## How to Properly Move From Squarespace to WordPress: A Comprehensive Guide
**By Naveed Ahmed**
With over 15 years of experience in the digital world, I’ve seen a lot of website migrations. And one of the most common is the shift from Squarespace to WordPress. While Squarespace is a user-friendly platform for beginners, it often lacks the flexibility and customization options that WordPress provides.
That’s where this guide comes in. I’ll walk you through every step of the process, ensuring a smooth and successful migration, preserving your valuable content and ensuring your site continues to function flawlessly.
**Why Move from Squarespace to WordPress?**
The allure of WordPress stems from its power and flexibility. Here are the key reasons why you might consider moving from Squarespace to WordPress:
* **Customization:** WordPress offers a vast ecosystem of themes and plugins, allowing you to personalize your site to the smallest detail. Unlike Squarespace’s limited design options, WordPress gives you complete control over your website’s look and feel.
* **SEO Potential:** WordPress is built with SEO in mind. It’s highly optimized for search engines, making it easier to rank higher in search results. This translates to more organic traffic and potential customers.
* **Community and Support:** WordPress boasts a massive community of developers, users, and experts, providing you with readily available support and resources. If you encounter any issues, you’ll find help quickly and efficiently.
* **Ecommerce Capabilities:** WordPress is an excellent platform for building online stores. WooCommerce, the leading WordPress eCommerce plugin, offers a powerful suite of features for selling online, and its integration with WordPress is seamless.
* **Scalability:** WordPress is designed for growth. You can easily add new features and content as your website expands.
**Step 0: Getting Started**
Before embarking on your migration, let’s lay the groundwork:
1. **Choose a Web Host:** A reliable web host is crucial for your WordPress site’s performance and security. I recommend Bluehost, an officially recommended WordPress hosting provider. They offer a free domain name and a huge discount on hosting, starting at $1.99 per month.
[Click Here to Claim This Exclusive Bluehost Offer](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/how-to-move-wordpress-to-a-new-host-or-server-with-no-downtime/#changehostfile)
2. **Register a Domain Name:** If you don’t already have a custom domain name, you’ll need to register one.
3. **Domain Transfer or DNS Updates:** If your Squarespace site uses a custom domain, you can either transfer it to your new web host or update the DNS nameservers to point to your new host.
**Step 1: Install WordPress**
Installing WordPress on your new web host is surprisingly easy. Many hosting companies offer one-click installations. If you’re using Bluehost, they’ll automatically install WordPress for you.
You can also follow our step-by-step WordPress installation guide for beginners for detailed instructions: [https://www.wpbeginner.com/how-to-install-wordpress/](https://www.wpbeginner.com/how-to-install-wordpress/)
Once WordPress is installed, log in to your WordPress dashboard, which is your administrative control center.
**Step 2: Exporting Squarespace Content**
Squarespace has limited export capabilities. This means some content will automatically export, while other parts need to be manually copied.
**Content that will automatically export:**
* Basic pages (exported as WordPress pages).
* One blog page (appears as ‘Blog’ in WordPress pages).
* Blog posts under that blog page (exported as WordPress posts).
* Gallery pages.
* Text, Image, and Embed blocks.
**Content that will NOT automatically export:**
* Product pages, Album pages, and Event pages.
* Audio, Video, and Product blocks.
* Style changes and custom CSS.
* Folders and index pages.
* More than one blog page (only the first blog page is exported).
To export your content, follow these steps:
1. Go to **Settings » Website** under your Squarespace account.
2. Click on the **Import & Export Content** tab.
3. Click on the **Export** button.
4. Click on the **WordPress** logo.
5. Download the export file once the process is complete.
**Step 3: Importing Content from Squarespace into WordPress**
Let’s bring your Squarespace content into your new WordPress site:
1. Log in to your WordPress admin area.
2. Go to **Tools » Import**.
3. Click **Install Now** below **WordPress**.
4. Click **Run Importer**.
5. Select the export file you downloaded from Squarespace.
6. Click **Upload file and import**.
7. Choose an author for the imported content and select whether to import attachment images.
8. Click **Submit** to begin the import process.
**Step 4: Importing Images from Squarespace**
The WordPress importer won’t bring over your Squarespace images. Here’s how to import them automatically:
1. Install and activate the **Auto Upload Images** plugin.
2. Go to **Posts » All Posts** and click **Screen Options**.
3. Increase the **Number of items per page** field to **999** and click **Apply**.
4. Select all posts and choose **Edit** under **Bulk Actions**.
5. Click **Apply**.
6. Click **Update** in the quick edit box.
This will trigger the **Auto Upload Images** plugin to import your images from Squarespace and store them in your WordPress media library.
**Step 5: Fixing Permalinks**
To ensure that links from your old Squarespace site redirect properly, we need to adjust your WordPress permalinks:
1. Go to **Settings » Permalinks** in your WordPress admin area.
2. Select **Day and Name**.
3. Go to **Custom Structure** and add the appropriate prefix (e.g., `/blog-1/%year%/%monthnum%/%day%/%postname%`).
4. Click **Save Changes**.
**Step 6: Importing Other Content from Squarespace to WordPress**
Since Squarespace only exports limited content, you may need to manually import certain elements, such as product data, events, or audio and video files.
* **Ecommerce:** Download your product data as a CSV file from **Settings » Selling » Products** in Squarespace. Then, install a WordPress eCommerce plugin like WooCommerce and follow the instructions to import your products.
* **Media:** For audio and video files, I recommend hosting them on third-party services like YouTube or Vimeo.
* **Other Content:** For additional content like contact forms, Google Analytics, portfolios, podcasts, and online courses, refer to WPBeginner’s comprehensive guides ([https://www.wpbeginner.com/](https://www.wpbeginner.com/)).
**Step 7: Getting to Know WordPress**
WordPress is a powerful platform, and there’s a lot to discover.
1. **Customize your Website:** Explore thousands of professionally designed WordPress themes to find the perfect look for your site. ([https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-themes/](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-themes/)).
2. **Expand Functionality:** WordPress plugins add unique features and capabilities to your website. Discover essential plugins to enhance your site. ([https://www.wpbeginner.com/wordpress-plugins/](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wordpress-plugins/))
3. **Resources for Beginners:** WPBeginner provides comprehensive resources for WordPress beginners, including:
* **Blog:** [https://www.wpbeginner.com/](https://www.wpbeginner.com/)
* **Dictionary:** [https://www.wpbeginner.com/glossary/](https://www.wpbeginner.com/glossary/)
* **Videos:** [https://www.wpbeginner.com/videos/](https://www.wpbeginner.com/videos/)
* **YouTube Channel:** [https://www.youtube.com/user/wpbeginner/](https://www.youtube.com/user/wpbeginner/)
* **Blueprint:** [https://www.wpbeginner.com/blueprint/](https://www.wpbeginner.com/blueprint/)
* **Deals:** [https://www.wpbeginner.com/deals/](https://www.wpbeginner.com/deals/)
**💡 Pro Tip:** If you need assistance customizing your WordPress site, WPBeginner Pro Services offers expert WordPress website design at affordable prices. We’ll handle everything from design and plugin installation to SEO optimization and analytics setup. [Get Our WordPress Website Design Services Today!](https://www.wpbeginner.com/services/wordpress-website-design/)
## Conclusion
Moving from Squarespace to WordPress can be a smooth and rewarding experience. By following these steps, you can confidently migrate your site while preserving your valuable content and unlocking the power of WordPress.
If you’re interested in learning more about tech news, feel free to visit my website: [www.naveedahmed.me](https://www.naveedahmed.me/).
## FAQs
**
What are the benefits of moving from Squarespace to WordPress?
**
Moving to WordPress offers more customization options, enhanced SEO potential, a supportive community, robust eCommerce capabilities, and scalability for your website.
**
How do I choose a web host for my WordPress site?
**
Look for reliable web hosts that offer excellent performance, security, and good customer support. Bluehost is an officially recommended WordPress hosting provider and is a good option to consider.
**
Will I lose my website’s SEO ranking if I move from Squarespace to WordPress?
**
While there might be a temporary change in your website’s SEO ranking, a proper migration should not result in a long-term loss of SEO. Redirects and consistent SEO practices will help preserve your rankings.
**
What if my Squarespace export file is too large to import into WordPress?
**
You can split your large XML file using tools like the one described in this WPBeginner guide: [https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/how-to-split-large-xml-files-in-wordpress/](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/how-to-split-large-xml-files-in-wordpress/).
**
How do I make sure my Squarespace links redirect properly to my new WordPress site?
**
By adjusting your WordPress permalinks and setting up redirects for any broken links, you can ensure smooth navigation for visitors coming from your old Squarespace website.
**
How can I import my Squarespace products into WordPress?
**
You’ll need a WordPress eCommerce plugin, like WooCommerce, to import your Squarespace product data. Refer to WPBeginner’s guide on importing WooCommerce products with Images for step-by-step instructions.
**
I’m worried about losing my Squarespace custom CSS styles. How can I preserve them?
**
Squarespace’s custom CSS isn’t automatically exported. You can either recreate the styles in WordPress using a custom CSS plugin or manually copy and paste the CSS code into your WordPress theme’s stylesheet.
**
What if I want to create a new WordPress site but keep my Squarespace site live during the migration?
**
Some web hosts offer temporary subdomains that you can use to set up your WordPress site before changing your domain’s nameservers.
**
What are some of the best WordPress themes for my website?
**
There are thousands of themes available. WPBeginner has a guide to help you choose the perfect theme for your needs: [https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-themes/](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-themes/).
**
What are some essential WordPress plugins to install?
**
WPBeginner has a list of must-have WordPress plugins that will enhance your website’s functionality and security. Explore them here: [https://www.wpbeginner.com/wordpress-plugins/](https://www.wpbeginner.com/wordpress-plugins/).
**
Can I use the same domain name for my new WordPress site?
**
Yes, you can use the same domain name. After transferring your domain or updating your DNS nameservers, your domain will point to your new WordPress site.
**
Is it possible to import just one specific page from Squarespace into WordPress?
**
The Squarespace exporter only handles entire site exports. If you want to import specific content, you’ll need to manually copy and paste it into WordPress.
**
What if I’m having trouble with the image import process?
**
If you encounter issues with the **Auto Upload Images** plugin, try updating the plugin or reaching out to the plugin’s support team.
**
What are some helpful resources for WordPress beginners?
**
WPBeginner provides a wealth of free resources, including tutorials, a glossary, videos, a YouTube channel, a blueprint for WordPress users, and exclusive deals.
**This guide provides a comprehensive roadmap for moving from Squarespace to WordPress. Remember, a well-planned migration will ensure a smooth transition and unlock the full potential of your website.**