Switching from Squarespace to WordPress can seem daunting, but the benefits of moving to a self-hosted WordPress site make it well worth the effort. From more flexibility to a broader range of customization options, WordPress opens doors to a whole new world of possibilities for your website. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the Squarespace to WordPress migration process step by step, ensuring you retain control of your content and keep your site’s functionality intact.
Step 1: Planning Your Migration
Before diving into the technical details, it is important to plan the migration process. Squarespace and WordPress work differently, so preparation is key. A Squarespace site has some limitations when exporting content, but with careful planning, your WordPress site can reflect everything you need from the old Squarespace website.
- Backup your Squarespace content: Since exporting Squarespace content doesn’t transfer everything, backup media files and important data.
- Choose a hosting provider: A reliable web host is crucial for self-hosted WordPress sites. Providers like WP SitePlan offer managed WordPress hosting for easy setup.
Step 2: Setting Up Your WordPress Hosting and Installing WordPress
Once you’ve chosen your hosting provider, it’s time to install WordPress on your new site. Most hosts offer the option to install WordPress with just a few clicks from their dashboard.
- Install WordPress: Use your web host’s one-click installer to set up WordPress.
- Basic setup: Choose a WordPress theme and configure essential settings like permalinks so that the link structure of your new WordPress site matches that of your old Squarespace site.
Step 3: Exporting Content from Squarespace
Now that your WordPress site is set up, moving your content from your Squarespace site to WordPress is the next crucial step. While Squarespace does offer an export feature, there are significant limitations in what the Squarespace export file (in XML format) includes. Typically, only basic pages and posts are exported. Key elements like gallery pages, album pages, certain e-commerce functionality, and design aspects such as custom CSS are not transferred. Understanding these limitations will help you prepare for what needs to be manually migrated.
Export Squarespace Content
To begin the Squarespace to WordPress migration, you’ll need to export the content that Squarespace allows.
- Log into Your Squarespace Account: Navigate to your Squarespace account and locate the settings area. Go to the Advanced section, where you’ll find the Import/Export option.
- Initiate the Export Process: Select Export and choose WordPress as the target platform. This action will generate a Squarespace XML file that can be used to migrate certain content, such as blog posts and pages, to your new WordPress site.
- Keep in mind that only one blog page, along with all your posts and some basic pages, can be exported. If you have multiple blogs or advanced content, such as index pages or gallery pages, you must manually recreate them on your new WordPress website.
- Download the XML File: Once the export is complete, download the Squarespace XML file to your computer. You will later upload this export file into WordPress using the WordPress importer tool.
Content Not Included in the Squarespace Export
There are several key elements that the Squarespace export file does not handle automatically. These include:
- Gallery pages and album pages: These media-rich elements must be rebuilt within WordPress.
- Custom CSS: If your Squarespace site uses custom styles, they won’t transfer. You’ll need to replicate your custom CSS manually in the WordPress theme.
- E-commerce functionality: Any advanced product pages or e-commerce functionality you have must be manually migrated or recreated using a plugin like WooCommerce.
Because of these limitations, the exported content from Squarespace is often minimal and serves as a starting point for building your new WordPress site.
Download Your Squarespace Images Manually
One of the biggest gaps in the export process is that the Squarespace export file does not include media, such as images and videos. This means that all media files and images from your Squarespace site must be transferred manually.
- Access and Download Images: In your Squarespace account, navigate to the pages and posts containing your media. Right-click on each image and save it to your computer. Proper organization of these files is essential since you’ll need to upload them into your WordPress media library later.
- Handling External Images: Be sure to download any images linked externally or embedded from other sources. Any external images should be stored locally on your WordPress host.
- Use the Auto Upload Images Plugin: To streamline the image import process, you can use the Auto Upload Images plugin for WordPress. This plugin scans your posts for external image URLs and automatically imports them into your WordPress media library, ensuring that they are properly hosted on your WordPress host instead of externally linked to your old Squarespace website.
- Reorganize Your Media in WordPress: Once the images have been manually downloaded and imported, upload them into your WordPress media library. This will ensure your media is easily accessible for adding to WordPress pages and posts during the design rebuild phase.
Limitations of the Squarespace Export
While the Squarespace export process simplifies content migration to a degree, it is by no means comprehensive. You’ll need to manually recreate many of the design and layout elements from your old Squarespace site. As you export, remember that:
- Certain Squarespace links and internal linking structures may not transfer seamlessly. You’ll need to adjust the link structure manually in WordPress.
- The Squarespace domain settings won’t transfer, so after migration, ensure that your custom domain is properly pointed to your new WordPress site.
Understanding these limitations and preparing to manually handle certain elements of the migration can ensure a smoother site migration process.
Step 4: Importing Content into WordPress
It’s time to bring your Squarespace content into your new WordPress site. WordPress simplifies this process with its built-in WordPress importer tool, which allows you to seamlessly transfer the content from your Squarespace XML file.
- Upload the Squarespace XML file: In the WordPress admin dashboard, navigate to the import settings page under the Tools menu. From there, select the WordPress importer option and follow the prompts to upload your Squarespace export file. With just a few clicks, you can begin the migration process.
- Assign an existing admin user: You’ll be asked to assign the imported content (such as basic pages and all your posts) to a user during the import. Ensure that this content is assigned to an existing WordPress admin user for proper organization and control.
- Import file attachments: WordPress will try to import media (images, videos) by retrieving them from the image URLs stored in your old Squarespace website. However, this step is not always foolproof. If the image import process fails for certain media, you may need to upload images manually into the WordPress media library. Using tools like the Auto Upload Images plugin can help streamline this part of the migration.
Step 5: Rebuilding Your Site Design in WordPress
Once the content is imported, you’ll need to manually recreate the design and layout of your Squarespace website. This includes selecting a WordPress theme that mirrors or enhances your old design.
- Choose a new WordPress theme: Whether you choose premium or free themes, make sure they align with your branding and content.
- Rebuild menus and layouts: In the WordPress editor, recreate your site’s navigation menus, pages, and layout to match those on your Squarespace site.
Step 6: Manually Moving Images and Media
As previously mentioned, the Squarespace to WordPress migration doesn’t automatically transfer media files. You’ll need to manually upload media to the WordPress media library.
- Use the Auto Upload Images plugin: This plugin helps you quickly bring over external images by automatically uploading them to the WordPress media library during content imports.
- Upload images manually: For Squarespace images, download them and then click upload file to manually add them to your new WordPress site.
Step 7: SEO and URL Redirection
Replicating the same URL structure from your Squarespace URLs on WordPress is crucial to maintaining SEO. Additionally, set up 301 redirects to ensure your Squarespace domain links point to the new pages on your WordPress website.
- Use a redirection plugin: This can help you manage all redirects and ensure post URLs from your old Squarespace site match those on your new WordPress website.
- SEO plugins: Use SEO tools like Yoast or RankMath to optimize your new WordPress site for search engines.
Step 8: Testing and Launching Your WordPress Site
Before launching, test your new WordPress site to ensure everything works properly.
- Check for broken links: Ensure no Squarespace links are left unredirected.
- Test functionality: Review all WordPress pages, posts, and media to verify everything transferred correctly.
Unlock the Full Potential of Your Website with WordPress Today
Migrating from Squarespace to WordPress offers enhanced flexibility, control, and scalability. With a bit of planning and the right tools, you can seamlessly transition your Squarespace website to a fully self-hosted WordPress platform. If you need help with your Squarespace to WordPress migration, consider hiring a WordPress host like WP SitePlan to handle the site migration process and ensure a smooth transition. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help ensure a smooth transition from Squarespace to WordPress.
