Has it been really more than month since my move? Gosh, how time flies, really! I have meant to write about this move and surprised myself that I’ve delayed this post for this long.
I wasn’t sure if I wanted to move, at first. I mean, I have used Blogger for a very long time. I’ve gotten used to it. Very easy to use and not a lot of back-end work to be done. But, I also know bloggers who really say that WordPress is the way to go if you want to take blogging to the next level. I want more for this blog but just thinking about the work (and expenses), makes me want to just stay where I am.
A few months ago, I decided that it is time to change the “look” of my blog. And that it’s time to pay someone to do it professionally. I mean, the blog is doing well. I’ve been getting more collaborations and slowly earning (not a lot, ok?) from the blog so why not improve it, right? So I asked around. I checked my blogger friends’ blog designs and almost all of them were done by Fancy Girl Design Studio. I contacted Patricia for the redesign and the rest is history.
In the middle of the design process, I had a realization. Why not combine both of my blogs?! Why do I have to support two blogs when I can just concentrate on one? So there. I decided to go for a rebrand. Instead of two blogs, I bought a new domain and asked for a design that would be a good fit for my blogs. Everything was going as planned until I read this (posted by Patricia on her FB page):
Oh Crap!
Right then and there, I asked Patricia if she can recommend anyone who can help me to migrate. Enter the ninja, Jen. First, I got my hosting done through Bluehost. Then downloaded WordPress, yada yada yada. Jen did her magic while I had to tell Patricia to “upgrade” the design to WordPress (of course that cost extra for me). The design is based on the Genesis Framework which I like because it’s very neat and clean. When the design was done and all the posts were redirected to the new domain, I got control over my blog again. Whew!!
The whole process shouldn’t have been long. It took a while because of me. So here are my tips when moving to WordPress:
- Move first before contacting the designer. My design took a while because I started with a basic blogger design then added some add ons and then decided to go for a WordPress template. Not only it delayed the delivery a bit (just a bit, mind you. Patricia was very nice and helpful), I had to pay extra for the revisions and “upgrade”.
- Buy your domain and host at the same time. Because I was planning to just do a rebrand first, I bought my domain from a different vendor. Then when I decided that I will self host, I got hosting from Bluehost. You see, Bluehost has a package where the domain is free when buying the hosting. Again, that’s unnecessary expense for me!
- If you’re not sure, contact a professional. I’m so scared of messing this up that I actually told Jen (the migration expert) that I am an idiot when it comes to tech stuff. I only know how to write and publish. LOL. Sure, you’d have to shell out some money but it’s really worth it, specially if you don’t know what you’re doing!
- It’s ok to ask. Ask your friends (who are using WP), I do! I ask what plugins they use, how to add stuff to widgets, how to upgrade plugins!
- Learn to back up. Now that I am self hosted, I need to learn how to back up my files. Thankfully, Jen (the migration guru!) told me how to do it. Now that’s after sales service 😀
There’s still so much I need to learn about WordPress and I am slowly getting there. I’m just so happy that I was able to upgrade my plugins and theme on my own (with a little coaching, of course!). I feel like a child with a new toy! My friend, Grace (Sandier Pastures) would always tell me, “You’re a big girl now!!” —
She has been bullying me to move, you see. 😀
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mom of 2. the wiper of boogers. eater of leftovers. milk bar extraordinaire. not an early bird. not a night owl. always the exhausted pigeon. enjoying the wellness journey through essential oils.
6 Comments
Hi Sheila, I believe the link pointing to Jen’s website po does not work.
August 14, 2014 at 9:23 AMHi Allan! Thanks for pointing that out. I fixed it na. 😀
August 14, 2014 at 9:33 AMthis migration thing is becoming more and more notable, Kero told me to do the same. I actually have a wordpress account and it is as old as my blogspot and I used the latter more, Crap! I guess I need that kick-n-d-butt thing to start importing. thanks for the tips. Will call you for more. 😀
August 4, 2014 at 8:48 AMLipat na, bilis! Hehehe.
August 4, 2014 at 10:05 AMHappy Monthsary!! 🙂
I have been contemplating for YEARS if I should get my own domain but until now – it’s still on blogger. I’m quite happy with it BUT like you I didn’t know that Google owns my site. Hahaha!! Anyhoo, I’ve been laying off migrating – but I might, someday. Hahahaha!! 🙂
Congrats on your first month!!
Here;s to years and years to come!
Love, Didi
August 4, 2014 at 7:57 AMDidi, migrate na! It’s not that hard once it’s all transferred to WP. 😀
August 4, 2014 at 8:01 AM