Moving from self-hosted WordPress to hosted Ghost Pro is a significant decision. With careful planning, it can be a smooth transition. So part of that planning is to construct a workflow with all the required steps.
First, I needed to decide on some comparative pros and cons:
When to choose Ghost Pro:
- I prioritise a clean writing experience and want a simple blogging platform.
- I want a platform where I do not get involved in any of the software installation/update aspects.
- I need robust built-in newsletter features.
- I want a fast-loading website with minimal distractions.
When to choose self-hosted WordPress:
- I need a highly customisable website with diverse functionalities.
- I want access to a large community and extensive plugin library.
- I plan to grow my website beyond basic blogging with features like e-commerce or membership areas.
Relatively easy to answer for starting:
Ghost Pro: 3 options:
- I prioritise a clean writing experience and want a simple blogging platform.
- I want a platform where I do not get involved in any of the software installation/update aspects.
- I want a fast-loading website with minimal distractions.
WordPress: 0 options.
Here's the first part of the workflow.
1. Decision-Making Phase
Key Questions to Answer:
- Is Ghost Pro's functionality sufficient for my needs?
- I’m exploring Ghost's interface and features through their free trial – what’s my initial assessment?
- Do Ghost themes and built-in customisation options align with my site’s goals?
- Am I comfortable with losing plugins or features from WordPress?
- Identify WordPress features I currently rely on. Ghost focuses on simplicity, so advanced integrations may need third-party tools or workarounds.
- What content is essential to migrate?
- Will I migrate all blog posts, pages, and media, or is this an opportunity to curate and streamline my content (18 years’ worth)?
Answers to come!
