The WordPress Import/Export tool is good for migrating the data. But, it doesn’t help with Widgets and widgets are lost during the migration process.
Widget Importer & Exporter is a handy plugin to import and export widgets. The plugin allows you to migrate widgets from one site to another.
Import and Export Widget Settings
Step 1: Install Widget Importer & Exporter Plugin
To import and export widgets from one site to another, first you need to install the plugin. You can install the plugin from WordPress plugin repository.
Once you’ve installed and activated the plugin, navigate to Tools >> Widget Importer & Exporter.
Step 2: Import and Export widget
Once you click on Widget Importer & Exporter under Tools menu you’ll reach to the page like below screenshot:
How to export Widgets?
When you click on Export Widget button, the plugin will generate export file for all active widgets in JSON format with .wie extension.
Note: If you’re using any custom widget then make sure to install the plugin for that widget before exporting a file. Otherwise the settings for that widget would not be imported.
How to import Widgets?
In Importing process you can upload the exported file created by the plugin into your new site. Select the .wie extension file and then click on Import Widget button.
Once you click on Import Widgets button, you’ll see the result like below screenshot:
Widgets that are not added in your widget area are imported. As you can see in above screenshot Imported is written in front of those widgets which are imported through export file. The widgets that are already exists have written Widget already exists in front of them.
Note: If your file doesn’t have .wie extension, it will show error.
If you want to manage the widgets settings then you click on Widget link just above your imported widget details.
We hope thais simple tutorial will help you to easily import and export widget settings from one site to another. Widget Importer & Exporter is the easiest plugin. You don’t have to put any efforts or time in configuring this plugin. Simply export the file and import it to another site.
If you’ve got any queries then feel free to ask.