To help you get started with your blogging journey, we've prepared this guide. Let's walk you through the process of moving your content to WordPress.com, customizing your new site, and getting back to blogging in no time!
Here's what you'll find in this guide:
Exportow from Blogger: Before you can import your content to WordPress.com, you need to export it from Blogger. Go to Settings → Manage Blog → Back up Content → Download. This will create an .xml file with all your blog's content, including text, photos, videos, and more. Your theme, custom domain, and personal settings won't be exported, but don't worry, we'll help you set those up later.
Import to WordPress.com: Once you've exported your content, log in to WordPress.com and click Tools → Import in the left sidebar of your site dashboard. Select the Blogger importer and upload your export file. After the importer processes the file, click the Start Import button. You'll also need to reassign authors to an existing user on your WordPress.com site.
Linking a Domain to Your New WordPress.com Blog: If you have a custom domain name, use Domain Connection to link it to WordPress.com. Update your domain's nameservers to ns1.wordpress.com, ns2.wordpress.com, and ns3.wordpress.com. If you bought your domain from Blogger, find the "Advanced DNS Settings" console in your Google Apps account. Then, navigate to Upgrades → Domains on WordPress.com and add your domain using the "Already own a domain?" link. Set your connected domain as your blog's primary address.
Customize Your New Blog: Pick a theme from our Theme Showcase that suits your style. After activating a theme, use the Customizer to make tweaks like adding a header or background, uploading your logo, and creating a static home page. You can do many customizations without upgrading to a paid plan, but if you want more features, consider upgrading.
Connect to Other Social Networks: Use our auto-sharing feature to share new posts automatically on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and LinkedIn. To enable it, head to Tools → Marketing → Connections and select your site. You can opt-out from any service for specific posts or include custom messages.
Post Some New Stuff: You can publish posts from WordPress.com, our apps, or by email. To post from WordPress.com, click the "Write" button on the top right of the toolbar. Add a title, tags, and content, then click Publish. For posting from apps or by email, we've got detailed instructions to make it easy for you.
Engage with the WordPress.com Community: Being part of WordPress.com means you have access to the Reader, where you can find great reads, catch up with blogs you follow, and interact with other bloggers by liking, commenting, and reblogging posts you love.
Earn Money From Ads: Consider joining WordAds, our in-house advertising network, to place ads on your blog and share revenue. Your site must be family-friendly, have a custom domain, and significant traffic to be eligible for WordAds.
That's it! We've covered the essential steps to get you started with WordPress.com. Remember, there's always more to learn, and you can find additional guidance in our full get-started tutorial. Happy blogging!