It’s been about two years now since I made the leap from Blogger to WordPress and like the good old not afraid to get in there dig through google and search for tutorials do it myself kind of girl I am. I set off transfer my blog from Blogger to WordPress on my own with nothing but guts and a trusty Internet connection and handy tutorial. Now mind you everyone is not so technological inclined like myself or sweetly naive (if you want to say it that way). Since making the switch to Blogger to WordPress, I have not regretted making the move but for those thinking of joining the WordPress alumni there is quite a difference between the two platforms.
4 Blogger Features Hard to Find in WordPress
You just might find yourself experiencing a few Blogger withdrawal systems from the following:
- Easily Changing Fonts: you will quickly find yourself limited in the fonts department as there is no list of fonts in your post editor like blogger instead you have options for color and paragraph and heading type.
- GADGETS: there are no such things in WordPress. In WP world you are introduced to the wonderful world of widgets. You can think of them of Google gadgets first cousins. They operate in much the same way.
- LAYOUT feature: that wonderful little blogging map that shows you the precise location of where every little piece of blogging real estate can be found on your blog in blogger looks totally different in WordPress. The map looks different based upon the blog theme you choose. Where things are displayed on your live blog depends on where you place them in each of the different available widgets in your particular theme such as header right, home top, home middle, home bottom, footer, and primary sidebar. Just to name a few possible options.
- Quick Theme Customizations: I must tell you one little thing (or big thing if you have become accustom to using this feature) that nice little built in blogger template designer, which allows you to make changes to your template’s background, adjust widths, and fonts without touching any html code. Well you can not find that either in WordPress.
Well if all of that good stuff is missing why on earth would you consider moving to WordPress I bet you are wondering?
2 Helpful Resources When Switching from Blogger to WordPress
Granted I did not have these resources when I first trotted into the wonderful world of transferring my blog from Blogger to WordPress but I wish I had these guides back then; however, I have since used them when helping others make the switch.
- Blogger to WordPress Transfer Kit by Blogelina (I like the product so much I became an affiliate and should you click the link and purchase the kit, your purchase helps supports this blog at no additional charge to you) this kit contains step-by-step printable ebook along with a bonus 1 year free hosting
- Blogger to WordPress: Migrate Without Losing Your Content or Your Mind by Sara Greenlaw: This is a great class on skillshare that offers step-by-step video tutorials on transferring your blog. Skillshare has hundreds of amazing online classes. Use the link to get a free month of Skillshare Membership and unlimited access to these classes.
Have you made the switch from Blogger to WordPress, if so what is the thing you find yourself missing the most about Blogger?
Shared with a Little R &R and Wholehearted Wednesdays, and Fellowship Friday
I’ve been contemplating moving one of my blogs to WP–maybe in the fall since I don’t want to mess with it now. I just want to check out what all of the WP high horse riders are alway rootin’ tootin’ about–not you, but the WP snobs.
I like Blogger and I like the community so I don’t know that I want to risk losing that on my main blog, but my lesser blogs have such low followings that one of them might be worth experimenting with.
Thanks for giving me more to consider here.
Lee
Tossing It Out
Your post made me smile 🙂 there ARE things I miss about blogger, and you’ve mentioned them! The other thing I miss is being able to use my dashboard as a ‘reader’ – loved being able to scroll through my favorite blogs to choose my reading for the day. I left my blogger blog behind and started from scratch on wp a year ago. It was a good move, but like you, there are things I miss.
Visiting from A Little R & R – have a fabulous week!
Hi Arlee, as with anything there are pros and cons to WordPress and starting out with a smaller blog is a great way to get dive in without getting really overwhelmed. I would definitely suggest going with WordPress.org rather than WordPress.com if and when you decide to make the leap. They are to different animals. The .org version has a lot more flexibility.
Hi Linda, if you smiled then I accomplished my mission! I remember when I had no idea that there was another way to keep up with all of the blogs I subscribed to besides the dashboard reader blogger provided. I was a happy girl when I discovered Google reader and a very sad when I had to say so long to it. It didn’t even cross my mind to start from scratch but that is easy way to do things.
Thank you Wanda! I too have been considering changing. I admire you for being brave and telling us how it is~ Thanks for paving the way~
Well someone has to do it…I might as well be the guinea pig lol. Who knows you just might like WordPress like I do.
Still contemplating~ Thank you, for the heads-up and kits. Much joy!
Hopefully it helps arm you with a little bit more information. Happy blogging. Have a wonderful day.
I’ve decided for now to stay with Blogger. But, if I ever make the switch, I sure know where to come for needed help!! LOL!
GOD BLESS!
Not a bad decision at all Sharon. That’s the beauty of blogging we have the ability to choose what fits us.
Thanks, Wanda. I’ve given it some thought. Good to hear from someone whose done it. I’d love to see a post about your thoughts on the benefits of WordPress over Blogger.
Patricia, I plan to share a little about the pluses of WordPress. They are both great platforms.
I’ve never tried WordPress. I’ll take a look at the tutorials you mentioned.
It’s different but I do like it better.
I appreciate your honesty in this matter since I was thinking of taking an online class on WordPress in the Fall . You give me much to think about, as always, Wanda. Thank you!
Although there are some things you might miss, I would still encourage you take the class and see how well you like it. I have regretted my move and it does have some added flexibility.
WordPress is all I know, not that I know it well mind you. My site was down for most of the week last week due to the guy who set me up never forwarded me the renewals for the hosting company I didn’t know expired. The hard way seems to be the preferred way of learning for me!
Hi Wanda!
Having been both a Blogspot and a WordPress guy, I liked the article (I found my way over from Floyd’s bar and grill) and see you and I both do the design/development/deployment thing on Genesis 🙂
I’ll take the power of WP and the flexibility of having the site doing what I want. I’ve gotten comfortable editing CSS files, doing scripting, and all the rest – I’d set it all down almost ten years ago, and just got back in the game in January by request – but the reality you touch on is that some folks just want to create content, while others like to tweak the framework the content lives in. For those – like us – who like to experiment? The fun is in the learning a lot of times (so is the frustration 🙂 )
May God Bless!
Rick
Hi Rick, nice to meet you. I do like the joy of tweaking and learning something new but to many that can be quite frustrating so I think blogger is a great fit for many individuals. I’m still learning but I’m not afraid to poke around on the back end of things although I do not have as much experience as you. I have had that white screen of death a few times but I do know how to solve it…lol. That speaks a lot that others would request you to come back.
I do miss the easy customizations of fonts and colors. I make myself blind look for code to change. But I really am loving WP!
I know what you mean Barbie. In many ways blogger is easier but I do love the added flexibility that WordPress overs. Even if I get the whitescreen of death from time to time 🙁
You mentioned all the things I miss about Blogger. Although I like Word Press and like learning the techy stuff it is continually a challenge to me. There are issues that I am having with Google Analytics, my Favicon being a “G” with a blank where the URL is supposed to go. All in all these are things to learn and my brain wasn’t challenged enough over on Blogger 🙂
Oh Judith it’s easy to like the added flexibility of WordPress but become overwhelmed with it all as well. You can replace your favicon via FTP or they do have a plugin for that put it’s pretty simple to do without it. .