Craft CMS earned a strong reputation among developers for its clean architecture, flexible content modeling, and Twig templates. The platform built a loyal community of designers and developers who love its structured approach to content. The trouble is the broader ecosystem. The plugin marketplace is smaller, the licensing costs add up, the talent pool is narrow, and the platform’s reach is a fraction of WordPress’s.
If you’re weighing a move to convert from Craft CMS to WordPress, you’re consolidating onto the most popular CMS on the web. This guide walks through exactly what’s involved, how to map Craft’s sections and fields to WordPress, and how to migrate without losing structured content, custom features, or search rankings.
Why WordPress is the right move after Craft CMS
Craft CMS and WordPress are both PHP-based content management systems, both open in important ways, and both capable of running serious sites. The difference is scale and ecosystem. WordPress powers more than 40% of the web. Craft serves a much smaller, more developer-focused slice. That gap shows up in everything from plugin availability to hiring to long-term maintenance costs.
A WordPress site offers everything Craft does structurally, plus a vastly larger ecosystem behind it. Custom post types match Craft’s sections. Advanced Custom Fields covers Craft’s structured fields. Custom taxonomies handle Craft’s category groups. The Gutenberg block editor handles content composition, with Gutenberg block types covering what Twig templates and Matrix fields offered in Craft.
A few reasons developers and businesses move from Craft CMS to WordPress:
- A vastly larger ecosystem – Tens of thousands of WordPress plugins covering every feature, versus Craft’s significantly smaller marketplace
- Easier hiring – Finding a WordPress developer is dramatically easier than finding a Craft CMS specialist, and rates reflect the larger talent pool
- No licensing fees – WordPress core is free; Craft requires per-site licensing on its paid tiers
- Stronger SEO out of the box – Tools like Yoast SEO and Rank Math (and a wider ecosystem of SEO plugins) give WordPress sharper control than Craft’s built-in SEO settings
- Better support for structured data – WordPress’s combination of custom post types, custom taxonomies, and Advanced Custom Fields covers Craft’s flexible content modeling cleanly
- More user-friendly for non-developers – Daily content management in the WordPress dashboard is friendlier for non-technical editors than Craft’s more developer-focused interface
- A massive community for performance and security – Larger community means faster patches, more eyes on security vulnerabilities, and a deeper pool of resources for site performance optimization
If your Craft CMS site has started to feel like an isolated stack, the move to WordPress is the smart consolidation onto a much wider ecosystem.
WordPress vs. Craft CMS comparison
Here’s how the two platforms stack up once you start weighing whether to keep Craft CMS or migrate to WordPress:
| user-friendly | Craft CMS | WordPress |
|---|---|---|
| Ecosystem size | Smaller plugin marketplace, narrower theme selection | The largest plugin and theme ecosystem in open source |
| Licensing | Free Solo tier, paid Pro and Team licenses per site | Free WordPress core, no per-site licensing fees |
| Content modeling | Sections, entries, Matrix fields, structured content via Twig templates | Custom post types, custom fields (ACF), custom taxonomies, Gutenberg blocks |
| Developer experience | Developers love Craft’s clean architecture and Twig templating | Strong developer experience plus the largest developer community in CMS |
| SEO | Decent native SEO; deeper SEO needs SEO plugins | Strong defaults plus best-in-class SEO plugins like Yoast SEO and Rank Math |
| Hiring market | Niche specialist pool, harder to recruit, higher rates | Massive global talent pool, easier hiring, lower rates |
| Ease of use | More technical interface; developer-focused | More user friendly; designed for content editors |
| Best fit | Sites already running cleanly on Craft with dedicated dev support | Sites of any size seeking the wider ecosystem and lower long-term cost |
Ready to move? Talk to our migration team, and we’ll map out your Craft CMS to WordPress migration with a clear plan and structured approach.
How do you convert your website from Craft CMS to WordPress?
The path to convert from Craft CMS to WordPress requires a careful, structured approach because Craft’s content model is rich. Sections, entries, Matrix fields, category groups, and tag groups all map to WordPress equivalents, but the mapping needs to happen before any importing data begins.
Here’s the high-level path:
- Audit your Craft CMS site – Build a content inventory: every section, every entry type, every Matrix field, every category group, every user role, and every active plugin
- Plan the WordPress content schema – Map every Craft section to a WordPress custom post type, every entry type to a post template, every Matrix field to ACF Flexible Content or Gutenberg blocks, every category group to a custom taxonomy
- Set up the new WordPress site – Install WordPress on your hosting provider, install Advanced Custom Fields (ACF Pro), and prepare the WordPress content schema based on your data mapping
- Choose your migration approach – Three viable paths: use Craft’s REST API (cleanest for Craft Pro sites), use native CSV/XML export from the Craft control panel (works for simpler sites), or write a direct database query against the Craft database (most flexible but most work)
- Export content from Craft – Pull entries, sections, categories, tags, and assets either through the REST API, CSV/XML export, or a custom database export
- Build a migration plan and import script – For most Craft CMS migrations, the cleanest path is a custom CLI command or import script that reads Craft data and writes into WordPress via WP-CLI or the WordPress REST API
- Use WP Import for structured imports – WP All Import Pro is the standard tool for structured content imports into WordPress, handling WordPress custom post types, ACF fields, custom taxonomies, and custom meta. It pairs well with WP Import for bulk imports
- Migrate assets – Move Craft’s assets folder content into the WordPress media library, then rewrite image URLs and links across imported content
- Imports users and roles – Bring over Craft users to WordPress user accounts with appropriate roles; users will need to reset passwords on first login due to different hashing
- Rebuild the design – Craft themes and Twig templates don’t transfer to WordPress, so the new design gets built either as a custom WordPress theme or through Gutenberg blocks with an existing theme
- Set up SEO and redirects – Migrate meta titles, meta descriptions, structured data, and schema through Yoast SEO or Rank Math; build 301 redirects from every old Craft URL to its new WordPress URL
- Run a step-by-step guide review on staging – Before launch, validate every content type, every imported entry, every body content field, and every user workflow on a staging environment
- Launch and monitor – Deploy the live site, watch search rankings closely, and confirm post-launch site performance
The size of the lift depends on the complexity of your Craft content model, the volume of entries, and how deeply Matrix fields and custom features are used.
The Craft CMS to WordPress migration process
Most online articles oversimplify the Craft CMS to WordPress migration. For a small Craft site with one section and a handful of entries, the migration can be handled with the native export and the WordPress importer. For real Craft sites with multiple sections, deep Matrix fields, and significant content, the work is significantly deeper.
Here’s what actually happens during a serious Craft migration.
What can be migrated through a structured import:
- Entries from each section (mapped to WordPress posts or custom post types)
- Title, slug, body content, and basic metadata
- Categories and tags (mapped to WordPress categories, tags, or custom taxonomies)
- Authors and basic user data
- Assets folder content (mapped to WordPress media library)
- Custom fields (mapped to ACF fields)
- Matrix field content (mapped to ACF Flexible Content or Gutenberg block types)
- SEO metadata through plugins like SEOmatic, mapped to Yoast SEO
What needs manual work or rebuilding:
- Twig templates (rebuild in WordPress PHP templates or block patterns)
- Craft plugins without WordPress equivalents (replace with WordPress plugins)
- Custom front-end logic in Craft templates (rebuild in WordPress theme files)
- User passwords (different hashing; users reset on first login)
- Live preview workflows (configure WordPress preview equivalents)
- Custom GraphQL queries (rebuild against WP-GraphQL if running headless)
A complete Craft CMS to WordPress migration project covers:
- Discovery and planning – Full audit of sections, entry types, Matrix fields, categories, plugins, and integrations
- Content schema design – Map every Craft structure to a WordPress equivalent, with attention to custom post types, custom taxonomies, and ACF flexible content
- Migration script development – CLI command or custom import script that reads Craft data and writes to WordPress via WP-CLI or REST API, often using WP Import or WP All Import Pro for the actual ingestion
- Asset migration – Move every file from Craft’s assets folder into the WordPress media library
- WordPress theme build – Custom theme that matches the existing theme’s design, or a new design built around the migrated content
- Custom field configuration – Set up ACF or Gutenberg block patterns to handle Matrix field content cleanly
- SEO transfer – Move meta titles, meta descriptions, structured data, and schema into Yoast SEO or Rank Math
- Redirect map – Build 301 redirects from every old Craft URL to its new WordPress URL to preserve search rankings
- Performance and security – Caching, image optimization, security hardening, and protection against malicious bots through plugins like Wordfence
- User acceptance testing – Have content editors walk through the new WordPress dashboard and validate the entire workflow before launch
For an established Craft CMS site with years of structured content, complex Matrix fields, and serious SEO equity, a DIY migration is rarely the right answer. Without a clear plan and the right tools, risks include data loss, broken Matrix content, and lost search rankings.
You’ve completed your migration. What’s next?
Migration is the starting line. Once your Craft content is fully imported into WordPress, work through this post-launch checklist:
- Cross-check every entry – Walk through entries section by section, confirming structured fields, references, and Matrix content all rendered cleanly
- Validate custom post types and custom taxonomies – Verify each content type displays correctly and that custom taxonomies group content as expected
- Confirm assets folder migration – Check that all images load from the WordPress media library, not Craft’s CDN
- Test the new site end-to-end – Submit forms, navigate the site, and validate all interactive features work
- Verify redirects are live – Confirm every old Craft URL redirects cleanly to its new WordPress URL
- Submit your new sitemap to Google Search Console – Help search engines re-crawl the live site under the new structure
- Monitor search rankings – Track rankings, indexing, and organic traffic in the first 30 to 90 days
- Polish the design – A new theme or WordPress design refresh gives you the chance to upgrade the experience, not just replicate the old Craft look
- Configure performance and security – Install caching, set up CDN, enable security plugins, and validate the site loads fast and is protected against malicious bots
- Train your team – Walk content editors through the WordPress dashboard, ACF fields, and any new tools
Lock in managed hosting, security hardening, and ongoing WordPress maintenance so the new site stays fast, secure, and supported long-term.
Hire Freshy to manage your WordPress migration
Craft CMS’s structured content model and developer-focused architecture make the migration to WordPress more involved than a typical content migration. Freshy handles the complete Craft CMS to WordPress migration for you, including content schema design, migration script development, and theme work.
A typical engagement covers:
- Discovery and audit – Full content inventory, content type audit, and migration plan tailored to your existing Craft site
- WordPress content schema design – Map every section, Matrix field, and category group to a WordPress equivalent
- Custom migration script development – CLI command or import script that pulls Craft data and writes into WordPress through WP Import, WP All Import Pro, or a custom WP-CLI tool
- Full asset migration – Every file moved from Craft’s assets folder into the WordPress media library
- Custom WordPress theme design or theme selection – New design or matching existing theme work
- User migration with imports users workflow – Bring over user accounts with appropriate roles
- Complete redirect map – Every old Craft URL pointed to its new WordPress URL to preserve search rankings
- SEO setup – Yoast SEO or Rank Math configuration, schema, sitemap submission, search engine optimization, and Google Analytics
- Performance and security hardening – Caching, image optimization, security plugins, malicious bot protection
- Mobile-first responsive build – Optimized for every device
- Managed hosting, SSL, and security – Ready for traffic from day one
- Training and ongoing support – So your team can manage WordPress without needing Craft-level technical knowledge
If you’re ready to leave Craft CMS behind and consolidate onto one CMS with the world’s largest community, get in touch with our team to scope your migration.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a Craft CMS to WordPress migration take?
A typical Craft CMS to WordPress migration takes 6 to 14 weeks from kickoff to launch. Smaller Craft sites with limited sections can move in 4 to 6 weeks. Larger sites with multiple sections, deep Matrix fields, and complex custom features can run 14 to 24 weeks. The discovery phase usually accounts for 2 to 3 weeks on its own.
Will I lose SEO when I convert from Craft CMS to WordPress?
Not if the migration is handled with a clear plan. Building a complete redirect map from every Craft URL to its new WordPress URL is the most important step. Done well, most sites stabilize within 4 to 8 weeks and often see search rankings improve thanks to stronger SEO plugins like Yoast SEO and Rank Math.
Can I keep my Craft CMS site live during the migration?
Yes. Professional migrations always build the new WordPress site on a staging environment, away from your live site. The final cutover happens in a single planned window after the new site has been validated.
How do Craft sections map to WordPress?
Craft sections map to WordPress custom post types. Each Craft section becomes a custom post type with its own template, archive, and URL structure. Entries inside the section become individual posts. The structured approach in WordPress matches Craft’s organization cleanly.
What happens to Craft Matrix fields?
Matrix fields map to ACF Flexible Content or Gutenberg block patterns in WordPress. Each Matrix block type becomes either an ACF layout (for traditional WordPress templates) or a custom Gutenberg block (for block-based themes). The flexibility Craft offers is fully reproducible in WordPress with the right approach.
Can I migrate users and roles from Craft CMS?
Yes. The migration imports users from Craft into WordPress with mapped roles. Users will need to reset passwords on their first login due to different password hashing methods between platforms. Communicating this clearly to your team and end users avoids confusion.
What about Craft plugins without WordPress equivalents?
Most Craft plugins have WordPress plugin equivalents because the WordPress ecosystem is so much larger. For the rare cases where no direct equivalent exists, custom development covers the functionality. The discovery phase identifies every plugin that needs a replacement or rebuild.
Will Craft’s Twig templates transfer to WordPress?
No. Twig templates don’t transfer directly because WordPress uses PHP for theming. The design and templating logic get rebuilt either as a custom WordPress theme with PHP template files, or as Gutenberg block patterns and templates in a block-based theme.
Can I run WordPress headlessly the way I run Craft?
Yes. WordPress supports headless architecture through the REST API or WP-GraphQL, similar to how Craft supports headless through its GraphQL API. If you’re running a React, Next.js, or other frontend against Craft today, the same setup is fully achievable with WordPress as the backend.
Do I need to hire developers to migrate from Craft CMS to WordPress?
For small Craft sites, manual migration is possible if you’re comfortable with WordPress basics, ACF, and a redirect plugin. For mid-size and larger sites with structured content, custom features, or performance and security requirements, working with developers or a migration team almost always produces a cleaner result with significantly less risk.
Ready to convert from Craft CMS to WordPress?
Craft CMS is a solid platform that developers love. For most businesses running it today, the move to WordPress is the smart consolidation onto a popular CMS with a vastly larger ecosystem, lower long-term costs, and a deeper talent pool.
We’ve helped businesses across the country complete the conversion from Craft CMS to WordPress without losing content, structured data, or search rankings. If you’re ready to leave Craft behind and build on the world’s largest CMS, we’d love to help.
