How Can I Migrate My Website to WordPress?
You don’t need to buy pricey tools or hire an agency to move your site safely. If you’ve got patience and a free afternoon, here’s how to pull off a clean WordPress migration without losing your Google rankings — and without opening your wallet.
Step 1: Map Your Old Site for Free
Run a free crawl with Screaming Frog SEO Spider (up to 500 URLs).
Or export your sitemap (
yoursite.com/sitemap.xml) into a spreadsheet.If you’re set up in Google Search Console, use the Coverage report to export URLs.
👉 You now have a no-cost blueprint of every page.
Step 2: Rebuild in WordPress (No Paid Plugins Needed)
Recreate your old pages using the same slugs (
/about,/services).Copy and paste your titles, descriptions, and headings.
Add image alt text directly in WordPress’s Media Library.
👉 The free Yoast SEO plugin gives you all the metadata management you need.
Step 3: Redirect Without Paying for Tools
If any URLs change, install the free Redirection plugin.
It lets you bulk-map old pages to new ones.
Or, if your host has cPanel, you can set up 301 redirects directly there.
👉 Both options = zero cost.
Step 4: Reconnect Analytics and Search Console
Re-add your Google Analytics tracking code. The free Site Kit by Google plugin makes this painless.
Generate a free XML sitemap through Yoast SEO.
Submit that sitemap in Google Search Console so Google crawls your new structure fast.
Step 5: Monitor with Free Data
Expect a short dip in rankings — that’s normal.
Watch for crawl errors in Google Search Console.
Track traffic in Google Analytics.
Use the free version of Screaming Frog again to check for broken links.
FAQs (How Can I Migrate Properly)
Q: Can I just download my GoDaddy site and upload it to WordPress?
No. Most site builders don’t let you export in a WordPress-ready format. You’ll need to rebuild — but if you follow the free sitemap + copy-paste process, you won’t lose SEO.
Q: What about my Google Analytics code?
It won’t carry over automatically. Just paste your GA code into WordPress. The free Site Kit plugin connects Analytics, Search Console, and even PageSpeed Insights in one place.
Q: Do I need to resubmit to Search Console?
Yes. Upload your new XML sitemap (generated by Yoast SEO). It’s free and essential.
Q: What about technical SEO — do I need paid audits?
Nope. Run your site through Google PageSpeed Insights (free), check for HTTPS, and make sure your theme is mobile-friendly. That covers the basics without paying for an audit.
Why This Migration Guide Works
Most migration guides assume you’ve got an agency budget. But the truth is, almost every critical SEO safeguard can be done for free. The only real cost is your time.
At Tech Fren, we believe the best systems are the ones that don’t burn cash but still protect your pipeline. That’s the kind of leverage founders, builders, and side-hustlers need.
