How To Transfer WordPress Site to Squarespace

Why Consider Switching from WordPress to Squarespace?

If you’re looking for a simpler, more streamlined website experience, migrating from WordPress to Squarespace can be a smart move especially for small business owners, creatives, or non-technical users. Backed by years of experience helping users transition platforms, we’ve found that Squarespace offers significant advantages:

• Speed & Simplicity: Squarespace features a user-friendly drag‑and‑drop website builder. Unlike WordPress, there’s no need to manage separate themes, plugins, or hosting it’s all included in one intuitive platform. This means you can get your site live quickly, without technical barriers.
• Elegant and Responsive Design: With professionally designed, mobile-optimized templates, Squarespace eliminates the guesswork of finding a beautiful and functional design. You get a clean, modern look right out of the box.
• All-in-One Ecosystem: Squarespace includes built-in hosting, SSL security, backups, blogging tools, and even eCommerce features—removing the need for third-party plugins or multiple service providers.
• Transparent Pricing: With straightforward monthly pricing plans and no surprise fees, Squarespace provides predictable costs. You can explore detailed plans on our Squarespace pricing reviews.

Is moving from WordPress to Squarespace right for You? You may want to move from WordPress to Squarespace if:

• You’re a non-technical user or small business owner seeking a beautiful website with minimal setup.
• You prefer easy content editing, low maintenance, and an all-in-one solution.
• You don’t require custom plugins, complex integrations, or advanced SEO tools.
• You value reliable built-in support and secure hosting, all managed in one place.

How to Move from WordPress to Squarespace in 5 Steps

For small sites with minimal custom data, you can follow our straightforward 5-step guide to migrate from WordPress to Squarespace:

• Step 1: Export WordPress XML and WooCommerce CSV Data
• Step 2: Import WordPress Content into Squarespace via Advanced XML Import
• Step 3: Import products using Squarespace CSV template
• Step 4: Transfer or Connect Your Domain and Set Up 301 Redirects
• Step 5: Polish, Launch & Cancel Old Site

Let’s dive into the details:

Step 1: Export WordPress XML and WooCommerce CSV Data

Take time to clean up old data on your WordPress site. Are there duplicate pages, outdated posts, or content that no longer aligns with your current goals? Delete them. Keep auditing your content until your site is streamlined, relevant, and organized before exporting.

To export WordPress data to an xml file:

• In your WordPress dashboard, go to Tools → Export.
• Choose “All content” to include posts, pages, custom post types, comments, categories, tags, and media. (Or filter by content type if you only want to export certain parts.)
• Click Download Export File to generate the .xml file.

This XML file is essential for transferring your core content to Squarespace.

To migrate your eCommerce catalog, you need a separate export for your products:

• Go to Products → All Products in your WooCommerce dashboard.
• Click Export.
• Select the product fields you want to include (SKUs, prices, descriptions, and stock statuses).
• Download the file as a .csv.

This CSV file contains the structured data needed to import products into Squarespace

Step 2: Import WordPress Content into Squarespace via Advanced XML Import

After exporting your WordPress data, the next step is to migrate your content into Squarespace. Start by creating a free Squarespace trial account and choose a template that fits your brand or business goals.

How to Import WordPress XML into Squarespace:

• Step 1: In your Squarespace dashboard, go to Settings → Advanced → Import / Export.

• Step 2: Click Import, choose WordPress, then select the Advanced import option.

• Step 3: Upload your WordPress XML file and click Begin Import.

Depending on how much content your WordPress site has, the import might take a few minutes. Just make sure not to close your browser or click away until it’s done. Once the import is complete, your content will appear in the Not Linked section of your Squarespace site. This includes your pages, posts, and media.

What to Expect After Importing: Squarespace doesn’t fully replicate WordPress plugins or page builder functionality. Therefore, expect to do some manual cleanup and content optimization:

• Reformat layouts and structure content for Squarespace’s styling system
• Re-enter missing SEO metadata, including title tags, meta descriptions, and canonical URLs
• Replace or re-link missing images or attachments
• Check internal linking to ensure a smooth user experience
• Optimize headings and formatting to align with Squarespace’s theme

Step 3: Import products using Squarespace CSV template

Once your main site content is migrated via XML, it’s time to import your WooCommerce product catalog into Squarespace Commerce. This step ensures your online store remains functional and visually aligned with your new design.

How to Import WooCommerce Products to Squarespace:

If you haven’t already exported your WooCommerce product data:

• Log into your WooCommerce dashboard.
• Go to Products → All Products, then click Export to generate a .csv file.

Next, in your Squarespace site:

• Enable Squarespace Commerce if you haven’t already.
• Navigate to Commerce → Inventory → Import.
• Click Download CSV Template to get the correct formatting Squarespace requires.
• Open your WooCommerce CSV and map product data into the Squarespace format:
  • Product Name
  • Price
  • Description
  • SKU
  • Image URLs
  • Stock and availability.

Make sure to use direct image URLs (hosted images) to allow Squarespace to fetch and display your product images properly during the import.

After importing the CSV:

• Double-check that all product listings display correctly.
• Verify images, pricing, and inventory levels.
• Edit descriptions for formatting and SEO (use relevant keywords and headings).
• Ensure each product page has optimized SEO metadata, including title and meta description.
• Set up categories and tags for better product filtering and navigation.

Step 4: Transfer or Connect Your Domain and Set Up 301 Redirects

Once your content and products have been successfully migrated, the next critical step is to transfer or connect your domain and implement 301 redirects to protect your existing SEO rankings.

Option 1: Transfer Your Domain to Squarespace

If your domain is currently registered with a third-party provider, you can transfer it directly to Squarespace for easier, centralized domain and DNS management. To transfer a domain:

• In your current domain registrar, unlock the domain and get the authorization code.
• In Squarespace, go to Settings → Domains → Use a Domain I Own → Transfer to Squarespace.
• Enter the domain name and follow the prompts to complete the transfer.

Note: Not all domains are eligible for transfer due to extension restrictions or registrar policies. If your domain doesn’t qualify or you’d rather not transfer, connecting it manually is a reliable alternative.

Option 2: Connect a Third-Party Domain

To connect your existing domain without transferring it:

• Log into your domain registrar and update the DNS settings.
• Point your domain to Squarespace’s nameservers or use A and CNAME records as instructed by Squarespace.
• In your Squarespace dashboard, go to Settings → Domains → Connect Domain, then follow the connection guide.

Note: I usually go with Option 2 since it only takes around a day to connect a domain, while Option 1 can drag on for up to 15 days depending on the provider.

Set Up 301 Redirects to Preserve SEO

To maintain your current search engine rankings and avoid broken links:

• Identify any URL structure changes between WordPress and Squarespace (e.g., /blog/post-title vs. /post-title).
• Create 301 redirects in Squarespace: Go to Settings → Advanced → URL Mappings.
• Use the format: /old-url → /new-url 301
• Redirects ensure that both users and search engines are forwarded to the correct pages, preserving link equity and SEO signals from your old WordPress site.

Keep your WordPress site live until your Squarespace site is fully launched and indexed. This helps prevent downtime and gives you time to test redirects and page functionality.

Step 5: Polish, Launch & Cancel Old Site

Now that your content, products, and domain are in place, it’s time to finalize your Squarespace website, launch it publicly, and wrap up your old WordPress setup.

Perform a Final Site Audit Before Launch

Before going live, complete a site-wide quality check to ensure everything looks and functions properly:

• Edit layouts and spacing to match your brand style
• Link internal pages and menus to create intuitive navigation
• Check mobile responsiveness across different devices and screen sizes
• Review and copy over SEO data from plugins like Yoast SEO or Rank Math, including:
  • SEO titles and meta descriptions
  • Canonical URLs
  • Alt text for images
  • Open Graph and social sharing settings; etc.

Upgrade Your Squarespace Plan and Remove Site Restrictions

To launch your site publicly:

• Choose and purchase a Squarespace plan that includes the features you need (e.g., eCommerce, analytics, or marketing tools).
• Disable any password protection or site privacy settings: Go to Settings → Site Availability and switch from “Private” to “Public”.

Cancel Your Old WordPress Hosting

Once your Squarespace site is fully live and all 301 redirects are working properly:

• Cancel your WordPress hosting plan to avoid duplicate content and unnecessary charges.
• Keep a final backup of your old site and export files for safekeeping, just in case you ever need access.

A well-executed migration from WordPress to Squarespace involves more than just moving content. By sticking to these five manual steps—export, import, migrate products, move your domain, then polish & launch—you’ll make a clean switch from WordPress to Squarespace. However, this process requires careful attention to data formatting—especially when using the Squarespace CSV template. If you’re not experienced with handling large datasets, we recommend contacting LitExtension’s experts for assistance with migrating your data from WordPress to Squarespace.