How to Migrate from WPBakery to Elementor Safely

Preface

Are you considering migrating from WPBakery to Elementor for your WordPress website? You’re not alone. Many website owners and developers are making the switch due to Elementor’s user-friendly interface, extensive features, and active development community. This guide will walk you through the migration process step-by-step, ensuring a smooth transition while keeping your content intact.

What You Need Before Starting the Migration

Before we dive into the migration process, let’s cover what you should have ready:

• A WordPress backup (very important!)
• Your current WPBakery license details (if you plan to keep using it on other sites)
• Elementor installed and activated on your WordPress site
• A test or staging site if possible (highly recommended)

Info: Elementor is a popular page builder plugin that offers more design flexibility and a growing library of templates compared to WPBakery. Many users find it more intuitive and easier to use.

Step 1: Backup Your WordPress Site

Before making any changes, backup your entire WordPress website. This ensures you can restore everything if something goes wrong during the migration.

// This is a reminder to backup your site - no actual code needed here!
const backupYourSite = "Before changing page builders, backup your WordPress site using a plugin like UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy"

Step 2: Export WPBakery Content (Optional)

WPBakery allows you to export your templates and content, which can be helpful during migration. Here’s how:

1. In your WordPress dashboard, go to WPBakery → Templates
2. Click the “Export” button to download your templates
3. Save these files to your computer for reference

Step 3: Install and Activate Elementor

If you haven’t already installed Elementor, you can download it from the WordPress plugin repository or get Elementor Pro for more advanced features.

// Installing Elementor via WordPress dashboard
const installElementor = {
    action: "navigate to Plugins > Add New",
    search: "elementor",
    install: "Install Now",
    activate: "Activate"
};

Step 4: Convert WPBakery Pages to Elementor

This is where the actual migration happens. There are primarily two methods:

Method 1: Manual Conversion

1. Go to the page you want to migrate and click “Edit with Elementor”
2. In WPBakery, the content is usually in rows and columns. Try to recreate this structure in Elementor
3. Copy and paste text content from WPBakery to Elementor widgets
4. Upload images again if needed
5. Adjust styling as Elementor may display things slightly differently
6. Save your work

Method 2: Using a Migration Plugin

Some plugins can help automate the conversion process:

1. Install a migration plugin like “WPBakery to Elementor”
2. Follow the plugin’s instructions to convert your content
3. Review each page after conversion to ensure everything looks correct
4. Make any necessary adjustments

Step 5: Review and Test Your Pages

After converting your pages, thoroughly review each one:

• Check that all text appears correctly
• Verify images are displaying properly
• Test any buttons or links
• View your pages on different devices (desktop, tablet, mobile)
• Test forms and interactive elements

Step 6: Deactivate WPBakery (NOT Delete)

Hint: Don’t delete WPBakery yet! Keep it deactivated for now in case you need to reference something during your review process.

1. Go to Plugins → Installed Plugins
2. Find WPBakery Page Builder
3. Click “Deactivate”
4. Continue testing your site for a few days

Step 7: Add Elementor Styling and Enhancements

Now that your content is migrated, take advantage of Elementor’s features:

Custom Fonts and Typography

Elementor works great with all Google Fonts. Visit our guide on how to choose the right fonts for your website for inspiration.

Using Astra Starter Templates

For a quick design boost, check out Astra’s library of templates that work perfectly with Elementor. Learn more about how to install Astra Starter Templates.

Global Widgets and Theme Builder

Elementor Pro offers global widgets and a theme builder. These features allow you to make site-wide design changes from one place, saving you hours of work.

Step 8: Final Verification

Before completely removing WPBakery, verify everything works:

1. Check your website on different browsers
2. Test contact forms and other interactive elements
3. Verify your site is mobile-responsive
4. Test site speed (our expert tips for Elementor include speed optimization techniques)
5. Confirm all SEO settings are intact

Step 9: Clean Up Old WPBakery Files

After you’re confident everything works:

1. From the WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins → Installed Plugins
2. Find WPBakery Page Builder
3. Click “Delete” (don’t worry, your content is safe as text)

Common Issues and Solutions

Here are some issues you might encounter during migration:

Benefits of Switching to Elementor

After completing your migration, you’ll enjoy:

• Faster page load times
• More design flexibility and customization options
• Better mobile responsiveness
• Access to thousands of templates and blocks
• Active community and regular updates
• Better third-party integrations

Definition: Elementor is a drag-and-drop page builder plugin for WordPress that allows you to create beautiful websites without any coding knowledge. Unlike WPBakery, which uses a backend editor, Elementor works as a live frontend editor.

Migrating Other WPBakery Features

After converting your pages, don’t forget about these WPBakery elements:

Shortcodes

Any WPBakery shortcodes need to be converted or replaced with Elementor widgets or alternative plugins.

Theme Builder Features

If you were using WPBakery’s theme builder, Elementor’s Elementor Pro offers a much more robust and user-friendly theme builder.

Popups and Modules

Elementor’s Popup Builder is more advanced than WPBakery’s. Check our AI plugins for WordPress article for popup optimization tips.

When to Seek Professional Help

Migrating from WPBakery to Elementor is usually straightforward, but consider getting professional assistance if:

• Your site has hundreds of complex pages
• You’re using many custom WPBakery addons
• You have an e-commerce site with product-specific designs
• You don’t have time to manage the migration yourself

Important: If you have a large or complex site, consider working with a professional who can ensure nothing is lost during migration.

Conclusion

Migrating from WPBakery to Elementor can seem daunting at first, but by following this guide step-by-step, you can make the transition smoothly and safely. Remember to always backup your site before making changes, test thoroughly after migration, and don’t rush the process.

Elementor’s intuitive interface, powerful features, and active development make it a worthwhile investment for your WordPress website. Take advantage of its extensive template library, responsive editing tools, and integration capabilities to create stunning web pages without touching a line of code.