Introduction

If you’re looking to convert Figma to WordPress, this step-by-step guide walks you through the entire process—from preparing your Figma files to launching a fast, responsive WordPress site. Whether you’re a designer who wants to hand off a project to developers or a developer building a custom theme, these steps will help you move efficiently and avoid common pitfalls.

Step 1—Finalize and Organize Your Figma Design

Before you convert anything, make sure your Figma file is finalized:

• Clean up unused layers and components.
• Create clear naming conventions for frames, layers, and assets.
• Design and test responsive variants (desktop, tablet, mobile).
• Note typography styles, spacing, and colors in a style guide page.

A tidy Figma file speeds up the export process and reduces confusion during development.

Step 2—Export Assets Correctly

Export images, icons, and illustrations in appropriate formats:

• Use SVG for icons and vector elements.
• Use WebP or optimized PNG/JPEG for photos and complex graphics.
• Export assets at 1x and 2x (or use SVG) for sharpness on retina screens.
• Name assets consistently and include size descriptors when helpful (e.g., hero-1920.webp).

Keep exported files organized into folders like /images, /icons, and /svg.

Step 3—Set Up a Local WordPress Environment

Create a development environment before building:

• Use tools like Local, XAMPP, MAMP, or Docker.
• Install the latest WordPress version.
• Create a fresh theme folder in wp-content/themes/your-theme.

Working locally lets you iterate quickly and safely. Also set up a version control system (Git) and a development branch to track changes.

Step 4—Choose Your Approach: Theme, Block, or Page Builder

Decide how you’ll build the site:

• Custom Theme (manual coding): Convert designs into HTML/CSS/JS, then integrate into WordPress PHP templates. Best for pixel-perfect results and performance.
• Gutenberg Block Theme: Use WordPress’s block system to create templates and patterns. Good for modular content and future editing.
• Page Builders (Elementor, Bricks, Divi): Faster visual assembly but may add plugin weight. Ideal for non-coders or rapid prototypes.

Consider long-term maintenance and how easy it will be for content editors to update the site. Your choice affects how you structure templates and components.

Step 5—Convert Figma Layout to HTML/CSS

Start translating the visual design into code:

• Use semantic HTML5 structure (header, main, section, footer).
• Implement CSS with a mobile-first approach and CSS variables for colors and typography.
• Break the layout into reusable components (hero, cards, nav, footer).
• Consider a CSS framework (Tailwind, Bootstrap) only if it speeds development without bloating output.

Aim for clean, maintainable CSS and well-structured HTML. Add comments to explain complex grid or flex patterns.

Step 6—Integrate HTML into WordPress Theme Files

Move your templates into WordPress:

• header.php for the site head and navigation.
• footer.php for footer markup and scripts.
• index.php, page.php, and single.php for different content types.
• functions.php to enqueue scripts and styles and register menus and widget areas.

Replace static content with dynamic WordPress functions like get_header(), wp_nav_menu(), the_content(), and get_footer(). Use template parts (get_template_part()) to keep code DRY (Don’t Repeat Yourself).

Step 7—Make Content Editable (WordPress Loop & Custom Fields)

Ensure editors can manage content:

• Use the WordPress Loop to display posts and pages.
• Create custom post types and taxonomies if needed.
• Use Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) or block templates to make sections editable while preserving design.
• Consider building reusable Gutenberg blocks for common components so non-technical authors can maintain layout fidelity.

This step turns a static layout into a flexible CMS.

Step 8—Responsive Behavior and Accessibility

Test and refine responsiveness:

• Use media queries to handle breakpoints you designed in Figma.
• Ensure tap targets, font sizes, and spacing work on small screens.
• Add ARIA attributes, semantic headings, alt text, and keyboard navigation to improve accessibility.
• Check color contrast to meet WCAG guidelines.

A responsive, accessible site serves more users and improves SEO.

Step 9—Performance Optimization

Optimize to convert Figma to WordPress into a fast, user-friendly site:

• Compress and lazy-load images.
• Minify CSS and JavaScript; defer non-critical scripts.
• Use caching (browser and server-side) and a CDN for global delivery.
• Audit with Lighthouse or PageSpeed Insights and prioritize fixes.

Fast load times reduce bounce rates and improve search rankings.

Step 10—SEO & Schema

Implement SEO basics:

• Proper heading hierarchy (H1 on the main title, H2/H3 for sections).
• Clean URL structure and readable permalinks.
• Meta titles and descriptions using an SEO plugin (Yoast, Rank Math).
• Add structured data (schema.org) for articles, products, or local business info.

These practices help search engines understand and rank your content.

Step 11—Testing and Cross-Browser Checks

Before launch:

• Test in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and on mobile browsers.
• Validate HTML and CSS.
• Check forms, contact integrations, and third-party scripts.
• Conduct user testing or QA passes to catch layout or content issues.
• Test on different network speeds and devices to simulate real-world users.

A thorough QA prevents embarrassing post-launch fixes.

Step 12—Launch and Post-Launch Monitoring

Deploy to production:

• Move files to your live host using SFTP or deployment tools.
• Update DNS and verify SSL (HTTPS).
• Monitor performance, uptime, and analytics for early issues.
• Create a backup and a rollback plan in case anything goes wrong.

Common Pitfalls & Troubleshooting

• Assets not loading? Check file paths and wp_enqueue_style()/wp_enqueue_script() usage.
• Layout breaks on mobile? Revisit your breakpoint rules and ensure images aren’t fixed-width.
• Slow admin? Large page builder plugins or unused plugins can bloat the dashboard—remove what’s unnecessary.

Conclusion

To convert Figma to WordPress successfully, follow a clear workflow: organize designs, export assets, choose a build method, translate designs into clean code, integrate with WordPress, and optimize for accessibility, performance, and SEO. With attention to detail and a good testing routine, your Figma designs will become powerful, manageable WordPress websites that delight clients and users.