How to Migrate from Squarespace to WordPress : A Step-by-Step Guide

Migrating from Squarespace to WordPress isn’t just about changing platforms — it’s about taking control of your website, your SEO, your brand, and your growth.

Updated: Aug 16, 2025 

Getting started

Introdution

Thinking of moving your website from Squarespace to WordPress?

You’re not alone. Thousands of creators, startups, service businesses, and agencies eventually outgrow Squarespace’s limitations — and search for more flexibility, control, and long-term scalability.

The good news? Migrating from Squarespace to WordPress isn’t as complex (or risky) as it sounds — if you do it right.

This guide will walk you through everything:

  • Why so many users leave Squarespace

  • How to prepare for a smooth migration

  • A step-by-step manual process (if you’re doing it yourself)

  • Common mistakes to avoid

  • And how we at Dellos handle full-scale migrations in just 14 days — without SEO loss or downtime

Whether you’re a DIY website owner or a business looking for expert help, this page is your complete Squarespace to WordPress migration blueprint.

Why do businesses look for Squarespace alternatives?

Why People Migrate Away from Squarespace

Squarespace is a great place to start. It’s simple, stylish, and requires no coding knowledge — making it perfect for launching fast.

But once your website starts driving real traffic or business?
That’s when its limitations become deal-breakers.

Here are the most common reasons people move to WordPress:

1. Limited Control Over the Conversion Funnel

Squarespace gives you nice-looking templates — but not the tools to optimize how visitors become leads or buyers.

You can’t:

  • Set up advanced popups or conditional CTAs

  • Create high-converting landing pages using A/B testing tools

  • Trigger email sequences based on form fills or behavior

  • Use custom funnels tied to analytics or CRM tracking

In contrast, WordPress gives you complete funnel freedom — whether you’re selling a service, building a community, or collecting leads.

2. Rigid Design & Layout Customization

Squarespace templates look great — but they all feel the same. You’re limited to pre-designed blocks, and custom layouts often require workarounds or code injections.

With WordPress:

  • You can use page builders like Elementor or Kadence

  • Build any layout, animation, or interaction you want

  • Customize mobile experience separately

  • Implement reusable blocks, global design settings, and theme-wide control

3. Plugin & Integration Limitations

Want a live chat plugin?
A custom form with CRM integration?
A product quiz, schema plugin, or AMP setup?

Not going to happen on Squarespace.

With WordPress, there are over 50,000 plugins — meaning you can connect almost anything to your site: payment processors, lead gen tools, analytics platforms, AI chatbots, and more.

4. SEO Constraints

Squarespace is decent for beginners — but if you’re serious about ranking on Google, WordPress wins.

A study by Ahrefs showed that WordPress sites rank better out of the box than sites built on Squarespace, Wix, and other platforms — primarily due to better control over metadata, speed optimization, and plugin flexibility.

Squarespace lacks:

  • Custom schema markup

  • Control over heading structure

  • Advanced image optimization

  • Real-time SEO suggestions

  • Full sitemap or robots.txt control

WordPress has plugins like RankMath and Yoast SEO that offer all of this — and more.

5. No Real Control Over Speed, Accessibility, or Core Web Vitals

Google doesn’t just rank based on content anymore — it evaluates how your site performs technically: speed, accessibility, mobile usability, and overall experience.

Squarespace gives you no control over:

  • Server infrastructure or caching

  • JS/CSS bloat from their templates

  • Lazy loading, asset compression, or CDN config

  • Performance tweaks for mobile users

The result? It’s very hard to pass PageSpeed Insights or Core Web Vitals with a heavy Squarespace site.

With WordPress:

  • You can use fast themes (e.g. Astra, Blocksy, Kadence)

  • Enable lazy loading, minification, and advanced caching

  • Deploy CDNs like Cloudflare or BunnyCDN

  • ully optimize for accessibility, SEO, and speed — all essential for better search rankings

6. You Don’t Fully Own Your Site

This is the biggest long-term risk.

With Squarespace:

  • You’re locked into their hosting, structure, and platform

  • You can’t export everything (some content, design, and structure stay behind)

  • They control updates, pricing, features, and even uptime

WordPress gives you complete ownership:

  • You own your site files, content, database, and domain

  • You can move between hosts, themes, plugins — no restrictions

  • You’re free to scale in any direction: blog, business, store, or app

Pre-migration checklist

What to Prepare Before Migrating from Squarespace to WordPress

Before you start the migration process, proper preparation can make the difference between a smooth launch and a messy, stressful experience.

Here’s what to get ready:

1. Export Your Content (With Limitations in Mind)

Squarespace only allows partial export:

  • Blog posts (but not categories or tags)

  • Basic pages (as plain HTML)

  • Product pages, galleries, styling, and forms will not export

💡 Pro Tip: Download image files manually from your media library or page source to avoid broken image issues post-migration.

2. List All Current URLs

Crawl your Squarespace site using a tool like Screaming Frog or a site audit tool.

Why it matters:

  • You'll need to create 301 redirects later to preserve SEO

  • It ensures no hidden pages (or blog posts) get left behind

3. Decide on Your Design Direction

You have two choices:

  • Rebuild your Squarespace layout exactly using a builder like Elementor/Kadence

  • Improve the design with a faster, more modern WordPress theme

Make this decision before development begins — changing direction midway will cost time and momentum.

4. Choose Hosting & Set Up WordPress

Squarespace includes hosting by default. With WordPress, you choose your own — which is a good thing.

Recommended hosts:

  • Cloudways (high performance, managed)

  • SiteGround or Rocket.net (easy setup, secure)

  • Hostinger or Namecheap (budget-friendly, faster than Squarespace)

Set up WordPress in a staging environment so you can build in private before launching live.

5. Install Base Plugins

Before migration, install your starter stack to avoid extra manual fixes later:

Purpose
Plugin Recommendation
SEO + Redirects
RankMath or Yoast SEO
Backups
UpdraftPlus or WPVivid
Speed Optimization
WP Rocket / FlyingPress
Image Optimization
ShortPixel / Smush
Security
Wordfence or Sucuri
Page Builder
Elementor / Kadence Blocks

The free versions of all these plugins is sufficient to migrate your Squarespace site to WordPress. You can consider buying the paid version as you scale. 

6. Create a Migration Map

This is your source-of-truth document that maps:

  • Old Squarespace URLs → New WordPress URLs

  • Blog post metadata

  • Redirect needs

  • Form setup

  • Plugin requirements

Set up WordPress in a staging environment so you can build in private before launching live.

Summary Checklist

This is your source-of-truth document that maps:

  • Export all available content

  • Manually back up images, design elements

  • Crawl and map your URLs

  • Choose your WordPress theme + hosting

  • Install essential plugins

  • Plan your redirects

  • Document everything before touching DNS or domains

Set up WordPress in a staging environment so you can build in private before launching live.

Migrating from Squarespace

How to Manually Migrate from Squarespace to WordPress

(If you’re doing it yourself — here’s exactly what to do.)

This section walks you through each stage of the Squarespace to WordPress migration — broken down into simple, actionable steps.

We’ve handled dozens of migrations at Dellos. If you’d rather skip the tech and trust the experts, book a free consult here.

Step 1: Export Content from Squarespace

  • Navigate to: Settings → Advanced → Import/Export

  • Select WordPress format and begin export

  • Download the .xml file after it processes

  • Important: Only blog posts and basic pages will export.

    Galleries, products, event pages, and custom layouts will not.

Step 2: Manually Back Up Design + Images

  • Screenshots: Take snapshots of each page for reference

  • Save text blocks, CTA copy, or HTML snippets

  • Download image files manually from Squarespace's file manager

  • Right-click > Save As for background or section images

  • Optional: Use dev tools to scrape all image URLs

    Use browser dev tools or an image downloader extension to scrape all image URLs from your Squarespace pages for backup.

Step 3: Set Up Your WordPress Site

  • Choose a fast, lightweight host (Cloudways, SiteGround, etc.)

  • Install WordPress on a staging subdomain like migrating.example.com

  • Install a starter theme (Kadence, Astra, Blocksy recommended)

Step 4: Import Content into WordPress

  • Go to Tools → Import in your WP dashboard

  • Install the WordPress Importer plugin

  • Upload the .xml file from Squarespace

  • Assign posts to correct author or create a new one

  • Check post formatting after import (headings, images, links)

Step 5: Rebuild Pages with a Page Builder

  • Use a builder like Elementor, Kadence Blocks, or Gutenberg

  • Manually recreate page layouts (based on earlier screenshots)

  • Add brand colors, typography, spacing, and layout improvements

  • Embed forms using WPForms or Fluent Forms

💡 Bonus: Now’s the perfect time to improve user experience and structure.

Step 6: Set Up Menus, Navigation, and Widgets

  • Recreate your navigation menus under Appearance → Menus

  • Add footer widgets, contact buttons, or newsletter signups

  • Connect social media links, click-to-call numbers, etc.

Step 7: Map and Apply 301 Redirects

  • Compare your old Squarespace URLs with your new WordPress URLs

  • Use the RankMath or Redirection plugin

  • Apply 301 redirects from old → new to preserve SEO and avoid 404s

Example:
/blog/my-post-title → /my-post-title
/about → /about-us

Step 8: Set Up SEO & Analytics Tools

  • Install RankMath (or Yoast SEO)

  • Create and submit your new sitemap to Google Search Console

  • Set page titles, meta descriptions, and alt text

  • Test pages with Google PageSpeed Insights and Mobile-Friendly Test

Step 9: Launch

  • Point your domain to the new WordPress server

  • Set up HTTPS (SSL) via hosting dashboard

  • Final QA check on contact forms, button links, mobile layout, and menu structure

  • Announce the migration via email, blog post, or social channels

Migration checklist

Squarespace to WordPress Migration Checklist

This checklist summarizes everything you need to cover before, during, and after your migration. Bookmark this section or come back to it as you move through the process.

Pre-Migration

  • ✅ Export all available content (XML)
  • ✅ Manually download image files and design assets
  • ✅ Take screenshots of page layouts for reference
  • ✅ List all current URLs using Screaming Frog or similar
  • ✅ Choose WordPress host and set up a staging site
  • ✅ Decide on your theme (match or upgrade)
  • ✅ Install essential plugins (SEO, caching, backups, forms)
  • ✅ Create a migration document mapping old → new URLs

During Migration

  • ✅ Import XML content into WordPress
  • ✅ Manually rebuild pages with Elementor / Kadence / Gutenberg
  • ✅ Re-upload images and embed them where needed
  • ✅ Recreate menus, footer, and navigation
  • ✅ Apply 301 redirects for any changed URLs
  • ✅ Create forms and connect them to email / CRM
  • ✅ Copy over SEO metadata, alt tags, and canonical links

Post-Migration Launch

  • ✅ Final QA across all devices (desktop, tablet, mobile)
  • ✅ Test all forms, CTAs, and links
  • ✅ Set up and verify Google Analytics (GA4) and Tag Manager
  • ✅ Submit XML sitemap in Google Search Console
  • ✅ Monitor crawl errors or 404s
  • ✅ Optimize for Core Web Vitals using PageSpeed Insights
  • ✅ Announce the migration to your audience
Mistakes to avoid

Common Migration Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

Migrating from Squarespace to WordPress isn’t just about moving content — it’s about making sure your SEO, design, functionality, and performance remain intact.

Here are the most frequent pitfalls we see (and fix) for clients:

1. SEO Rankings Drop After Migration

Why it happens:

  • URLs change without 301 redirects

  • Meta tags and schema are not preserved

  • Images are missing alt tags or filenames are changed

  • Internal links break or go to staging URLs

  • Website's information architecture does not meet Google standards

How to avoid it:

  • Crawl your Squarespace site and map every old URL to a new one

  • Use RankMath or Redirection plugin to apply 301s

  • Transfer all on-page SEO metadata manually (or via SEO plugins)

  • Rebuild internal linking structure for relevance and crawlability

  • Website's information architecture does not meet Google standards

👉 At Dellos, we handle SEO preservation as part of every migration.

2. Broken Layouts or Formatting Errors

Why it happens:

  • Content exported via XML loses formatting on import

  • Squarespace’s visual blocks don’t always map cleanly to Gutenberg or Elementor

  • Custom fonts or colors are stripped

How to avoid it:

  • Take screenshots of every page pre-migration

  • Use a page builder (like Elementor or Kadence Blocks) for precision

  • Manually recreate complex layouts or interactive blocks

  • Apply global typography and spacing to restore design consistency

3. Lost Images or Broken Media Files

Why it happens:

  • Squarespace exports content but not media URLs (or hosts them via CDN)

  • Image paths break during migration

  • File names or folders are inconsistent

How to avoid it:

  • Manually download and reupload every key image

  • Store them in organized folders inside your WordPress media library

  • Re-insert media into each post/page and add alt text

4. Downtime During Launch

Why it happens:

  • You point your domain before the new site is fully tested

  • Broken links, forms, or layout issues appear post-launch

  • DNS propagation causes temporary outages

How to avoid it:

  • Always build on a staging URL (e.g. migrate.yoursite.com)

  • Launch only after completing QA

  • Use a hosting platform that offers easy domain management + rollback options

  • Monitor uptime using tools like UptimeRobot

5. Poor Core Web Vitals on the New Site

Why it happens:

  • Theme bloat, unused plugins, and bad hosting

  • No CDN or asset optimization

  • No lazy loading or image compression

How to avoid it:

  • Use a lightweight theme like Kadence, Blocksy, or Astra

  • Set up caching and a CDN (Cloudflare, BunnyCDN)

  • Optimize images using ShortPixel or WebP

  • Use WP Rocket, FlyingPress, or LiteSpeed Cache for frontend optimization

  • Test on PageSpeed Insights

6. Analytics or Tracking Lost

Why it happens:

  • GA, Tag Manager, or FB Pixel isn’t migrated

  • Tracking scripts don’t fire correctly in WordPress

  • Goal and event setup is forgotten

How to avoid it:

  • Install GA4 and Google Tag Manager immediately post-migration

  • Rebuild your event/goal structure inside GA

  • Test using Tag Assistant and Realtime GA dashboard

💡 Pro Tip: Keep a “Migration QA” checklist and test your new site before going live.

WordPress and Squarespace - A comparison

Squarespace is built for simplicity. WordPress is built for scale.

Here’s a side-by-side look at where the two platforms differ — especially if you’re planning to grow beyond the basics.

Feature Squarespace Limitation WordPress via Dellos
SEO Tools Basic built-in options, limited control Advanced SEO tools like RankMath or Yoast
URL & Permalink Control Restricted customization Full control over URL structure
Plugin Ecosystem Limited integrations available 40,000+ plugins for marketing, SEO, analytics
Performance & Hosting Shared hosting with limited optimization Optimized hosting with caching, CDN, security
Ownership & Portability Platform-locked, limited portability You own 100% of your site & content

How We Migrate Squarespace Sites to WordPress (Done-for-You)

If the idea of manually exporting, rebuilding, redirecting, and optimizing everything sounds like too much — you’re not alone.

That’s exactly why most clients choose to let us handle it end-to-end.

At Dellos, we’ve helped dozens of businesses, startups, and creators move off Squarespace and launch beautifully built, SEO-safe WordPress websites — in as little as 10 days.

Here’s what’s included when you migrate with us:

Our Proven Migration Process

Phase
What We Do
Discovery
We audit your existing Squarespace site, map all content, and identify technical or SEO gaps.
Planning
We define the design direction (match or upgrade), establish redirect strategy, and confirm timelines.
Migration
We manually export, rebuild, and optimize all pages inside WordPress — including images, forms, metadata, and more.
QA & SEO
We apply redirects, set up plugins, verify Google Search Console, GA4, and test on all devices.
Launch
We point your domain, handle DNS, and ensure everything goes live without downtime or SEO impact.

We’ll move your entire Squarespace site to WordPress —content, design, images, forms, SEO — all taken care of.

No downtime. No SEO loss. No broken links.

👉 Get in touch and let’s talk

Frequently asked questions

Will I lose my SEO rankings after migrating from Squarespace?

No — not if the migration is done right.

We preserve your site structure, apply 301 redirects to all old URLs, and carry over your metadata, schema, and image alt tags. In many cases, clients see improved rankings after moving to WordPress because we can optimize the site better for Core Web Vitals and SEO best practices.

WordPress powers over 43% of all websites on the internet, including sites for The New York Times, TechCrunch, and Microsoft. In contrast, Squarespace powers just 2.1% of all websites.

Can all of my content from Squarespace be migrated?

Yes, with a few notes:

  • Pages, blog posts, images, videos, and metadata can all be moved

  • Some design-specific blocks (like custom layouts or animations) need to be recreated manually

  • Ecommerce data (products, SKUs, orders) cannot be exported directly and needs manual handling

We guide you through this and rebuild anything that can’t be ported automatically.

Will my contact forms, popups, or newsletters work after the move?

Yes. We recreate all forms and integrate them with your email platform (like Mailchimp, Brevo, ConvertKit, etc.).

WordPress gives you far more flexibility — you can trigger automations, tag users, track submissions, and more. We make sure nothing is lost in the transition.

How long does the migration take?

Most standard websites go live in 10–14 business days.

Complex sites (with ecommerce, lots of content, or custom design) may take a little longer — but we always confirm timelines before starting. We also schedule the domain switch to avoid any downtime.

Why should I move away from Squarespace if it's working fine?

Because WordPress grows with you.

  • You’re not platform-locked

  • You can scale your SEO, design, or functionality freely

  • You get full control over speed, analytics, forms, tracking, and more

  • Ownership stays with you — no vendor limitations

If you’re planning to grow, run marketing campaigns, or optimize performance, WordPress gives you the freedom Squarespace can’t.

Will my Squarespace subscription get cancelled?

Yes, once you’re ready to move fully, you can cancel your Squarespace plan.
We recommend keeping it live until your WordPress site is fully tested and live.

Do I need to manage hosting or anything technical after the migration?

Nope — we handle everything.

Your new WordPress site will be hosted on a high-performance server (with backups, security, and caching), and we provide you full admin access. If you opt into our AMC (Annual Maintenance Contract), we also handle updates, monitoring, and support.

What is WooCommerce — and is it part of WordPress?

Yes — WooCommerce is the official ecommerce platform for WordPress.

It’s a free plugin that turns any WordPress site into a fully functional online store — with powerful features for physical products, digital downloads, subscriptions, bookings, and more.

Here’s what WooCommerce gives you (that Squarespace limits or lacks):

  • No platform fees (unlike Squarespace’s transaction cuts)

  • Custom checkout flows

  • Integration with Stripe, Razorpay, PayPal, UPI, and more

  • Full control over product schema, filters, categories, and SEO

  • Massive extension ecosystem for shipping, tax, and inventory

So if you’re running a store — or thinking of launching one — moving from Squarespace to WordPress also unlocks WooCommerce, and everything that comes with it.

We’ve helped several brands migrate both content and commerce to WooCommerce. Ask us how.

Are WordPress and WordPress.com the same thing?

No — and this is a common misconception.

WordPress.org is the open-source software you can install on your own hosting (what we use in all migrations). It gives you full freedom over:

  • Themes and design

  • Plugins and features

  • Hosting provider

  • Custom code and SEO tools

  • Ecommerce via WooCommerce

WordPress.com, on the other hand, is a hosted service — more like Squarespace — where you’re restricted by plans, storage, and functionality unless you upgrade to the highest tiers.

If you want full control, speed, and customization — we always migrate clients to self-hosted WordPress (WordPress.org). You own everything.

 

I’m not technical. Will you handle everything?

Yes. That’s the whole point.

We manage:

  • Hosting setup

  • Design recreation

  • Content transfer

  • Plugin installation

  • SEO redirects

  • Launch & QA

All you have to do is approve the work before launch. No technical know-how needed.

Contact us

Ready to move from Squarespace to WordPress?

Drop us a line to get started. You can also book a discovery call with a migration expert from Dellos.

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