Moving Your Website from WordPress to Squarespace

Moving your website from WordPress to Squarespace can feel overwhelming. As a Squarespace expert have helped many clients transfer their websites from WordPress to Squarespace.

If you are considering using this awesome platform (Squarespace), this article will walk you through all of the frequently asked questions, things to consider, and general processes. We will cover many of the common concerns and questions that come up when making this transfer. Know what to expect before you begin!

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What can I expect when I move my website from WordPress to Squarespace? 

If you are considering moving your website from WordPress to Squarespace here are the most frequently asked questions. I have also provided several pro-tips to help make the transition as easy as possible.

Is there a tool to move my site from WordPress to Squarespace automatically?

There isn’t currently a tool that moves your entire website over in one click. but you can currently import certain content from your WordPress website such as page content, blog content, comments, categories, and more. Click here to read the full list of items that can be transferred from WordPress to Squarespace.

You will use the Export tool in WordPress to export content, and then use the Import tool in Squarespace (Settings > Advanced > Import/Export).

Certain items won’t transfer, such as site styles, page design, gallery images, etc. While this may feel overwhelming, the good news is that Squarespace is way easier to design a website on, so the process should move much quicker then before! If you get stuck reach out to me for some Squarepace help!

What features aren’t available on Squarespace? 

With the launch of the 7.1 framework and Fluid Engine drag and drop builder, we can now build robust business websites. However, there are a few differences. If you’d like to compare this difference in detail, you can review my blog on Squarespace vs WordPress.

At the time of writing this blog, there currently is no bulk blog or product editing in Squarespace. Some features such as sponsored links, global sections, related posts, and products, mega menus, and more, can be easily added in with Squarespace plugins and custom CSS. There is a growing network of Squarespace developers providing solutions to the common features we use the most!

Wait, I’m trying to get away from plugin updates. How do they work on Squarespace?

One of the reasons to leave WordPress is due to the ongoing plugin, software, and theme updates required. Not only do these ongoing updates put you at risk for security issues, but they also often cause your website to crash.

With Squarespace, you never have to worry about updating core software or dealing with security issues. If you choose to install a third party plugin (code), the upkeep is completely different. Some plugins, such as those by Will Myers, can be installed in a way where they update automatically (on his server). Others, such as those by SQSP Themes or Ghost plugins, will occasionally need updates. However, it is super easy and these udpates won’t crash your website.

Because every Squarespace website is using the same framework (aka the same “theme”), the plugins are all tested against the same software. This eliminates the issue of breaking websites.

How do I transfer my blogs?

You can currently export your blog content and comments and re-import it into Squarespace. Some items such as galleries or image captions won’t transfer. Squarespace provides a tutorial that walks you through the process. You’ll need to export the blog data from WordPress and follow the instructions from Squarespace to import it into your new website.

Will my products transfer?

Yes, you can export physical products and services and import them into Squarespace. You can’t import digital products due to the zip file, but you can recreate these manually. Here is an article that details how you can import products from another website into Squarespace.

Can I keep the same domain?

Yes, you can point your domain or transfer it. I recommend transferring it so that you can pay for hosting and domain renewal from one account. Squarepace provides extensive instructions on transferring your domain. If your domain is registered through GoDaddy, I have written a blog that provides a step-by-step tutorial on how to transfer your domain from GoDaddy to Squarespace. Your domain may or may not be registered with your WordPress host. If you aren’t sure where you registered it, reach out to your host.

A note on email: If you are using email with your current domain, you may need to transfer or re-setup your accounts. I’d recommend speaking with Squarespace customer service if you are concerned about email disruption. If you are already using Google Workspace, your email can be mapped to your new website with updated MX records.

Can I build my new website while keeping my WordPress website live?

Yes! When you sign up for a Squarespace account you get a free domain. It will look something like “mywebsite.squarespace.com”. Your new site will be automatically set to “private”. Squarespace provides a 2-week trial period to build your site without a credit card. If you’d like a 6-month extended trial period, contact me and I’d be happy to set that up for you for!

What happens to my WordPress website once my Squarespace website goes live?

Once you are ready to go live, you’ll need to give Squarespace a credit card, choose a hosting plan, and transfer your domain. Once your domain transfers you’ll receive an email from Squarespace! At that time, you can make your new website “public”, officially launching the new site.

Once your domain transfers your WordPress hosting will still be live, but the website (domain) will be pointing to your new website on Squarespace. This means you will not be able to access your WordPress website once the domain points or transfers to Squarespace.

There are ways to backup your website or website content and access it offline, if needed, but if you have already transferred everything over, you shouldn’t need your old site anymore. You can download a full backup of your WordPress website using a plugin such as UpdraftPlus, or use the Export feature to export all of your pages, blogs, and products. You can also contact your host have them create an offline copy for you.