Concrete5 (now Concrete CMS) earned its reputation as a developer-friendly content management system with strong inline editing. The community was passionate, the platform was solid, and for years it sat as a legitimate alternative to bigger CMS solutions. The trouble is what happens when you outgrow it. The add-ons marketplace is smaller. The theme selection is limited. The pool of Concrete5 specialists has been shrinking for years. And every time you push the platform to do something new, the ceiling gets a little closer.
If you’re weighing a move to convert from Concrete5 to WordPress, you’re moving toward the largest open-source ecosystem on the web. This guide walks through exactly what’s involved, what transfers cleanly, what doesn’t, and how to migrate without losing content quality, SEO equity, or the traffic you’ve worked years to build.
Why WordPress is the right move after Concrete5
Both Concrete5 and WordPress are open-source content management systems. The difference is the world that exists around each one. WordPress now powers more than 40% of the internet and runs a developer community several orders of magnitude larger than Concrete5’s. That gap matters every time you want to add functionality, hire a specialist, or extend your site beyond what came in the box.
A WordPress site offers everything Concrete5 does, plus a vastly larger ecosystem behind it. You don’t lose the inline editing experience (Gutenberg covers that). You don’t lose open-source ownership. You don’t lose flexibility. What you gain is access to a world of plugins, themes, training resources, and developer support that simply doesn’t exist for Concrete5 at the same scale.
A few reasons businesses move from Concrete5 to WordPress:
- A vastly larger ecosystem – Tens of thousands of plugins and themes, versus Concrete5’s limited number of available add-ons and themes
- Easier to hire and maintain – Finding a WordPress developer is dramatically easier (and cheaper) than finding a Concrete5 specialist
- Superior SEO capabilities – Tools like Yoast SEO and Rank Math give WordPress significantly stronger SEO optimization out of the box than Concrete5’s built-in tools
- More functionality without custom development – Almost any feature you’d want (membership, ecommerce, multilingual, marketing automation) ships as a polished WordPress plugin
- A massive community – Active forums, training resources, video tutorials, and a development community far larger than Concrete5’s
- Easier daily content management – The WordPress dashboard, paired with the Gutenberg block editor, is more user-friendly and accessible to beginners than Concrete5’s interface
- Better long-term flexibility – Custom themes, page builders, and a development community that supports building from scratch or extending packages of existing tools
If your Concrete5 site has started to feel like a ceiling, the move to WordPress is the smart consolidation onto the open-source platform that won.
WordPress vs. Concrete5 comparison
Here’s how the two platforms stack up once you start weighing whether to keep Concrete5 or migrate to WordPress:
| Category | Concrete5 (Concrete CMS) | WordPress |
|---|---|---|
| Ecosystem size | Limited marketplace of themes and add-ons | The largest plugin and theme ecosystem in open source |
| Developer community | Smaller, more niche community of developers | Massive global community with active forums, training, and support |
| SEO capabilities | Decent built-in SEO; deeper SEO optimization needs add-ons | Strong defaults plus best-in-class tools like Yoast SEO and Rank Math |
| Ease of use | Inline editing is strong; broader content management has a learning curve | Friendly WordPress dashboard with Gutenberg blocks, suitable for beginners |
| Customization | Block-based but constrained by available add-ons | Flexible themes, custom code, and unlimited plugin support |
| Total cost of ownership | Higher dev rates due to smaller specialist pool | Lower long-term costs thanks to the wider talent pool |
| Best fit | Small to mid-size sites already running cleanly on Concrete5 | Sites of any size looking for scale, flexibility, and a wider development community |
Ready to move? Talk to our migration team, and we’ll map out your Concrete5 to WordPress migration from audit to launch.
How do you convert your website from Concrete5 to WordPress?
Here’s an important note before starting: Concrete5 doesn’t have a direct “export to WordPress” button. There’s no one-click full migration tool. The platform uses its own Content Import Format (CIF) for internal moves, but that format isn’t readable by WordPress out of the box. That means the conversion from Concrete5 to WordPress process is largely manual or plugin-assisted, with a focus on rebuilding content cleanly on the new platform.
Here’s the high-level path:
- Audit your Concrete5 site – Inventory every page, post, comment, category, image, file, user, password reset workflow, and add-on the site depends on
- Choose a hosting provider for the new WordPress website – Pick managed hosting, a standard web host, or a developer-friendly platform that supports WordPress cleanly
- Install WordPress and configure the basics – Run WordPress installation, set up the WordPress dashboard, pick a suitable theme, and prepare the new platform as a staging environment
- Export Concrete5 content – Use Concrete5’s built-in export tools to download pages, posts, and metadata in XML format; export media files separately since images, documents, and videos live separately from page content
- Set up the connection bridge for data transfer – For larger sites, a connection between the Concrete5 database and WordPress allows for cleaner, scripted imports rather than full manual entry
- Import content into WordPress – Use the built-in WordPress importer under Tools > Import to bring in XML-formatted content; for larger or more complex sites, migration plugins or custom scripts give you more control
- Migrate media files manually – Download images, documents, videos, and other files from Concrete5, then upload them into the WordPress media library and re-link them across imported content
- Rebuild block layouts in Gutenberg – Concrete5’s block-based content doesn’t map cleanly to WordPress blocks, so layouts will need adjustment in the Gutenberg editor or a page builder like Elementor or Beaver Builder
- Recreate add-ons and functionality – Concrete5 add-ons don’t transfer; rebuild or replace them with equivalent WordPress plugins (WPForms for forms, WooCommerce for ecommerce, Rank Math for SEO, etc.)
- Set permalinks to match Concrete5 URLs – Configure your WordPress permalink structure as closely as possible to your existing Concrete5 URLs to make redirect mapping cleaner
- Build a complete redirect map – Map every old Concrete5 URL to its new WordPress URL using a redirect plugin like Redirection or server-level rules
- Migrate SEO metadata – Transfer meta titles, meta descriptions, image alt tags, and schema into WordPress through Rank Math or Yoast SEO
- Launch and monitor – Submit a new sitemap to Google, run end-to-end tests on every page, form, and core workflow, then watch search rankings and traffic in the first 30 days
The size of the lift depends on your Concrete5 version, the volume of content, the depth of your add-on usage, and how much customization has been layered into the existing site.
The Concrete5 to WordPress migration process
Most online articles oversimplify the Concrete5 to WordPress migration. For small sites with a handful of pages, the manual approach works fine. For real Concrete5 sites with hundreds of pages, deep block-based layouts, and SEO equity built up over years, the migration is significantly more involved.
Here’s what actually happens during a serious migration.
What can be exported or imported relatively cleanly:
- Page titles, slugs, and basic body content (via Concrete5’s XML export and the WordPress importer)
- Categories and tags that map cleanly to WordPress taxonomies
- User accounts (passwords reset on first login due to different hashing)
- Basic page metadata, including meta titles and meta descriptions
- Most images and media files (downloaded from Concrete5 and re-uploaded to the WordPress media library)
What needs manual work or full rebuilding:
- Block-based page layouts (Concrete5 blocks don’t translate directly to Gutenberg blocks)
- Concrete5 themes (don’t transfer; rebuild in a WordPress theme)
- Concrete5 add-ons (replace with equivalent WordPress plugins)
- Custom blocks, custom dashboards, and developer modifications
- Forum functionality (replace with bbPress, BuddyPress, or another forum plugin if needed)
- Membership and password-protected content (rebuild with MemberPress, Restrict Content Pro, or similar)
- Forms (rebuild in WPForms, Gravity Forms, or Fluent Forms)
A complete Concrete5 to WordPress migration project covers:
- Content audit and migration plan – Document every page, post, image, file, user, add-on, and custom feature on the Concrete5 site before migration starts
- Hosting and WordPress installation – New managed hosting, complete WordPress installation, and base theme configuration
- Content export from Concrete5 – Export pages and posts in XML format; export media files separately
- Content import into WordPress – Use the WordPress importer or a custom script to bring content in cleanly; clean up formatting issues that arise from block-structure differences
- Layout rebuild in Gutenberg or a page builder – Recreate page layouts using WordPress blocks, a page builder like Elementor, or custom theme templates
- Media file migration – Move all images, documents, videos, and other files into the WordPress media library and re-link across imported content
- Add-on replacement – Replace every Concrete5 add-on with an equivalent WordPress plugin
- Theme rebuild – A new WordPress theme, either picked from the WordPress theme repository or built as a custom theme to match (or improve on) the Concrete5 design
- SEO transfer – Migrate meta titles, meta descriptions, schema, image alt tags, and structured data into Rank Math or Yoast SEO
- Redirect map – Build 301 redirects from every old Concrete5 URL to its new WordPress URL to preserve SEO equity
- Performance optimization – Caching, image optimization, CDN setup, and database tuning to ensure the new WordPress site loads fast
- Testing on staging – Full QA on a staging environment, including page-by-page review, form submissions, and user workflows, before going live
For an established Concrete5 site with years of content, real SEO equity, and serious traffic, a DIY migration is rarely the right answer. Broken block layouts, missing files, dropped search rankings, and PHP errors during import are the most common casualties.
You’ve completed your migration. What’s next?
Migration is the starting line. Once your Concrete5 content is fully imported into your new WordPress website, work through this post-launch checklist:
- Cross-check every page – Walk through every page on the new WordPress site side-by-side with the original Concrete5 site to confirm content, images, and layout are clean
- Test forms and user workflows – Submit every form, complete every checkout flow if applicable, and verify user login and registration work end-to-end
- Validate the redirect map – Confirm every old Concrete5 URL redirects cleanly to its new WordPress URL
- Submit your new sitemap to Google Search Console – Help search engines re-crawl the site under the new structure
- Verify SEO metadata transferred – Spot-check meta titles, meta descriptions, image alt tags, and schema across the new site
- Set up Google Analytics – Reinstall tracking and conversion goals
- Monitor traffic and search rankings – Track organic traffic, indexing, and rankings in the first 30 to 90 days to confirm the migration preserved SEO equity
- Polish the design – A new theme paired with WordPress design services is the perfect chance to upgrade the experience, not just replicate the old one
- Train your team – Walk your team through the WordPress dashboard, Gutenberg blocks, and any new tools so that daily content management feels familiar
Lock in managed hosting, security hardening, and ongoing maintenance through WordPress maintenance so the new site stays fast, secure, and supported long-term.
Hire Freshy to manage your WordPress migration
Concrete5’s lack of a direct WordPress export, combined with block-structure differences and the manual rebuild required for themes and add-ons, makes the migration to WordPress more involved than most. Freshy handles the complete Concrete5 to WordPress migration for you, so your team can focus on the business instead of debugging block layouts, replacing add-ons, and rebuilding forms from scratch.
We’ve supported over 2,400 clients since 2011, and our team handles everything from the technical WordPress migration work to the design refresh that usually comes with it. A typical engagement covers:
- Content audit and migration plan – Every page, post, file, and add-on on your Concrete5 site documented and mapped to a WordPress equivalent
- Custom WordPress theme design or theme selection – A new theme built around your brand, with block layouts that mirror or improve on the Concrete5 design
- Full content migration – Pages, posts, comments, categories, user accounts, and metadata imported cleanly into WordPress
- Media file migration – Images, documents, and videos moved into the WordPress media library with proper alt text and metadata
- Add-on and plugin replacement – Every Concrete5 add-on mapped to a WordPress plugin equivalent, with custom development for anything that needs to be rebuilt from scratch
- Block layout rebuild – Page layouts rebuilt in Gutenberg, Elementor, Beaver Builder, or a custom theme, depending on the design approach
- Complete redirect map – Every old Concrete5 URL pointed to its new WordPress URL to preserve search rankings
- SEO setup – Meta data, schema, image alt tags, sitemap submission, search engine optimization, and Google Analytics configuration
- Mobile-first responsive build – Optimized for every device and screen size
- Performance optimization – Caching, image optimization, and database tuning to keep the WordPress site loading fast
- Hosting, SSL, and security hardening – Managed hosting ready for traffic from day one
- Training and ongoing support – So your team can confidently manage the WordPress dashboard without needing Concrete5-level technical knowledge
If you’re ready to leave Concrete5 behind and consolidate onto the largest open-source CMS in the world, get in touch with our team to scope your migration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Concrete5 have a direct WordPress export tool?
No. Concrete5 doesn’t offer a “export to WordPress” button. The platform uses its own Content Import Format (CIF) for internal moves, but that format isn’t WordPress-readable. The migration is handled through XML exports of pages and posts, manual media transfers, and either the WordPress importer or a custom migration script.
How long does a Concrete5 to WordPress migration take?
A simple migration with limited content can be completed in 1 to 3 days. Mid-size sites typically take 1 to 3 weeks, and larger sites with custom functionality, deep add-on usage, or heavy customization can take 4 to 8 weeks. The biggest factor is how much content needs to be rebuilt versus imported automatically.
Will I lose SEO when I convert my website to WordPress?
Not if the migration is handled properly. Building a complete redirect map from every Concrete5 URL to its new WordPress URL is the most important step for protecting search rankings and driving traffic to the new website. Done well, most sites stabilize within 4 to 8 weeks and often see SEO improve, since WordPress with Yoast SEO or Rank Math offers superior SEO capabilities compared to Concrete5’s built-in tools.
Is there a free demo or trial available before committing to a migration?
Yes. Most professional migration teams (including ours) offer a free demo or scoping call before any work begins. The demo covers a sample of your content moving from Concrete5 to WordPress so you can see exactly how the new platform will handle your pages, blocks, and media, and you can decide whether to commit before any cost is involved.
Can I keep my Concrete5 site live during the migration?
Yes. Professional migrations always build the new WordPress site on a staging environment, away from visitors and the live Concrete5 site. The final cutover happens in a single planned window once the new site is fully tested and ready.
What happens to my Concrete5 add-ons and themes?
Concrete5 add-ons and themes don’t transfer directly to WordPress. Add-ons need to be replaced with WordPress plugin equivalents (WPForms for forms, WooCommerce for ecommerce, Rank Math for SEO, MemberPress for memberships). Themes are rebuilt either by selecting a matching, customizable WordPress theme or creating a custom one to closely match the existing Concrete5 design.
Will my Concrete5 block layouts transfer to WordPress blocks?
Not directly. Concrete5’s block-based structure doesn’t map perfectly to WordPress’s Gutenberg blocks. Block layouts need to be rebuilt manually in Gutenberg, a page builder like Elementor or Beaver Builder, or a custom theme. This is one of the more time-consuming tasks in the migration, but also the best opportunity to clean up and improve the design.
Do my Concrete5 users transfer to WordPress?
User accounts can usually be migrated, including usernames, email addresses, and profile data. Passwords don’t transfer because Concrete5 and WordPress use different password hashing methods, so users will need to reset their passwords on their first login. Communicating this clearly to your community ahead of launch keeps the support load manageable.
What about comments on my Concrete5 site?
Comments can usually be migrated if you’re using a native Concrete5 commenting system. The XML export typically includes comments tied to specific pages or posts, and the WordPress importer can bring them in as native WordPress comments. Additionally, if you’re using a third-party commenting system like Disqus, the comments stay tied to your account and continue working with minimal reconfiguration.
How do you make sure the migration is error-free?
A clean, error-free migration comes from a structured approach: full content audit, staging environment setup, careful import scripting, redirect mapping, end-to-end QA, and a final cutover only after every page, form, and workflow has been validated. Skipping any of these tasks is where most DIY migrations break down with broken layouts, lost media, or PHP errors during import.
Do I need to hire a developer to migrate from Concrete5 to WordPress?
For small sites with limited content, no. The migration can be handled manually if you’re comfortable with WordPress basics, XML imports, and a redirect plugin. For mid-size and larger sites, working with a WordPress specialist or a migration team almost always produces a faster, cleaner result with significantly less risk of broken layouts, lost SEO, or PHP errors during import.
What about my Concrete5 multilingual setup?
Concrete5’s multilingual setup doesn’t transfer directly, but multilingual support is available in WordPress through WPML or Polylang. Multilingual migrations require additional planning, language-specific URL mapping, and translated content review, all of which extend the migration timeline. Plan for an extra 2 to 4 weeks on top of the standard migration scope for multilingual sites.
What can WordPress help me achieve that Concrete5 can’t?
WordPress gives you access to the largest CMS ecosystem in the world, which means you can achieve almost any feature or functionality without custom development. From marketing automation and membership sites to multilingual setups, ecommerce, and advanced SEO, WordPress can cater to virtually any business need through its plugin library. Concrete5 can handle the basics, but the ceiling on what you can extend without writing custom code is significantly lower.
Ready to convert from Concrete5 to WordPress?
Concrete5 served its purpose. For most sites running on it today, the move to WordPress is the smart consolidation. onto the open-source CMS with the biggest ecosystem, the deepest talent pool, and the strongest long-term path forward.
We’ve helped business owners across the country complete the conversion from Concrete5 to WordPress without losing content, search rankings, or traffic. If you’re ready to leave Concrete5 behind and build on a platform that has the world’s largest CMS community behind it, we’d love to help.
