Thinking about migrating your website from WordPress to Squarespace? You’re not alone!
Many entrepreneurs like you need more flexibility and control over their online presence as their businesses grow. While WordPress is a powerful content management system, it can sometimes feel limiting. If you’re ready to explore new possibilities, migrating to Squarespace might be the perfect solution!
With Squarespace, you can take charge of your website like never before. Imagine effortlessly customising themes, integrating new features, and creating tailored checkout pages—all at affordable rates! Sounds appealing, right?
But we know that migration can be a long process. That’s why we’ve compiled this detailed guide to help you navigate the process smoothly. We’ll cover everything you need to know to ensure your seamless migration without impacting your SEO and user experience every step of the way.
Ready to transform your online presence? Let’s dive in!
Important Note:
As you migrate from WordPress to Squarespace, prioritise your top-performing content to retain engagement. Choose a Squarespace template that enhances user experience, and don’t forget to implement proper SEO strategies to maintain your traffic.
Why Should You Consider Moving From WordPress to Squarespace?
Imagine being an artist with all your creative work in one place—where you can control your portfolio without technical issues.
Many of us start with WordPress. It’s dynamic, filled with plugins, and allows us to build our dream site, adding new elements and tweaking every detail. However, let’s be honest: sometimes, all those options can turn into a rabbit hole of vectorising rather than creating art. We’ve all been there, right? Spending more time troubleshooting than actually showcasing our talent.
Now, let’s paint a brighter picture. Picture this: you’re stepping into a spacious, bright studio—perfectly set up just for you. That’s what switching to Squarespace feels like! With stunning designer templates tailored for artists, Squarespace lets you focus on what truly matters: your art. You can showcase your work beautifully without getting bogged down by technical hiccups. Imagine uploading your latest pieces, arranging them effortlessly, and letting your creativity shine without a glitch.
We know that while WordPress allows you to create highly customised sites, it often comes with a steeper learning curve and the constant need for maintenance. You might love the idea of customisation, but wouldn’t it be nice to spend that time creating rather than managing?
In contrast, Squarespace offers an all-in-one solution. Think about it—beautiful design options, modern features, and a user-friendly experience in one package. Squarespace could be your best friend if you want a simple yet visually stunning platform like many of us.
Both platforms have their strengths and weaknesses. WordPress may still be your go-to if you crave deep customisation and control. However, if aesthetics and a clean, easy-to-use design are high on your priority list, we suggest giving Squarespace a severe look.
To help you make this important decision, check out the table below highlighting the strengths of both platforms. Let’s find out which one aligns better with your needs and preferences!
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For a more comprehensive understanding of migrating between eCommerce platforms, check out our eCommerce Platform Migration Guide.
How to Migrate from WordPress to Squarespace?
If you have a WordPress website but no longer find it attractive, consider migrating to Squarespace.
Usually, people love WordPress only for three reasons such as,
- Ease of use
- Customisation
- And you love to experiment, configure, and update
If none of these factors apply to you, migrating to Squarespace could be the best move. Squarespace is one of the best alternatives to WordPress, as it offers powerful SEO features that will help you promote your business and attract more customers to your products.
Now, without wasting time, let’s start the migration process.
Step 1: Back Up Data from Your WordPress Site
First, start by ensuring all critical data is backed up securely in a separate environment. In case of issues during the migration process, you can return to the store’s original state.
To back up your WordPress content, you can manually download it as a CSV file to move to critical data (such as products, customer details, content, etc. ). Valuable data from WordPress backup includes:
Customer data
- Customer data
- Content
- Product or service information
- Blog posts
- Analytics data
Step 2: Sign Up for Squarespace
Before you start the migration process, you must create an account on Squarespace. Visit the Squarespace official website and choose the pricing plans that match your requirements. It offers several pricing plans, including:
- Personal Plan: Best for individuals or small projects, comes with basic functionalities and design preferences. (Starts from $16/ month).
- Business Plan: Ideal for small businesses, offering premium marketing tools and eCommerce capabilities. (Starts from $23/ month).
- Basic Commerce Plan: Designed especially for eCommerce entrepreneurs, this plan comes with advanced features such as inventory management and customer accounts. (Starts from $28/ month).
- Advanced Commerce Plan: This plan has several features, such as shipping options and intelligent analytics, for more critical eCommerce operations. (Starts from $52/ month).
Choose the best plan based on your requirements and complete the registration process. Moreover, the platform also offers a 14-day free trial; if you are not sure about the platform’s capabilities, you can get started with the free plan.
Step 3: Choose a Template
Once you’ve registered, it’s time to bring your vision to life by selecting a template for your new website! Squarespace offers a fantastic variety of templates tailored for different businesses—think of it as choosing the canvas for your masterpiece.
Take your time to explore both the free and premium options. As you browse, consider how each design and color scheme aligns with your brand’s personality. Do you want something sleek, modern, or a more artistic and vibrant look?
When you find a template that resonates with you, think of it as the foundation of your site. Starting with a design that matches your needs will save you time in the long run, allowing you to focus more on showcasing your work rather than reworking the layout.
So, dive into the templates and find the one that feels right for you!
Step 4: Make Necessary Settings
Once you have your template, click into your Squarespace dashboard and go to the Settings section. Here are a few settings you should set up to get your site live:
- Site Title and Logo: Update your site title and upload a logo.
- Favicon: Upload a favicon so your website can be even more recognizable.
- Social Links: Connect your social media accounts so that you can also integrate sharing options.
- SEO Settings: Add meta titles and descriptions for your home page to optimize it for search engines.
Plan all these options, and your site will be ready to go when your visitors come.
Step 5: Import Data
It is time to import your WordPress content into Squarespace. The good news is that Squarespace offers an easy and seamless method of importing data from WordPress. Here is how:
- Head to Settings > Advanced > Import/Export from your Squarespace dashboard.
- Click on the Import option and then click on WordPress.
- Enter your WordPress site’s URL and follow the instructions to authenticate the connection.
Squarespace can import posts, pages, and simple media, but the formatting and some items, such as custom fields, may not carry over well, so be prepared for manual tweaking.
Step 6: Transfer a Domain to Squarespace
If you have a custom domain, you’ll want to transfer it to Squarespace to ensure an easy transfer. Here is how:
- In Squarespace, go to Settings > Domains.
- Click Connect a Domain.
- For a domain registered somewhere else, follow the instructions for transferring or connecting a domain.
Unlock your domain at your current registrar and get the authorisation code for the transfer. It is crucial if you do not want any downtime and maintain your online presence.
Follow Squarespace’s instructions, which are very helpful and straightforward, as these procedures vary based on where your domain is now hosted. If you intend to launch on a specific day, remember that your domain may take up to 48 hours to connect.
If you encounter trouble with this step, opt for professional migration experts or contact Squarespace customer service for assistance.
Step 7: Check and Map Your URLs
After importing your content and connecting a domain, you must check and map your URLs to maintain SEO and user experience. Here’s what you can do:
- Review your existing WordPress URLs and compare them with the imported content on Squarespace.
- Implement 301 redirects for Old URLs in the new Squarespace. To perform this, go to the settings> SEO> URL mapping.
- Make sure you have a record of the redirects so that users and search engines are directed to the correct pages.
This step reduces broken link incidences and helps maintain your search engine ranking.
Download Our Comprehensive Website Migration Checklist!
Whether you’re upgrading technology, improving performance, or rebranding your business, this checklist ensures a smooth and successful migration every step of the way. Get Your Free Checklist Now!
Step 8: Test for Broken Links
Once every setup is in place, the last procedure is a lengthy test to ascertain whether there are any broken links present in the system:
- Implement any tools provided, such as Broke Link Checker or Screaming Frog SEO Spider, to examine your new Squarespace site.
- Look through the given data and correct any links cited in the text that do not work by changing the address or issuing a redirect.
In addition to ensuring that everything on the website is fully functional, testing for broken links also sustains the website’s integrity by eliminating possible causes for a negative perception of it.
Step 9: Go Live
Finally, once you follow the above migration steps, it’s high time you go live. Here are some tips that will prove fruitful after your successful WordPress to Squarespace migration:
- Send out Promotional Mail to Your Customers: If you have an email from past customers, send them notification mail about the migration. Tell them it won’t impact the user experience and add more modern features to make the experience memorable.
- Shoutout on Social Media: All the links you posted on social media are for your old WordPress site. White redirects will ensure people will always visit the new Squarespace website. Giving all the links you share on social media is best to stay consistent.
Pro Tip: Plan Your Content Strategy!
Before you migrate, take a moment to outline your content strategy. Think about what pages, posts, and images are essential for your new Squarespace site. Prioritise high-performing content and ensure it aligns with your brand’s goals.
Bonus: Create a checklist of content to keep track of what to migrate, update, or discard. This way, you’ll have a smooth transition and can focus on what truly matters—showcasing your work!
Considering Other Platforms for Your Business?
If you’re exploring different eCommerce platforms, Shopify might also be worth considering for its robust features and ease of use. Whether you’re managing a small business or scaling up, Shopify offers powerful tools for online stores. Check out our WordPress to Shopify Migration Guide for a step-by-step walkthrough of the migration process and decide if it’s the right platform for your needs.
Let WebyKing Handle Your WordPress to Squarespace Migration Process
Now that you know how to migrate from WordPress to Squarespace, it’s time to take action! We understand this decision is crucial for your business, and the migration process can come with risks and challenges.
That’s where we come in! At WebyKing, we’re not just another website migration service provider—we’ve successfully migrated over 150 websites, ensuring smooth transitions without downtime or disruptions.
Don’t let migration worries hold you back! Reach out to us today and discover how we can simplify the process. Your website’s success is just a step away, and with our expertise in the latest technical trends, we’ll execute a flawless migration tailored to your needs.
Let’s get started on your journey to a better website together!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main steps involved in migrating from WordPress to Squarespace?
To migrate, export your WordPress content, set up your Squarespace account, import the content, customize your design, optimize SEO settings, test the site, and launch it.
Will migrating from WordPress to Squarespace affect my SEO?
Yes, it can affect SEO. To minimize impact, set up 301 redirects, maintain content quality, optimize page titles, and monitor your site’s performance after migration.
Is there a free version of Squarespace?
Yes. Squarespace offers a 14-day free trial with limited features and functionalities.
Who will be my host when I migrate to Squarespace?
Squarespace is an all-in-one content management system and domain host. Squarespace hosts all of the site’s content, and if you registered or transferred a domain with them, they also host your domain. See Web hosting vs. domain hosting for additional details.
