Watch Me Convert a Live Divi 4 Website to Divi 5!
In this video, I convert a real Divi 4 website to Divi 5 and show you why migration alone is not enough.
You’ll see the full workflow: backing up the website, activating Divi 5, running the migrator, installing KrafterPRO, importing a design system, updating the hero section, improving the services layout, and replacing old manual styles with modern fluid typography and spacing.
If you are a freelancer, agency owner, or Divi user preparing for Divi 5, this walkthrough will show you how to approach a real website conversion properly.
I wanted to migrate from Divi 4 to Divi 5, but I was worried I might break my website or cause it to go offline. Because this is our business, keeping the website accessible to customers is extremely important. When Mak asked for websites to use as a demo for this process, I was happy to volunteer mine. After Mak finished working on it, I reviewed the site, and my first reaction was, “WOW.”
I absolutely love the home page. It looks more professional with the text placed over the main image, and I really like the use of real photos instead of service icons.
After reviewing the site, I watched the video and could see exactly how Mak made everything happen step by step: backing up the website, migrating to Divi 5, adding Krafter Pro, importing the design system, and using it to update the site.
Mak did an amazing job describing our services and capturing the overall feel of our boat yard. I had never considered using AI to help describe our business and services, but that is how Mak was able to create such relevant content without speaking with me first. It felt like magic.
I prefer all of Mak’s suggestions to my original content. I have updated photos that I’m looking forward to adding to the site, and I also like the idea of including a service request form for customers. That is something we definitely need.
Thank you, Mak, for doing this.
Wendy Davis Thank you so much Wendy for the feedback 😅
Glad to be here! A mentor of mine mentioned Divi before and I fought hard against it. Not intentionally, because I wasn't sure I could dedicate time to learning. Fast forward to now, here we are crash coursing Divi 5! Thank you for all that you do!
Thanks so much for this, Mak. It is interesting to take the approach of "redesigning" the website along with the upgrade to Divi 5. For my many clients, I have been trying to get them to do a site update and use that as an excuse to do something similar, but this is a much better workflow with the design system.
For those clients who do not take me up on a site refresh, I am for now just doing a Divi 5 upgrade and just making sure everything is working, without doing a redesign. This is just so I can get the sites converted over and be on the same software, as it runs better and Divi 4 won't be supported at some point (likely 2027).
I have found that over time, most will want a site redesign/refresh. To help convince them, I am pushing the new Divi 5 features to them in the hopes they will take me up on it, so my extra time needed would be paid for.
John Sharkey I'm also planning to convert some of the white-label website projects to Divi 5. I've recently built two websites using Divi 5, and honestly, I don't want to go back to Divi 4 now! The only thing I'm a bit worried about is the third-party plugins. 😅
Have you built any client websites on Divi 5 using third-party plugins? Are they working perfectly with Divi 5?
Naba I really recommend this free product from Nelson at PeeAye creative: https://www.peeayecreative.com/product/divi-migration-helper/ Just put any donation you want to him when buying, or even $0. It guides you through what to do very nicely. I have run into issues with plugins and with outdated Divi modules. Here is the process I use:
- [ ] Make sure you have a site backup
- [ ] If there is lots to test, use a staging site (I do this with almost all sites unless it's a simple 1-page site)
- [ ] Update all plugins
- [ ] Install the PEEAYE Divi Migration Helper plugin
- [ ] Update to Divi 5 using the Divi dashboard (easier than uploading)
- [ ] Use the PEEAYE Divi Migration Helper for the process
- [ ] Once made it through all steps and testing, deploy staging to live!
KrafterPro can be used in that 2nd-to-last step, when going through the site, if you decide you want to put the extra time in to redesign everything. I usually wait for a total site redesign that is paid for and just rebuild the areas needed using new Divi features as best I can in the quickest amount of time, as a rebuild takes a lot of time for most sites. I also don't use the site template unless doing a rebuild from scratch. Hope this helps!
John Sharkey Thank you so much for this detailed explanation. I will try to follow the steps you mentioned.
I'm trying to understand why the files that Mak is using to import the KrafterPro presets, designs, etc. are different from the files I have received. The files I have are labelled -
krafterpro-2.1.8.zip
KrafterPRO_Divi_Design_System.json
His file was labelled Divi-Design-System.zip
Is there an update somewhere that I've missed?
Hello Randal, I think you have missed the new design system email Mak sent to all lifetime members. In that mail you got the latest version of the design system as an plugin. After installation of the plugin you can download the new files - preset and variables. Search at topics Krafter Pro 3.0 where you will find this part.
Mak, thank you for this video. It is just what I was hoping for and needed to confirm the struggles I was experiencing on the test sites I was trying to convert.
I watched the conversation video with Nomand and your realizations were inspiring. We all get “stuck” in our own processes, especially small business owners.
The simple reality of this community is that we are ALL here because we rely on Divi to generate income and we trust your knowledge and expertise to help us learn and succeed. We need to be willing to invest in you as a valuable resource.
Have you ever considered putting some of your video content on a Patreon style platform and asking a small membership fee for access? Say $5 a month. Not an amount that would cause anyone financial hardship, but something that says we are willing to invest in your hard work and success. Because after all a rising tide lifts all boats.
Just a thought, and keep up the great work.