How to Migrate from Joomla to WordPress: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Why Migrate from Joomla to WordPress?

Joomla and WordPress are two of the most popular Content Management Systems (CMS). With each having its own distinct features and purposes, like Joomla was supposed to be used for web portals and WordPress was intended for Blogging, WordPress spikes up in the race due to its advantages.

Let us first know about the disadvantages of Joomla and why people are migrating to another CMS platform.

• Developer- friendly: The Joomla dashboard seems to be more complicated for beginners. Without prior experience, it is difficult to use the interface, so it becomes non-user-friendly.
• Installation takes time: Initial setup and installation of Joomla requires a lot more time compared to other CMS platforms.
• Costs extra for plugins and themes: Joomla has many core plugins for handling content and managing user sessions, but for additional features, we need third-party plugins. These required plugins are way more costly.
• Maintenance: Joomla is more time-consuming than simpler platforms. Performance issues on high-traffic sites

Whereas WordPress has more perks like 

• User-friendly interface: WordPress is easy to use. The admin dashboard looks easy to find Pages and Media in order to serve its blogging purpose.
• More plugins, themes, and their functionalities: This CMS platform provides extensive free and paid plugins that include additional customization tools, security improvements, and website analytics functionalities.
• Flexibility: WordPress stands out from Joomla because of its frequent updates and security. 
• More secure: WordPress is generally more secure due to its built-in features, like automatically updating core files.
• SEO Features: Comes with Search Engine Optimization (SEO) features like Meta tags, permalinks, and image alt text.
• Faster: Neither WordPress nor Joomla has a significant speed advantage. However, with its vast performance optimising plugins and hosting support, WordPress makes it easier for users to achieve faster load times than Joomla.
• Community support: WordPress has a larger community, leading to more support, various themes, and plugins.

So, with all the advantages of WordPress, it increases the growth and expansion, and we can consider migrating to WordPress from a Joomla site.

When Should You Stay on Joomla?

Consider staying on Joomla only.

• Your current website is stable and meets current business requirements.
• Your website relies on custom extensions or complex functionalities.
• Your website needs thousands of unique user permission levels.
• When developers need a sophisticated MVC-based architecture.

Joomla vs WordPress: Side-by-Side Comparison

✕

Book a Free Consultation

Share your details and our experts will reach out to discuss your goals.

What to Prepare Before You Migrate from Joomla to WordPress

Before migrating any data from Joomla to WordPress, we need to follow the three key phases of data migration, which are planning, perfect execution, and verification. Preparation is the most critical phase of the migration process, and it minimizes most of the risks. Planning includes initial setups, execution includes importing the data without errors, and verification means performing functionality checking.

Pre-migration checklist:

• Audit all Joomla content: pages, articles, categories, media, and menus. Identify outdated or duplicate content and clean it before starting the Joomla to WordPress migration.
• Note all Joomla extensions in use and find WordPress plugin equivalents
• Back up your entire Joomla files, MYSQL database, and configurations. If something goes wrong during the transfer, we will be able to restore it instantly.
• Set up new WordPress hosting (keep Joomla live during migration)
• Register or prepare to transfer your domain
• Install WordPress on a temporary subdomain or staging environment
• Choose and install a WordPress theme
• Identify which URLs will change and plan 301 redirect mapping. Preserving URL structure is essential for maintaining SEO rankings.

Joomla Extension to WordPress Plugin Equivalents

Joomla and WordPress handle their functionality differently. WordPress relies on a vast library of plugins. The table below shows their equivalents.

How to Migrate from Joomla to WordPress: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Back Up Your Joomla Site

• It is always recommended to create a complete backup of the Joomla site. Doing this will ensure that no data is lost while we encounter issues during conversion. 
• Always document the current website's settings and configurations that need to be reproduced.
• Back up both files and the database.
• Download backup locally before proceeding.

Step 2: Set Up WordPress

• Install WordPress on a new hosting or staging subdomain
• Do not point your domain yet
• Install WordPress from the hosting control panel, which offers a one-click install.
• Ensure installation is on the staging URL so that the Joomla site remains active and accessible during the migration process.

Step 3: Install the Migration Plugin

WordPress does not support direct migration from Joomla. Use a migration tool like FG Joomla to WordPress or CMS2CMS. The most reliable way to handle the data transfer is from the FG Joomla to WordPress. With the help of this plugin, we can easily migrate all of our Joomla site’s sections, categories, posts, and media from the Joomla database into the WordPress structure.

Log in to your WordPress dashboard, 🡪 navigate to Plugins 🡪 , select Add New 🡪 , then search for the FG Joomla to WordPress plugin and click 🡪 Install Now, 🡪 Activate.

Step 4: Export Joomla Database Parameters

Now, with all the pre-checks done, we can start the migration process from Joomla to WordPress. 

We need to enter the Joomla database credentials, such as host, database name, username, and password, without which WordPress does not allow its FG Joomla to WordPress plugin to launch the import. To do this, follow the steps below.

• Log in to the Joomla dashboard 🡪 from the menu, click on System, 🡪 click on Global configuration, and select the Server tab.
• Go to the Database settings section, 🡪 take note of all relevant information like Host, Database, username, Database password, Database Name, and Database Tables Prefix.
• Now, go to the WordPress dashboard and move to the Joomla website parameters section. Here, find the field named “URL of the live Joomla website “and enter your corresponding Joomla website URL 
• Select the option to transfer your data as HTTP in the Download the media by field.
• Click on the Test the media connection button and ensure that no issues are found before migration.
• After the test is passed, move on to the Joomla Database parameters section and provide the Joomla database parameters in their corresponding fields, and click on the Test the database connection button. If any error occurs, we can look into the Log section. Once the connection is shown as successful, we can import the data to WordPress.

Step 5: Configure and Run the Migration

In the WordPress dashboard, navigate to the migration plugins settings. Enter the database credentials and run the migration plugin. We need to import articles, menus, images, and other data. Verify that all the content is transferred correctly without missing elements. If your Joomla site is on the same server, use localhost as the hostname; otherwise, enter the specific IP address of your Joomla server.

Move on to the WordPress dashboard and go to the Behaviour section. This section contains the necessary settings to manage your import process and allows us to decide what all should be migrated and what to be ignored, including Import introtext, archived posts, archived categories, unpublished categories, Media, Meta keywords, and create pages.

Click on Save settings, and now click on /Resume the import. The FG Joomla to WordPress plugin will start importing the data and keep us informed once it is done by throwing a success message, “Import Completed”.

At this stage, we should look at the imported pages, posts, and media files and be sure that all data from the Joomla site has been imported successfully to WordPress.

Step 6: Modify Internal Links

Joomla and WordPress handle internal linking differently. After the import, use the “Modify internal links” feature. Ensure that when a link is clicked, the old article points to the new WordPress page rather than the old Joomla URL. Broken links can also impact a page’s SEO operations. To overcome this, use a plugin named FG Joomla to WordPress. 

Go to Tools🡪 , Import🡪 , and select Run importer below Joomla (FG).

Go to after the migration and click on Modify internal links, the plugin will scan and get us the results. If any broken links are found, we can fix them here.

Step 7: Rebuild Navigation Menus

Menus won’t migrate perfectly because Joomla “Modules” and WordPress “Widgets/Menus.” Move to Appearance 🡪 Menus in WordPress to manually recreate your navigation structure, linking to the newly imported pages and categories. Ensure navigation remains user-friendly. 

Step 8: Set Up Permalinks and Themes

Permalinks are the URLS that lead users from Search Engine Result pages (SERP) to your pages and posts. Afterwards, we can also change your permalinks, but after migration, it is better in order to prevent broken links. WordPress offers six different permalink structures, and we can check this by going to Settings 🡪 Permalinks. Select the permalinks or let the default permalinks structure, and click on the save button.

Select a WordPress theme that matches or improves your existing design. Customize layouts, colors, and branding to align with your business needs.

Step 9: Implement 301 Redirects

This is the most vital step for SEO. Use a redirect plugin to redirect every old Joomla URL to its new WordPress equivalent. This helps maintain search rankings and prevents broken links. It ensures that old bookmarks still work for your visitors.

Step 10: Test Everything

Check that all pages load correctly. Verify images and media are displaying. Test all forms. Check menu navigation. Run the Broken Link Checker plugin to catch any missed links. Test on mobile devices.

How to Set Up 301 Redirects After Joomla to WordPress Migration

Setting up 301 redirects is the most critical post-migration step in Joomla to WordPress migration to ensure search engine rankings and user experience remain intact.

Why redirects are critical: 

Joomla and WordPress use different URL structures. Without redirects, every old Joomla URL returns a 404, losing all backlink authority and causing ranking drops.

• Protect SEO rankings by transferring link equity.
• Avoid 404 errors.
• Make sure that search engines index new URLs correctly.

Understanding Joomla vs WordPress URL Structures

Both Joomla and WordPress generate URLs differently. Joomla URLs include parameters, categories, or IDs, and WordPress URLs are SEO-friendly. The table below shows how the URL should be transferred.

How to Set Up Redirects Using the Redirection Plugin

Using a plugin is the easiest way to manage redirects in WordPress. The steps are

• Install and activate the Redirection plugin. Go to Tools🡪 Redirection in the WordPress dashboard.
• Mark a new redirect with Joomla URL (Source URL) and WordPress URL (Target URL). Ensure to test the HTTP Code to 301 - Moved Permanently.
• Save the redirect and test it.
• This method is effective even for non-technical users to manage the redirects by not touching server files.

How to Add Redirects via .htaccess

It is another method of setting up the redirect where thousands of URLs are involved, or doesn’t rely on a plugin. 

• Access your WordPress root folder using an FTP client or the host’s File Manager. 
• Always create a backup of this file before editing, as a single error in .htaccess can lead to the site being offline. Add redirect rules using this syntax.

Redirect 301 /old-joomla-page/ 

https://www.yourdomain.com/new-wordpress-page/

• Save the file and upload it to the server. Check everything works in your site, and it still loads correctly.

This method is useful for large-scale migrations but needs utmost attention.

Post-redirect checklist:

Once the redirects are live, ensure the following checklist is completed

• Monitor Google Search Console for 404 errors. If a high-traffic 404 error occurs, simply add a new 301 redirect for that specific URL to point it to the most relevant content on the WordPress site.
• Test all URLs for proper redirection.
• Update internal links to point directly to new URLs.
• Monitor the traffic for any fluctuations.

What to Do After Migrating from Joomla to WordPress

Usually, any migration marks the beginning of new optimization and growth, and so does the conversion of a Joomla site to WordPress. The key points to be checked are

• Install Yoast SEO or RankMath and configure basic settings.
• Check for Broken links: To make sure that the users arrive at the correct pages, it is necessary to find and fix the broken links. If any broken or missing redirects are found, fix them to prevent 404 errors and SEO issues.
• Check for existing features functionality: We should have a thorough check on all functionalities and features, as some images and media posts need to be re-uploaded.
• Check for performance and traffic: Install a performance optimization plugin, check for user experience, and improve speed.
• Monitor SEO features. Review meta titles, headings, image alt text, and descriptions for key pages. Make sure your SEO settings are properly configured and consistent across the whole WordPress site.
• Generate and submit your XML sitemap to Google Search Console.
• Ensure to strengthen security plugins, enable firewalls, and keep themes/plugins updated.
• Good team to support.

Install Essential WordPress Plugins

Plugins help in extending the functionality of your WordPress. Choosing the right plugins makes your WordPress run effectively.

• Install essential SEO plugins such as Yoast SEO or Rank Math to manage titles, meta tags, sitemaps, and on-page optimization.
• Install security plugins such as Wordfence or Sucuri to protect from threats and vulnerabilities.
• Plugins such as WP Rocket or W3 Total Cache improve performance for caching and optimization.
• Use similar tools or UpdraftPlus for regular backups.
• Add contact forms using plugins such as Contact Form 7 or WPForms.

Best Practices

• Ensure to install only necessary plugins. Avoid installing all plugins to prevent performance issues.
• Update the plugins regularly.
• Choose well-supported and regularly maintained plugins.

Common Mistakes When Migrating from Joomla to WordPress

In 2026, error-free experiences and small oversights can even result in a significant loss in traffic if they are not noticed. Avoid the common mistakes to ensure your transition is seamless and successful.

1. No backup: If migration causes issues, no recovery point will be available if proper backup is not taken. Always take a complete backup of files and databases so that one can restore your site if needed.
2. No Audit: Migrating outdated, duplicate, or irrelevant content adds clutter to your new site. A proper content audit ensures only valuable and updated content is moved to WordPress.
3. Using the wrong table prefix causes the FG plugin to import nothing silently.
4. Forgetting to Map 301 Redirects: Pointing the domain before testing - always test on staging first. Skipping permalink setup - causes WordPress to use ugly ?p=123 URLs. Joomla and WordPress share the same URL structure; for example, Joomla often appends .html or category IDs that WordPress does not use by default. Failing to map these old URLs to the new WordPress results in a wave of 404 errors. Always use a redirect manager to bridge the gap between two systems. Not setting up redirects before going live makes an immediate drop in rankings.
5. Forgetting to migrate images separately: The FG plugin migrates content, but image paths may break. They will break once you decommission your old Joomla server. After migration, verify that your media library contains all your images and file paths in your posts, and they point to the wp-content/uploads/ folder. Tools such as Search and Replace plugins can help you update thousands of image URLs in bulk.
6. Choosing the wrong WordPress theme without considering other factors such as speed, user experience, and overall design consistency.
7. No testing: Launching a WordPress site without testing can leave broken links, missing images, or non-functional features.
8. Using the FG free tier for a large site - the free version has limits; the premium handles large content volumes better.

How Long Does a Joomla to WordPress Migration Take?

Joomla to WordPress migration is not a one-size-fits-all process. Migration timeline can vary based on website size, complexity, and customization.

Professional Joomla to WordPress Migration Service

The Future of your data starts now!

Joomla to WordPress migration requires technical expertise and a planning strategy. Taking professional help from an experienced migration service partner, such as Entrans, will help you to migrate with security, confidence, and reliability with the help of comprehensive solutions with a proven track record.

Entrans supports full-content migrations from design rebuild, SEO redirect setup, plugin configuration, QA testing, and post-launch monitoring. Having worked with 60+ clients, we focus on a smooth transition and effortless data transfer from Joomla to WordPress. We have migrated 50+ sites from Joomla to WordPress with zero data loss and no ranking drops.

If you're ready to migrate from Joomla to WordPress, Entrans is here to help. Contact us today to discuss your needs and how we can assist in your migration journey.