Moving from ExpressionEngine to WordPress : A Step-by-Step Guide
Migrating from ExpressionEngine to WordPress isn’t just about changing platforms — it’s about moving from an outdated, legacy web technology to moden development standards.
Updated: Aug 18, 2025
Getting started
Introdution
ExpressionEngine was once the go-to CMS for custom publishing workflows, flexible templates, and performance. It powered complex editorial sites and high-traffic portals at a time when WordPress was still finding its feet.
But fast forward to 2025, and the landscape has changed.
Today, ExpressionEngine lags behind in modern features, plugin support, and ease of use — especially when it comes to SEO, speed, and scalability. If you’re still on ExpressionEngine, chances are you’re stuck with:
A fragile custom setup
High developer dependency
Expensive licensing fees
And growing anxiety every time your dev ghosted you for a simple text update.
You’re not alone — we’ve helped several businesses migrate from ExpressionEngine to WordPress, and most of them say the same thing: “We waited too long.”
This guide walks you through everything you need to know:
Why it’s worth switching
What breaks during migration (and how to avoid it)
A step-by-step path to safely rebuild your site in WordPress
Tips to preserve your content, design, and SEO
If you’re still evaluating platforms, you can also compare how Squarespace or Wix stack up — but if you’re after complete control and future-proofing, WordPress is the way forward.
And for businesses with more at stake —
🔐 data ownership,
📊 custom reporting,
🛡 compliance,
or 🚀 scalability — WordPress doesn’t just match ExpressionEngine’s flexibility, it vastly improves on it.
You’ll gain:
Full control over where your site is hosted (with staging, uptime monitoring, and backups)
Compatibility with modern performance and analytics stacks (GA4, Hotjar, Matomo, etc.)
Easy implementation of privacy controls (GDPR/CCPA compliance, cookie banners, user roles)
If you’ve been holding back because “it’s too complex to migrate,” this guide is for you.
Let’s begin.
Why Move Away from ExpressionEngine?
ExpressionEngine earned its reputation for being a flexible and developer-friendly CMS. It offered full control over templating, handled large-scale content structures, and was miles ahead of WordPress… in 2012.
But today, staying on ExpressionEngine often means sacrificing performance, SEO, and maintainability — especially if you’re not a developer yourself.
Here’s why most businesses eventually move on:
🔧 1. Developer Dependency for Everything
Need to update a CTA, change your homepage layout, or optimize a page for a new keyword? On ExpressionEngine, you’re often dependent on a developer to touch code or template files. This slows down marketing teams and blocks growth.
⚙️ 2. Outdated Plugin Ecosystem
The plugin marketplace for EE is small and aging. Many add-ons are abandoned, and integrations with modern tools (like GA4, CRMs, or headless APIs) are either broken or non-existent. WordPress, in contrast, has a 50,000+ plugin ecosystem with frequent updates.
🧾 3. Licensing Costs That Add Up
ExpressionEngine Pro requires a license fee, and custom development hours pile up quickly. For small teams or startups, this cost can exceed what you’d pay for an entire managed WordPress + hosting + support stack.
📉 4. SEO and Speed Limitations
You don’t get native support for SEO enhancements like XML sitemaps, canonical URLs, or Open Graph tags. PageSpeed optimization also becomes a manual, dev-heavy task. With Google doubling down on Core Web Vitals, this becomes a silent SEO killer.
🚫 5. No Visual Editing Experience
In a world of drag-and-drop builders like Elementor or block-based editing in Gutenberg, ExpressionEngine feels primitive. Marketers can’t build or update pages independently — slowing down content workflows.
🏗 6. Uncertain Roadmap
EllisLab sold ExpressionEngine, and while it’s now open source under Packet Tidev, active development is sparse. For long-term tech decisions, relying on an uncertain roadmap can be risky.
If you’re stuck on EE but want to explore other platforms, check out our other guides:
🧱 7. Complex Templating and Custom DB Structures
ExpressionEngine relies on a custom templating system and rigid channel-based content storage. For teams looking to scale or integrate with modern tools, this becomes a bottleneck. Recreating the same logic in WordPress with custom post types, ACF (Advanced Custom Fields), and native REST API support is faster, more flexible, and far better documented.
What Makes WordPress a Better Fit Today?
WordPress is no longer “just a blogging tool.” It’s now a full-fledged CMS powering over 40% of the internet — from startup websites to enterprise portals.
Whether you’re a marketer, content manager, or business owner, WordPress gives you something ExpressionEngine struggles with: independence, scalability, and control.
1. Visual Editing and Layout Control
With block-based editors like Gutenberg and drag-and-drop tools like Elementor, building beautiful layouts is fast and code-free. No more waiting on developers to publish a blog post or tweak a CTA. You own your content and how it appears.
2. Massive Plugin Ecosystem
WordPress supports 50,000+ plugins across SEO, caching, security, CRM integrations, and more. Whether you need GA4 integration, HubSpot sync, or schema markup, there’s a maintained plugin ready to go.
3. Built for Speed and Optimization
WordPress plays nicely with all modern speed stacks: Image compression with WebP and lazy loading, CDN integration (Cloudflare, Bunny.net), performance plugins like WP Rocket, and full mobile optimization to hit 90+ PageSpeed scores — which is crucial for SEO and user experience.
4. SEO Control at Every Level
With plugins like Yoast SEO or Rank Math, you get native control over XML sitemaps, canonical tags, redirects, meta titles, structured data, and more — all without touching code.
5. Headless + API Capabilities
If you need to power a decoupled front-end or connect to mobile apps, WordPress supports REST and GraphQL APIs, making headless builds possible with ease.
6. Native E-commerce with WooCommerce
ExpressionEngine has no real e-commerce path. WordPress, on the other hand, offers seamless integration with WooCommerce — the most widely used open-source cart system.
If you plan to sell online, you can also check our Shopify to WooCommerce migration guide as a reference.
7. Security, Backups, and Role Management
With WordPress, you get full control over who can edit what, plus access to features like two-factor authentication, automated backups, and server-level security monitoring.
8. Long-Term Ecosystem and Roadmap
With regular core updates, tens of thousands of developers, and full compatibility with modern hosting environments, WordPress offers both stability and growth — not a fading roadmap.
Pre-Migration Planning Checklist
Moving from ExpressionEngine to WordPress isn’t just about switching platforms — it’s about making sure nothing breaks, and everything improves.
Before touching your current site or spinning up a new one, here’s what we recommend checking off:
1. Inventory Your Current Content
Start by auditing all your existing:
Pages and templates
Channels and entries (ExpressionEngine’s content model)
Assets: images, PDFs, videos
Navigation menus and URLs
This gives you a roadmap of what needs to be moved or rebuilt in WordPress. Use Screaming Frog or a sitemap generator to help.
2. Export Your ExpressionEngine Content (if possible)
While ExpressionEngine doesn’t offer a simple export button, developers can usually export entries using SQL, XML, or CSV — or via custom scripts. These can then be mapped to WordPress post types.
Tip: Many EE setups use deeply nested templates and custom fields — review these carefully before planning import formats.
3. Document Your URL Structure
One of the most critical steps for SEO: Document your current URLs so you can create 301 redirects to their WordPress equivalents. This ensures your rankings and backlinks remain intact post-migration.
4. Take a Full Backup
Before making any changes, take a full backup of your EE database, media files, and control panel setup. Store it offsite so you have a rollback point.
5. Plan Your WordPress Architecture
Define how you’ll map EE content to WordPress:
Use custom post types for structured content
Set up Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) for metadata
Decide whether you’ll use Gutenberg or a visual builder like Elementor
6. Choose Hosting and Install WordPress
If you haven’t already, pick a host optimized for WordPress. We recommend providers with:
Staging environments
Daily backups
Built-in caching/CDN options
Server-level security
We’ve compiled a shortlist of recommended hosts — get in touch with us and we’ll send it over.
ExpressionEngine to WordPress — Step-by-Step Migration Process
Once your pre-migration prep is done, it’s time to execute the actual move. Here’s the phased approach we follow when migrating clients from ExpressionEngine to WordPress.
1. Set Up a Fresh WordPress Install
Start on a clean, updated WordPress install. Choose between:
Gutenberg if you want to stick with native WordPress blocks
Elementor or Bricks for visual flexibility
Install your base theme and essential plugins (SEO, caching, security, etc.).
2. Create Matching Content Structures
ExpressionEngine uses “channels” with custom fields. In WordPress, these become:
Custom Post Types (CPTs)
Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) or built-in block patterns
Match each EE content type to its CPT and define custom fields where needed.
3. Import Content (Manual or Scripted)
This is the trickiest part. Since ExpressionEngine doesn’t support standard exports, we typically:
Export content via custom SQL or template-based feeds
Transform it into WordPress-compatible formats (CSV/XML)
Import using tools like WP All Import or custom scripts
For some setups, a partial manual import + cleanup is more efficient than trying to automate everything.
4. Rebuild Templates and Layouts
Use your original EE site as a reference. Recreate layouts using:Elementor sections
Gutenberg patterns
Custom theme files (if coded from scratch)
This is also a good chance to modernize your design and UX.
5. Recreate Navigation and Menus
Rebuild the main and footer navigation using WordPress’s native Menus feature. Ensure all internal links point to the correct new slugs.
6. Set Up Redirects for SEO
Use a plugin like Redirection or set up server-side 301 redirects to ensure old ExpressionEngine URLs map cleanly to new WordPress URLs. This step is critical for preserving SEO equity.
7. Configure SEO and Analytics Tools
Install your SEO plugin (Yoast, Rank Math, etc.), re-add metadata, and submit your new XML sitemap to Google Search Console. Also reconnect Google Analytics, Tag Manager, and any other marketing tools.
8. QA Everything Before Launch
Check every page layout and content chunk
Test form submissions
Ensure all links and media work
Run through a mobile and PageSpeed test
9. Go Live
Once QA is complete, push the new site live and monitor closely for crawl errors or broken links.
ExpressionEngine vs WordPress — Key Differences
Still wondering if it’s worth the effort to switch? This side-by-side comparison breaks down how ExpressionEngine stacks up against WordPress on the features that matter most in 2025 — from SEO control to long-term scalability.
| Feature | ExpressionEngine | WordPress |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | Requires developer expertise for setup and updates | User-friendly, visual builders, low learning curve |
| SEO Tools | Limited out of the box; plugins not always updated | Advanced SEO plugins like Yoast, Rank Math, redirects, schema |
| Speed Optimization | Manual optimization required | Built-in performance tools, plugins, CDN support |
| Plugin Ecosystem | Limited and shrinking | 50,000+ plugins and integrations |
| Visual Editing | Not available; template-based editing | Elementor, Gutenberg, full visual control |
| Security & Backups | Requires custom implementation | Easy backup & security plugins, role-based permissions |
| E-commerce Support | Not natively supported | WooCommerce integration with full customization |
| Community & Support | Small developer community | Massive global community, frequent updates |
Post-Migration Checklist
Once your WordPress site is live, you’re not done yet. The final 10% of effort ensures long-term performance, SEO, and user experience.
Here’s what to check off after the migration:
1. Redirects Are Working
Use a crawler like Screaming Frog or Ahrefs to verify that:
All old EE URLs are correctly redirecting (301) to WordPress equivalents
No broken links (404s) exist internally or externally
2. Google Search Console is Reconnected
If you haven’t already, re-verify ownership in GSC and submit your new sitemap. Monitor:
Index coverage
Page Experience and Core Web Vitals
URL inspection for important pages
3. Install Key Plugins for Performance & SEO
Double-check the presence and setup of:
SEO: Yoast, Rank Math, or All in One SEO
Speed: WP Rocket, LiteSpeed Cache, FlyingPress
CDN: BunnyCDN, Cloudflare integration
Image optimization: ShortPixel, WebP Express
4. Verify Forms, CTAs, and Integrations
Ensure:
All contact forms, popups, and CTAs are working
Email notifications are delivering properly
Tools like Google Analytics, Tag Manager, Hotjar, or HubSpot are fully re-integrated
5. Run a Full Site Test on Mobile
Even if your new theme is responsive, check:
Mobile navigation
Form interactions
Tap targets (buttons and links)
Text readability
Use Chrome DevTools or Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test tool.
6. Monitor Performance & Crawl Logs
Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix to keep track of:
LCP, FID, CLS
Server response times
Caching behavior
Keep monitoring logs in GSC for crawl spikes or drop-offs.
7. Train Your Team (Optional)
If your content or marketing team was previously reliant on developers in ExpressionEngine, this is the perfect time to walk them through how to:
Edit and publish pages/posts
Use block editors or Elementor
Manage menus and widgets
Create backups and rollbacks
✅ Tip: Want us to do a free audit of your migrated site? Get in touch — we’ll review speed, SEO, and structure, and share recommendations in 24 hours.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, most content types — including blog posts, static pages, image assets, and structured data — can be migrated.
However, because ExpressionEngine often uses custom channels and templates, some manual mapping or custom scripting is usually needed. If your site has complex relationships or deeply nested templates, a developer-led migration is recommended to ensure nothing breaks.
Not if it’s done right. The key is to:
Match your URL structure as closely as possible
Set up 301 redirects from all old URLs to new ones
Retain meta titles, descriptions, and canonical tags
Submit updated sitemaps to Google Search Console
We’ve seen clients actually gain rankings after migrating to a faster, better-structured WordPress site.
Absolutely. With custom post types, Advanced Custom Fields (ACF), role-based permissions, and a vast plugin ecosystem, WordPress can handle advanced CMS setups — from large content libraries to headless frontend builds using React or Vue.
Yes. While ExpressionEngine doesn’t offer built-in e-commerce, WordPress gives you WooCommerce — a highly customizable, open-source platform to sell physical and digital products, services, and subscriptions.
No — this is a common point of confusion.
WordPress.org (the one we’re referring to here) is the open-source version you self-host and customize fully.
WordPress.com is a paid hosted service run by Automattic, with more restrictions.
See our comparison to understand the differences.
It depends on the complexity of your site.
Small sites (10–30 pages) can take 7–10 days
Large, custom-built EE sites with dynamic templates, member areas, or content relationships may take 3–4 weeks
We typically turn around most migrations in under 14 business days.
We offer lightweight maintenance retainers that include backups, plugin updates, and minor fixes. For more complex setups, we can help train your internal team or work on-demand via a monthly support block.
Contact us
Ready to move from ExpressionEngine to WordPress?
Drop us a line to get started. You can also book a discovery call with a migration expert from Dellos.