I’ve been thinking of being the ‘master of my own domain’ on this blog rather than having ‘WordPress’ in the URL but I am hesitant because of a few things such as the cost and a lack of understanding of how it works. Is it automatic that everyone who is already following me will know the new URL?
Maybe this is a question for WordPress: do all the original URL links already present in search engines still work? Do the suscribers get transferred over? So many questions…
Has anyone else converted and if so are you happy with the decision? I’m hoping to get a few responses to this…fingers crossed.
Until tomorrow
Sandra
www.sandramadeira.com
My Writing Notebook 
Sandra, I did that yesterday. And it was not without its challenges. But I’m not that savvy in blog-tech and I was able to pull it off reasonably easy.
I was able to keep my theme, that is by downloading it (I previously checked to make sure it would work with WordPress.org) and activating it.. And I was able to transfer almost all my data from the .com blog–posts and comments and categories–except I had to re list my blogroll links by hand.
But to answer you question, No the redirecting of your subscribers is not automatic.
But there is a plug-in (at least one, probably more than one) that will redirect your current subscribers automatically to your website, but that is an additional cost, perhaps, but I don’t think a major one.
I have looked into it since I have few subscribers and can contact them directly, if necessary.
Hence, I’m leaving up my WordPress.com blog a while with an announcement in the top post announcing the new address. I’m asking my precious few to re-sign up at the new blog site.
There are two videos at WordPress–in case you haven’t found them yet–that tell you how to set up WordPress.org at your wepsite/blog host and how to (1) set up WordPress at your domain and (2) how to then transfer your blog to the new site.
(1) http://support.hostgator.com/articles/specialized-help/technical/wordpress/how-to-install-wordpress
and
(2) http://support.hostgator.com/articles/specialized-help/technical/wordpress/transfer-wordpress-from-wordpress-com-to-your-self-hosted-wordpress
Hope that helps. Any questions? I will answer if I can.
Bill
Posted by Bill Polm | December 20, 2011, 11:41 pmI meant to say above, “I have not looked into the plugins…”
Posted by Bill Polm | December 20, 2011, 11:42 pmThanks so much Bill for your comment and advice. I need to work out if it’s worth transferring it over to hosting it myself or convert it and still let WordPress do the hosting. I’m having the same challenges as you on another blog where I have downloaded WordPress in that it doesn’t stop the spam without it costing me money. What I was actually considering doing this time was just converting it in WordPress rather than transferring it. It’s great to know that it’s working for you.
Thanks again
Sandra
Posted by Sandra Madeira | December 21, 2011, 12:00 pmand I should add that now that I have it done, yes I’m happy with the decision and move, since I will be able to offer ebooks soon, soon as I get them written and formatted that is!
My WordPress.org website/blog looks just like my .com one and works almost exactly the same. But I have to learn how to set up the plug ins/widgits I want. Which will be few.
And, here’s a headsup: That Akismet span protector that comes free with WordPress.com is now costing me $5 per month, over and above the cost of my Host Gator hosting. The best option there is not the cheapest (“Hatching”) or the most expensive “Business”) but the middle one, “Baby” which has a lot for the money. My opinion.
Posted by Bill Polm | December 20, 2011, 11:46 pmThanks again Bill. I’ve just popped over to look at your site and you have been really busy writing great content – well done. You’ll be pleased to know that I’ve subscribed! Good luck with the ebooks.
Posted by Sandra Madeira | December 21, 2011, 12:09 pmSorry, by “Baby” I was referring to Gator hosting options.
Posted by Bill Polm | December 20, 2011, 11:47 pmI have recently converted 😉
It seems that old links to my old WordPress addy still work and just direct everyone to the new URL, so it would appear that anyone subscribed to the old Blog address automatically get carried over 🙂
Good luck….I say go for it 😉
Posted by Vikki | December 21, 2011, 7:23 amHi Vikki
That’s really good news – I hope you are finding the benefits of converting. Yes, I think I will go for it. I just checked to see what the URL was on your comment and it shows your old one, so I’m assuming that any existing subscribers/followers see the old one. Just as a side note – I did choose to follow your blog a while back, but I’ve just noticed that I’m not getting anything through. I’ve also noticed that you don’t have a subscribe button on your blog – how can I follow you (as I don’t want to miss anything!)?
Hope you are having a good day
Sandra
Posted by Sandra Madeira | December 21, 2011, 12:26 pmOh, that’s odd 😦 I have now added the e mail subscribe widget. I don’t think you get anything through when you just follow someone, I think you have to enter you e mail to be notified of new posts…..but I’m not an expert 😉
Awwwww, thanks hon 🙂
xx
Posted by Vikki | December 21, 2011, 9:32 pm