As a website owner, you’re constantly looking to improve your online presence while streamlining your workflow. A WordPress website is great if you don’t mind dealing with its complexity and multitudes of plugins. However, this can be tasking for the typical small business owner looking to build a digital presence.

Squarespace offers a powerful alternative that can unlock new possibilities for your digital brand. The platform has several benefits, including but not limited to easier design customization, good SEO (search engine optimization) foundation, and seamless e-commerce integration.

So, how can you migrate from WordPress to Squarespace without losing important data? That’s the focus of this article—we’ll walk you through the process in 6 simple steps while pointing out common challenges and how to avoid them.

How to Migrate WordPress to Squarespace in 6 Steps

Migrating from your current WordPress site to Squarespace is seamless with the right guidance.

Here is how to ensure a smooth transition between the two platforms in 6 simple steps:

1. Prepare your website for the move

2. Set up your Squarespace website

3. Migrate your content from WordPress to Squarespace

4. Structure and design your new Squarespace website

5. Optimize your new site for SEO

6. Transfer or connect your domain to Squarespace

Step 1. Prepare Your Website for the Move to Squarespace

Before initiating your WordPress to Squarespace migration, it’s crucial to make preparations to ensure a seamless process. You typically need to map your URL, export your content, and clean up your exported content.

1. Create a Comprehensive URL Inventory

Begin by creating a detailed spreadsheet of all current URLs for reference when setting up URL redirects. This inventory will help prevent broken links and maintain your hard-earned SEO rankings. According to Squarespace, creating URL redirects is essential to preserve SEO efforts and ensure old links continue to work. By mapping out your existing structure, you’ll be better equipped to set up these redirects in your new Squarespace site.

2. Export and Safeguard Your WordPress Content

Next, export all your WordPress site content by navigating to “Tools” >>> “Export.” This should include posts, pages, images, and media. This step is critical for safekeeping and ensures you have a backup of your entire site before making the transition.

However, it’s important to note that content from plugins, galleries, and image captions cannot be directly imported with the Squarespace import tool. Regardless, having a complete export allows you to manually add any elements that don’t transfer automatically.

3. Streamline Your Content for Migration

Before moving from WordPress to Squarespace, take the opportunity to declutter and optimize your content. Remove outdated or irrelevant material to ensure a smoother migration process.  This step not only simplifies the transfer but also improves the overall quality of your new site.

By streamlining your content, you’ll be able to:

• Identify and prioritize your most valuable content

• Eliminate redundant or outdated information

• Organize your content into a logical hierarchy for easier navigation

• Ensure that your new Squarespace site launches with fresh, relevant material

Once you’ve made these preparations, the next step involves creating and setting up a Squarespace website.

Step 2. Set Up Squarespace for the Move

You’re now ready to create a Squarespace account. If you haven’t already, you can easily get started by signing up for a 14-day free trial on Squarespace. Once you have your Squarespace account, you can proceed to choose a suitable template for your new website.

Explore and Choose a Template

Squarespace offers a wide array of professionally designed templates that cater to various industries and aesthetics. Take your time to browse through these options and select a template that aligns with your brand identity.

Consider the following factors when making your choice:

• Visual appeal and overall design

• Layout and structure

• Customization options

• Mobile responsiveness

Remember, while templates provide a great starting point, you can always customize them to match your specific vision. We’ll explain how to customize your new website properly later on in this post. But before then, you need to import the content exported from your WordPress site into Squarespace.

Step 3. Migrate WordPress Content to Squarespace

WordPress provides an import tool to transfer your exported WordPress content. However, this feature is limited, and you need to manually import more content types. Check out the steps for using both the import tool and manual import option below.

1. Utilizing Squarespace’s Import Tool

Squarespace offers a powerful import tool specifically designed to streamline the migration process from WordPress to Squarespace. This tool is particularly effective for transferring blog posts, making it an essential part of your migration strategy.

You can import various content types, including:

• Blog posts

• Pages

• Categories

• Comments

• Images

• Attachments

To begin the import process, ensure you’ve already exported your WordPress content, as discussed in the preparation phase. Then, click on the Settings icon to open the settings page.

From the “Website” tab, scroll down and select “Import & Export Content.”

Choose the “IMPORT” option next and follow the prompts to upload your WordPress XML file.

Once you’ve completed importing the supported content, you need to manually import the rest.

2. Manual Transfer for Other Content

While the import tool is excellent for blog posts, you may need to manually transfer other elements of your site, including:

• Custom site pages

• Media files not associated with blog posts

• Specific design elements

• Gallery images

When manually transferring content, take the opportunity to review and optimize your site structure. We suggest combining multiple WordPress category blogs into a single Squarespace blog for better organization. You can then filter using categories after the import process.

Post-Import Organization

After the import process, your transferred content will be in the “Not Linked” section of your Squarespace site.

Take the time to:

• Enable the pages you want to keep

• Organize your content into the desired navigation structure

• Review and adjust formatting as needed

Remember, while the WordPress to Squarespace migration process can be time-consuming, it’s an opportunity to refine and improve your site’s structure and content. In the next step, you’ll learn how to design your new website for the best results.

Step 4. Structure and Design Your New Squarespace Website

Once you’ve imported your content from WordPress to Squarespace, you need to establish a solid foundation for your new site. Squarespace recommends structuring your site effectively to guide visitors to important content.

Begin by setting up your navigation and page hierarchy based on your sitemap. This step ensures visitors can easily find the information they need. If you’re new to Squarespace design, consider consulting an expert designer for help.

In addition to a structured page, you need to customize your website's look, as we explain below.

Customize Your Visual Identity

Squarespace’s powerful editor allows you to adjust fonts, colors, and layout. This is where your site’s personality truly comes to life.

We recommend the following tips:

• Choose typography that complements your brand and enhances readability. According to Squarespace experts, selecting fonts that work well together contributes significantly to your site’s overall aesthetic.

• Use color strategically to convey your brand’s personality and appeal to visitors. Squarespace’s flexible design options allow you to create a unique look that stands out from the crowd.

However, designs can be tricky, and you might not always get the desired result. You can take your time to learn how to design your website effectively via online courses. However, if you want your website back online as soon as possible, consider hiring a Squarespace website designer.

Once you’re done with the design, you can proceed to optimizing your website for search engines visibility or SEO.

Step 5. Optimize Your New Site for SEO

When transitioning from WordPress to Squarespace, it’s crucial to maintain and improve your search engine optimization (SEO) efforts. SEO involves making conscious decisions to improve your website performance and content to reflect its relevance. While most SEO strategies focus on content, some tweaks are necessary to help search engines understand your page structure and make it easy for them to navigate your website.

These tweaks are outlined below:

1. Set Up 301 Redirects

One of the most critical steps when migrating from WordPress to Squarespace is setting up 301 redirects, also known as permanent redirects. These redirects ensure that users and search engines are directed from your old WordPress URLs to the corresponding pages on your new Squarespace site. This preserves your SEO equity and prevents broken links.

You can set up 301 redirects by launching the “Settings” page, navigating to “Developer Tools” >>> “URL Mappings,” and following the instructions.

Consider using this free 301 redirect tool from SEOSpace to generate the required code. The URL spreadsheet created in Step 1 will be helpful here.

2. Optimize On-Page Elements

Once your site is live on Squarespace, focus on optimizing the following on-page elements:

• SEO Titles: Write concise, keyword-optimized titles that accurately describe each page’s content.

• SEO Descriptions: Craft compelling meta/SEO descriptions that naturally incorporate relevant keywords and encourage click-throughs from search results.

• Headings: Structure your content using a clear hierarchy of headings (H1, H2, H3) and naturally include target keywords where appropriate.

• Image Alt Text: Add descriptive alt text to all images to ensure search engines understand your visual content. It also ensures visitors using screen readers or browsers with images disabled can access your site’s content.

While these checklists seem cumbersome, you can easily scale through them by using SEOSpace—the Squarespace SEO plugin. This tool analyzes your website pages and identifies areas for improvement. Google Analytics is another great tool for identifying low-performing pages for improvement.

The last step of the WordPress to Squarespace migration process is transferring your domain properties.

Step 6. Transfer or Connect Your Domain to Squarespace

When moving from WordPress to Squarespace, managing your domain is a crucial step you shouldn’t neglect. You have two primary options: transferring a domain hosted with another provider to Squarespace or connecting it while keeping it with your current provider.

Let’s explore both approaches to help you make the best decision for your website.

1. Transferring Your Domain to Squarespace

Transferring your domain to Squarespace allows for seamless management within the platform.

Here are the requirements and how to go about the process:

• Ensure your domain is eligible for transfer. It should be at least 60 days old and shouldn’t be expiring soon.

• Unlock your domain with your current provider and obtain the authorization code (EPP code).

• Initiate the transfer process in Squarespace by navigating to “Settings” >>> “Domains” >>> “Use A Domain I Own.”

• Enter the authorization code and complete the transfer, which includes a one-year domain registration extension.

The transfer process can take up to 15 days, depending on your current provider. Once complete, you’ll be able to manage all domain settings through Squarespace.

2. Connecting Your Domain to Squarespace

If you prefer to keep your domain with your current registrar, you can still connect it to your Squarespace site by following these steps:

• Log into your domain registrar’s control panel.

• Locate the DNS settings for your domain.

• Update the DNS records to point to your Squarespace site. This typically involves changing the A record and CNAME record.

• In Squarespace, add your domain as a custom domain in the “Domains” panel.

This method allows you to maintain your relationship with your current domain provider while still using Squarespace as your website platform.

Whichever method you choose, moving from WordPress to Squarespace doesn’t mean losing your established domain. With these options, you can seamlessly transition your online presence to your new platform while maintaining your brand identity.

We’ll now conclude this article by considering some common challenges you may face when transferring your website and how to fix or avoid them.

Common Challenges When Migrating from WordPress to Squarespace

Transitioning from WordPress to Squarespace can be an exciting move, but it’s not without its hurdles. Discussed below are some of the common challenges you might face during this migration process and recommendations for navigating them effectively.

1. URL Structure Changes

One of the primary obstacles to moving from WordPress to Squarespace is dealing with changes in URL structure. Squarespace uses a different URL format than WordPress, which can impact your existing backlinks and search engine rankings. 

Here’s an example of how this differs between the two platforms:

• WordPress: http://www.yourdomain.com/blog-post

• Squarespace: http://www.yourdomain.com/blog/blog-post

To mitigate this issue, it’s crucial to set up proper 301 redirects from your old WordPress URLs to the new Squarespace ones by following the instructions outlined earlier in this post. This step ensures that both users and search engines can find your content at its new location.

2. Plugin and Functionality Differences

WordPress is known for its vast ecosystem of plugins, which you might have relied on for various functionalities. When migrating to Squarespace, you’ll find that certain WordPress plugins and features may not have direct equivalents. This limitation can lead to a loss of functionality or the need to find alternative solutions within Squarespace’s native features or through third-party integrations.

We recommend hiring a professional Squarespace designer to help you implement essential features on your new website.

3. Domain Transfer and Propagation

While not always a challenge, domain transfer can sometimes lead to unexpected issues. As one user experienced, there can be a delay in DNS propagation after moving a domain from WordPress to Squarespace. This delay can result in some users still seeing the old WordPress site or encountering errors. Patience is key here, as it can take up to 72 hours for changes to fully propagate across all devices and servers.

By anticipating these challenges, you can plan your WordPress to Squarespace migration more effectively, ensuring a smoother transition to your new platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I move my WordPress to Squarespace?

Yes, however, moving your WordPress site to Squarespace involves transferring content but not the design. Since the platforms differ significantly, you can expect your website’s appearance to change. You’ll need to recreate your design using Squarespace’s tools, but your content, like pages and posts, can be imported.

Is WordPress better than Squarespace?

WordPress offers greater customization and flexibility. Those who want control over their website’s design and functionality often choose a WordPress site. Squarespace is more user-friendly and streamlined, perfect for beginners or those who prefer simplicity.

Do I own my website on Squarespace?

Yes, you own the content on your Squarespace website. While Squarespace provides the platform and hosting, the rights to the content you create and publish remain with you, allowing you to maintain control over your website’s materials.

Conclusion

As you embark on your journey from WordPress to Squarespace, remember that this transition is more than just a platform switch—it’s an opportunity to transform your online presence. By leveraging Squarespace’s intuitive design tools, robust e-commerce features, and seamless integrations, you’re positioning yourself for success in the digital landscape.

While the migration process may seem daunting at first, the long-term benefits of a sleek, professional website that truly represents your brand are immeasurable. Embrace this change, and watch as your online presence transforms, attracting more visitors and converting them into loyal customers.

If you need help with migration or redesigning your new website, don’t hesitate to contact a professional Squarespace designer.

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I'm Sam, an award-winning Squarespace web designer. I have worked with every type of business, building platforms for solo entrepreneurs through to multi-million dollar corporations. If you want to discuss a potential project, you can email on sam@bycrawford.com or get in touch with me here. Alternatively, you can book in a free 15-minute consultation call here.

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