Converting PHP Website to WordPress: A Guide

As a web developer, you may have stumbled upon the dilemma of choosing between PHP and WordPress. While PHP is a popular programming language, WordPress is a robust Content Management System (CMS) that can help you create and manage websites. But what if you’ve already created your website using PHP, only to realize that WordPress is what you need? Fear not, for we’ve got you covered.

Create a Development Environment

Before diving into the conversion process, make sure to create a development environment first. This allows you to test WordPress without compromising your live website. Remember, you don’t want to lose any valuable data!

To do this, you’ll need to install a local server on your computer. You can choose from XAMPP, WampServer, or AMPPS. Once installed, download WordPress and set it up on your local server.

Backup Your PHP Website

It’s always better to be safe than sorry. So, before making any changes to your website, don’t forget to backup your website’s files and database. Trust us; you don’t want to lose your hard work.

For this step, you can use FTP clients, backup plugins, or your hosting provider’s backup feature. Remember to store your backup files safely for easy access during the conversion process.

Export Your Website’s Content

Now that you have a development environment, it’s time to export your website’s content. Export your website’s database and all files in your website’s directory.

Use phpMyAdmin to export the database, choose your database, select the Export tab, click on Quick, then Go to download the database file. Use FileZilla, an FTP client, to select all files and folders in your website’s directory and download them to your computer.

Install WordPress on Your Development Environment

Now, install WordPress on your development environment. Extract the files to your development environment’s root directory, then open your web browser and navigate to your development environment’s domain name. This will take you to the WordPress installation page. Follow the instructions on the screen to install WordPress.

Import Your Website’s Content into WordPress

To import your PHP website’s content into WordPress, import your website’s database and files into WordPress.

Use the import tool in WordPress to import the database file you exported earlier. Navigate to Tools → Import in your WordPress dashboard, click on import, and follow the instructions on the screen to complete the import process. Use an FTP client to upload your website’s files to the /wp-content/uploads/ directory in WordPress. Update the URLs in your website’s content since WordPress uses a different URL structure than PHP.

Select a WordPress Theme and Plugins

With everything imported, it’s time to choose a WordPress theme and plugins. Customizing and enhancing your website has never been easier with WordPress’s vast library of themes and plugins.

Customize WordPress to Match Your PHP Website

To make WordPress match your PHP website, change the permalink structure to match your PHP website’s URL structure, create custom post types to match your PHP website’s content, create custom menus to match your PHP website’s navigation, and modify the default WordPress templates to match your PHP website’s design.

Test Your WordPress Website

Before going live, thoroughly test your WordPress website to ensure everything is working correctly. If anything isn’t working, go back and fix it.

Migrate Your WordPress Website to Your Live Server

Now that everything is ready, it’s time to migrate your WordPress website to your live server. To do this, upload your WordPress files and import your WordPress database. Don’t forget to update your website’s domain name and URL in the WordPress database.

Conclusion: Say Hello to Your New WordPress Website!

Congratulations! Converting a PHP website to WordPress may have seemed daunting before, but with these steps, you’re now ready to make the switch. With a little bit of patience and perseverance, you can create a beautiful and functional WordPress website that will serve your needs for years to come.