Title: Queries about switching over to self-hosted Last modified: August 21, 2016 --- # Queries about switching over to self-hosted * Resolved [PilgrimNev](https://wordpress.org/support/users/pilgrimnev/) * (@pilgrimnev) * [11 years, 10 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/help-please-155/) * _[Moderator note: This is a support forum, everyone is going to be looking for help so please don’t use such a generic title in future]_ * For almost a year I have been running my wordpress site: [mycaminosantiago.com](http://www.mycaminosantiago.com) This morning I wanted to add a forum to the site but I couldn’t find where the plugins were and eventually found out that it isn’t possible to allow plugins because it is hosted by wordpress.com * I have researched the internet all afternoon and it seems that I will need to find a host site and then export my blog over so that I can then allow plugins. * I am worried I will lose the overall design of the site, site content, and that it will be a too complicated process. * Can anybody please help with some advice? * Thank you very much for your input. * Nev Viewing 9 replies - 1 through 9 (of 9 total) * [Dave](https://wordpress.org/support/users/345ad/) * (@345ad) * [11 years, 10 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/help-please-155/#post-5114073) * Hey Nev, you won’t lose anything – you can purchase your theme [here](http://theme.wordpress.com/credits/mycaminosantiago.com/); you can [backup](http://en.support.wordpress.com/export/) all your posts/pages etc and once you find the new host and get everything setup, just import your posts/pages etc. and upload/activate your theme. * From there you’ll have to make some edits here and there to get things right, but in the end, it is much better than hosting with WordPress.com – you’ll have so much more control over your site – as you should. * Thread Starter [PilgrimNev](https://wordpress.org/support/users/pilgrimnev/) * (@pilgrimnev) * [11 years, 10 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/help-please-155/#post-5114077) * Thanks a lot for the feedback. Problem is that I already paid for a theme through the wordpress website and I have been working with that theme for the past year. If I transfer will I automatically lose the theme I already have? * [Peter Lawrenson](https://wordpress.org/support/users/lorro/) * (@lorro) * [11 years, 10 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/help-please-155/#post-5114246) * You need to ask support at wordpress.com for a copy of the theme, but its not in their interest to help you migrate. The theme may not even work on a non-wordpress. com environment. You may not be able to get updates for the theme once you move away from wordpress.com. I don’t think migrating the theme will be achievable. * You should be able to export your content at Admin menu / Tools / Export, then import it into another WordPress install, without rekeying. However a new theme will need some effort to setup to your liking. You will also need to point your domain name to your new hosting. * I suggest you keep your current site going for a few weeks, while you find hosting, find a new theme (checkout the [themes on wordpress.org](http://wordpress.org/themes/)), migrate your content and try the plugins that interest you. If and when your new site is ready, transfer your domain name. Unfortunately the freedom to do what you want will require some effort. * Thread Starter [PilgrimNev](https://wordpress.org/support/users/pilgrimnev/) * (@pilgrimnev) * [11 years, 10 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/help-please-155/#post-5114250) * Thank you so much lorro! This is extremely helpful information for me. Just two last questions regarding this: * 1. To transfer my wordpress.com site do I have to transfer it to wordpress.org( please excuse my lack of knowledge in this area as I’m sure my question is rudimentary to many of you on these boards). * 2. Which hosting would you (or anybody else) recommend? I have a list of recommended hosting companies who have experience working with wordpress websites but I’d like to ask you lorro and anyone else who can help which you would recommend because of experience or recommendations from other people. * Thank you again so much! * Nev * [Peter Lawrenson](https://wordpress.org/support/users/lorro/) * (@lorro) * [11 years, 10 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/help-please-155/#post-5114253) * You need to choose some hosting. Hosting is some space on a computer that is permanently connected to the internet. wordpress.org provides software, help and advice, but not hosting. * wordpress.org has a [help page](http://wordpress.org/hosting/) about hosting. Personally I get on with [eUKhost](http://www.eukhost.com/web-hosting/cpanel.php) but there are lots of companies to choose from. I would say don’t choose on price alone. * Moderator [keesiemeijer](https://wordpress.org/support/users/keesiemeijer/) * (@keesiemeijer) * [11 years, 10 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/help-please-155/#post-5114257) * Hi [@pilgrimnev](https://wordpress.org/support/users/pilgrimnev/) * Per the [Forum welcome](http://codex.wordpress.org/Forum_Welcome#Closing_Posts), we close topics when hosting recommendation (for or against) is being requested due to the amount of spam that they attract. * I will keep this topic open for a little longer. Any more posts about the subject and It will be closed. You’re free to open a new topic If your question was not resolved * The WordPress team has provided a list of [a few recommended hosting providers](http://wordpress.org/hosting/). * (Note: By closing this post I neither support nor condemn the use of the servers listed on the wordpress.org official hosting page, and encourage you to search around.) * Thread Starter [PilgrimNev](https://wordpress.org/support/users/pilgrimnev/) * (@pilgrimnev) * [11 years, 10 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/help-please-155/#post-5114263) * Thank you so much lorro. I have taken your advice and tips. I really appreciate the help you gave me. * keesiemeijer, I completely understand and thank you also so much for your contribution. Extremely helpful also. It’s boards such as this one which provide a light in the dark. * Thanks a lot and if there are any further comments or advice regarding the transferring of a wordpress.com site’s information then I’d be grateful for all the info I can receive. If there isn’t and the thread gets closed down because of potential spammers then I completely understand and either way I’m just so grateful that I was able to receive such strong help and advice on here. * Nev * Moderator [keesiemeijer](https://wordpress.org/support/users/keesiemeijer/) * (@keesiemeijer) * [11 years, 10 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/help-please-155/#post-5114272) * I think this is a good read. [http://onecoolsitebloggingtips.com/2012/08/31/moving-your-blog-from-wordpress-com-to-wordpress-org-resources-and-tips/](http://onecoolsitebloggingtips.com/2012/08/31/moving-your-blog-from-wordpress-com-to-wordpress-org-resources-and-tips/) * Thread Starter [PilgrimNev](https://wordpress.org/support/users/pilgrimnev/) * (@pilgrimnev) * [11 years, 9 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/help-please-155/#post-5114279) * Thank you very very much! Nev Viewing 9 replies - 1 through 9 (of 9 total) The topic ‘Queries about switching over to self-hosted’ is closed to new replies. * In: [Fixing WordPress](https://wordpress.org/support/forum/how-to-and-troubleshooting/) * 9 replies * 4 participants * Last reply from: [PilgrimNev](https://wordpress.org/support/users/pilgrimnev/) * Last activity: [11 years, 9 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/help-please-155/#post-5114279) * Status: resolved ## Topics ### Topics with no replies ### Non-support topics ### Resolved topics ### Unresolved topics ### All topics