How to Properly Move Your Blog from Tumblr to WordPress: A Comprehensive Guide
Over the years, I’ve helped countless bloggers navigate the transition from one platform to another. And let me tell you, moving your blog from Tumblr to WordPress is a decision that can unlock a world of possibilities. While Tumblr offers a fun and easy-to-use platform, WordPress provides unparalleled flexibility, customization, and growth potential.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through every step of the migration process, ensuring a smooth transition for your blog and its audience. From understanding the benefits of switching to WordPress to setting up redirects and optimizing your new platform, I’ll cover everything you need to know to make this move a success.
Why Move Your Tumblr Blog to WordPress?
The allure of WordPress lies in its adaptability and vast ecosystem. Here’s why switching from Tumblr makes sense for many bloggers:
- Unmatched Customization: With WordPress, you have complete control over your blog’s design and functionality. Thousands of themes and plugins allow you to create a unique and professional online presence, tailored to your specific needs.
- Monetization Opportunities: WordPress offers a wide range of monetization options, including ads, affiliate marketing, memberships, and online stores. These opportunities aren’t readily available on Tumblr.
- SEO Powerhouse: WordPress is inherently SEO-friendly, giving you the tools to optimize your content and rank higher in search results. This can lead to increased traffic and visibility.
- Community and Support: WordPress has a massive, vibrant community of developers, designers, and users, providing a wealth of resources, support, and inspiration.
Understanding the Difference Between WordPress.com and WordPress.org
Before we dive into the migration process, it’s crucial to understand the difference between the two main WordPress platforms:
WordPress.com
WordPress.com is a hosted platform owned by Automattic, the same company behind Tumblr. It’s a simpler, user-friendly option for beginners. However, your website is hosted on Automattic’s servers, and you have limited customization and monetization options.
WordPress.org (Self-Hosted WordPress)
WordPress.org is the self-hosted version of WordPress. It offers complete control over your website, including the ability to customize themes, install plugins, and monetize your content. You’ll need to purchase your own domain name and web hosting.
For this guide, we’ll focus on migrating your blog to WordPress.org, as it provides the greatest flexibility and potential for growth.
Things You’ll Need to Move Your Tumblr Blog to WordPress
Here’s a list of essential items you’ll need before starting the migration process:
- Domain Name: Your domain name (e.g., yourblog.com) is your website’s unique address on the internet. If you already have a domain name associated with your Tumblr blog, you can use it. Otherwise, you’ll need to purchase a new one.
- Web Hosting: Web hosting is the space on a server where your website’s files are stored. You’ll need a web hosting plan that supports WordPress.
- WordPress Installation: After purchasing hosting, you’ll need to install WordPress. Most hosting providers offer a one-click WordPress installation, making the process incredibly straightforward.
Recommended Hosting Providers:
- Bluehost: An officially recommended WordPress hosting provider, Bluehost is known for its reliability and affordability. They offer a free domain name, a free SSL certificate, and a discount on hosting for WPBeginner readers.
- SiteGround: Another officially recommended WordPress hosting provider, SiteGround excels in performance, security, and customer support.
- Hostinger: If your Tumblr blog contains adult content, Hostinger is a great option, as they allow for such content on their servers.
Moving Your Content from Tumblr to WordPress
Now, let’s get into the core migration process:
- Install the Tumblr Importer:
- Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard.
- Navigate to Tools » Import.
- Click the “Install Now” button under Tumblr.
- Once the importer is installed, click the “Run Importer” link.
- Connect to Your Tumblr Account:
- The importer will ask for your OAuth Consumer Key and Secret Key. Click the provided URL to access Tumblr’s application registration page.
- Log in to your Tumblr account if prompted.
- Click the “+ Register application” button.
- Fill in the application name, website, description, and default callback URL (the full URL of your WordPress site).
- Click the “Register” button.
- Copy the Consumer Key from the application dashboard. Click “Show Secret” to reveal and copy the Secret Key.
- Return to your WordPress importer page and paste the keys you copied.
- Click the “Connect to Tumblr” button.
- Authorize the Application:
- You’ll be redirected to Tumblr, where you’ll need to authorize the app to access your account. Click “Allow” to continue.
- Select the Blog to Import:
- The importer will now display a list of your Tumblr blogs. Click “Import this blog” next to the blog you want to move.
- Import Your Content:
- The importer will begin transferring your Tumblr content to WordPress. This process may take some time, depending on the amount of content you have.
- Once the import is complete, you’ll see a success message.
After the import, you can visit your WordPress blog’s Posts and Pages sections to view your imported content. You can also visit your live website to see how the posts are displayed.
Redirecting Tumblr Visitors to Your New WordPress Blog
Now that your content is in WordPress, you need to direct your Tumblr visitors to your new blog. Here’s how to set up redirects:
- Edit Your Tumblr Theme:
- Go to your Tumblr settings page. Click on the blog name you want to edit to access its settings.
- Click the “Edit theme” button.
- Select the “Edit HTML” option.
- Add Redirect Code:
- Paste this code snippet right after the <head> tag:
<!-- Inside head --> <meta name="description" content="this is a legacy blog page, and will redirect to the same post on my new blog"> <script type='text/javascript'> let new_slug = window.location.pathname; let new_root = "https://example.com"; // Replace example.com with your WordPress blog URL let new_url = new_root + new_slug; console.log(`<link rel="canonical" href=\"" + ${new_url} + "\">`); </script>
- Paste this second piece of code right after the <body> tag:
- Click “Update Preview” and then “Save” to store your changes.
<!--Inside of <body> --> <script type='text/javascript'> window.location = new_url; </script>
This code will send visitors from your Tumblr blog to your WordPress site. However, users visiting specific pages or posts may encounter 404 errors because the URL formats are different. To fix this, you’ll need to set up redirects in WordPress for your Tumblr posts.
Setting Up Redirects in WordPress for Your Tumblr Posts
Here are two methods for setting up redirects in WordPress:
1. Set Up Redirects Using All in One SEO
All in One SEO for WordPress is a widely used SEO plugin that includes a powerful redirection manager:
- Install and Activate the Plugin:
- Go to Plugins » Add New in your WordPress dashboard.
- Search for “All in One SEO for WordPress” and install the plugin.
- Activate the plugin.
- Configure Redirects:
- Go to All in One SEO » Redirects.
- Click the “Add New Redirection” button.
- Enter the following values:
- Source URL: ^//post/\d+/(.)
- Target URL: /$1/
- Check the “Regex” box under the Source URL option.
- Click the “Add Redirect” button to save your changes.
This redirect rule will map your Tumblr posts to the corresponding articles on your WordPress site.
2. Set Up Redirects Using Redirection Plugin
If you’re not using All in One SEO, you can use the Redirection plugin to set up redirects:
- Install and Activate the Plugin:
- Go to Plugins » Add New in your WordPress dashboard.
- Search for “Redirection” and install the plugin.
- Activate the plugin.
- Configure Redirects:
- Go to Tools » Redirection.
- Click the “Add New Redirection” button.
- Enter the following values:
- Source URL: .*/post/\d+/(.*)
- Target URL: /$1
- Check the “Regex” box.
- Click the “Add Redirect” button to save your changes.
Now, your Tumblr blog posts will redirect to the correct articles on your WordPress blog.
Congratulations! You’ve Moved Your Blog from Tumblr to WordPress
By following these steps, you’ve successfully migrated your blog from Tumblr to WordPress! You’ve opened up a world of possibilities for your online presence. Now, it’s time to explore the power of WordPress and take your blog to the next level.
Things to Do After Moving From Tumblr to WordPress
Here are some essential steps to take after the migration:
Set Up a WordPress Theme
WordPress offers a vast collection of themes, both free and paid, to customize your blog’s design:
- Best Free WordPress Blog Themes:
- Astra
- OceanWP
- GeneratePress
- Best WordPress Magazine Themes:
- Newsmag
- ColorMag
- Newspaper
- Best Free WordPress Photography Themes:
- Spacious
- Zerif Pro
- Envira Gallery
- Best Tumblr Style WordPress Themes:
- Socialize
- Sydney
- Minimal
To install a new theme, go to Appearance » Themes in your WordPress dashboard, and click “Add New“.
Installing WordPress Plugins
WordPress plugins add functionality and features to your website. Here are some essential plugins to consider:
- All in One SEO: For optimizing your website for search engines.
- Yoast SEO: Another popular SEO plugin with in-depth analysis features.
- WPForms: A drag-and-drop form builder for creating contact forms, surveys, and more.
- Elementor: A user-friendly page builder that simplifies website design.
- Jetpack: A suite of tools for security, performance, and social media integration.
- MonsterInsights: For tracking website traffic and analytics with Google Analytics.
To install a plugin, go to Plugins » Add New in your WordPress dashboard and search for the plugin you want.
Learning WordPress
WordPress is relatively easy to use, but there’s always more to learn. Here are some resources to help you master WordPress:
- WPBeginner Blog: A vast repository of WordPress tutorials, guides, and articles.
- WPBeginner Dictionary: A glossary of commonly used WordPress terms.
- WPBeginner Videos: Step-by-step video tutorials for beginners.
- WPBeginner on YouTube: A channel with in-depth video content and tutorials.
- WPBeginner Engage: A Facebook group with a community of 98,000+ WordPress users.
Many of our users find answers on WPBeginner by searching on Google and adding “wpbeginner” at the end of their search term.
Conclusion
Moving your blog from Tumblr to WordPress is a wise decision for bloggers seeking more flexibility, control, and growth potential. This guide has outlined every step of the process, ensuring a seamless transition for your content and audience. Remember to explore WordPress’s vast ecosystem of themes and plugins to tailor your blog’s design and features to your specific needs. If you’re ready to unlock the full potential of your online presence, embrace WordPress and start building a remarkable website today!
FAQs
What happens to my Tumblr followers after I move to WordPress?
Your Tumblr followers won’t automatically follow you on your new WordPress blog. To inform them of the move, announce it on your Tumblr blog, include a link to your WordPress site, and encourage them to follow you there.
Can I transfer my Tumblr custom domain to my WordPress site?
Yes, you can transfer your custom domain from Tumblr to WordPress. You’ll need to update your domain’s DNS settings to point to your WordPress hosting provider.
Will I lose my Tumblr URL after moving to WordPress?
You won’t lose your Tumblr URL, but it will no longer be active. You can set up redirects to send visitors from your Tumblr URL to your new WordPress site.
What if I want to keep my Tumblr blog active?
You can keep your Tumblr blog active alongside your new WordPress site. However, you’ll need to maintain both platforms separately.
How can I customize the look of my WordPress blog?
WordPress offers thousands of themes to change the overall design of your blog. You can also use plugins like Elementor or Beaver Builder to create custom layouts and styles.
What is the best way to promote my new WordPress blog?
Promote your new WordPress blog through social media, email marketing, and search engine optimization (SEO). Share your content on relevant platforms and engage with your audience.
How can I make money from my WordPress blog?
WordPress offers various monetization options, including ads, affiliate marketing, memberships, and selling products or services through an online store.
What if I encounter problems during the migration process?
If you run into any issues, consult WPBeginner’s extensive resources or ask for help in the WPBeginner Engage Facebook group. You can also seek assistance from your hosting provider.
Is it possible to transfer my Tumblr blog to a free WordPress.com account?
Yes, you can transfer your Tumblr blog to a free WordPress.com account. Follow the same import process outlined in this guide, but use your WordPress.com login credentials.
Do I need coding knowledge to move my blog to WordPress?
You don’t need coding knowledge to move your blog from Tumblr to WordPress. The import process is user-friendly, and you can find detailed guides and tutorials online.
If you’re interested in learning more about tech news, feel free to visit my website: www.naveedahmed.me.