Shopify to Squarespace Migration

How to Migrate Shopify to Squarespace

Migration from Shopify to Squarespace involves more than simply transferring data, it requires rebuilding your storefront, SEO structure, and overall user experience within a platform that operates on a different framework. The following roadmap outlines the process clearly:

• Step 1: Export data from your Shopify store
• Step 2: Set up your Squarespace store
• Step 3: Import Products & Pages into Squarespace
• Step 4: Set up SEO and URL Structure
• Step 5: Final Checks and Launch

To ensure a smooth and accurate move from Shopify to Squarespace, make sure you have the following prepared:

• Admin access to both your Shopify and Squarespace accounts. If you don’t have a Squarespace site yet, create one before starting.
• A laptop or desktop computer with a reliable internet connection. Network interruptions during migration can cause data loss or errors.
• Updated, error-free versions of your Shopify and Squarespace sites to minimize issues during data export and import.

Step 1: Export data from your Shopify store

Begin by exporting and backing up your Shopify data, ensuring that all original files are safely stored. This backup will serve both as the foundation for your Squarespace migration and as a safeguard should any issues arise during the process:

How to perform Shopify export product manually:

• Step 1: From your Shopify Admin dashboard, navigate to Products and select Export.
• Step 2: In the export dialog box, choose the data you want to export. Options include:
  
  • The current product page you are viewing
  • All products in your inventory
  • Only selected products
  • Products that match a specific search
• Step 3: Choose the file format for your export. Shopify offers two CSV options:
  • CSV file for Excel, Numbers, or similar spreadsheet programs: Recommended if you plan to edit the file in a spreadsheet.
  • Plain CSV file: Best for modifications using plain-text editors such as Visual Studio Code or Sublime Text.
• Step 4: Click Export products. Shopify will generate your CSV file, which you can then edit or reformat as needed before migrating to Squarespace.

Additionally, to ensure your data is fully backed up, complete the following steps:

• Back up blog posts using manual copy/paste, an RSS feed, or the Shopify API.
• Download all images and digital assets to a secure location.
• Export a list of URLs from Google Search Console.
• Document custom functionality, such as filters, subscriptions, custom apps, or multilingual features.

This preparation step is essential, it acts as your migration blueprint.

Step 2: Set up your Squarespace store

Prepare your Squarespace site by creating a basic structure. This gives your migrated content a clear framework and reduces the need for major adjustments later:

• Sign up and select a template: Create a Squarespace account and choose a template that aligns with your brand’s style and functionality needs.
• Organize your pages: Rebuild your site structure in the Pages panel (e.g., Home, About, Services, Blog, Contact, Store). Keep layouts simple at this stage to ensure a clean framework for your content.
• Add core features: Use Squarespace’s built-in blocks such as forms, galleries, and e-commerce tools to replicate essential elements from your Shopify store.
• Preview responsiveness: Regularly check the mobile preview to confirm that your design is optimized for all devices.

At this stage, focus on establishing a basic structure. Save detailed design customizations for after the migration, once all content has been successfully transferred.

Step 3: Import Products & Pages into Squarespace

With your Squarespace store framework in place and your Shopify data backed up, the next step is to move your content. While products can be imported via CSV, pages and blog posts must be migrated manually.

Import Products into Squarespace

• In the Squarespace Products panel, click Import, then select Download CSV Template. Use this template as the standard format for importing products into Squarespace.
• Open your exported Shopify CSV and reformat it to fit Squarespace’s product CSV template.
• Return to the Products panel, click Import in the top-right corner, and drag and drop the completed CSV file into the Upload Squarespace CSV box.
• Click Save to complete the import.

Note: If the import fails, copy the data from the CSV into a new spreadsheet and re-upload it. This resolves most issues. If problems continue, open the CSV in a spreadsheet program to check for unsupported formatting. Common errors include bulleted lists, hyperlinks, and nonstandard characters.

Move Pages and Blogs into Squarespace

Since Squarespace does not offer an automated importer for Shopify pages or blog posts, this stage requires manual work:

• Copy page content into new Squarespace pages.
• Re-upload images directly to Squarespace rather than linking to Shopify URLs.
• Recreate formatting and interactive elements, including CTA buttons, forms, and internal/external links.
• Repost blog entries by creating a new blog section in Squarespace and publishing each post individually. Retain original publish dates, authors, and tags whenever possible.

Step 4: Set up SEO and URL Structure

Your site’s URLs and metadata are critical for maintaining SEO performance. Incorrect handling can lead to significant traffic loss, especially if your site already ranks well in Google:

• Map old to new URLs: Use the Shopify URL list you created earlier and match each one to its new Squarespace equivalent.
• Add 301 redirects: In Squarespace, go to Settings > Advanced > URL Mappings and enter redirects in the following format: /old-shopify-url -> /new-squarespace-url 301
• Recreate SEO details: Manually set SEO titles and meta descriptions for all pages and products.
• Optimize images: Add descriptive alt text to every re-uploaded image.
• Resubmit sitemap: Once the site is live, resubmit your sitemap through Google Search Console to update indexing.

Step 5: Final Checks and Launch

Before going live, go into QA mode.

• Click through every link on your new site.
• Add test products to cart and walk through checkout.
• Use Screaming Frog or a broken link checker to find missing assets or redirect issues.
• Check on mobile and tablet layout bugs happen.
• Set up Google Analytics 4, Search Console, and any marketing pixels again (you’re starting fresh here).

Once you’re confident:

• Point your domain’s DNS to Squarespace (or transfer it if you prefer an all-in-one setup).
• Monitor traffic, conversions, and search rankings over the next 2–4 weeks.
• Keep your Shopify account active during this buffer, in case you missed something or need to recover data.

Migrating from Shopify to Squarespace requires more than data transfer it involves rebuilding your site’s structure, SEO, and functionality within a new platform. Keep monitoring your site after launch and maintain your Shopify account briefly as a safety net during the transition.