How do I convert a site from html to wp

HyperSpace2012

12 years ago

Well, you want to start with searching on Google for blank/minimal wordpress templates and this will provide you with the basic requirements for a wordpress template and simply rewrite the blank template with your template keeping the wordpress functionality in tact. I'm not an SEO expert but if you keep the content structured in the same way and use wordpress to render the url segments into a .html file with a custom htaccess or install a wordpress SEO plugin you should be able to maintain your Google situtation.

Thanks

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mustbecrap

12 years ago

Thanks...

Sense I wrote this request I have had a couple of light bulbs go on in my head as I started to find the information i was lacking..

The problem was that I already have both blogs and html sites but my brain could not link them as being similar.. It was like having a cd and a tape, they both play music but they are different.

It seems like a lot of my confusion was self created.... At any rate I think I have most of my problems sorted, I just need to take the plunge and find some spare time. but at least now I know it can be done.

Thanks

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ashishthakkar

12 years ago

I have a number of sites in HTML, I am new to wp but I come from years of html for my own stuff. I have several sites that I can no longer write content for as it takes to long, they would benefit from wp so I can keep them going.

If you no longer write content for them then why change anything. let it be as it is.

Why do you wish to convert them to wp from html in the first place.

Keep them as html and start a new blog if you just wish to have a blog.

You can also search for a plugin which converts html to wp if you wish to do that.

Regards,
Ashish Thakkar

Thanks

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orb

12 years ago

It's really easy, I'm new to web development but have a programming background so I've been picking stuff up really fast, read all the codex documentation and look at the source of the default themes (I know this can be daunting but if you go slow and google the php functions, you'll learn).

Here is a good tutorial series which isn't too old.

YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.

Thanks

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mustbecrap

12 years ago

thanks orb, I had a quick look at the video, but I am not worried about the theme I have no problem changing the look of the sites....

Ashish... I still update the sites but its becoming less and less as I dont have the time.. WP at least offers the ability to do it much faster.. Or I can add a user and get someone else to do it, I cannot do that at present.... I don't just wish to have a blog I have enough sites.. I have tried a couple of conversion tools and maybe I just found bad ones but they were of no value to mankind...

I have come to the conclusion it is possible, I just have to mess around until it does what I need it to...

Thanks
1 reply

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orb 12 years ago

Originally Posted by mustbecrap

thanks orb, I had a quick look at the video, but I am not worried about the theme I have no problem changing the look of the sites....

eh... maybe I'm confused as to what you want here but when creating a proper customized WordPress website you create a new theme (this doesn't necessarily mean you want to share it). All you have to use is the index.php and style.css files, then you copy paste your existing html and can add WordPress functionality using templates and functions.
- Thanks
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clarest

12 years ago

I was in a similar situation as you and I chose redirects for some html files while for others I cut and pasted the content into new posts bearing the same url as their respective html files, and added the html extension at Settings/Permalinks, then deleted the actual html files from the server. Lots of work but I wanted to make sure every page was done right since they were already nicely indexed at google.

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BlackWar

Banned 12 years ago

I had quick look at this thread, may it'll help you..
http://www.warriorforum.com/warrior-...es-closed.html

[ 1 ] Thanks

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BlueLayerHost

12 years ago

Originally Posted by mustbecrap

Hi,

I looked over the forum but I still have no clear idea what direction to take, and I know there are some smart people here so maybe you can set me straight.

I have a number of sites in HTML, I am new to wp but I come from years of html for my own stuff. I have several sites that I can no longer write content for as it takes to long, they would benefit from wp so I can keep them going.

However I am lost at what to do.. I know wp is a completely different animal and every day I learn something knew with the sites i have on wp. But what do I do with my existing sites and the exiting urls etc.

1. I have lots of links to pages on the existing site, so do I just do a redirect of each individual page to a new wp page via my hosting plateform.

2. Is there a way to make a wp page the same name as the names on my existing site... Can I give them an extension of .htm and will that work as apposed to redirecting the pages.

3. What are the biggest pit falls in doing this.. Would this be a tragedy in the making, could I loss all google love in the process etc..

Funny.. I wrote the word tragedy and that old bee gees song started to play in my head, now it wont go..

thanks

Tracey
mbc

As a company that specializes in nearly everything WordPress, including converting static HTML sites to dynamic WordPress themes, let me see if I can answer your questions for you.

1. You'll need to be familiar with PHP as WordPress is scripted in PHP. You'll also need to become familiar with WordPress's framework and the functions they use. This process is far from copying/pasting, not that this was implied in anyway. You'll need to create your own theme files, a style.css file and understand how they all work together to have a functional WordPress theme.

1. There is a 301 redirect plugin you can use to do this.

2. Yes, via permalinks

3. Your time and money spent in converting your site to WordPress.

Hope that helps!

Thanks

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mustbecrap

12 years ago

thank everyone..

I think as I am a control freak I like to know everything before I start.. I have been quick to learn that this does not work with online marketing as nothing is every going to work right until you do it, so I know I just have to wing it..

Thanks you have provided some good tips, its a lot less daunting then I thought it would be..

clarest.. I like your approach I am going to start with a very small site and move up, I only have 3 sites I need do this too, but one is a large site that I cannot afford anything to go wrong.. I stopped updating this site as I just got to hard and now the sales are gong down as the content is not as fresh - so I have my work cut out for me...

I admit with what some of you have said, that some sites will never go to wp as its not necessary I dont update them as the nature of those sites are fairly static..

Thanks

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mustbecrap

12 years ago

thanks bluelayer...

I understand a lot of this stuff, but I have been slow in connecting the dots with wordpress, And I dont know why....

php, html an css are all familiar to me as I have site that use it but wp is a brick wall as i have struggled to understand how everything sees everything... but I am slowly getting it (I did say slowly)

Thanks
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BlueLayerHost

12 years ago

Originally Posted by mustbecrap

thanks bluelayer...

I understand a lot of this stuff, but I have been slow in connecting the dots with wordpress, And I dont know why....

php, html an css are all familiar to me as I have site that use it but wp is a brick wall as i have struggled to understand how everything sees everything... but I am slowly getting it (I did say slowly)

No problem, the Codex is a great place to start too.

Can you send me a link of the HTML you want to covert? Just want to see if you'll face having to re-code it as well.

Best,
Jason

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mkarmocha

12 years ago

not that difficult,if you have simple template then just follow wp guidelines to user their shortcodes instead of your static divs, I also do provide professional wordpress service at very minimal cost