Web Development
Should I Switch from Squarespace to WordPress – How to Move from Squarespace to WordPress
By Technology Ally
When it comes to offshore web development, you want a platform that works for you, not against you.
Squarespace and WordPress are two of the most popular website builders on the market, but which one is the right fit for your needs?
In this blog, we’ll explore should I switch from Squarespace to WordPress and how to move from squarespace to WordPress in easy steps.
Let’s dive in and examine the strengths and weaknesses of each platform, as well as the potential benefits of making the switch.
How to Move from Squarespace to WordPress – Step by Step
Transfer from squarespace to WordPress can be a smooth process if you follow these steps:
Set Up Your WordPress Site
First, you’ll need to choose a WordPress hosting provider and set up your WordPress website.
Make sure you select a provider that offers the features and support you need.
The content that can be automatically exported from Squarespace to WordPress includes:
All pages, which will be transferred as WordPress pages.
A single blog page, which will appear in WordPress as ‘Blog’ in your pages list.
Blog posts under the exported blog page, which will be transferred as WordPress posts.
Gallery pages will be exported as well.
Text, image, and embed blocks will be transferred.
However, some content will not be exported during the process:
Product pages, album pages, and event pages won’t be exported.
Audio, video, and product blocks won’t be transferred.
Style modifications and custom CSS won’t be included.
Folders and index pages won’t be part of the export.
If there are multiple blog pages, only one will be exported.
Your Squarespace images will not be automatically imported during the process. We’ll guide you on how to import them later.
Export Content from Squarespace
In your Squarespace account, navigate to the settings and look for the option to export your content.
This process usually exports your pages and posts as an XML file, which you’ll need for the next step.
To proceed, click the ‘Export‘ button.
Then, select the WordPress logo to move forward.
Once the export is complete, you’ll see an option to download your exported file.
Download the file to your computer.
You’ll need this file in the next step to import content into your new WordPress site.
If you are looking to migrate hipaa compliant Squarespace website, Read our detailed guide on Is WordPress HIPAA Compliant
Import Content Into WordPress
In your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Tools > Import and choose the Squarespace option.
Upload the XML file you exported from Squarespace to import your content.
Once the export is complete, click on the ‘Run importer‘ link to proceed.
On the next screen, select the ‘Choose File’ button.
Locate the file you downloaded from Squarespace earlier, then click ‘Upload file and import.’
WordPress will then upload and examine the file to confirm it is in the correct format.
If the file is supported, WordPress will present the import settings page.
Here, select an author name for the imported content.
WordPress can import Squarespace users and assign them the Subscriber role in WordPress. You can also assign an existing admin user as the author or create a new user.
While there is an option to import attachment images, it won’t function in this case. But don’t worry, we’ll guide you on how to handle that later.
Click the ‘Submit’ button to begin importing content from your Squarespace export file.
When the import finishes, you’ll see a success message. Now, you can explore the pages and posts in WordPress to review the imported content.
Manually Transfer Media
Squarespace does not automatically export your media files (images, videos, etc.), so you’ll need to manually download them from Squarespace and re-upload them to your WordPress site.
You will need to install Auto upload images plugin.
To start, navigate to Posts » All Posts in your WordPress dashboard and click the Screen Options button at the top.
Set the Number of items per page to 999 and hit Apply.
WordPress will refresh the page to display up to 999 posts at once. Now, select all your posts and choose Edit from the bulk actions menu.
Next, click the Apply button.
WordPress will open a quick edit box listing all the selected posts. Simply click the Update button without making any changes.
By doing this, you’ll prompt the Auto Upload Images plugin to import external images from Squarespace and save them in your WordPress media library.
If you have many posts and images, the plugin might not import all of them in one go.
In that case, you can repeat the process by selecting and updating the posts again.
The plugin will only import images that were not imported previously and skip ones already imported.
Adjust Permalinks and Links
Ensure your WordPress site’s permalinks match your old Squarespace URLs for SEO purposes. You may also need to update internal links within your content.
A typical blog post URL using the default Squarespace domain name might look like this:
https://domain.squarespace.com/blog/2024/4/22/post-title
If you have your own domain name with Squarespace, a typical blog post URL might look like this:
https://www.domain.com/blog/2024/4/22/post-title
To match your Squarespace URLs in WordPress, go to Settings » Permalinks in your WordPress dashboard.
You’ll find various URL structure options. The closest match to your old Squarespace URLs is ‘Day and Name.’
Select ‘Day and Name’ and then navigate to the ‘Custom Structure’ section.
The custom structure will automatically fill in with year, month, day, and post name tags.
Add the prefix ‘blog’ before these elements, like this:
/blog-1/%year%/%monthnum%/%day%/%postname%/
Click the Save Changes button to apply your new settings.
This adjustment ensures that users arriving from search engines and other sources are directed to the correct posts and pages on your WordPress site.
To export your online store’s product data from Squarespace, navigate to Settings » Selling » Products in your Squarespace account. Then, select the Export All option to download the product data as a CSV file.
Select and Customize a Theme
Choose a WordPress theme that suits your vision and customize it as desired. Many themes offer built-in options for additional plugins and features.
Bonus Read: How Much Does It Cost to Develop a Web App
Test and Optimize
Once your content is migrated, test your new WordPress site thoroughly to ensure everything is functioning as expected. Optimize your site for speed, security, and SEO.
Why Transfer from Squarespace to WordPress
You may be considering how to migrate from squarespace to WordPress for several reasons:
Customization and Flexibility
WordPress allows for extensive customization with its vast selection of plugins and themes.
Scalability
If you want to grow your website and add advanced features, WordPress can handle that growth more easily.
SEO Advantages
WordPress is known for its robust SEO capabilities and plugins that can help optimize your site for search engines.
Ownership
WordPress gives you full control over your website, including data ownership.
If these advantages align with your goals, it might be time to make the switch. Read above our basic guide on how to transfer squarespace to WordPress.
How to Move a Website from Squarespace to WordPress With Plugin – Not Recommended
While plugins like CMS2CMS can simplify migration, they’re not recommended due to potential data loss, formatting issues, and missed content.
These risks can lead to a compromised website and poor user experience.
Instead, Technologyally provides expert WordPress migration services, front end development, back end development, ensuring a smooth transfer of your website with attention to detail. Let our offshore developers handle your migration in a jiffy.
Moving your website from Squarespace to WordPress in a single click is challenging due to the inherent differences between the two platforms.
- With CMS2CMS, you can transfer your content, media, and other data.
- To use it, install the plugin on your WordPress site and follow the setup process.
- You’ll provide your Squarespace credentials and choose the content you want to migrate.
- The plugin handles the rest, moving your data to WordPress.
Although it’s not technically a single click, CMS2CMS automate the migration process.
Dont forget to read our insights Is Flutter Good for Web Development?
How to Move Domain from Squarespace to WordPress – Conclusion
Making the switch from Squarespace to WordPress can open up a world of possibilities for your website.
If you decide to make the move, follow the steps outlined above for a smooth migration.
Once your WordPress site is up and running, you’ll be well-positioned to grow and upscale your online presence according to your goals.
Should I Switch from Squarespace to WordPress – FAQs
How long does it take to transfer from Squarespace to WordPress?
The time it takes to move from Squarespace to WordPress depends on the size and complexity of your website. A simple site may take a few hours, while a larger site with extensive content could take a day or two.
how to migrate from Squarespace to WordPress without losing my SEO rankings?
You shouldn’t lose your SEO rankings if you follow best practices during the migration, such as maintaining the same permalinks and properly redirecting old URLs to new ones.
how to transfer Squarespace to WordPress with my same domain?
Yes, you can transfer your domain name from Squarespace to WordPress. You may need to change DNS settings to point your domain to your new WordPress hosting provider.
how to move a website from Squarespace to WordPress with the right hosting provider?
When choosing a WordPress hosting provider, consider factors like uptime, speed, customer support, and pricing. Look for providers that offer managed WordPress hosting for added convenience.
how to move domain from Squarespace to WordPress with the same email accounts?
Your email accounts may be tied to your Squarespace plan, so you might need to transfer them to a new email hosting provider. Check with your current email provider and WordPress hosting provider for assistance.
Is a WordPress website better than Squarespace for Startups and SMEs?
WordPress is often a better choice for startups and SMEs due to its scalability. It offers a wide range of customizable themes, plugins, and SEO tools, allowing small businesses to tailor their website to their specific needs.
View All Posts
