Migrating a website from Webnode to Wordpress is an essential step for those who want greater control, better customization options, and improved SEO. Webnode is a popular drag-and-drop website builder, but it has limitations in terms of flexibility and scalability. Moving to WordPress allows you to manage your site independently with unlimited customization possibilities.
Why Migrate from Webnode to WordPress?
Webnode is suitable for simple websites, but as your project grows, you may encounter limitations. The key reasons to switch to WordPress include:
Full control over your website – no restrictions on code edits or functionality.
Lower operational costs – you only pay for hosting and a domain, without platform-based fees.
Extensive plugin support – thousands of plugins for SEO, e-commerce, automation, and more.
Better SEO – WordPress allows for deeper optimization and indexing by search engines.
Greater design flexibility – you can use any theme and customize it with CSS.
Step 1: Backup Your Webnode Website
Webnode does not offer an automated export feature, so you need to back up your site manually:
Copy all text content – manually save all pages and posts.
Download images – save them directly from the website or using the browser's inspection tool.
Record all URLs – keeping the same structure will help maintain SEO rankings.
Backup forms and other elements – plan for alternative solutions in WordPress.
Step 2: Choose a Hosting Provider and Install WordPress
Unlike Webnode, which includes hosting in its service, WordPress requires you to set up hosting separately.
Step 3: Select a Suitable WordPress Theme
Since Webnode offers a drag-and-drop editor, you may want a similar user-friendly experience. Recommended themes:
Elementor (Pro or Free) – a powerful visual page builder.
Divi – a premium theme with a built-in drag-and-drop builder.
Astra or GeneratePress – fast and lightweight themes optimized for SEO.
Step 4: Transfer Content from Webnode to WordPress
Because Webnode does not allow direct content export, you must manually move content or use third-party tools:
Import text content – manually create pages and posts in WordPress.
Upload images – add them to the WordPress Media Library.
Recreate contact forms – use plugins like Contact Form 7 or Fluent Forms.
Set up menus and links – ensure your site structure matches the original version.
Step 5: Configure URL Structures and SEO Optimization
To avoid losing traffic and SEO rankings, follow these guidelines:
Keep the same URL structure, if possible. Otherwise, set up 301 redirects.
Use an SEO plugin like Yoast SEO or Rank Math – to optimize your content.
Verify indexing in search engines – add your new site to Google Search Console.
Generate and submit an XML sitemap – to speed up search engine indexing.
Step 6: Testing and Launching the New Website
Before making your WordPress site live, thoroughly test its functionality:
Check links and navigation – ensure all pages and menus work correctly.
Analyze loading speed – use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix.
Redirect your domain to the new hosting – update DNS settings with your domain registrar.
Migrating from Webnode to WordPress requires manual effort but offers significant benefits: improved SEO, better customization, lower costs, and full control over your site. Key steps include backing up data, choosing hosting, transferring content, and optimizing URLs.
If you're unsure about handling the migration yourself, consider hiring professionals to ensure a smooth transition to WordPress.