To convert WordPress to Blogger, export your WordPress content as a WXR (.xml) file, then use a converter tool to transform it into Blogger’s Atom XML format, and finally import it into your Blogger account. The most reliable free tools are the ForthFocus converter, the “Export to Blogger” WordPress plugin, and the AppSpot converter. The whole process takes about 15–30 minutes for most blogs.
WordPress and Blogger use different file formats. That’s the core problem. When you export from WordPress you get a WXR file- Blogger can’t read it. So you need to convert it first, then import. That’s it. The process sounds technical but it’s mostly a few clicks.
This guide walks you through every step-from exporting your WordPress content to importing it into Blogger-and covers the common issues you’ll run into along the way.
Why Do People Move from WordPress to Blogger?
Most people switching to Blogger are doing it for one of three reasons:
- Cost: Blogger is completely free-no hosting fees, no plugin costs, no renewal charges. WordPress.org requires paid hosting.
- Simplicity: Blogger is easier to manage day-to-day. No updates to run, no plugins to maintain, no security patches to apply.
- Google integration: Blogger is owned by Google. If you use Google Analytics, AdSense, and other Google tools, everything connects natively.
But it’s worth being honest: most professional bloggers move the other direction-from Blogger to WordPress- because WordPress gives more control and flexibility. Moving to Blogger makes sense if your priority is simplicity and zero hosting cost, not growth or customization.
Before You Start-Do These Three Things
Don’t skip this section. The most common mistakes people make during migration happen before they even start converting. Do these three things first.
1. Back up your entire WordPress site
Before touching anything, create a full backup. Use a plugin like All-in-One WP Migration or UpdraftPlus. This gives you a safety net if something goes wrong or you want to go back.
2. Download your media folder separately
Images are the trickiest part of this migration. Blogger doesn’t import WordPress media files- it assigns its own random URLs to images. Download your entire WordPress media library (usually at /wp-content/uploads/) before you start. You’ll need it later.
3. Note down your top-performing URLs
WordPress and Blogger use different URL structures. Your existing links will change after migration. Make a list of your most important posts and pages- you’ll want to set up redirects so existing traffic and search rankings aren’t completely lost.
Step-by-Step: How to Convert WordPress to Blogger
Step 1: Export your WordPress content
Go to your WordPress dashboard → Tools → Export → Select “All Content” → Click “Download Export File.” You’ll get a .xml file (WXR format) containing all your posts, pages, comments, categories, and tags.
Step 2: Convert the WXR file to Blogger’s Atom XML format
Blogger can’t read the WXR file directly. You need to convert it. Use one of the converter tools listed in the next section. Upload your WXR file to the tool, run the conversion, and download the output .xml file-this is in Blogger’s Atom format.
Step 3: Import into Blogger
Log into Blogger → Select your blog → Go to Settings → Scroll to “Import & back up” → Click “Import content” → Upload the converted XML file. Blogger will import your posts and pages. This may take a few minutes for large blogs.
Step 4: Fix your images
After import, images from your WordPress posts will still point to your old WordPress hosting URLs. If you keep that hosting active, they’ll display fine for now. But if you plan to cancel hosting, you need to re-upload images to Blogger or a service like Google Drive/Imgur and update the links in each post. This is the most time-consuming part.
Step 5: Set up your custom domain (optional)
If you have a custom domain (like yourblog.com), you can connect it to Blogger. Go to Blogger Settings → Custom domain → Enter your domain and follow the DNS instructions. Update your domain’s DNS records with the CNAME values Blogger provides.
Best Free WordPress to Blogger Converter Tools
Three tools are consistently reliable for this conversion. All are free.
1. ForthFocus Converter (Free Online Tool)
The most straightforward option. Upload your WXR file, click convert, download the Blogger-compatible XML. No account needed. Works well for most standard WordPress exports.
2. Export to Blogger Plugin (WordPress Plugin)
Install directly from your WordPress dashboard. Exports a Blogger-ready XML file without the extra conversion step. Good option if you want to stay within WordPress to do the export.
3. AppSpot Converter (Free Online Tool)
A lightweight web-based tool at wordpress-to-blogger-converter.appspot.com. Simple upload-and-convert flow. Older tool but still functional for basic migrations.
4. Manual XML Conversion (DIY Option)
For developers- you can write a script to transform WXR to Atom XML yourself. More control, but only practical if you’re comfortable working with XML and have a specific customization need.
SEO Impact- What You Need to Know
This is the part most guides gloss over. Migrating platforms will affect your SEO. Here’s what to expect and what you can do about it:
- URLs will change: WordPress and Blogger have different permalink structures. All your existing URLs- including any that are indexed by Google-will change. Without redirects, anyone clicking an old link will hit a 404 error.
- You’ll likely see a temporary ranking drop: Even with redirects, Google takes time to re-index your content at its new locations. Expect some volatility for a few weeks.
- Meta tags don’t transfer: Any custom SEO meta titles and descriptions set via plugins like Yoast won’t carry over. You’ll need to set these up again in Blogger.
- Blogger’s URL structure is different: By default Blogger uses /YEAR/MONTH/post-title.html- which is different from most WordPress permalink setups. This affects how Google re-indexes your content.
If SEO matters to your blog: Migrating from WordPress to Blogger is a significant risk. Most established bloggers keep their WordPress site live and redirect all URLs rather than fully abandoning the platform. Think carefully before making this move if search traffic is important to you.
What Transfers and What Doesn’t
| Content Type | Transfers? | Notes |
| Blog posts | ✅ Yes | Text content transfers fully |
| Pages | ✅ Yes | Transfers as Blogger pages |
| Comments | ✅ Yes | Most converters include comments |
| Categories & Tags | ✅ Yes | Convert to Blogger labels |
| Post dates & authors | ✅ Yes | Metadata preserved |
| Images (hosted on WordPress) | ⚠️ Partial | Links transfer but URLs will break if you cancel hosting |
| WordPress theme/design | ❌ No | Must choose a new Blogger theme |
| WordPress plugins | ❌ No | Blogger doesn’t support plugins |
| URL structure | ❌ No | URLs change — set up redirects |
| Custom menus | ❌ No | Must rebuild in Blogger |
| Widget configurations | ❌ No | Must reconfigure in Blogger |
Pros and Cons of Switching to Blogger
Reasons to Switch
- Completely free- no hosting costs
- No maintenance- no updates or security patches
- Native Google integration- Analytics, AdSense, Search Console
- Simple to use for casual bloggers
- Reliable uptime- hosted by Google
Reasons to Stay on WordPress
- Limited customization- no plugins, fewer themes
- Less control over your content and data
- Images are harder to manage
- SEO tools are basic compared to WordPress
- Blogger’s future is uncertain- Google has discontinued products before
Conclusion
It’s doable- but think twice before you delete your WordPress site.
Converting WordPress to Blogger takes 15–30 minutes for most blogs. The process itself is straightforward. But the real cost is what you lose- your theme, your plugins, your URL structure, and potentially a chunk of your search rankings.
If you’re moving to Blogger because of hosting costs, consider cheaper WordPress hosting first- it might be less disruptive. But if you genuinely prefer Blogger’s simplicity and don’t rely on search traffic, the migration is easy enough. Just back everything up before you start, and don’t cancel your WordPress hosting until you’ve verified everything is working on Blogger.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I convert WordPress to Blogger for free?
Yes. All the main converter tools- ForthFocus, the Export to Blogger plugin, and AppSpot-are free. Blogger itself is also free. The only cost involved is if you’re paying for WordPress hosting, which you can cancel after migration.
Will my images transfer when I migrate to Blogger?
The image links in your posts will transfer, but the images themselves stay on your WordPress hosting. If you cancel that hosting, the image links break. Download your WordPress media folder before migrating and re-upload important images to Blogger or another host.
Do WordPress themes work on Blogger?
No. WordPress themes are not compatible with Blogger. You’ll need to choose a new theme from Blogger’s built-in library and customize it to match your branding.
Will my SEO rankings be affected?
Yes, at least temporarily. Your URLs change during migration, which disrupts Google’s index. Set up redirects where possible and expect some ranking fluctuation for a few weeks. If search traffic is important to you, consider keeping WordPress.
Can I keep my custom domain on Blogger?
Yes. If you own a custom domain, you can connect it to your Blogger blog through Blogger’s Settings → Custom domain section. Update your domain’s DNS with the CNAME values Blogger provides and it will point to your new Blogger site.
What is the file size limit for Blogger imports?
Blogger’s import limit is 1MB per file. If your converted XML file is larger, split your WordPress export by date range or category and import each chunk separately.
Is it better to stay on WordPress or move to Blogger?
For most bloggers, WordPress is the better long-term platform-more control, better SEO tools, and more flexibility. Blogger makes sense if you want zero maintenance cost and simple blogging without caring too much about growth or customization.
