Moderate 2-4 days 12 steps

Squarespace to BigCommerce Migration Guide

Squarespace

BigCommerce

This guide walks you through migrating from Squarespace to BigCommerce to eliminate transaction fees and access advanced ecommerce features. Learn step-by-step processes for transferring products, customers, and orders while maximizing BigCommerce's built-in capabilities.

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Squarespace to BigCommerce Migration Guide

Migrate from Squarespace to BigCommerce to eliminate transaction fees and access powerful built-in ecommerce features without relying on expensive third-party apps.

Export Your Squarespace Data

Export your product catalog as CSV from Squarespace's Commerce panel under Settings > Import & Export. Also export your website content using the WordPress export option in Settings > Advanced > Import & Export to preserve blog posts and pages.

Set Up Your BigCommerce Store

Create your BigCommerce account and select the appropriate plan (Standard at $39/mo is suitable for most small businesses). Configure your store settings, payment gateways, and shipping zones to match your current Squarespace setup.

Import Products and Inventory

Use BigCommerce's CSV import tool to upload your Squarespace product data, ensuring variant limits stay within the 250 variant threshold. Review and map product categories, pricing, and inventory levels to ensure accuracy.

Migrate Content and Configure SEO

Import your blog content and pages from the WordPress export file, then set up 301 redirects from your old Squarespace URLs to maintain SEO rankings. Configure BigCommerce's built-in SEO features and meta descriptions for all products.

Design and Customize Your Store

Choose a BigCommerce theme that matches your brand aesthetic and customize it using the built-in Page Builder or Stencil framework. Take advantage of BigCommerce's native features like abandoned cart recovery and customer segmentation that would require paid apps on other platforms.

Test and Launch Your New Store

Thoroughly test all functionality including checkout process, payment processing, and shipping calculations before going live. Update your domain DNS settings to point to BigCommerce and monitor the transition to ensure zero transaction fees are properly applied.

Complete Squarespace to BigCommerce Migration Guide

A comprehensive 12-step process to migrate your online store from Squarespace to BigCommerce, leveraging BigCommerce's built-in features and eliminating transaction fees while maintaining SEO value and customer experience.

Export Data from Squarespace

2-3 hours

Begin by exporting your product data as CSV from Squarespace's Commerce panel under Settings > Import & Export. For content migration, use the WordPress export feature in Settings > Advanced > Import/Export to download your pages and blog posts. Document your current site structure, including navigation menus, custom CSS, and any third-party integrations you're currently using.

Tips:

• Take screenshots of your current site layout and design elements for reference
• Export customer data separately if you have access to customer information
• Document all custom code snippets and integrations before starting

Important:

• Squarespace CSV exports may require formatting adjustments for BigCommerce compatibility
• Customer passwords cannot be migrated and will need to be reset

Set Up BigCommerce Account and Store

1-2 hours

Create your BigCommerce account and select an appropriate plan based on your business needs and expected sales volume. Complete the initial store setup by configuring your store name, address, currency, and basic settings. Set up your admin user accounts and configure two-factor authentication for security.

Tips:

• Choose a plan that accommodates your current product count and expected growth
• Enable all security features including two-factor authentication
• Configure your store's basic information completely before importing data

Important:

• Plan selection affects available features and API limits
• Store URL cannot be easily changed after initial setup

Select and Customize BigCommerce Theme

4-6 hours

Browse BigCommerce's theme marketplace and select a theme that closely matches your Squarespace design aesthetic and functionality requirements. Install your chosen theme and begin customizing colors, fonts, and layout elements using the built-in theme editor. Configure your header, footer, and navigation structure to match your previous site organization.

Tips:

• Choose a responsive theme that works well on mobile devices
• Test theme customization options before committing to extensive changes
• Keep your Squarespace design elements documented for accurate recreation

Important:

• Some advanced customizations may require HTML/CSS knowledge
• Theme changes after launch can affect SEO and user experience

Prepare and Import Product Data

3-5 hours

Format your Squarespace product CSV to match BigCommerce's import requirements, ensuring all product variants stay within the 250-variant limit per product. Map product categories, descriptions, pricing, and inventory levels correctly in the CSV format. Use BigCommerce's product import tool to upload your formatted CSV file and review the import results for any errors or missing data.

Tips:

• Use BigCommerce's sample CSV template to ensure proper formatting
• Import products in small batches to identify and fix issues quickly
• Verify that product URLs are SEO-friendly and match your previous structure when possible

Important:

• Large product catalogs may require multiple import attempts
• Product images must be uploaded separately or linked via URLs

Upload and Organize Product Images

2-4 hours

Download all product images from your Squarespace site and organize them by product SKU or name for easy identification. Upload images to BigCommerce either through the product editor individually or use the bulk image import feature if available on your plan. Optimize image file names and alt text for SEO purposes, ensuring they match your previous Squarespace image optimization.

Tips:

• Compress images before uploading to improve site speed
• Use consistent naming conventions for easy management
• Set up image zoom and gallery features to enhance user experience

Important:

• Large image files can slow down your store significantly
• Image file names should not contain special characters or spaces

Configure Payment Gateways

2-3 hours

Set up your preferred payment processors in BigCommerce, taking advantage of the platform's built-in payment options that don't charge additional transaction fees. Configure PayPal, Stripe, or other payment methods you were using on Squarespace, ensuring all API keys and webhook URLs are properly configured. Test payment processing in BigCommerce's sandbox environment before going live.

Tips:

• Enable multiple payment options to reduce cart abandonment
• Configure payment security settings and fraud protection
• Set up automated email receipts and payment confirmations

Important:

• Payment gateway setup requires business verification which can take 1-3 days
• Test all payment methods thoroughly before launching

Set Up Shipping Methods and Zones

2-3 hours

Configure your shipping zones, methods, and rates in BigCommerce to match or improve upon your Squarespace shipping setup. Set up real-time shipping calculations if you were using them previously, or configure flat-rate and weight-based shipping options. Create shipping rules for different product types, locations, and order values to ensure accurate shipping costs for customers.

Tips:

• Use BigCommerce's shipping calculator to verify rate accuracy
• Set up free shipping thresholds to encourage larger orders
• Configure international shipping carefully to avoid compliance issues

Important:

• Incorrect shipping setup can result in revenue loss or customer dissatisfaction
• International shipping requires careful tax and duty consideration

Configure Tax Settings

1-2 hours

Set up tax rules and rates in BigCommerce based on your business location and where you're required to collect sales tax. Configure automatic tax calculations for different regions, ensuring compliance with current tax laws. If you were using automated tax services on Squarespace, integrate similar services like Avalara or TaxJar with your BigCommerce store.

Tips:

• Research current tax obligations for your business locations
• Use automated tax services for complex multi-state tax requirements
• Set up tax-exempt customer groups if applicable to your business

Important:

• Tax compliance is critical and varies by location and business type
• Incorrect tax setup can result in legal and financial issues

Import Customer Data and Set Up Accounts

2-3 hours

Import your customer data from Squarespace using BigCommerce's customer import feature, formatting the data according to BigCommerce's requirements. Set up customer groups and pricing tiers if you had different customer categories on Squarespace. Configure customer account features like wishlists, order history, and account dashboards to match or exceed your previous functionality.

Tips:

• Send welcome emails to existing customers about the platform change
• Set up customer account creation incentives to encourage registration
• Configure customer service tools and help documentation

Important:

• Customer passwords cannot be migrated and must be reset
• Customer data import must comply with privacy regulations like GDPR

Migrate Content and Create Pages

3-4 hours

Use your WordPress export from Squarespace to recreate important pages like About Us, Contact, FAQ, and policy pages in BigCommerce's page editor. Migrate blog content if applicable, ensuring proper formatting and internal linking. Set up your navigation menus to match your previous site structure and create any custom landing pages you had on Squarespace.

Tips:

• Maintain consistent branding and messaging across all migrated content
• Update any platform-specific references in your content
• Set up blog categories and tags to maintain content organization

Important:

• Content formatting may require manual adjustment from WordPress export
• Internal links need to be updated to reflect new URL structure

Set Up 301 Redirects and SEO

2-4 hours

Create a comprehensive list of all your Squarespace URLs and map them to corresponding BigCommerce URLs to set up 301 redirects. Configure BigCommerce's built-in SEO features including meta titles, descriptions, and URL structures to maintain search engine rankings. Set up Google Analytics, Search Console, and any other tracking tools you were using on Squarespace.

Tips:

• Use tools like Screaming Frog to crawl your old site for complete URL mapping
• Maintain existing URL structures when possible to minimize redirect needs
• Submit updated sitemaps to search engines after launch

Important:

• Missing redirects can result in significant SEO ranking loss
• Redirect setup may require technical knowledge or developer assistance

Test Store Functionality and Launch

4-6 hours

Conduct comprehensive testing of your BigCommerce store including product browsing, cart functionality, checkout process, payment processing, and email notifications. Test on multiple devices and browsers to ensure consistent performance. Place test orders to verify the entire customer journey works correctly, then schedule your domain transfer and officially launch your new BigCommerce store.

Tips:

• Create a testing checklist to ensure all functionality is verified
• Test customer account creation and password reset processes
• Have a rollback plan ready in case of critical issues during launch

Important:

• Domain transfer timing is critical to minimize downtime
• Monitor the site closely for the first 24-48 hours after launch

What will be migrated

products

Products, descriptions, SKUs, prices, images. Variants: Squarespace supports 250 vs BigCommerce's 250.

customers

Customer contact info, addresses, marketing preferences transfer. Passwords must be reset for security.

orders

Order history for reference. Consider importing last 3-6 months for customer service.

Common challenges and solutions

Frequently asked questions about migrating from Squarespace to BigCommerce, covering technical requirements, costs, and operational considerations for a smooth transition.

How long does it typically take to migrate from Squarespace to BigCommerce?

A typical Squarespace to BigCommerce migration takes 2-4 weeks depending on your store size and customization needs. The process involves exporting your product CSV from Squarespace, setting up your BigCommerce store, and manually recreating design elements since themes aren't directly transferable.

Will I lose my search engine rankings when migrating from Squarespace to BigCommerce?

You can preserve most SEO value by implementing proper 301 redirects from your old Squarespace URLs to new BigCommerce URLs. BigCommerce offers built-in SEO tools and customizable URL structures, but you'll need to manually recreate meta descriptions and page titles during the migration.

Can I transfer my order history and customer data from Squarespace to BigCommerce?

Order history cannot be directly imported into BigCommerce from Squarespace's CSV export. Customer email lists can be exported and imported, but customers will need to create new passwords since encrypted password data doesn't transfer between platforms.

How much will my monthly costs change when switching from Squarespace to BigCommerce?

BigCommerce plans start at $39/month compared to Squarespace's $27/month Commerce Basic, but you'll save on transaction fees that Squarespace charges. The built-in features in BigCommerce can reduce your need for paid apps, potentially offsetting the higher base cost for growing businesses.

Will my current Squarespace theme work on BigCommerce?

Squarespace themes cannot be directly transferred to BigCommerce due to different platform architectures. You'll need to choose from BigCommerce's theme library or hire a developer to recreate your design, though BigCommerce offers responsive themes with good customization options.

What happens to my website during the migration process?

Your Squarespace site remains live and functional throughout the migration process. You build and test your BigCommerce store separately, then switch your domain when ready, minimizing downtime to just the DNS propagation period (usually 24-48 hours).

How do I test my BigCommerce store before going live?

BigCommerce provides a temporary preview URL during setup where you can fully test your store functionality, design, and checkout process. You can also use BigCommerce's built-in preview mode to test different themes and configurations before making them live.

What BigCommerce features will I gain that Squarespace doesn't offer?

BigCommerce offers advanced features like abandoned cart recovery, real-time shipping quotes, advanced product variants (up to 250 options), and built-in multi-channel selling to Amazon and eBay. You'll also get more robust inventory management and B2B functionality that Squarespace lacks.

Do I need technical skills to manage BigCommerce after migrating from Squarespace?

BigCommerce has a steeper learning curve than Squarespace, with more complex admin interfaces and configuration options. However, the platform offers extensive documentation, video tutorials, and 24/7 support to help you adapt to the more feature-rich environment.

Will my customer reviews transfer from Squarespace to BigCommerce?

Product reviews don't automatically transfer in the CSV export from Squarespace. You'll need to manually copy reviews or use BigCommerce's built-in review system to start collecting new reviews, though this gives you a fresh start with better review management tools.

Can I keep the same payment processors when switching to BigCommerce?

BigCommerce supports most major payment processors including PayPal, Stripe, and Square that you may have used with Squarespace. The advantage is BigCommerce doesn't charge additional transaction fees on top of your processor's fees, unlike Squarespace's Commerce plans.

What should I do about my domain name during the migration?

You can keep your existing domain by updating the DNS settings to point to BigCommerce once your store is ready. If your domain is registered through Squarespace, you can either transfer it to BigCommerce or another registrar, or simply update the DNS records while keeping it registered with Squarespace.