How to Convert WordPress to HTML: A Step-by-Step Guide

WordPress is a powerful and flexible content management system (CMS) that powers a huge portion of the web. Its user-friendly interface and vast library of plugins make it a top choice for everyone from small bloggers to large corporations. However, there are situations where you might want to convert your WordPress site into a static HTML site.

A static HTML site consists of fixed files (HTML, CSS, and JavaScript) that are delivered to the user exactly as they are stored on the server. This can lead to significant improvements in performance, security, and simplicity. If you’re looking to boost your site’s speed or reduce your maintenance workload, converting from WordPress to HTML might be the right move.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know. We’ll cover the main reasons for making the switch and provide three different methods to convert your WordPress site into a lean, fast-loading HTML version.

Why Convert a WordPress Site to HTML?

Switching from a dynamic WordPress site to a static HTML one might seem like a step backward, but there are several compelling reasons to do it. Understanding these benefits can help you decide if this is the right path for your website.

Better Performance and Faster Loading Times

Static HTML sites are incredibly fast. Since there’s no database to query or server-side code to execute, the server can send the files directly to the user’s browser. This results in near-instantaneous load times, which can drastically improve user experience and positively impact your SEO rankings. Search engines like Google favor faster websites, so this can give you a competitive edge.

Enhanced Security

WordPress is a frequent target for hackers due to its popularity and reliance on themes, plugins, and a database—all potential entry points for malicious attacks. A static HTML site eliminates these vulnerabilities. With no database to inject and no server-side scripts to exploit, your site becomes significantly more secure and less susceptible to common threats.

Reduced Server Load and Lower Hosting Costs

Dynamic sites require more server resources to process PHP and run database queries for every page request. A static site, on the other hand, puts minimal strain on the server. This means you can handle more traffic with less powerful (and less expensive) hosting. In many cases, you can even host your static site for free on platforms like GitHub Pages or Netlify.

Simplified Maintenance

Maintaining a WordPress site involves regular updates for the core software, themes, and plugins to patch security holes and ensure compatibility. Forgetting to do this can leave your site vulnerable. A static HTML site requires virtually no maintenance once it’s set up. There are no updates to run and no databases to manage, freeing up your time to focus on creating content.

How to Convert WordPress to HTML

There are several ways to convert your WordPress site to static HTML. We’ll explore three popular methods: using a plugin, using a static site generator, and manual conversion.

Method 1: Use a WordPress Plugin

For most users, the easiest way to create a static version of their site is with a dedicated plugin. These tools handle the conversion process for you, generating a complete HTML copy of your site that you can then upload to your server.

Simply Static is one of the most popular and user-friendly plugins for this task.

Step 1: Install and Activate Simply Static

1. From your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Plugins > Add New.
2. Search for “Simply Static”.
3. Click Install Now, then Activate.

Step 2: Configure Plugin Settings

1. After activation, go to the Simply Static menu in your dashboard.
2. In the Settings tab, you can configure how the plugin will generate your site. You have three destination options:
   For most users, the ZIP archive is the best choice.
3. • ZIP Archive: This is the simplest option. The plugin will create a downloadable .zip file containing your static site.
   • Local Directory: This saves the static files to a folder on your current server.
   • Absolute URLs: Use this if you plan to host the site on a different domain.

Step 3: Generate Your Static Site

1. Navigate to the Generate tab within the Simply Static menu.
2. Click the Generate Static Files button.
3. The plugin will now crawl your entire website, page by page, and convert it into static HTML files. The process might take a few minutes depending on the size of your site.
4. Once it’s finished, you’ll see a success message and a link to download your .zip file.

Step 4: Upload to Your Host

1. Download the .zip file to your computer and extract it.
2. Using an FTP client (like FileZilla) or your hosting provider’s file manager, upload the extracted files to the root directory (usually public_html or www) of your hosting account.
3. Your static HTML site is now live!

Method 2: Use a Static Site Generator

Static site generators (SSGs) like Jekyll, Hugo, or Gatsby offer a more powerful and flexible way to manage static sites. This method is more technical but provides greater control and is ideal for developers. For this example, we’ll use a tool designed to convert WordPress to a format compatible with SSGs.

Step 1: Export Your WordPress Content

1. In your WordPress dashboard, go to Tools > Export.
2. Choose All content and click Download Export File. This will save an XML file containing all your posts, pages, and comments.

Step 2: Convert the XML File

You’ll need a conversion tool to turn your WordPress XML export into Markdown files that SSGs can use. One such tool is wordpress-to-hugo-exporter.

1. Install the exporter plugin on your WordPress site.
2. Activate it and click the Export to Hugo button in the Tools menu. This will give you a .zip file with all your content converted to Markdown, along with your static assets.

Step 3: Set Up a Static Site Generator (Hugo)

1. Install Hugo on your local machine by following the official installation guide.
2. Create a new Hugo site by running hugo new site your-site-name.
3. Choose a theme from the Hugo themes website and install it.
4. Copy the Markdown files and static assets you exported into the appropriate folders in your new Hugo site (content/posts, static/images, etc.).

Step 4: Build and Deploy

1. Run the command hugo in your site’s directory. Hugo will build your entire static site and place it in a public folder.
2. You can now deploy this public folder to any static hosting provider like Netlify, Vercel, or GitHub Pages.

Method 3: Manually Save Each Page

This method is the most straightforward but also the most time-consuming. It’s only suitable for very small websites with just a handful of pages.

Step 1: Save Each Page as HTML

1. Open a page on your WordPress site in your web browser.
2. Right-click anywhere on the page and select Save As… (the wording may vary depending on your browser).
3. In the save dialog, make sure the format is set to “Web Page, Complete”. This will save the HTML file along with a folder containing all the assets for that page (CSS, JavaScript, images).
4. Name the file appropriately (e.g., index.html for your homepage, about.html for your about page).
5. Repeat this process for every single page on your site.

Step 2: Organize Files and Fix Links

1. Once you have all your files, you’ll need to organize them and fix the internal links. Open each HTML file in a text editor.
2. Find any links pointing to other pages on your site (e.g., <a href="https://yoursite.com/about-us/">).
3. Manually change them to relative links pointing to the HTML files you saved (e.g., <a href="about.html">).
4. This is a tedious process and prone to errors, which is why this method is not recommended for most sites.

Step 3: Upload to Your Host

After organizing your files and fixing all the links, you can upload everything to your web host using an FTP client.

What to Expect Next

Converting your WordPress site to static HTML can unlock significant benefits in speed, security, and simplicity. Whether you choose a user-friendly plugin like Simply Static, a powerful static site generator, or a manual approach, you’re taking a proactive step toward a more efficient and resilient website.

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully make the transition and enjoy a faster, more secure online presence. If you’re managing multiple sites or looking for more advanced workflows, exploring static site generators further is a great next step.