Squarespace is an intuitive platform that makes it simple to create easy web sites and on-line shops. Alternatively, its options are restricted. So, you’ll be searching for a extra versatile resolution, like WordPress.

Migrating from Squarespace to WordPress can assist take your site to the following stage. With WordPress, you’ll customise your content material in dozens of how, the usage of web page builder plugins and the Block Editor. On height of that, you don’t want to pay to use the Content Management System (CMS) or to unencumber further options.

On this article, we’ll let you know what you wish to have to grasp prior to you embark on a Squarespace to WordPress migration. Then, we’ll information you thru that procedure step-by-step.

Let’s get to it!

Why Transfer From Squarespace to WordPress

Squarespace can also be an incredible choice if you happen to’re operating to your first site and also you’re no longer positive how website hosting works or what it takes to position the whole lot in combination. With Squarespace, you get website hosting, page-building options, and advertising equipment bundled right into a unmarried platform.

The issue with that is that you simply’re locked into the usage of Squarespace. If you need get right of entry to to higher options, you’ll want to pay for a dearer plan.

The costliest Squarespace plan costs $40 per month, and also you get get right of entry to to options reminiscent of promoting subscriptions, providing reductions, and complex transport capability. For that very same value, you’ll pay for a top-notch controlled WordPress website hosting plan and use loose plugins to get get right of entry to to all of those self same options. It’s possible you’ll also have cash left over by the point you’re accomplished.

Issues to Believe Earlier than Migrating From Squarespace to WordPress

Moving a website can also be time-consuming, even supposing you’re the usage of migration plugins. The migration procedure itself incessantly doesn’t take a very long time. Alternatively, there are some arrangements to be made prior to that procedure starts. Let’s check out the principle ones.

Discovering a WordPress Internet Host

Some of the easiest issues about using WordPress is that you simply’re loose to select any internet host you need. The CMS works with any website hosting plan and supplier that you’ll to find. Alternatively, you’ll have a miles more straightforward time if you happen to focal point your seek on WordPress-friendly internet hosts.

So far as we’re involved, managed WordPress hosting is the best way to opt for maximum web sites. With controlled website hosting, you get to focus on growing your website and publishing content material whilst your internet host takes care of optimization, securing your web site, and backup duties.

Kinsta gives a vast vary of controlled WordPress website hosting plans to suit other budgets. With each and every plan, you get get right of entry to to the similar high-performance servers, in addition to a bunch of options that may provide help to to concentrate on working your web site, together with:

There are a large number of superb WordPress internet hosts that you’ll choose between. We propose that you simply don’t accept the cheapest hosting plan that you’ll to find. As a substitute, make the effort to take a look at evaluations and notice what probably the most best web hosts have to supply prior to you join a plan.

In case you join a Kinsta plan, you’ll have the benefit of our migration services. We provide assist with the migration procedure and, relying on which platform you’re coming from, our WordPress mavens can handle all the transfer for you.

Backing Up Your Squarespace Information

It’s necessary to notice that your Squarespace site received’t undergo any adjustments or disappear all the way through the migration procedure to WordPress. Which means you don’t want to again up the site prior to you start “shifting” it.

Finally, Squarespace doesn’t be offering common backup capability. The platform doesn’t assist you to create whole copies of your web site that you’ll repair with a couple of clicks in case one thing is going incorrect.

Squarespace allows you to export your site’s knowledge, which serves as one of those backup. We’ll use that exported knowledge all the way through the migration procedure to WordPress, so let’s soar proper into it.

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The best way to Migrate From Squarespace to WordPress (7 Steps)

Migrating from Squarespace to WordPress comes to exporting all the content material from the previous and uploading it into the latter. The method is more straightforward than it’s possible you’ll suppose, however prior to we get to it, you’ll want to set up WordPress.

Step 1: Set up WordPress

Now that you’ve got a internet host and a plan, it’s time to arrange a WordPress set up. Some controlled WordPress hosts will give you the choice of putting in the CMS robotically whilst you create a brand new site:

Install WordPress in MyKinsta
Set up WordPress in MyKinsta.

In case your internet host doesn’t be offering that function, there are different choices. Some website hosting keep watch over panels, reminiscent of cPanel, come with integrated instrument installers that include dozens of choices.

Softaculous, as an example, allows you to arrange a WordPress site in a question of mins:

Softaculous
Softaculous.

You can also set up WordPress manually, which is far more straightforward than it sounds. All of the CMS is to be had for obtain at WordPress.org. You’ll be able to add the WordPress recordsdata in your server and run the “five-minute” WordPress installer, which can stroll you thru all the procedure.

Step 2: Export Your Web page’s Content material From Squarespace

Squarespace allows you to export maximum, however no longer all of your web site’s content material in an XML document. Right here’s what the platform lets in so that you can raise over in your new host:

  • Pages and posts (in addition to the web site’s primary weblog web page)
  • Gallery pages
  • Textual content and embed blocks

General, Squarespace allows you to export the majority of your web site’s content material. Alternatively, if you happen to’re the usage of Squarespace to run a web-based retailer, you could be out of good fortune. That’s for the reason that platform’s export recordsdata don’t come with product pages, pictures, audio or video recordsdata, or any customized CSS to your web site.

To transport that form of content material over to WordPress, you’ll want to reproduction/paste it manually or get started from scratch. On that very same observe, uploading Squarespace pictures to WordPress is usually a chore, and it calls for you to make use of a plugin.

For now, let’s pass forward and export the content material that Squarespace means that you can obtain. To take action, get right of entry to your site’s dashboard and pass to Settings > Complicated > Import/Export. You’ll see a preview of your web site to the correct, and a menu to the left, which incorporates an choice that claims EXPORT:

Export content from Squarespace
Export content material from Squarespace.

Click on on EXPORT, and Squarespace will show an strategy to export your posts and pages to WordPress. Move forward and make a selection the WordPress icon:

Export to WordPress icon
Export to WordPress icon.

Squarespace will take a minute to organize your web site for exporting. When the XML document is in a position, the strategy to obtain it’s going to seem at the menu to the left:

Download the XML file when ready
Obtain the XML document.

Save that document in your pc and observe the place you saved it. This document is what makes migrating from Squarespace to WordPress conceivable, and also you’ll want it for your next step.

Step 3: Import Your Squarespace Content material Into WordPress

WordPress comes with a vast vary of equipment that assist you to import various kinds of content material into the platform. Even supposing there’s no devoted Squarespace import device in WordPress, the CMS can import content material that’s in XML layout.

Move in your WordPress dashboard and soar to Gear > Import to get right of entry to that function. Search for the WordPress choice on the backside of the web page and click on on Set up Now:

Look for the WordPress option
Search for the WordPress choice.

If the WordPress import device is already arrange, you’ll see the Run importer choice as an alternative. Click on on it, and WordPress will ask you to make a choice an XML document to add:

Run the Importer tool
Run the Importer device.

Choose the document you downloaded all the way through the ultimate step and click on on Add document and import. Now you get to assign the posts and pages that you need to import from Squarespace to a brand new or an present writer in WordPress:

Signal Up For the Publication

Assign authors in WordPress
Assign authors in WordPress.

You’ll additionally see an strategy to import attachments from Squarespace to WordPress. Permit that choice and click on on Publish. Relying on how a lot knowledge you’re uploading, the method would possibly take some time. As soon as it’s accomplished, you’ll see a luck message.

You’ll be able to now test all the imported content material via navigating to the Posts or Pages tabs. As we discussed prior to, the Squarespace export document doesn’t assist you to import pictures into WordPress. For that, we’ll want to use a plugin.

Step 4: Import Photographs From Squarespace

A site isn’t with out pictures until you’re nonetheless residing within the 90s. One approach to get your Squarespace pictures into WordPress is to obtain they all, add each and every document in your new web site, and position them inside your content material separately. Alternatively, nobody has time to do all of that until you’re handiest uploading a few pages.

Naturally, some plugins can automate uploading Squarespace pictures into WordPress. Our favourite pick out for the process is named Auto Upload Images:

Auto Upload Images plugin
Auto Add Photographs.

This plugin seems to be for symbol URLs on your posts and pages. Then, it robotically takes the ones URLs, downloads the pictures, and uploads them to WordPress, changing the unique URLs.

Whilst you import Squarespace knowledge into WordPress, the CMS doesn’t add pictures robotically. Alternatively, it does import the unique Squarespace symbol URLs, because of this this plugin is highest in your wishes.

To get began, set up and turn on the plugin, then pass to Posts > All Posts within the dashboard. Choose the Display Choices menu close to the highest of the display and replace the Collection of pieces according to web page strategy to a host that may show all your WordPress posts on one unmarried web page. Then, click on on Follow:

Update all posts accordingly at once
Replace all posts directly.

This manner, you’ll replace all your WordPress posts directly, which can permit the plugin to import all of the pictures in a single fell swoop.

Now, make a selection all the posts to your web site, open the Bulk movements menu, and click on on Edit:

Select "Edit" under bulk actions
Choose “Edit” beneath bulk movements.

A menu will seem, appearing bulk edit choices in your present posts. Click on on Replace with out settling on any choice and look ahead to the web page to reload.

One factor it’s possible you’ll stumble upon when you click on on Replace is that the web page takes a lengthy time to reload or replace. That’s as a result of WordPress imports Squarespace pictures your site is lacking and updates each and every submit. In case you’re the usage of a sluggish internet host, this procedure could cause WordPress to day trip:

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You may get a timeout warning
You can get a timeout caution.

If that occurs, you’ll want to replace posts in small batches as an alternative of importing pictures for they all directly. The selection of posts you’ll paintings on at a time will in large part rely on your website hosting carrier.

Needless to say you’ll additionally want to repeat the entire procedure in your WordPress pages. Later on, all your Squarespace content material will have to seem in WordPress with out a unmarried lacking symbol.

Step 5: Level Your Area In opposition to WordPress

These days, the area you employ in your site continues to be pointing in opposition to Squarespace’s nameservers. As a substitute of registering a new domain in your WordPress site, you’ll replace your present one. This manner, when guests sort within the area, they’ll finally end up to your new site.

The method for updating a website’s settings varies, relying on the place you registered that area. For instance, if you happen to used a domain registrar, you’ll want to log into your account to regulate its DNS settings (the guidelines that tells a website the place it issues to):

Manage DNS
Set up DNS.

Some internet hosts assist you to sign in and set up domain names thru their keep watch over panels. If so, you’ll want to get right of entry to the panel to replace the DNS data and level the area in opposition to your new WordPress site.

In case you’re the usage of Kinsta, you’ll use MyKinsta to point domains towards your website. The method works for web sites that use the Kinsta Cloudflare CDN and those who don’t.

Step 6: Replace Your WordPress Permalink Construction

In case you open any of your WordPress posts or pages at the moment, you’ll understand that their URL most probably looks as if this:

yourwebsite.com/?p=123

That’s the default URL or permalink structure that WordPress makes use of. Each and every submit or web page will get a novel ID, and its URL comprises that quantity. It’s beneficial that you simply exchange that permalink construction early on on your site’s lifestyles. In a different way, it may possibly affect your web site’s Seek Engine Optimization (search engine marketing) and motive important technical mistakes.

To switch your web site’s permalink construction, pass to Settings > Permalinks on your dashboard and make a selection the kind of URL that you need to make use of:

Update permalink structure
Replace permalink construction.

The most productive permalink construction, in our opinion, is Put up title. So long as you place a novel slug for each and every submit and web page to your web site, the Put up title construction leads to the shortest and cleanest URLs that you simply’ll see.

You’re loose to select whichever permalink construction you like, however we suggest in opposition to the usage of the Simple choice. Whilst you’re in a position, save your adjustments and transfer directly to the general step.

Step 7: Select a Theme for Your WordPress Web page

Squarespace web sites have an excessively polished glance. Whilst you import Squarespace content material into WordPress, it’s possible you’ll suppose it doesn’t glance as graceful as your former site. Alternatively, with the right theme, your WordPress site can glance significantly better than its Squarespace counterpart ever did.

WordPress provides you with a large vary of choices with regards to issues. The loose WordPress.org theme repository is a brilliant position to start out searching for a mode that resembles your previous Squarespace site:

The WordPress theme repository
WordPress theme repository.

If you need to take a look at out a brand new glance, now could be the easiest time to do it. You’ll be able to make a selection any theme you want to, and WordPress will adapt your content material to it. Many premium WordPress themes include complex options reminiscent of robust page-builders and fully responsive designs.

WordPress additionally provides you with get right of entry to to the intuitive Block Editor, enabling you to edit any page or submit’s format and magnificence the usage of a visible interface. Whether or not you select to duplicate your previous site’s design or get started anew, WordPress can give you a significantly better enjoy than Squarespace.

In case you’re not sure the place to start out, we’ve got a hand-picked checklist of the best WordPress themes you’ll use in 2021. This checklist comprises choices for nearly any form of site that you can think of, so pass forward and test it out.

What to Do After You Migrate From Squarespace to WordPress

WordPress opens up a large international of chances if you happen to’re coming over from Squarespace. Probably the most thrilling exchange is that you simply now get get right of entry to to plugins.

Squarespace gives an in depth extensions library to its customers. Alternatively, that function pales compared to the sheer selection of choices that transform to be had when you set up WordPress. To provide you with an concept, the WordPress.org plugin repository options nearly 60,000 plugins (they all loose):

The WordPress plugin repository
WordPress plugin repository.

If you’ll consider a function, chances are high that there’s a plugin for it (as used to be the case with Auto Add Photographs). A large number of new WordPress customers finally end up spending hours or days attempting new equipment, so right here’s a snappy hyperlink to a hand-picked checklist of the best plugins you should try out.

Don’t let Squarespace’s limitations hold your site back 🙅‍♀️ Learn how to safely migrate your content to WordPress with help from this guide 💪Click to Tweet

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Squarespace is an acceptable choice if you happen to’re attending to paintings to your first site. Alternatively, there’s a explanation why WordPress is the most popular CMS on the planet (40 percent of all websites use it), and that’s because of its flexibility.

WordPress is all about enabling you to create any site you need, in any taste that you can think of, with any function you wish to have. Migrating from Squarespace to WordPress handiest takes a couple of hours, however you’ll be reaping the rewards for years yet to come.

Do you will have any questions on how one can migrate from Squarespace to WordPress? Let’s discuss them within the feedback phase under!

The submit How to Migrate From Squarespace to WordPress (7 Steps) seemed first on Kinsta®.

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