The right way to Migrate From Substack to WordPress in 10 Simple Steps

I will’t let you know what number of creators I’ve spoken with who really feel trapped on Substack. It’s extremely smooth to get began, however that simplicity comes at a value. Once you wish to have to switch a font, create a customized touchdown web page, or upload extra complicated options, the platform’s boundaries develop into irritating speedy.

And the ones boundaries transcend design. The deeper factor is keep an eye on. On Substack, you don’t personal your content material, can’t keep an eye on the way you earn, and feature restricted get admission to for your personal subscribers.

That’s why such a lot of creators are making the transfer to WordPress. It will give you much more keep an eye on over your design, monetization, and subscriber listing.

After serving to dozens of writers migrate from Substack to WordPress, I’ve advanced an easy procedure that makes it manageable. The liberty and versatility you’ll acquire are neatly well worth the effort.

On this information, I’ll stroll you via all of the procedure: shifting your posts, uploading your electronic mail listing, putting in a formidable electronic mail device, and launching your new publication with out dropping momentum.

Why Will have to You Transfer From Substack to WordPress?

Many creators transfer from Substack to WordPress as it gives extra keep an eye on, flexibility, and monetization choices. With WordPress, you’ll absolutely customise your website, personal your electronic mail listing, and upload options like paid memberships, on-line lessons, and virtual gross sales—all with out platform charges.

Substack does a really perfect activity of promoting itself as the easy, all-in-one answer for publication creators. It permits you to get started publishing in mins and handles the technical main points for you.

However that preliminary comfort in the end turns into a significant restriction. As your publication grows, you’ll achieve the bounds of what Substack can do.

The largest factor is the loss of keep an eye on, which means that your publication finally ends up taking a look like everybody else’s. You’ll’t customise signup bureaucracy, construct distinctive touchdown pages, or modify the structure to compare your logo.

Plus, there’s the problem of monetization. Substack takes a ten% lower of each and every paid subscription, which provides up briefly.

You’re additionally locked into their subscription fashion, which means that you’ll’t promote lessons, virtual merchandise, or upload different earnings streams at once for your website.

And in the long run, Substack controls your dating together with your target audience. You’ll export your listing, however the platform dictates how your content material is delivered and what analytics you’ll get admission to. With WordPress, you’re within the motive force’s seat.

For complete main points, see our comparability of Substack vs. WordPress.

What to Be expecting When Migrating From Substack to WordPress

Migrating your publication may sound intimidating, however it’s more uncomplicated than you suppose. I’ll wreck it down into transparent, manageable steps.

Right here’s a snappy evaluate of what we’ll do in combination:

• Set Up Your WordPress Basis: We’ll select a competent host, set up WordPress, and create the brand new house to your publication.
• Export and Import Your Content material: I’ll display you the right way to obtain your posts and subscriber information from Substack and transfer it safely into WordPress.
• Construct Your New E mail Device: We’ll attach your website to a pro electronic mail advertising provider, supplying you with complete keep an eye on over your campaigns and automations.
• Finalize the Migration: We’ll import your subscriber listing, upload redirects so that you don’t lose site visitors, and customise your website to compare your logo.

Via the top of this educational, you’ll have a certified publication platform that you just absolutely personal and keep an eye on.

Step 1: Set Up Your WordPress Web site

Step one is to arrange the WordPress web site that may function the brand new vacation spot to your content material.

To do that, you’ll want two issues: a website call and WordPress internet hosting. Whilst the WordPress instrument is loose, internet hosting is the place your web site’s information are saved on-line.

I at all times suggest Bluehost to new customers. They’re an formally really helpful WordPress host, their give a boost to is very good, and so they make setup extremely easy. Plus, they provide WPBeginner readers a different deal that features a loose area call for the primary 12 months.

To get began, head over to the Bluehost web site and click on the ‘Get Began Now’ button.

At the subsequent display screen, you’ll select a internet hosting plan.

For many publication websites, the Fundamental plan has the entirety you want. You’ll at all times improve later in case your wishes develop.

After that, you’ll arrange your area call, and this phase is essential.

In case you’re beginning with a brand spanking new area, you’ll declare your loose area now by way of typing it into the ‘Create a brand new area’ field.

But when you have already got a customized area hooked up for your Substack website (like mynewsletter.com), select ‘I’ll create my area later.’ This avoids any downtime when you whole the migration.

After you end signing up, Bluehost will routinely set up WordPress for you.

Simply log in for your Bluehost account, to find your new website, and click on the ‘Edit Web page’ button. That may take you instantly for your WordPress dashboard.

In case you’re the use of a unique host or need extra steerage in this phase, take a look at our complete information on the right way to set up WordPress.

Step 2: Set up the Important Importer Plugins

To import your posts from Substack, you’ll want to set up two loose plugins. The primary one is the Substack Importer, however it is dependent upon a core instrument referred to as the WordPress Importer to paintings as it should be.

It will sound a bit of technical, however I’ll stroll you during the quickest option to get it arrange.

Get ready the WordPress Importer

On your WordPress dashboard, pass to Gear » Import. On the backside of the listing, you’ll see ‘WordPress.’ Simply click on the ‘Set up Now’ hyperlink.

As soon as it finishes putting in, the hyperlink will exchange to ‘Run Importer.’

Right here’s a very powerful step: click on ‘Run Importer’ now, even supposing you’re now not importing anything else but. This turns on the instrument so the Substack Importer works later. In case you skip it, you’ll get an error.

After that, you’ll land at the importer’s add display screen—however you’ll forget about that for now. We’re in a position to put in the following plugin.

Set up the Substack Importer

Subsequent, you want to put in the Substack Importer plugin, which is able to deal with the particular layout of your Substack export. For detailed directions, you’ll see our information on the right way to set up a WordPress plugin.

As a result of you’ve gotten already activated the principle WordPress Importer instrument, this plugin will set up as it should be with none problems. Your website is now absolutely ready to import your Substack content material, which I’ll display you the right way to do in Step 4.

Step 3: Export Your Content material From Substack

Now, we want to return to Substack one ultimate time to obtain your entire content material. This contains your posts, drafts, and your subscriber listing.

You wish to have to log in for your Substack account and pass for your e-newsletter’s dashboard. As soon as there, you will have to click on on ‘Settings’ within the most sensible menu and scroll down till you to find the ‘Export’ phase.

You’ll see an strategy to ‘Export your information’. Move forward and click on the ‘New export’ button.

Substack will create a .zip record so that you can obtain that comprises your entire posts and pictures. This zip record may even comprise a CSV record together with your subscribers’ electronic mail addresses and different data. It should take a couple of mins when you have numerous content material.

When the export record is in a position, you are going to be notified by way of electronic mail, and you’ll click on the ‘Obtain’ button to put it aside for your laptop. This record is one among your Most worthy belongings, so reserve it someplace protected.

Step 4: Import Your Posts into WordPress

Now for the thrilling phase! Let’s transfer your content material onto your new WordPress web site. Because of the plugin you put in, this procedure is most commonly computerized.

Return for your WordPress dashboard and navigate to Gear » Import. You will have to now see ‘Substack’ within the listing of to be had importers.

Click on the ‘Run Importer’ hyperlink beneath it.

The plugin will ask you to add the record you were given from Substack. Click on ‘Make a selection Document’ and make a selection the .zip record containing your publish export.

The plugin additionally supplies an not obligatory box to go into your Substack URL. This may lend a hand with uploading feedback and writer main points, however you’ll go away it clean if you wish to have.

Then, click on ‘Add record and import’.

At the subsequent display screen, you’ll be requested to assign an writer for the imported posts. You’ll create a brand new writer or assign them for your present WordPress consumer account.

Sooner than you proceed, you’ll want to examine the field subsequent to ‘Obtain and import record attachments.’

That is a very powerful step that tells WordPress to save lots of the entire photographs out of your Substack posts for your new web site, so not anything will get left at the back of.

Click on ‘Put up’ to start. The importer will now paintings its magic, growing new WordPress posts for each and every article out of your Substack record. This may take a couple of mins.

As soon as it’s completed, pass to Posts » All Posts. You will have to see your entire Substack articles proper there in WordPress! Take a second to click on on a couple of and ensure the content material and formatting glance right kind.

Step 5: Set Up Your E mail Publication Device

WordPress doesn’t ship electronic mail newsletters by way of default, which is a significant distinction from Substack.

As a substitute, you want a devoted electronic mail advertising provider to regulate your subscribers and ship your newsletters. This will give you way more energy and versatility.

I like to recommend the use of Consistent Touch. It’s extremely beginner-friendly, integrates completely with WordPress, and provides robust options like automation and analytics that pass approach past Substack.

With Consistent Touch, you’ll phase your target audience, A/B check your matter strains, create stunning touchdown pages, and notice detailed studies on who opens and clicks your emails.

First, you’ll want to join a Consistent Touch account. Whenever you’re in, you want to create a brand new electronic mail listing to your subscribers.

Then, you’ll simply attach your WordPress web site to Consistent Touch the use of the WPForms plugin. It’s the most efficient shape builder for WordPress and allows you to create stunning publication signup bureaucracy that routinely upload new subscribers for your Consistent Touch listing.

Now we have an entire, step by step information on the right way to upload electronic mail subscriptions for your WordPress weblog. This educational will stroll you via putting in Consistent Touch, making a signup shape with WPForms, and putting it in your new web site.

Step 6: Migrate Your Subscriber Record

It’s time to transport your maximum essential asset: your subscribers. This step calls for care to verify a easy transition to your readers.

You wish to have to log in for your Consistent Touch account. Then, pass to the ‘Contacts’ phase and search for the ‘Upload Contacts’ button.

You’ll see an strategy to add from a record, as you spot within the screenshot beneath.

First, you’ll want to unzip the export record you downloaded from Substack. Within, search for the CSV record containing your subscribers. The filename will generally be one thing like email_list.your-publication-name.csv.

Consistent Touch will information you via mapping the columns (like matching the ’electronic mail’ column to the e-mail box). Upload those subscribers to the brand new listing you created.

Bear in mind, you will have to simplest electronic mail individuals who have given you permission. That ultimate electronic mail you despatched from Substack is an effective way to recognize your target audience and remind them they signed up.

When they’re imported, I like to recommend making a easy welcome electronic mail collection in Consistent Touch to re-engage them at the new platform.

Step 7: Level Your Area to WordPress

Together with your content material and subscribers moved, you’re in a position to make your new WordPress website survive your professional area. The stairs rely on how you place up your area in Step 1.

If You Registered a New Area With Bluehost

You’re all set!

Bluehost routinely pointed the area for your WordPress website, so that you don’t want to do the rest.

If You Have a Customized Area From Substack

Now’s the time to indicate it for your new host. You’ll do that by way of converting the area’s nameservers.

You wish to have to search out the nameservers to your new host (as an example, for Bluehost, they appear to be ns1.bluehost.com and ns2.bluehost.com).

Log in for your area registrar (the corporate the place you purchased the area, like Namecheap or GoDaddy) and to find the DNS or nameserver settings. Now, you want to interchange the outdated nameservers with the brand new ones out of your internet host.

Our information on the right way to exchange area nameservers presentations you precisely how to try this with screenshots.

After you save your new nameservers, it might take a couple of hours for the exchange to replace around the web. This ready duration is known as DNS propagation, and it’s completely standard.

Step 8: Set Up Permalinks and Redirects

This ultimate technical step is the most important for protecting your Search engine marketing and combating guests from hitting ‘404 No longer Discovered‘ mistakes.

Atmosphere Up Search engine marketing-Pleasant Permalinks

First, we wish to be certain your new WordPress URLs are blank and Search engine marketing-friendly.

On your WordPress dashboard, pass to Settings » Permalinks. Make a choice the ‘Submit call’ possibility and click on ‘Save Adjustments’.

This creates easy URLs like yoursite.com/post-title, which might be just right for WordPress Search engine marketing.

Now, WordPress ‘Submit call’ permalinks are similar to the URLs that Substack creates to your posts. That may make it a lot more uncomplicated to redirect the outdated publish URLs to the brand new ones.

Atmosphere Up Redirects for Your Previous Substack Posts

Subsequent, you want to make certain that any individual visiting your outdated Substack publish hyperlinks can be despatched to the fitting web page in your new WordPress website. This is known as a redirect, and it’s essential for Search engine marketing and consumer enjoy.

The excellent news is that Substack makes use of a constant URL construction for posts, like yourdomain.com/p/post-name. As a result of your new WordPress posts can have a equivalent URL (yourdomain.com/post-name), you’ll arrange a unmarried rule to redirect your entire outdated posts directly.

The best way to try this is with the loose Redirection plugin. First, set up and turn on the plugin. Then, pass to Gear » Redirection on your WordPress dashboard.

Now, you simply want to upload one new redirect rule.

Within the ‘Upload new redirection’ phase, you want to fill out the fields like this:

• Supply URL: ^/p/(.*)$
• Goal URL: /$1

After you input the URLs, examine the ‘Regex’ field. This can be a essential step that tells the plugin to make use of the particular rule.

Then, simply click on the ‘Upload Redirect’ button.

This unmarried rule routinely reveals any hyperlink that begins with /p/ and redirects it to the similar URL with out the /p/.

As an example, a hyperlink to yourdomain.com/p/my-first-post will now routinely pass to yourdomain.com/my-first-post. This protects you from having to create redirects for each and every unmarried publish by way of hand.

Discovering and Solving Any Ignored Redirects

Whilst this regex rule will redirect maximum of your posts, it’s a good suggestion to double-check for any that may were ignored. Once in a while, WordPress will exchange a publish’s URL slug all through the import procedure to keep away from duplicates.

As an example, for those who had two Substack posts with equivalent titles, then WordPress may exchange one of the most new URLs to one thing like /my-post-title-2. The regex rule wouldn’t catch this particular case.

Thankfully, the Redirection plugin makes it smooth to search out those damaged hyperlinks.

Out of your WordPress dashboard, pass to Gear » Redirection after which click on at the ‘404s’ tab. This web page will log any time a customer tries to visit a web page in your website that doesn’t exist.

In case you see an outdated Substack URL on this log, it way the redirect for that particular publish didn’t paintings. You’ll merely hover over the 404 error within the listing and click on ‘Upload redirect’ to create a guide redirect for it.

For detailed directions, see our information on the right way to simply observe 404 pages and redirect them in WordPress.

Step 9: Customise Your Web page and Move Reside

The entire technical paintings is finished. Now for the joys phase: opting for a certified theme to present your new website its appear and feel.

Opting for and Customizing Your Theme

Your WordPress theme controls all of the appear and feel of your website. I like to recommend opting for a theme this is blank, readable, and speedy in order that it supplies a really perfect consumer enjoy to your readers.

For publication creators, issues like Sydney or GeneratePress are very good alternatives as a result of they’re light-weight and extremely customizable.

Then, simply observe our information on the right way to customise your WordPress theme to get the precise design you wish to have.

You’ll additionally create a customized homepage to welcome new guests and prominently function your publication signup shape.

To construct agree with together with your readers, it’s additionally a good suggestion so as to add a couple of crucial pages for your website. This makes your publication really feel extra skilled and established.

I like to recommend growing:

• An About Web page: That is the place you’ll percentage your tale and give an explanation for what your publication is ready.
• A Touch Web page: This offers your target audience a very simple option to get involved with you, and also you will have to come with a touch shape.
• A Privateness Coverage: This web page is legally required in lots of puts and presentations readers you recognize their information. Now we have a complete information on the right way to create a privateness coverage in WordPress.

As soon as those pages are in position and also you’ve examined that your website is operating as it should be, it’s time for the general step: putting in your publication and saying your transfer.

Step 10: Set Up Your Paid Publication in WordPress

One of the most absolute best issues about shifting to WordPress is that you’ve got complete keep an eye on over your source of revenue. As a substitute of paying Substack’s 10% price, you simplest pay usual cost processor charges, which means that you stay extra of your cash.

To monetize your WordPress content material, you’ll desire a club plugin. I like to recommend MemberPress as it’s probably the most robust and easy-to-use possibility available on the market. It permits you to prohibit get admission to for your content material in order that simplest paying subscribers can view your top rate publication posts.

Whenever you set up MemberPress, you’ll create other subscription ranges, identical to on Substack. As an example, it is advisable be offering a per month plan and a reduced every year plan.

To get began, you’ll observe our step by step information on the right way to create a paid publication in WordPress. It is going to stroll you via the entirety from putting in MemberPress to making your subscription plans.

However with WordPress and MemberPress, you’ll pass a ways past a easy paid publication. You’ll additionally:

• Package deal your publication with different top rate content material like on-line lessons, eBooks, or personal neighborhood get admission to.
• Promote virtual downloads like guides or templates at once out of your website.
• Create other club tiers with distinctive perks for each and every degree.
• Be offering top rate products and services like one-on-one training or consulting.

This pliability lets you construct a real club industry round your content material, now not only a publication.

For extra choices, you’ll see our information on the right way to earn a living in WordPress.

As soon as you’re all arrange, you’ll ship an electronic mail for your subscribers welcoming them to the brand new web site.

Make sure to spotlight the advantages of the transfer, like a greater studying enjoy or new options you’ve added. This can be a nice option to have a good time the transition and get your readers fascinated with the way forward for your publication.

Studying WordPress

Congratulations on shifting your publication to WordPress! You presently have a formidable platform that may develop proper along side your online business.

Whilst WordPress is strong, you don’t want to be informed the entirety directly. Now we have quite a few loose assets that can assist you grasp the fundamentals and get at ease.

Listed here are the most efficient loose assets our group has created for inexperienced persons:

• WPBeginner Weblog: Our whole library of WordPress tutorials and how-to articles.
• WPBeginner Movies: Unfastened WordPress video coaching lessons that quilt the entire fundamentals.
• WPBeginner YouTube Channel: Movies with sensible guidelines for rising your web site.
• WPBeginner Resolution Middle: Our professional suggestions for the most efficient WordPress plugins and equipment.

The extra you utilize WordPress, the extra at ease you’ll develop into. Sooner than you comprehend it, you’ll be questioning the way you ever controlled with Substack’s boundaries.

Choice: Let an Knowledgeable Migrate Your Publication

I’ve walked you via the entire steps to transport from Substack to WordPress. However I do know this procedure can really feel like so much, particularly whilst you’d moderately center of attention on growing content material.

If you wish to save time and keep away from the technical main points, then letting knowledgeable deal with the migration is a brilliant possibility.

Our group at WPBeginner can do the entire heavy lifting for you. Our Skilled Services and products group will deal with all of the migration, from moving your content material and subscribers to putting in your new design. This manner, you’ll center of attention on writing whilst we handle the remaining.

Every other very good and dependable provider for web site migrations is Seahawk Media Services and products. Their group of WordPress professionals too can will let you make a easy transition from Substack.

The use of a certified provider guarantees the entirety is moved over as it should be, supplying you with peace of thoughts and a brand new WordPress website that’s in a position to move.

Regularly Requested Questions About Migrating From Substack to WordPress (FAQs)

I do know that creating a transfer like it will convey up numerous questions. That can assist you out, I’ve compiled solutions to one of the vital maximum commonplace questions I pay attention from creators who’re making the transfer from Substack to WordPress.

Will I lose my subscribers once I migrate from Substack?

No, you are going to now not lose your subscribers. Substack lets you export all of your subscriber listing as a CSV record, which you’ll then import into an electronic mail advertising provider like Consistent Touch. It’s essential to electronic mail your listing earlier than you progress to allow them to know concerning the exchange.

Can I stay my customized area call when shifting to WordPress?

Sure, completely. If in case you have a customized area hooked up to Substack, you’ll level it for your new WordPress internet hosting supplier. Step 7 on this information presentations you precisely how to do this with none downtime.

Is migrating to WordPress dear?

The preliminary price comes to internet internet hosting, which will get started at only a few bucks per thirty days.

Whilst Substack is loose to begin, its 10% lower of your earnings turns into way more dear than WordPress internet hosting once you get started earning profits. With WordPress, you keep an eye on your prices and stay 100% of your earnings.

Do I want to be a technical professional to make use of WordPress?

Certainly not. Whilst WordPress is extra robust than Substack, it’s designed to be user-friendly. If you’ll write a publish in Substack, you’ll write a publish in WordPress.

For the entirety else, there are heaps of loose assets, together with our loose WPBeginner movies and our weblog tutorials, to lead you.

I’m hoping this educational helped you effectively migrate from Substack to WordPress. You presently have whole keep an eye on over your publication, from design and capability to subscriber relationships and monetization choices.

We even have an final WordPress migration information, and you’ll get impressed by way of surfing our professional listing of fashionable websites the use of WordPress as a CMS.

In case you appreciated this text, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You’ll additionally to find us on Twitter and Fb.

The publish The right way to Migrate From Substack to WordPress in 10 Simple Steps first seemed on WPBeginner.

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