Best Practices to Migrate Weebly to WordPress

Many agencies start clients on website builders like Weebly because it is a perfect builder for simple websites. However, as a client’s needs grow, the limitations of Weebly can become apparent. Thus, a common practice among web development agencies is to migrate Weebly to WordPress since WordPress offers more advanced capabilities for website functionality and design. 

At White Label Agency, our migration services have been highly requested for various business websites created by our hundreds of partner digital agencies, indicating the popularity of such migration practices. Let’s explore the aspects of the Weebly to WordPress migration process and proven approaches to streamline it for your agency.

Debunking the Myths About Migration

The decision to start migration to another platform may be hindered by these common misconceptions:

• A complex development process causes potential data loss
• Migration causes delays and revenue loss

Let’s address and dispel these concerns:

Contrary to popular belief, migrating from Weebly to WordPress doesn’t require complex coding or involve a high risk of data loss. Several automated tools and plugins can handle the transfer of content, including text, images, and even basic layouts. This significantly reduces development time and minimizes the chances of data getting lost during the migration.

Migrating to a new platform might seem time-consuming and some think that it could disrupt client’s revenue flow. However, the process can be surprisingly swift, especially with the automated tools mentioned earlier.  A well-optimized WordPress website can attract more visitors and ultimately lead to increased revenue for your client, making the long term benefits outweigh any short term downtime.

Weebly vs WordPress Comparison

As mentioned above, Weebly is a website builder that uses a drag-and-drop interface, making it easy to use for small-scale projects. However, it has limitations when it comes to customization and is not suitable for displaying dynamic products. While Weebly does offer customization options, they are somewhat limited, which is the main reason an agency decides to migrate Weebly to WordPress. 

Weebly is best suited for creating basic portfolio sites with template options and basic customization features like color, font, and layout adjustments. However, if clients require unique features such as custom interactive maps, its capabilities may not be enough. Customization is limited to the tools and options provided within its editor and available apps.

On the other hand, WordPress provides a variety of customization opportunities, making it a preferred choice for projects that need a higher level of flexibility. For instance, it can accommodate complex e-commerce requirements like custom product filtering, user-specific content, or unique checkout processes.

With its vast library of over 60,000 free plugins, WordPress allows the integration of advanced functionalities such as SEO tools, analytics, or custom forms. Additionally, if a specific plugin is unavailable, or entirely custom designs are needed, the open source nature of WordPress allows developers to create them.. This adaptability is particularly beneficial for agencies with the capacity to develop tailored solutions.

WordPress stands out for its flexibility and customization options, making it suitable for scalable and uniquely functional projects. While lacking a drag-and-drop builder, plugins like Elementor or Divi simplify layout creation. Although the initial setup may be more intricate, the decision to migrate Weebly to WordPress results in a customizable and scalable website. 

Pre and Post-Migration Tips

• Back up your website before and after making any significant changes, including migration.

Before migrating:

• Use a website crawler or SEO tool to find any broken links on your current Weebly site.
• Set up 301 redirects ( automatic forwarding signs) to guide visitors from old Weebly URLs to their new homes on your WordPress site. You can do this manually or use plugins.
• Review your content and ensure that any links pointing to previous Weebly pages are updated to direct users to the appropriate locations on your new WordPress site.

After Migrating: 

• Once the migration is complete, the crucial final step is testing your newly transferred site. When transitioning from Weebly to WordPress, thoroughly review the content transfer process. During the testing phase, be aware of any irregularities, such as missing or incorrect posts, categories, tags, absent images, and formatting errors.
• Clean up manually. Sometimes, manual adjustments might be necessary for specific content elements.  Clean up any instances manually as you come across them or use the WordPress editor’s tools and CSS styling if needed.
• Reach out to WordPress forums or communities for assistance with specific issues.

Migrate Weebly to WordPress with White Label Agency

Lack the time to migrate Weebly to WordPress for your clients? An alternative solution is outsourcing. 

As a leading outsourcing company in WordPress development, White Label Agency can help you focus on your core competencies. Whether you’re migrating from Weebly, Webflow, Wix, or any other platform to WordPress, we can assist, allowing you to concentrate on your primary strengths. 

We handle hosting and maintenance for your WordPress sites, ensuring their health and performance while you retain flexibility. Our team manages the migration from Weebly to WordPress, guaranteeing a quick and responsive website while adhering to rigorous quality standards.Leveraging our expertise enhances your clients’ site performance, providing optimized WordPress settings for fast websites, an improved user experience, and enhanced SEO.

To get a quote, just send us the URLs to the Weebly website that you want migrated to WordPress. After reviewing your website, we’ll send you a quote for migrating your Weebly website to WordPress. If necessary, an account manager will contact you to review the project timeline, codes, and elements to ensure everything is clear.

Contact our sales team, and we’ll handle the rest for you.