Award-winning web development since 1995
Written: June 24, 2011
Since most of my web clients are now using WordPress it was only logical to migrate my own site from a custom PHP implementation to a custom WordPress site. Here are the steps that I followed:
1) Decided on a new look for my site by making a Home page mock-up in Photoshop
2) Created a static HTML index.html page for my new Home page
3) Created a custom WordPress theme by dividing my index.html page into PHP, CSS and Javascript files
4) Add my favorite plugins
5) Imported my blog from www.blogger.com
6) Tested and went live
If you’re curious about the details drop me an email or leave a comment. This migration took me about 10 hours to complete and now I can update my new site using only a web browser instead of using Dreamweaver.
Of course I still use Dreamweaver, Photoshop and WordPress every day now to deliver customized features, pages, WordPress themes and WordPress plugins.
Tags: Custom Theme, Dreamweaver, PHP, WordPressI met Brian Baxley as a referral from NetBiz. At first I did SEO edits to his site then discovered that he wanted a site remodel, so we re-used his favorite fonts and colors to come up with his new layout:
Over the past few months I’ve been contracting with Pivot Group on a site for Dascom Systems.
We just launched on Friday and I’m excited to show you what our team accomplished:
WordPress is a very popular blogging and CMS plaform and most people just find a theme and use it. For this client we had a talented designer named Drew Dunn provide all of the beautiful page layout and Flash animations.
This design was created from scratch using Dreamweaver, Photoshop, CSS and Javascript, then turned into a WordPress theme.
FancyBox was used to show larger photos when you click on a thumbnail:
The CEO of Dascom sent us a thank you email, which felt just wonderful to read:
I’m getting ready to do formal portraits at a corporate party in March so I’d like to share with you how I’ve automated my workflow to better serve clients. Here are my work flow objectives:
To achieve these objectives I’ve assembled the following technologies:
Here’s how the computers and camera are all connected:
I’m a geeky guy so I wrote my own Applescript to re-size and copy images, plus the proofing and order system was written with PHP, MySQL, Javascript, Dreamweaver and Photoshop.
My web server on the PC is using the popular XAMPP tools, which are Open Source.
Shooting
I operate my Canon 5D just like always, on full manual with custom white balance, everything metered so there are no surprises. Using the USB2.0 cable it takes about 6 seconds for an image to go from the camera to the iMac. I shoot JPEG for event photos to save time and they look just great.
Applescript
This script takes about 5 seconds to re-size the full-size image into a proof and thumbnail size images, then copies them over to a folder on the PC where the web server is running.
Proofing and Ordering
The client uses a web browser to see their proofs. At first they see thumbnails. Clicking a thumbnail brings up a larger image with a price list.
Post Event
When I arrive back home after the event, then I run another web page to take my batch credit card orders and process them. Yes, I wrote that one too.
Summary
I’ve been able to achieve my event photography work flow objectives by using some standard technology and some custom technology to get the job done. My clients can be photographed, proof and order in a few minutes. They’re happy and I’m busy sending orders to my lab and then delivering prints to clients.
Chris Roane says: Hi,
I love the article and your blog. Would you be interested in exchanging links with me? My website is http://www.montanaprogrammer.com/ . Please let me know!
I’ve really enjoyed working with Roland Smith over the past several years to keep his web site humming, Social Media growing, and newsletters sending. He decided it was time for a new look so we started adding elements that he envisioned:
Enjoy your visit to his site and maybe you’ll want to read one of his many adventure books.
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I would like to know the detailed process of migrating my php website to wordpress. My wordpress directly lies in website’s directory.
Good morning. If you are handy with HTML, CSS and Javascript you can re-use the look of your current PHP site and create a Custom Template in WordPress. Otherwise you have a few choices:
1) Use an existing WordPress Theme.
2) Hire someone to create a custom WordPress Theme
3) Learn how to code your own custom theme in WordPress
How much content do you have to migrate from your PHP site to WordPress? Is it a handful of pages, hundreds of pages or thousands of pages?
Here’s some WordPress documentation on creating a new theme: http://codex.wordpress.org/Theme_Development
If time is of the essence, then hire a WordPress developer like me to get the job done quickly and correctly.
Hello,
How did you migrate the content off the database and import it into WordPress? My client has thousands of pages I need a little help.
Thank you
You can write a PHP script to read your old content, then use the following WordPress function to add new pages:
wp_insert_post( array(‘post_title’=>’My Page title’, ‘post_content’=>’My new page content’, ‘post_status’=>’publish’, ‘post_author’=>1) );
http://codex.wordpress.org/Function_Reference/wp_insert_post
Hello,
Could you please let me know how you transferred the custom PHP website to wordpress with same domain name? I am having issues with maintaining the same domain name and also a part where the database needs to be taken care of.
Please let me know,
Thank you
Shilpa,
You can install WordPress on your existing domain in a folder like /new, then write a PHP script to read your old content and create new WordPress pages or posts.
You can always hire me at $75/hour to perform this service, or give it a try yourself.
Good luck.
How many hours would it take to convert a PHP site to WordPress?
Maryann, Thanks for the question, I’d need to know how many pages your site is now, and what you want the new site to look like, then I can provide a quote. If you can send me the web address, I can also get a better idea of how complex and interactive your site is.
Hi-I am looking to get your thoughts on if it makes sense to convert my PHP website to WordPress or update my website with updated version of PHP.
What address can I send my website to. I can send you more specifics in email.
Thanks