Migrating from Squarespace to WordPress? Here’s Everything You Need to Know

Thinking about making the move from Squarespace to WordPress? You’re not alone! As websites grow and need change, many site owners start craving the flexibility, control, and customization that WordPress offers.

Sure, Squarespace is sleek and easy to use, but it has limitations—especially if you aim to scale your site, boost SEO, or get creative with unique features.

WordPress is an open-source powerhouse that puts you in the driver’s seat. Want to add new features with plugins? Check. Customize your site design with thousands of themes? Absolutely. Optimize every nook and cranny for SEO? WordPress has you covered. With WordPress, you are not just building a website—you are building your website exactly how you want it.

In this blog post, we are diving into everything you need to know to make a smooth transition from Squarespace to WordPress. We will walk through why so many people are making the switch, how to prep your site for the move, and the exact steps to get your content, images, and layout transferred over without a hitch.

Why Migrate from Squarespace to WordPress?

Moving from Squarespace to WordPress can be a game-changer for your website’s potential, allowing you to step up your site’s customization, SEO, and scalability. Here’s a closer look at why WordPress might be the right next step:

Customization and Flexibility

WordPress is open-source, meaning it’s free to use and offers nearly limitless flexibility for making your site your own. Unlike Squarespace’s somewhat confined ecosystem, WordPress opens up a world of design and functionality options.

You will have access to thousands of themes—ranging from sleek and minimalist to fully customizable layouts—and a vast library of plugins that add features like contact forms, galleries, e-commerce tools, and more. Whether you want to fine-tune every design detail or add specific functionalities that your audience needs, WordPress makes it possible.

SEO and Performance

One of the biggest reasons website owners switch to WordPress is for its superior SEO tools. While Squarespace includes basic SEO options, WordPress lets you go deeper with plugins like Yoast SEO or Rank Math, which provide advanced keyword optimization, readability scores, and technical SEO tweaks to help your site rank higher.

Plus, you will have more control over site speed and performance, essential for both search engine ranking and a great user experience. With options for caching plugins, image optimization, and code tweaks, WordPress makes it easy to keep your site fast and SEO-friendly.

Scalability and Ownership

As your website grows, so do your needs, and WordPress is built to scale right alongside you. You will have full ownership of your data, which means you’re free to migrate, modify, and monetize your site as you wish.

Unlike Squarespace, which controls hosting and places certain restrictions on how you can use your site, WordPress gives you complete control. This means you can add new revenue streams, scale up with robust hosting solutions, or even create a full-fledged online store without hitting any roadblocks.

Preparing for the Squarespace to WordPress Migration Process

Before diving into the actual migration, setting up a solid foundation is key. These initial steps will help you avoid common pitfalls, keep your content safe, and ensure the transition is as smooth as possible. Here’s how to get started:

1. Back-Up Your Content

Backing up your Squarespace content is essential. While Squarespace allows you to export some data, certain elements like image galleries, audio files, and product pages may not transfer directly. Take the time to download everything important: copy your text, save your images, and make a note of any unique design elements or custom code you’ve added. This backup ensures you won’t lose valuable content in the transfer process.

2. Set Up WordPress

Now, it’s time to get WordPress ready. Here’s a quick guide to setting up your new WordPress site:

• Choose a Hosting Provider: WordPress is self-hosted, which means you’ll need to select a hosting provider. Popular options like Bluehost, SiteGround, and WP Engine are known for reliable WordPress hosting.
• Install WordPress: Most hosting providers offer a one-click WordPress installation, making it quick and easy to set up your site. Follow the prompts in your hosting dashboard to complete the installation.
• Pick a Starter Theme: After installation, choose a theme to get started. Many themes mimic the clean and modern feel of Squarespace but offer more customization. Start with something simple, knowing you can always change it or fine-tune it as you go.

3. Content Inventory

Before migrating content, it’s helpful to take a “content inventory.” This means reviewing your current pages, blog posts, images, and links to see what’s essential and what could use an update. Ask yourself:

• Are there outdated pages or posts that could be left behind?
• Are there high-traffic pages that need to stay intact for SEO?
• Do you need to reorganize your menu or site structure?

This step is like spring cleaning for your website and will help make your new WordPress site organized, fresh, and easy to navigate. With a clear inventory, you’ll be able to set up WordPress in a way that supports your goals and enhances the user experience.

How to Migrate from Squarespace to WordPress (8 Steps)

Here’s a straightforward, step-by-step guide to move your site from Squarespace to WordPress smoothly and effectively.

1. Export Content from Squarespace

• What’s Exportable: Squarespace allows you to export core content like blog posts, standard pages, and some layout elements. However, certain content types, such as product pages, event pages, audio files, and custom galleries, won’t export automatically and may need to be transferred manually. It’s essential to understand these limitations so that you’re prepared to recreate certain elements once you’re on WordPress.
• Export Process: In your Squarespace dashboard, navigate to Settings > Advanced > Import/Export and select the Export button. Choose WordPress as the export format, which will generate an XML file with the content that’s transferable. Download this XML file to your computer, as it will serve as the main file for importing content to WordPress.

2. Set Up WordPress on a Hosting Platform

• Choosing a Host: Since WordPress is a self-hosted platform, you’ll need a hosting provider to support your site. Look for a host that’s optimized for WordPress—popular options include Bluehost, SiteGround, and WP Engine, each known for reliability and WordPress-specific features like automatic updates and performance optimizations.
• Install WordPress: Once you’ve selected your host, most providers offer a one-click WordPress installation to make setup quick and easy. Log into your hosting dashboard, locate the WordPress installation tool, and follow the prompts. If manual installation is necessary, download WordPress from wordpress.org and upload the files to your server via FTP.
• Basic Setup: After installation, log into your WordPress dashboard and go to Settings > General to enter your site’s name, tagline, and timezone. Next, visit Settings > Permalinks to set up a URL structure that’s clean and SEO-friendly. For most websites, choosing the Post name format is ideal for readability and search optimization.

3. Import Squarespace Content to WordPress

• Using the WordPress Import Tool: With your XML file ready, head to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to Tools > Import. Click on WordPress in the list of import options, which may prompt you to install an import plugin. Once it’s ready, upload the XML file from Squarespace and follow the on-screen instructions to import your pages, posts, and other transferable content.
• Handling Errors: It’s common for some elements not to transfer perfectly, especially if there are custom formatting or multimedia elements. Check for any import errors and be prepared to manually adjust posts, formatting, or links as needed. Manually imported items may require more editing to match your original layout.

4. Manually Transfer Non-Exported Content

• Images and Media: Squarespace doesn’t include all media files in the XML export, so you’ll need to download images and other files directly from your site. Once saved, upload them to the WordPress Media Library via Media > Add New. This ensures that all visual elements are in place, and you can re-add them to pages and posts as necessary.
• Rebuilding Complex Pages: Some Squarespace pages with intricate layouts may not transfer seamlessly, so you’ll need to recreate these in WordPress. Use the Block Editor (Gutenberg) or a page builder plugin like Elementor or Beaver Builder to design custom layouts. These tools give you flexibility to design pages closely matching or even improving upon your original Squarespace designs.

5. Select and Customize a Theme in WordPress

• Choosing a Similar or Better Theme: WordPress offers a vast selection of themes—both free and premium—tailored to various design needs. Search for a theme that aligns closely with your previous Squarespace design, or explore new themes to give your site a fresh look. Themes like Astra, OceanWP, or GeneratePress are popular choices for their flexibility and customizability.
• Basic Customization: Once you’ve installed your theme, go to Appearance > Customize in the WordPress dashboard to make adjustments. Here, you can upload your logo, select colors, set fonts, and adjust layouts to match your brand. You can also preview changes in real time, making it easier to create a cohesive look that resembles or enhances your Squarespace design.

6. Set Up Redirects for SEO

• Importance of Redirects: To avoid losing the SEO value built on Squarespace and to maintain a smooth experience for returning visitors, you’ll need to set up 301 redirects from your old Squarespace URLs to the new WordPress URLs. Redirects ensure that users and search engines know where to find your content on the new site.
• Implementing Redirects: To set up redirects, install a plugin like Redirection or Simple 301 Redirects. These plugins allow you to map each Squarespace URL to the corresponding WordPress URL. Alternatively, if you’re comfortable with code, you can add redirects manually in your .htaccess file. Take the time to ensure key pages are mapped correctly to retain SEO performance.

7. Test and Finalize the Migration

• Quality Assurance: Carefully review each page, post, and media file to ensure everything displays correctly and that links are functional. Content formatting may have changed slightly during migration, so correct any issues to provide a polished user experience.
• Browser and Device Testing: Test your site’s functionality across different devices (desktop, tablet, and mobile) and browsers (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, etc.) to ensure it’s responsive and performs well on all screens. WordPress themes are typically mobile-friendly, but it’s best to confirm that your site displays as intended.
• Final Touches: Before you officially launch, make sure all plugins, themes, and security settings are up to date. Double-check your SEO settings, confirm that redirects are in place, and review load speeds for optimal performance. Once everything is verified, your WordPress site is ready to go live!

8. Launching Your New WordPress Site

With everything in place, it’s time to get your new WordPress site ready to go live. A careful final review and some essential steps will ensure your site is fully functional, secure, and optimized for visibility.

Go Live Checklist

Before officially launching, run through this final checklist to make sure everything is in perfect shape:

• Test Links: Click through all internal and external links on your site to ensure they’re working correctly. Fix any broken links, as these can harm both SEO and user experience.
• Check Site Speed: Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix to assess your site’s load time. A fast site is crucial for SEO and keeping visitors engaged. If your site is slow, consider using caching plugins like WP Super Cache or W3 Total Cache to improve performance.
• Ensure Security Measures: Make sure you’ve installed and configured essential security plugins like Wordfence or Sucuri to protect your site from threats. Setting up basic security measures like two-factor authentication, limiting login attempts, and regular backups will help keep your site safe.
• Activate Analytics: Set up Google Analytics or another tracking tool to monitor your website’s traffic and user behavior. Google Analytics can be installed via the Site Kit by Google plugin or by manually adding the tracking code to your theme’s header.
• Cross-Browser and Device Testing: Do a final check of your site’s display on different browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari) and devices (desktop, mobile, tablet). This ensures all users will have a consistent experience on your site.
• Review Contact Forms and Interactive Elements: Make sure any contact forms, newsletter sign-ups, or interactive features are working correctly. Testing these elements ensures that visitors can interact seamlessly with your site.

Post-Launch Maintenance Tips

Now that your WordPress site is live, it’s essential to keep it running smoothly, secure, and optimized. Here are key maintenance tips to help you get the most out of your new website.

Conclusion

Migrating from Squarespace to WordPress is a big step, but it comes with valuable benefits. With WordPress, you gain the flexibility to fully customize your site, the power to control every aspect of design and functionality, and the tools to improve SEO and scale as your website grows. By making this move, you’re setting up a site that can evolve with your goals, whether that means adding new features, enhancing site performance, or creating a unique experience for visitors.

Now that your site is live on WordPress, take some time to explore its features. Try out new plugins, experiment with design tweaks, and dive into tools that let you optimize your site further. This transition isn’t just about moving platforms—it’s about expanding what’s possible for your website.