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I Need Your Help: Switching to Self-Hosted

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Hi y’all!!  So this is not a post that I want to be writing.  However, I am feeling quite desperate.

I am having a horrible time getting switched over to a self-hosted blog.  I have signed up with Bluehost and have downloaded WordPress.org through them.  I have gone through the process of exporting my blog files from WordPress.com and have attempted to import them to my WordPress.org account I can’t even tell you how many times.  The importing process always fails.  After it “imports” there is never an “error” message or a “success message”- the screen is just blank, and when I go into my dashboard I can find some pictures and tags, but no posts.  I have contacted the “help” area of Bluehost multiple nights this week and they can’t seem to figure it out.  It is making me crazy!!

Has anyone had any similar experiences?  Any ideas of what I can try/do differently?

Also, for those of you who paid for a “guided transfer,” was the cost worth it?  Is there a money back guarantee should it not work?

And finally…for those who had someone else transfer their blog over that was not affiliated with WordPress, do you have any recommendations for who to use?

At this point I am basically desperate and looking for any help/advice you can give me!

Thanks SO much in advance! 🙂

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{ 19 comments… add one }
  • Nicole @ FruitnFitness October 10, 2013, 1:43 pm
    I'm no help at all :/ I would love to see that responses from others though. I would like to switch to self-hosted eventually but am so not good with technology that I wouldn't know where to start. Good luck!
  • carlyjg October 10, 2013, 2:06 pm
    I paid for the guided transfer, and I literally had to do NOTHING (aside from downloading one or two plugins). I think it was totally worth it, especially because I'm technologically challenged. Good luck!
  • Becky @ Olives n Wine October 10, 2013, 2:32 pm
    Oh you poor thing! I did all of the self-hosting prior to typing up my first post so I am no luck with the transfer help. I worked with Julie from Deluxe-Designs.net - She was a life saver and might create a smaller package (cheaper) price for you if you just need help moving your files over! There are a few things you also need to check to make sure they are lined up between Bluehost and your old Wordpress site - Did you copy numbers over between the sites? If not, shoot me an email... I have helped a friend before with this :)
  • Eating 4 Balance October 10, 2013, 2:34 pm
    Following with rapt attention. I was going to link up some posts that I've seen explaining the process, but I'm sure you've already checked all of those out. All that I can say is... Stay strong ;) It will be worth it in the end when you have an even more fabulous site. And then you can write a whole series to help those of us following in your footsteps. :P
  • Amy @ The Little Honey Bee October 10, 2013, 2:36 pm
    I used this video: http://michaelhyatt.com/ez-wordpress-setup.html and found it extremely helpful and straightforward. Hope things work out!!
  • genext13 October 10, 2013, 3:05 pm
    Sorry, I have yet to do this. I will be doing it soon, I hope. Good luck!
  • The Cookie ChRUNicles October 10, 2013, 3:16 pm
    I paid for the guided transfer and very happy that I did. they did it all for me and helped me weeks past the 2 week free window. good luck!
  • Amanda @ .running with spoons. October 10, 2013, 3:27 pm
    I'm pretty sure I almost threw my computer off my balcony when I was switching over to self-hosting. I ran into some issues too, but mine involved an error message and files that were too big. I know a lot of people have happily gone the paid transfer route, and I definitely don't think it's a bad idea. Hope you figure it out soon!
  • Alisha's Appetite October 10, 2013, 3:29 pm
    I went through hostgator and they transferred everything over for free...so it was actually really easy! Good luck I know this is a MAJOR pain!
  • pieceofcaitlin October 10, 2013, 3:52 pm
    I wish I could help.. I TRIED switching over- and refunded it because I WAS LOST!!! I really would love to switch to self hosted. but its a PAIN.
  • Robyn B | Modern Day Missus October 10, 2013, 5:42 pm
    Damn, that is annoying. I have done all sorts of moving about with my blog. I would be happy to take a look at it for you if you like. You can email me at robyn (@) moderndaymissus.com. I would need your cpanel and Wordpress passwords. No guarantees, and I totally understand if giving someone your passwords is just a step too far, but a second pair of eyes could help. :-)
  • Jan @ Sprouts n Squats October 10, 2013, 6:44 pm
    I went through Blue Host and when I had issues with it I went onto their online support. I didn't do the guided transfer but there were a few times i wish I had but eventually we got there. I had an issue where my posts said it was uploaded and wasn't, I had to try it quite a few times to get it to import properly and then I don't know why but it just worked. Keep talking to blue host though, they stayed online till my issue was solved and talked me through the whole thing so you should lean on them AS much as possible! If I can help in any way, give me a shout.
  • Kelly @ Hidden Fruits and Veggies October 11, 2013, 7:00 am
    This is Josh's wheelhouse -- I'll send him a message seeing if he knows any tips or tricks.
  • Josh October 11, 2013, 7:26 am
    (And here I am!) Looking at the description, I'm wondering if it's an issue of the configuration needing to be updated to match the files being imported or maybe something strange with the exported files themselves. If you'd like, you can shoot me an e-mail (joshmoondesign@gmail) and I can try to take a look from the backend and see if I can help straighten things out for you?
  • Alexis @ Hummusapien October 11, 2013, 6:48 pm
    Hey lady! So sorry to hear you're having trouble. I made the switch all by myself, and though it was no easy feat, I definitely wouldn't pay for some one else to do it. You can definitely get it done yourself! I followed the directions on wordpress's website and chatted with BlueHost people A LOT. They have amazing customer service and I could have never made the switch without their help. I'm not sure why exactly is causing you error messages, but my advice would be to keep talking to Blue Host people until you figure it out. Be patient...it'll be so worth it to do it yourself. I'm terrible with technology and even I managed to do it! Good luck :)
  • Amanda @ Diary of a Semi-Health Nut October 11, 2013, 11:07 pm
    You just commented on my switching over post...but I'd recommend Julie at Deluxe Designs! Although she hasn't done the transfer yet AND I am moving from Blogger to WordPress.org....she has been great so far and Lee from Fit Foodie Finds used her so I trust that recommendation! Hope it gets better, friend! :)

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