How to Move a Website From Squarespace to WordPress

On February 25, 2026 By newsroom Topic: Online Business Success

Switching from Squarespace to WordPress unlocks greater flexibility, customization, and scalability for your website. Here’s a step-by-step guide to make the transition smooth and successful.

Why Move From Squarespace to WordPress?

Advanced Customization: WordPress offers extensive design and functionality options via themes and plugins.
Cost-Effective: Unlike Squarespace’s premium plans, WordPress is open-source, and many features are free.
SEO Benefits: WordPress provides robust SEO tools for better search engine visibility.
E-commerce Growth: WordPress, through WooCommerce, allows advanced store setups without high commissions.

Step-by-Step Migration Guide

1. Prepare for Migration

Choose a hosting provider for your WordPress site.
Recommendation: Bluehost – an official WordPress.org partner.

Steps to Set Up Hosting:
1. Visit Bluehost and click Get Started Now.
2. Choose a Basic Plan (suitable for beginners).
3. Register your domain or transfer an existing one.
4. Install WordPress with Bluehost’s one-click installer.

2. Export Content From Squarespace

Log into your Squarespace account.
Navigate to Settings > Advanced > Import/Export > Export.
Select the WordPress icon to initiate export.
Download the exported .xml file when ready.

3. Import Content to WordPress

Log into your WordPress dashboard.
Go to Tools > Import > WordPress Importer and install the plugin.
Upload the .xml file from Squarespace.
Assign authors (create new or assign to existing WordPress users).
Check Download and import file attachments for images.
Click Submit to complete the import.

4. Review Imported Content

Go to Posts > All Posts and verify your content.
Visit your homepage to confirm posts and pages are displayed correctly.

5. Add Missing Content Manually

Recreate video, audio blocks, products, or events that weren’t exported.
Copy and paste content directly from your Squarespace site if needed.

6. Import Images

While posts may display images, they are still hosted on Squarespace.
Install the Auto Upload Images plugin to transfer them to WordPress:
Install the plugin via Plugins > Add New.
Open each post and click Update to trigger the image import.
For bulk updates, select multiple posts, choose Edit under Bulk Actions, and click Update.

7. Fix Permalinks

Adjust the URL structure to match your Squarespace links for better SEO and visitor retention:
Go to Settings > Permalinks in WordPress.
Choose a structure that closely resembles your Squarespace URLs (e.g., "Post Name").

8. Update Domain Settings

If you used a custom domain on Squarespace, point it to your new WordPress site:
For domains registered with Squarespace: Follow their domain pointing guide.
For third-party domains: Update DNS settings to match your WordPress host’s requirements.

9. Customize Your WordPress Site

Choose a theme: Explore free and premium themes on WordPress.org.
Install plugins: Add functionality with plugins like Yoast SEO, WooCommerce, and Elementor.
Secure your site: Use plugins like Wordfence Security for protection.

FAQs

1. Can I still transfer if my Squarespace subscription expired?
- Squarespace retains your content for a short time post-expiration. Renew your subscription to access your content.

2. Can I delete my Squarespace account after migration?
- Only after confirming all content and images are successfully imported and your new WordPress site is live.

3. Can I recreate my Squarespace design on WordPress?
- While direct design transfer isn’t possible, you can use WordPress themes to create a similar look.

To Sum Up

Migrating from Squarespace to WordPress is a rewarding process that offers more control and flexibility over your site. While it involves some manual adjustments, the long-term benefits far outweigh the effort. Start exploring the endless possibilities with your new WordPress site!