull a site in from Squarespace, Wix, Weebly, Medium and more, and offers a free expert migration in a few days.

How to plan the move

WordPress suits anyone who values portability and an easy way in from another platform, especially teams leaving a hosted builder. It is less ideal if you want migration plus SEO handled with zero plugins, since the metadata and redirects depend on Yoast or Rank Math after the content lands.

Honest limits

The importer is the broadest of the six: WXR plus direct imports from Squarespace, Wix, Weebly, Medium, Substack and Blogger on WordPress.com.
Lock-in is the lowest of the group, since the open WXR XML export re-imports anywhere, and self-hosted gives full MySQL and file ownership. SEO metadata and redirects ride on your SEO plugin, Yoast or Rank Math, not the core importer, so plan to set them up after import.
On WordPress.com, plugins and full-site export are gated to higher plans, so lower tiers are more constrained than self-hosted.

Importer breadth: WXR + almost any platform
Managed migration: Free, 2-3 days
Export: Open WXR XML
Self-hosted ownership: Full DB + files
Lock-in: Lowest of the six

View sources

This page covers migrating in and out of WordPress. SEO output and pricing live on their own pages.

What moves into WordPress.com, and can you leave?

Migration & portability receipt

Pick what you are bringing to WordPress.com, and see exactly what transfers.

Migration read4 transfer, 1 need hand work

Another WordPress site (WXR): imports natively, Tools, Import reads WXR; or All-in-One WP Migration.
Squarespace / Wix / Weebly: imports natively, WordPress.com imports from the hosted builders directly.
Medium / Substack / Blogger: imports natively, broad publisher import on WordPress.com.
Any XML export: via CSV or API, default importer reads any XML file.
SEO meta & redirects: manual rebuild, re-create via Yoast / Rank Math after import.

Cutover steps, in order

1Export source as XML / WXR, any XML works.
2Import (self-service or managed), under 15 min, or free 2-3 day managed.
3Configure SEO plugin, Yoast / Rank Math: meta, redirects, schema.
4Connect domain, nameservers or A + CNAME, free SSL.
5Verify and submit to Search Console, core sitemap.

Every row is a documented import/export capability from WordPress.com and the source platforms, not an effort estimate.

WordPress.com migration configuration

Tools, Export writes a WXR (WordPress eXtended RSS) XML file containing your posts, pages, custom post types, comments, custom fields, categories, tags, custom taxonomies and users. You can filter by content type, category, author, date or status. This open file is re-importable at any WordPress site, which is why WordPress lock-in is the lowest of the group.

Export your site (WXR)text

# Tools > Export > choose content, then Download Export File
# Produces a WXR (.xml) file containing:
#   posts, pages, custom post types, comments, custom fields,
#   categories, tags, custom taxonomies, users
# Filterable by content type / category / author / date / status

At the destination, Tools, Import, WordPress reads the WXR file and recreates the content. Any XML export from another platform works the same way. On self-hosted WordPress you also keep the MySQL database and all theme and plugin files on your own server, so nothing is locked to a vendor.

Import at another WordPress sitetext

# Destination site: Tools > Import > WordPress > Run Importer
# Upload the WXR .xml and map authors.
# Self-hosted also gives you: the full MySQL database +
# all theme/plugin PHP files + uploaded media on your own server.

On WordPress.com you connect a domain by pointing all three nameservers at WordPress, or by adding A and CNAME records if you do not want to move nameservers. A free SSL certificate is auto-issued once the domain is active. Propagation can take up to 72 hours.

Connect a domain (WordPress.com)text

; Option A: change nameservers (all three)
ns1.wordpress.com
ns2.wordpress.com
ns3.wordpress.com
; Option B: keep nameservers, add A + CNAME records instead
; free SSL auto-issued once Active; up to 72h to propagate

What imports cleanly into WordPress.com

Content	Into WordPress	Detail	Source
Another WordPress site	WXR XML / migration plugin	Self-hosted Tools, Import reads WXR; or All-in-One WP Migration for content, media, plugins, themes	—
Hosted builders	Squarespace / Wix / Weebly	WordPress.com imports from the hosted builders directly	—
Publishers / blogs	Medium / Substack / Blogger	Plus Tumblr, TypePad, Xanga and more via WordPress.com	—
Generic XML	Default importer	Any XML export can be read by the default WordPress importer	—
Free managed migration	Expert team, 2-3 days	WordPress.com team migrates for you while the live site stays unaffected	—
Self-service speed	Under 15 minutes	Self-service import usually finishes in under 15 minutes (longer for large sites)	—

Source-to-WordPress.com mapping

Element	Lands in WordPress as	Caveat	Source
Posts, pages, custom types	Native content	WXR carries posts, pages and custom post types	—
Comments & users	Native content	Comments, custom fields and users come across in the WXR	—
Taxonomies	Categories & tags	Custom taxonomies included	—
Media	Imported by URL	Media referenced by URL; keep the source reachable during import	—
SEO meta & redirects	Via SEO plugin	Carried by Yoast/Rank Math, not the core importer	—
Theme & design	Rebuilt / migrated	All-in-One WP Migration carries themes; a fresh theme is otherwise rebuilt	—

WordPress.com migration timeline and rollout

Phase	What happens	Effort	Source
1. Export from source	XML / WXR export	Low; any XML works	—
2. Import content	Default importer or platform import	Low; under 15 minutes self-service	—
3. Or hand it off	Free managed migration (2-3 days)	Low; expert team, no downtime	—
4. Configure SEO plugin	Yoast / Rank Math: meta, redirects, schema	Medium; the SEO surface is plugin-side	—
5. Connect domain	Nameservers or A + CNAME; free SSL	Low; up to 72h to propagate	—

What to verify before you commit to WordPress.com

Lock-in is the lowest of the group by design: the WXR export is an open XML you can re-import at any WordPress site, so your content is never trapped in a proprietary format
On self-hosted WordPress you own everything, the MySQL database, all theme and plugin PHP files and your uploaded media on your own server, so there is no vendor that can hold your site
The catch on import is that SEO metadata and redirects ride on your SEO plugin, not the core importer, so plan to set up Yoast or Rank Math and re-create redirects after the content lands
On hosted WordPress.com, plugins and full-site export are gated to higher plans, so the lowest tiers are more constrained than self-hosted even though the WXR export is still available

WordPress.com Migration FAQ

How do I migrate a site to WordPress?

WordPress has the broadest import surface of the builders. Self-hosted WordPress reads WXR and other XML via Tools, Import, and WordPress.com can move a site in from almost any platform, including Squarespace, Wix, Weebly, Medium, Substack and Blogger. There is also a free managed migration where an expert team moves the site for you in two to three business days with no downtime.

How long does a WordPress migration take?

A self-service import usually finishes in under 15 minutes, or a little longer for large sites. The free managed migration on WordPress.com typically completes within two to three business days while your live site stays unaffected. The remaining work is configuring your SEO plugin and connecting the domain.

Can I export my WordPress site?

Yes, and this is its biggest advantage. Tools, Export produces a WXR file, WordPress eXtended RSS, with your posts, pages, custom post types, comments, custom fields, taxonomies and users, and it re-imports at any WordPress site. On self-hosted WordPress you also keep the full MySQL database and all theme and plugin files on your own server.

Does WordPress lock me in?

Less than any other builder here. The WXR export is an open standard you can re-import anywhere, and self-hosted WordPress gives you the database and all files outright, so no vendor controls your site. That open portability is the core reason people choose WordPress over the proprietary hosted builders.

What does not come across automatically?

SEO metadata and redirects. The core importer carries your content, but meta titles, descriptions, canonical tags and redirects live in an SEO plugin like Yoast or Rank Math, so you re-create them after the content lands. On WordPress.com, plugins and full-site export are also gated to higher plans.

Sources & verification

Verified by ComparEdgeMethod: Vendor docs, official pages, and selected independent sources

Source	What was checked	Last checked
Wordpress Official	Official product page	July 10, 2026
Wordpress Article Search Engine Optimization	Article Search Engine Optimization	July 10, 2026
Wordpress Article Tools Export Screen	Article Tools Export Screen	July 10, 2026
Wordpress Domains Connect Existing Domain	Domains Connect Existing Domain	July 10, 2026
Wordpress Support Import	Support Import	July 10, 2026
Wordpress Support Seo	Support Seo	July 10, 2026

Every fact on this WordPress.com page is tied to a named source and a verification date. Freshness-sensitive figures trace to the sources above; verify against the vendor before relying on them.