How to Migrate From WordPress to Tumblr

If, for some reason, you want to move your WordPress blogs to Tumblr, there are several ways you can apply. There are even procedures that allow you to migrate everything, including your photos/images and comments. Although there is no process that’s as easy as 1-2-3, there are steps that are quite simple to follow; steps that you can do on your own.

There are a lot of guides you can use for transferring your WordPress blog to Tumblr. What follows, however, is a slightly simple version that almost anybody can perform.

Step Number One

Of course, the first thing that you need to do is create your own Tumblr account (if you do not have one yet). It’s easy to make one; you’ll only need to sign up and then provide some basic personal information and you’ll be able to create your account.

Step Number Two

Open your WordPress account and navigate to the Dashboard. Find the TOOLS command and choose EXPORT.

Then choose POSTS. Look for the tab that says DOWNLOAD EXPORT FILE and click on it. This will export all your WordPress posts.

Step Number Three

Your export file will appear as an XML file. You need to make sure, though, that every content you export has an actual data, as well as a content encoded section.

Step Number Four

Consider the fact that there is a limit to how many posts you can migrate to Tumblr every day. The safest number is 70. What you can do, though, is to create separate files for your XML file so you can be sure that each will have only 70 items. Remember that you need to keep the items encoded, i.e. – or s.

Step Number Five

You will then need to find a good PHP script. This link will provide you with one.

Then you’ll have to insert or change some of the details with your information. Here are some specifics that you should follow:

For $xmlFile = ‘MYEXPORTFILE.xml’; – indicate the XML file that you are importing.

For $tumblr_email = ‘EMAIL’; and $tumblr_password = ‘PASSWORD’ – indicate your Tumblr username and password.

For $tumblrUrl = “http://YourTUMBLRID.tumblr.com”; – indicate your Tumblr URL.

Step Number Six

Identify the web location that you can use to access your XML file and tumblr_import.php. Upload both to that location. Run the PHP script.

Where you put the PHP file should be indicated in “mysite”.

If you do this right, you’ll be able to successfully move all XML file to Tumblr.

As mentioned in the early part of this guide, you can only import around 70 items to Tumblr in a day. So if you have to transfer more than the said amount, what you can do is skip one day before performing the import procedure again. You will only need to upload the XML file and then do this:

$xmlFile = ‘MYEXPORTFILE.xml’; – change to the filename that you used before running the PHP.

These steps are meant only for WordPress sites that contain basic stuff like simple blog posts. Heavier content may not be supported by this procedure. Also, this migration alternative does not support the transfer of the images on your WP blog to Tumblr.

This is just one of the many ways you can migrate your posts from WordPress to Tumblr. There are many more options online. One involves the use of the Customize link on your Tumblr account and another uses the Export>Tools option of your WordPress blog.