Do I Need to Hire a Developer to Move Off WordPress?

No, you do not need a developer to move off WordPress. Developer-dependence is a choice, not a requirement. There are three paths, and only one of them requires a developer. Here is what each looks like.

Option 1: Do it yourself with a website builder

Platforms like Squarespace, Wix, and similar services are designed to be used without technical knowledge. You can build a site yourself, move your content manually, and point your domain at the new site without ever hiring anyone.

What you do yourself:

• Choose a new platform and create an account.
• Recreate each page by copying and pasting your content.
• Upload your images.
• Set up your contact form.
• Configure redirects from old URLs to new ones.
• Update your DNS to point your domain at the new site.

What this costs: The platform subscription, typically $15 to $30 per month. Your own time.

What this takes: Several days of work spread over a few weeks. Some technical comfort with DNS settings. Patience.

The risk: Redirect setup is often skipped or done incompletely. That can cost you search rankings. What actually protects rankings during a move.

Option 2: Hire an agency or freelancer

An agency or freelance developer handles the technical work for you. They migrate your content, set up redirects, configure DNS, and hand you a working site.

What you do: Brief the developer on your needs. Review the work. Approve and go live.

What this costs: Agency projects for small business sites typically run $3,000 to $10,000. Freelancers can be less, but quality and reliability vary.

What this takes: Time to find the right person. Time to go through their process. Budget.

The risk: You are now dependent on a developer for a process that should not require one. If the relationship breaks down or the developer disappears, you are in a difficult position. Developer-dependence is what many people are trying to escape.

Option 3: Use an automated migration service

This is the option most business owners have not heard of. Automated conversion means software reads your existing site, transfers your content, sets up redirects, and delivers a working site on a new platform without a human developer involved in the technical work.

What you do: Enter your web address. Review the converted site. Approve it.

What this costs: Free for the conversion at Basalt. A monthly subscription for the new platform.

What this takes: One review session. No technical knowledge required.

The risk: Extremely complex sites, those with custom database features or large ecommerce, are not well-suited to automated conversion. For a standard small business site with pages and a contact form, automated conversion is reliable.

So which option is right for me?

The honest answer depends on your situation:

• You have time and enjoy this kind of work: DIY with a website builder is reasonable.
• You have budget and want human accountability: An agency is a legitimate choice.
• You want it handled without spending a lot or doing it yourself: Automated conversion is what Basalt does.

The point is that developer-dependence is not the only way. It is not even the most common way anymore. Automation has matured to the point where a standard small business site can be converted reliably without a developer in the loop.

What to expect if you decide to move

Basalt moves small business websites off WordPress to a platform with nothing to hack and nothing to update. The move is free. You review and approve the converted site before anything goes live. No developer required.

The full step-by-step process is here.

Find out what is wrong in 60 seconds

Or skip all this. Enter your web address and we will tell you exactly what is wrong with your site. Free, 60 seconds, no account needed.