How to migrate your custom website to WordPress : A Step-by-Step Guide
Move your custom site to WordPress without losing SEO. Step-by-step migration, redirects done right, faster performance—own your site and cut maintenance costs.
Updated: Aug 31, 2025
Getting started
Introdution
A custom-built website can feel like a badge of honor — it’s unique, coded specifically for your business, and tailored to your early needs. But over time, many businesses discover the hidden costs: every change requires a developer, new features take weeks instead of days, and even small fixes (like editing a page title or adding a form) turn into invoices.
The problems with custom-coded sites usually show up as:
High maintenance costs: You’re dependent on developers for even basic edits, whether it’s updating content or fixing bugs.
Lack of scalability: Adding new features like ecommerce, a blog, or a booking system means custom development from scratch.
SEO limitations: Unless your developer baked everything in, structured data, sitemaps, redirects, and performance optimizations may be missing or outdated.
Performance bottlenecks: Without caching/CDNs or optimized frameworks, load speeds often lag behind modern standards.
Inflexible design: Updating layouts or refreshing the look is complex. What should be a theme change in WordPress becomes a rebuild.
Security risks: Custom sites often don’t receive regular patching. Vulnerabilities go unnoticed until they’re exploited.
Vendor lock-in: If your site was built by a specific agency or freelancer, you may be stuck with them. Handing over to another dev is difficult without documentation.
That’s why many businesses eventually migrate to WordPress. It gives you:
User-friendly editing — add or update content without touching code.
Huge feature ecosystem — blogs, ecommerce, memberships, booking, or multilingual sites can be added with plugins instead of custom builds.
SEO-first foundation — titles, metadata, schema, redirects, and performance tools at your fingertips.
Design freedom — choose from themes or page builders and refresh your look without starting from scratch.
Lower costs — hosting + plugins are predictable, and most updates don’t need developer intervention.
Security and updates — WordPress has an active community and regular patching, plus plugins to harden your site.
Full ownership — you control your site’s code and hosting; no dependency on a single vendor.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
Custom website vs WordPress — where the differences matter most.
Pre-migration checklist (how to prepare your assets, content, and data).
The migration process step-by-step.
Post-migration checklist to confirm SEO, forms, and functionality.
FAQs about cost, timeline, and risks.
Custom website vs WordPress & WooCommerce: Which Is Better for You?
When deciding whether to leave your custom website, it helps to compare it directly with WordPress across the areas that usually matter most. Here’s the breakdown:
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Feature
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Custom-built website
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WordPress
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|---|---|---|
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Ease of Editing
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Content changes usually require a developer. Even small edits (text, images) mean code updates.
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Anyone can edit through a visual editor or page builder. No code needed for everyday updates.
|
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Feature Expansion
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Every new feature must be coded from scratch — ecommerce, booking, blog, membership. Costly and time-consuming.
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60,000+ plugins cover almost any feature: ecommerce (WooCommerce), bookings, memberships, multilingual. Installation takes minutes.
|
|
Design Flexibility
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Layout changes or redesigns often mean weeks of developer time.
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Switch themes or use page builders like Elementor/Gutenberg. Refresh your site without rebuilding from zero.
|
|
SEO Tools
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SEO depends entirely on how the site was originally coded. Missing metadata or structured data requires new dev work.
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SEO plugins (Rank Math, Yoast) give full control over titles, meta, schema, redirects, XML sitemaps — no dev dependency.
|
|
Performance
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Performance varies depending on how the site was coded. Optimization usually needs manual effort.
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WordPress works with caching plugins, CDNs, and image optimizers to consistently achieve strong Core Web Vitals.
|
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Maintenance
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Security patches, bug fixes, and feature changes depend on the original developer or agency.
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Regular updates from WordPress core + plugins. Security plugins and managed hosts simplify ongoing maintenance.
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Costs
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High — each new feature or bug fix is billed. Long-term costs balloon.
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Predictable — hosting + optional premium plugins/themes. Most features cost far less than custom dev time.
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Ownership
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Depends on how the codebase was delivered. Documentation may be incomplete, creating vendor lock-in.
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Full ownership of files, database, hosting. No dependency on a single vendor.
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Key Takeaways
A custom site works when needs are static: a brochure site, rarely updated, with no new features planned.
WordPress is better when you want flexibility and growth: more content, more features, and more control without heavy developer costs.
Migrating isn’t just about moving your site — it’s about regaining ownership and agility.
Why WordPress is Ideal for You
If your current site was hand-coded by a developer or agency, chances are you feel more like a tenant than an owner — every small update needs their help, and scaling features feels impossible without big invoices. WordPress flips that dynamic. Here’s how it solves the exact problems most custom website owners face:
1. When every change needs a developer, WordPress puts you in control
The problem: Updating text, changing an image, or adding a new page requires digging into code or paying a developer.
The WordPress solution: A visual dashboard lets you edit content without coding. Page builders like Elementor or Gutenberg give you drag-and-drop control so you can launch pages in minutes instead of waiting weeks.
2. When adding features is expensive, WordPress makes it easy
The problem: Want to add a blog, booking form, or ecommerce store? On a custom site, each one has to be coded from scratch.
The WordPress solution: Install plugins for almost any feature you need — WooCommerce for ecommerce, WPForms for forms, MemberPress for memberships, WPML for multilingual sites. What takes weeks in custom development takes minutes here.
3. When SEO is an afterthought, WordPress makes it standard
The problem: Many custom websites weren’t built with SEO in mind — no structured data, poor metadata handling, or incomplete sitemaps. Fixing this usually means paying for recoding.
The WordPress solution: SEO plugins (Rank Math, Yoast) let you optimize every page title, meta description, and schema setting yourself. Redirects, XML sitemaps, breadcrumbs, and even Core Web Vitals improvements are built into the ecosystem.
4. When redesigns are slow and costly, WordPress keeps you agile
The problem: Refreshing a custom site design means commissioning another redesign and rewriting code.
The WordPress solution: Switch to a new theme or rebuild layouts with a page builder. You can refresh your entire look without touching your content or database.
5. When maintenance is a burden, WordPress streamlines it
The problem: Security fixes, server patches, and bug resolutions depend on your developer — and sometimes don’t happen until something breaks.
The WordPress solution: Core and plugin updates are frequent and easy to apply. Security plugins and managed WordPress hosting add automatic backups, firewalls, and malware scanning — reducing reliance on custom code patches.
6. When you’re locked into one vendor, WordPress gives you freedom
The problem: If your agency holds the keys, you may struggle to move hosting, scale features, or even get access to your own codebase.
The WordPress solution: You own the files, the database, and the hosting account. You can switch hosts or hire a new developer at any time — no lock-in, no gatekeeping.
👉 In short: if your current site feels like a black box that only developers can touch, WordPress gives you transparency, control, and scalability — without sacrificing professionalism.
Pre-Migration Checklist: Preparing to Move from your custom-built website to WordPress
Migrating a custom-coded website to WordPress isn’t just a copy-paste job. Since every custom site is built differently, you’ll want to gather everything up front so the transition is smooth.
1. Back up your entire existing site
Download all HTML, CSS, JS, and PHP files (if any).
Export databases if your site uses one (MySQL, PostgreSQL, etc.).
Store this backup safely in case you need to reference old code or recover content.
2. Collect all your content
Copy page text, blog posts, and other structured content.
If your site is static HTML, tools like HTTrack or SiteSucker can help you extract pages.
If it’s dynamic (custom CMS, PHP framework), export database tables or ask your developer for dumps of posts/articles.
3. Save your media and assets
Download all images, videos, and PDFs.
Organize them into folders (e.g., hero images, product images, blog media) so you can re-upload systematically into WordPress.
4. Audit your site structure
List all current pages in a spreadsheet. Include URLs, titles, and whether they’re still needed.
Decide if you want the same structure in WordPress or simplify navigation.
This will also form the basis of your redirect plan.
5. Gather SEO data
Crawl your site with Screaming Frog or export metadata manually.
Save titles, meta descriptions, alt text, and canonical URLs.
Identify high-traffic pages from Google Analytics/Search Console so you can prioritize redirects.
6. Review existing functionality
Make a list of any special features: forms, login systems, calculators, booking tools, galleries, etc.
Check if each will be needed in WordPress. Most will have direct plugin equivalents.
7. Collect branding elements
Save your logo files, favicon, fonts, and color palette.
Take screenshots of key pages (home, product/service pages) to guide design in WordPress.
8. Choose a hosting provider
Shopify or your custom site may have been hosted by the agency. With WordPress, you’ll need your own host.
Look for a managed WordPress host (SiteGround, Cloudways, Kinsta, WP Engine) to handle performance and security for you.
9. Plan your redirects
Custom sites often have irregular URLs (
/page.php?id=15).Plan to map each old URL to its new clean WordPress equivalent (
/about-us,/services/web-design).Create a spreadsheet with “old URL → new URL” for smooth SEO continuity.
10. Notify stakeholders
If your site is business-critical, let internal teams know migration is coming.
Plan downtime or staging previews so no surprises happen when the domain switches.
This preparation step saves hours of chaos later — especially when you’re dealing with custom code nobody wants to touch twice.
Migration Process: How to Move from your custom-built website to WordPress
Ready to start? Here’s how you can move your custom-coded website to WordPress.
Step 1: Set up WordPress on your new host
Install WordPress on your chosen hosting (ideally on a staging domain so your old site can stay live). Configure permalinks (/sample-post/ style), install a lightweight theme (Astra, Kadence, GeneratePress), and set up a child theme if you plan to customize code. Add a page builder (Elementor, Gutenberg, or Divi) if you want drag-and-drop control.
Step 2: Recreate site structure
Using your page audit, create pages in WordPress that match your old navigation. For each page, copy over content from your backup or exports. Use the block editor or a page builder to replicate layouts. This is also a chance to streamline navigation (remove unused pages or merge redundant ones).
Step 3: Import content
If your custom site had a database (for posts, articles, news), export it as CSV or XML and use import tools (like WP All Import) to bring it into WordPress. For static HTML sites, copy and paste content manually into new WordPress posts or pages. Double-check formatting, headings, and links.
Step 4: Upload and organize media
Re-upload all images, PDFs, and videos into the WordPress Media Library. Replace old hard-coded image URLs with new ones to prevent broken images. Use a plugin like “Enable Media Replace” to quickly swap in higher-quality or optimized versions if needed.
Step 5: Rebuild custom features with plugins
Identify every feature your old site had:
Contact forms → WPForms, Contact Form 7, or Fluent Forms.
Galleries/sliders → Envira Gallery, MetaSlider.
Booking systems → Amelia, Simply Schedule Appointments.
Calculators or forms → WP Cost Calculator, Gravity Forms.
Replace each custom-coded feature with its WordPress equivalent.
Step 6: Recreate design and styling
Use your theme and builder to mirror the look and feel of the old site — or refresh the design entirely. Apply your logo, fonts, and colors. Test layouts across desktop, tablet, and mobile for consistency.
Step 7: Reapply SEO metadata
Install Rank Math or Yoast SEO. Re-enter titles, meta descriptions, and alt text you exported earlier. Generate a new sitemap and connect it to Google Search Console.
Step 8: Build your redirect map
Use your spreadsheet of old → new URLs. Install a plugin like Redirection to implement 301 redirects. For large migrations, add them directly in .htaccess or your host’s control panel. This ensures search engines and users don’t hit 404 errors.
Step 9: Optimize performance
Install a caching plugin (WP Rocket, W3 Total Cache, or LiteSpeed Cache). Optimize images with Smush or Imagify. Enable GZIP compression and lazy loading. Connect to a CDN like Cloudflare for global speed.
Step 10: Test functionality
Check forms, buttons, navigation menus, and any third-party integrations (chat, analytics, booking). If your old site had user accounts or logins, test the migration thoroughly with dummy users.
Step 11: Launch your new WordPress site
When everything is ready, point your domain DNS from your old host to the new WordPress server. Keep the old site backed up for a few weeks in case you need to reference content or design.
Step 12: Monitor after launch
Check Google Search Console for crawl errors and indexing issues. Watch your analytics for traffic fluctuations. Test checkout or lead forms again to confirm submissions are still flowing.
Post-Migration Checklist: Ensuring a Smooth Transition
Once your WordPress site is live, you’re not done yet. The launch is only half the battle — the real work is validating everything works exactly as expected. Here’s how to do it thoroughly:
1. Verify redirects are working
Test all old URLs using your redirect map.
Use a crawler (Screaming Frog, Ahrefs, Sitebulb) to confirm 301s are in place.
Ensure no redirect chains (old URL → mid URL → new URL) and no 404 errors.
2. Double-check SEO metadata
Verify page titles and meta descriptions were re-applied correctly.
Test Open Graph/Twitter Cards with sharing debuggers.
Confirm alt text is set on images and canonical tags are correct.
3. Test all forms and interactive features
Submit every contact form and confirm emails arrive in the right inbox.
If you added booking systems or calculators, test multiple scenarios.
Validate form spam protection (CAPTCHA, honeypot).
4. Validate site performance
Run speed tests (Google PageSpeed Insights, GTMetrix).
Optimize flagged issues: oversized images, unused CSS/JS, server response times.
Check Core Web Vitals in Google Search Console (LCP, CLS, INP).
5. Reconfirm mobile responsiveness
Browse the site on multiple devices.
Test across Chrome, Safari, Edge, and Firefox.
Watch for broken grids, overlapping text, or buttons too close together.
6. Secure your WordPress site
Install a security plugin (Wordfence, iThemes Security, or Sucuri).
Force SSL across all pages.
Enable two-factor authentication for admin users.
Schedule daily backups with UpdraftPlus or your hosting provider.
7. Re-establish analytics and tracking
Check GA4 and Google Tag Manager are tracking properly.
Verify conversions (form submissions, downloads, ecommerce events).
Test remarketing pixels (Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok) if you run ads.
8. Review content formatting
Scan pages and posts for broken spacing, layout issues, or leftover inline code from the old site.
Clean up headings (H1, H2, H3) for consistent hierarchy.
Standardize typography and button styles across pages.
9. Monitor search engine indexing
Submit your new sitemap to Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools.
Monitor the “Coverage” report for errors or excluded pages.
Keep an eye on impressions and clicks to ensure stability in rankings.
10. Communicate the launch
If your old site was business-critical, announce the new site to clients or customers.
Highlight improvements (speed, mobile experience, fresh design).
Encourage feedback in case users find broken links or bugs you missed.
This ensures your migration isn’t just complete, but future-proofed: SEO preserved, leads flowing, performance improved, and security in place.
Get Your Migration Cost & Free Consultation
You’ve seen what it takes to move from a custom website to WordPress — but every site is different. The fastest way to know your exact cost and timeline is to use our CMS Migration Calculator.
You can also schedule a free 30 min consultation on your migration plans – our team can walk you through the process.- no strings attached.
Frequently asked questions
No. All text, images, and media can be migrated. Static sites may require manual copy-paste, while dynamic sites with databases can often be exported and imported with tools like WP All Import. With careful preparation, nothing is lost.
It depends on complexity. A small 10–15 page static site can be migrated in under a week. Larger sites with databases, custom logic, or special features may take 2–3 weeks. If a redesign is included, allow additional time for approvals and revisions.
If redirects are properly mapped (old URLs → new WordPress URLs) and titles, metadata, and structured data are re-applied, SEO should remain stable. In fact, many businesses see improvements thanks to WordPress’s stronger SEO tools and performance optimizations.
Yes. Common features like forms, galleries, booking systems, and ecommerce can be rebuilt with plugins. If you had very specialized functionality, a developer can extend WordPress with custom code, but in most cases plugins will handle it.
No. One of the main benefits of WordPress is that non-technical users can edit pages, publish blog posts, and update images without touching code. You may still want developer help for customizations, but daily tasks can be handled in-house.
Costs vary by size and complexity. A simple migration might range between $500–$1,500, while larger or feature-heavy sites cost more. The long-term savings are substantial because you’ll avoid ongoing developer dependency for basic edits.
It can — but most businesses use migration as an opportunity to modernize design. You can replicate your old site’s look if consistency is critical, or refresh the design entirely using themes and page builders without losing content.
Yes. WordPress core is secure and regularly updated. Combined with a reputable host, SSL, security plugins (Wordfence, Sucuri), and daily backups, it is more secure than most one-off custom builds, which rarely receive regular patching.
Yes. Once your WordPress site is ready, you update your domain DNS to point to your new host. Visitors will continue to access your site on the same web address.
Contact us
Ready to move from a custom-built website to WordPress?
Drop us a line to get started. You can also book a discovery call with a migration expert from Dellos.