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In this addendum to the series Preparing to Move to WordPress, I show you how to bypass the Blogger redirect menu. You may recall the menu is basically a warning that readers are being redirected to your WP host. Blogger then forces them to say 'yes' they want to continue. Not only does it look scary but it takes extra time for readers to click again!
So what you really want is for Blogspot to use the old url and go directly to the correct post in WP. Well, the only way to do that is with special software since Blogspot is not that cooperative when you abandon ship!
The hero plugin in this post is the "Blogger to WP Redirection" (B2W) which I could not get to work properly when I moved to WordPress a few weeks ago. Hence the plugin was not used in the DIY tutorial series. Going on the theory of better late than never, I tried B2W again. Only after getting it to work did I realize this software replaces the Permalink Finder.
The B2W plugin requires you to overlay your Blogspot template with provided code. Not for the faint of heart! And it also may require special web host rule which can be tricky. So you may want to just follow the tutorial through Part 4. I still recommend you try the Addendum at some point for a cleaner conversion. If there is a problem, you can always go back to using the regular Blogger redirect via the yes-no menu.
The Key to Bypassing the Blogger yes-no Menu
The key is a combination of the plugin called Blogger to WP Redirection and the Mod_Security rule. Together your visitor will present Blogger with an old url like
http://yourUrl.blogspot.com/greatpost.html
and go directly to
http://yourUrl.com/greatpost.html with no questions asked!
The Plugin
The plugin sets up a 1-to-1 mapping between Blogger posts that have migrated to WordPress. For example, an old subdomain address (e.g. BPWebNews.blogspot.com) moved to new custom domain (e.g. BPWebNews.com).When you use B2W you'll need to revert to Publishing on Blogspot rather than telling Blogger to redirect to your custom domain. Sounds weird, but you have to trust that the software in the revised template will safely carry your reader over the seas to WordPress.
The full directions for the procedure are here: http://bloggertowp.org/blogger-to-wordpress-redirection-plugin which are quite detailed. You need to follow each step closely. Unfortunately, the plugin assumes you have sufficient access on your web host to execute a database query. The query format looks like this
http://bpwebnews.com/?b2w=bpwebnews.blogspot.com/2009/11/adding-retweet-button-to-single-posts.html
In my case, the query did not pull in the WP post but instead went to the Home Page without any errors! The web host had blocked the access.
The Host Mod_Security Rule
If you're on a shared web host, the plugin will not work unless you add a whitelist rule for Blogger to go directly to the WP url via the B2W plugin code. First your hosting must have Mod_Security enabled, then you need the rule created by support. If you don't have the Mod_Security feature enabled you get a 403 Forbidden Error whenever you redirect in Blogger.
If the feature is enabled on your web host but the redirect goes to your HomePage, then you need a whitelist rule. This happens when you're on a Shared server. I had an online Chat with my Hostgator and they could see my WP blog was attempting to access a rule,
The domain http://bpwebnews.com showed to be hitting the mod_rule 1234xxx which requires a whitelist (the ID itself) to allow the query to work.
So support added the rule and everything worked. I then deactivated the Permalink Finder.
Notice I make no attempt to define what mod_security means! I leave that to the certified techies! Here's a definition I found:
ModSecurity is an Apache module that adds intrusion detection and prevention features to the Web server. In principle it is similar to an IDS you would use to analyse your network traffic, except that it works on the HTTP level and understands it really well. ... In addition to detection, mod_security also supports attack prevention. Because it stands between the client and the server, if it finds that the request contains a malicious payload it can reject the request, performing any of a number of built-in actions. ... Semantic.com
Video: Using the Blogger to WordPress (B2W) Redirection Plugin
See what the Blogger menu looks like and how it disappeared after the plugin.
I found that after I used the B2W software, my Feedburner count doubled-up to the pre-migration level. I suspect some feed Readers, using the default Blogger url, can't answer the Blogger question --- similar to a bot confronted with Captcha!
Please leave a comment if you have any questions. Let us know if you used this software approach in your migration.
Parts in This Series:
Part 1, Get a Custom Domain Name. It's never too late to do this while still on blogspot.
Part 2, Test Drive WP. Use free WP to experience your future blog neighborhood.
Part 3, Bring Your Readers. Have Blogger forward old url hits to WP blog.
Part 4, Keep Search Engine Traffic. It's all about avoiding 'page not found' errors!
Addendum: Using the Blogger to WordPress Redirection plugin.
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{ 26 comments }
You are my new favorite person in the whole wide world. If I was going to have another child I’d name them after you. THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!! I spent all morning dealing with that annoying redirect and you helped me fix it 100%. My google searches, everything. Thanks so much.
Chloe
Hi Chloe,
Come to think of it I always wanted a mini-me named Shirley, so don’t give up!
Comments like yours make my day! I wish I had time to write more but not possible right now. I know from when I started how frustrating this stuff can be — even when you find what seems to be a good tutorial… always some bumps…
WordPress.com’s Bluehost link that actually says, “One Click” migration or something like that. As if.
I’m not getting the dreaded 404 Error but someone just told me they are. It’s so frustrating. And my disqus comments migrated, I can see them, but they won’t post to individual posts no matter what I do. I did install the disqus plugin. Oh well.
All this tech stuff takes so much time and while I’m doing it I can’t be producing content which is what you’re supposed to have on a blog to make it attractive to readers.
Anyway, thanks so much for your site. I’ve bookmarked you and added you to my feed. I’ll be looking forward to hearing more from you.
The 404 may be triggered by your WP permalink structure which defaulted to page numbers instead of post tiltes. (?p=237)… Anyone trying to see the feed with the (yourdomain name)/feed gets an error — see the RSS link in the footer and maybe you gave it to social sites? You need to change Settings, Permalink to custom version.
Not sure what you mean about Disqus. There is an order for migration and plugin. We can look at it — just buy a support ticket at my freelancing site
wpblogexperts.com/services/support/
“Well, the only way to do that is with special software since Blogspot is not that cooperative when you abandon ship!”
I doubt that Google, who owns Blogger, is comfortable losing business and traffic to any application for that matter…
nice… i like it
it’s so great. I never saw a great article like this before. thanks for letting me know.
Is using Blogger To Wp Direction plugin considered as proper by Google? I have read many who got their blogs penalized or banned by Google for improper redirect. You can read it over at Blogger Help Forum and this http://rajmanglam.com/wordpress/avoid-google-search-ban-blogger-wordpress-redirect-sites.html
Hi Mark,
I suspect the blogger who migrated forgot to mark his blogger blog as ‘do not index’/hide from search engines. Valid old entries still on search engines should be redirected to reach the correct url for the same post content in WP! Notice I said same content, just different url based on how WP uses the same title. I doubt very much Google penalizes that. Also may plain redirects give the reader a choice of going to new site or not (dreaded blue menu). The Blogger to WP redirect does bypass that screen but marks the post as permanently moved. Eventually the old post is removed from results (site no longer crawled for that name).
Its a very helpful plugin developed my friend Rahul, he has always been encouraging bloggers to move from Blogger to WordPress. Anyway nice review, bloggers will surely find it very useful.
Sreejesh @techgyo´s recent [type] ..Giveaway! Retweet and Comment to Win 6 Months Hostgator Unlimited Hosting
Hello Sreejesh,
I like to let people know what’s going on behind the scenes and answer puzzling problems. Many bloggers want to be more technical and just need some guidance/confidence..
Thanks for the compliment and taking the time to stop by.
It’s really an interesting fact which I just got to know via this blog. Making this blog and keeping it updated is the best possible thing which customer always ask for. So I would like to thank for this interesting knowledge given by the moderator!
I’ve had my page sitting around with a redirection notice for a long time on blogger like that; now i think is the time to make the move, so thanks
Hi Peter,
Yes, it’s about time! Let me know if you need any help… Be prepared to call your web host if needed for the mod rule.
SBA´s recent [type] ..Quick Tip for a Cleaner Sidebar – Put Social Icons in a Table
There are a lot of people who are looking to move from Blogger and Wordpress and I think this is great to show them how easy it can be.
Blogger telling your readers that they are being redirected to your Wordpress blog and then forcing them to click ‘yes’ is indeed scarey and a lot of readers will not click ‘yes’ because it takes too much effort from them.
Dean Saliba´s recent [type] ..February 2011 Blog Income Report
Dean,
Thanks for your comments. I hope those folks see that and give it a try. It may not be very easy for some but it is so doable with the help that is all around you. Even though I had mastered the Blogger template hacks, I don’t miss it. WP has so many possibilities and you can basically turn on a dime to take advantage of the latest opportunities.
SBA´s recent [type] ..Quick Tip for a Cleaner Sidebar – Put Social Icons in a Table
Wow, nice post!!! I haven’t used Blogger in a few years now but I happen to have a friend that still is and considering moving over to WP. I figured there had to be some type of support or service that would transfer that blog to the new one so I’ll be sure to send him to your post. This came along at just the right time.
Thanks for this great post.
Adrienne
Adrienne´s recent [type] ..Damn Those Hackers- Don’t Let This Happen To You!
Welcome Adrienne,
I’m glad you found this series in the nick of time (for your friend!) It’s a do-it-yourself series for blogger who wants to learn what’s under the hood. For others, we have a service that gets them in the driver’s seat with the flashing WP dashboard a bit quicker and with fewer gray hairs.
I noticed your free training series which many newbies to blogging and those considering a WP move could use. I gave it a tweet.
In my case I found a simpler solution….
I have not moved to Wordpress yet, I just changed to custom domain, but it showed the same message. I simply reported my new domain to Google Webmaster, and it instantly redirected to my new domain. You may wanna try this solution. I found this solution here.
Hi Ardegas,
Thanks for offering this solution but it would not cover my problem. Specifically because I had moved to WP and needed old blogspot urls to jump directly into the correct WP. WP post name (keywords) in the url are not exactly like the blogger format. In your case the url names are the same since you’re still in Blogger — only the domain name portion is different.
Your problem involves the www — whether reader types it or not in front of your new custom domain name. Apparently your domain may not have been purchased via Google/Blogspot. Or you did not check the box that says Blogger should redirect to www as well as non-www. Webmaster was able to add (or subtract) the www in the url to avoid the yes-no menu.
Yes, the Wordpress URL format is different, but the principle is the same. I encourage anyone with this problem to try my solution.
I purchased my domain via Go Daddy, they have a redirect option. It works fine. Google Webmaster did not add (or subtract) the www part. Remember that Blogger belongs to Google, so notifying the new domain to Google Webmaster had an immediate effect on Blogger. This is how the yes-no menu was eliminated.
Wow, nice! What a great plugin! I’ve always stuck to WordPress but I know a lot of people who probably would start with Blogger, and then as their blogging knowledge and experience grows… would probably find it more convenient and professional to move to WP. This is a great and thorough explanation and a fantastic plugin to make that all happen. Didn’t even know it existed!
Elise´s recent [type] ..Search Is Going Social- Whether We “Like” It Or Not
Elise,
Thanks for your feedback. I suspect if more long-term blogspot owners knew they could retain readers and search engine hits, they would take the leap over to WP. So many of the newer free themes let you customize easily with options. Bloggers who own their custom designs can even retain the look and feel.
Glad you know about the plugin and series so you can help out your friends.
Hi SBA.
If “?b2w” in URL takes you to the wordpress homepage or 500 errors then issue is most likely with Mod_security. (confirmed if you are on hostgator)
Hostgator has amazing support and best affiliate program which pays a lot but technically there severs are oversold. Just for info, Hostgator do not have their own datacenter. They buy servers from The Planet (now SoftLayer)
Statistically, on Dreamhost you get 100MB RAM while on Hostgator it is 64MB.
Apart from stats… Most our clients love Hostgator and never had any issues with hostgator!
Hello SBA.
This is Rahul, developer of Blogger-to-WordPress plugin.
First, let me thank you for a great review.
Now, I want to address 2 issues:
1. Blogger.com Yes/No Screen
It comes when you have used custom-domain setup on Blogger.com
Ideal way is to revert back to subdomain on Blogger.com
This is a security measure by Blogger.com and noone has control on it
2. Mod_security
The issues is with cheap host like HostGator and all you need is a phone call to get it disabled.
Plugin works smoothly on Dreamhost and many other web-hostings.
Rahul Bansal´s recent [type] ..“ChethStudios” Blog Migrated to WordPress
Hi Rahul,
The ‘great review’ is well deserved! I had seen your plugin ‘not working’ on a client’s site (she had us fix her migration mistakes) and loved the concept. Now I suspect her problem was the Mod_security issue.
Thanks for your comments. As for “cheap host”, I have nothing but high praise for Hostgator — even before I became an affiliate! My worst freelance experiences and time wasters have been on other web hosts which have more devastating restrictions, uncooperative support and down-right confusion when they force clients to use certain caching plugins or WP directories!