Convert HTML to WordPress

WordPress comes with tools to import content from other blogging systems like, Blogger and WordPress.com. These tools do a good job of importing posts,  pages, comments, categories, tags, and images. If you work in Joomla or Drupal, you’ll have a tougher time importing to WordPress, but it can be done. Other importers will only import posts and pages.

But, by far, the most common WordPress conversion scenario is importing static HTML content.

Everyday people decide they want to convert their old, tired-looking, static HTML website to WordPress and they don’t know how to do it. Most people have heard that to do this you must copy the HTML of the old site into WordPress one page at a time. Now, this is the correct thinking if you have a ten-page website but if you have a  website that has dozens or hundreds or thousands of pages you would find this to be very, very tedious and extremely time-consuming.

Effective by Design converts static HTML sites of all sizes to WordPress.

Generally, the price is $199 but it can be more or less depending upon the number of pages, the condition of the HTML (well-formed, properly nested tags, etc) and other oddities that are present on the site.

Here is what you receive for (usually) $199:

• A WordPress database ready to import into your fresh WordPress installation with all your current site’s content. (We’ve found most people wanting this conversion only want their pages put into WordPress. So, you will not receive a complete WordPress website. We can do a complete site for you, if you like, but that is a different service: Complete WordPress Blog/Website.)
• Navigation is maintained from your current site with major and sub-menus included. This alone saves a tremendous amount of time!
• Graphics contained within page content are properly linked.
• When possible, directory structure is maintained. Often times this needs improvement. It just depends.
• Forms do not convert. There are plugins to handle all kinds of forms! You’ll need to do those again on your new WordPress site.
• Complex tabular data probably will not convert. There are plugins for that, too.
• Dynamic content is iffy. (I know we’re talking about converting static HTML sites but many have some dynamic PHP content.) For example, if you have a group of articles that are created from a database they will usually convert as separate pages. We’ll do our best. Most people find it is better to continue (using the database articles example) to create the articles from the database and push them into WordPress using a PHP exec plugin.

How this service works:

1. Fill out the Convert HTML to WordPress form.
2. I’ll look at your website, calculate the number of pages, look at the HTML and let you know what I can do. This may take a few days so don’t be alarmed if you don’t hear back from me right away. I try to group conversion projects together.
3. If you agree we should proceed I’ll send you a link to PayPal for 50% payment.
4. I will build your new database and install on a standard WordPress theme for you to view. You’ll go through the site, making note of any glaring errors which I’ll correct. (Sometimes pages just don’t want to convert. It’s usually just some weird HTML anomaly but I will just convert this page by hand to save time.)
5. When you are mostly satisfied (remember forms, table data, dynamic content above) you pay the remainder and I’ll email you the database which you will import into a fresh WordPress install. Instructions will be included.

Note: Once the database is built and you are emailed the link to view your pages there is no refund on the initial 50%. If you are the type of person that is never satisfied or you are expecting more than is being offered, then please reread “What you receive” and “How it works” above and determine if you want to proceed.

Questions? Use the Quick Contact form below.

Ready to start? Go to the Convert HTML to WordPress form.