Moderate 2-4 days 12 steps

Squarespace to Shopify Migration Guide

Squarespace

Shopify

Migrating from Squarespace to Shopify unlocks advanced ecommerce features and access to 8,000+ apps for scaling your business. This guide covers transferring products, customer data, and optimizing your new Shopify store.

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Squarespace to Shopify Migration Preparation

Essential steps to prepare for migrating your online store from Squarespace to Shopify, ensuring a smooth transition while preserving your products, content, and SEO rankings.

Export Your Squarespace Data

Download your product data as CSV from Squarespace Commerce settings and export your website content using the WordPress export option in Settings > Advanced. Create a backup of all product images, as these will need to be manually transferred since Squarespace doesn't include image URLs in CSV exports.

Choose Your Shopify Plan and Set Up Account

Select the appropriate Shopify plan based on your needs - Basic ($39/mo) for small stores or Shopify ($105/mo) for growing businesses with advanced features. Create your Shopify account and configure basic store settings including currency, taxes, and shipping zones before importing data.

Plan Your Product Structure and Variants

Review your Squarespace product data and reorganize it to fit Shopify's structure, keeping in mind that each product can have up to 100 variants with 3 option types. Map out your product categories, collections, and variant combinations to ensure proper organization in Shopify.

Select Essential Apps and Integrations

Research and identify key apps from Shopify's 8,000+ app ecosystem that will replace Squarespace functionality or add new features you need. Focus on essential categories like email marketing, SEO, customer reviews, and analytics to enhance your store's capabilities.

Prepare SEO and URL Redirect Strategy

Document all your current Squarespace URLs for products and pages to create 301 redirects in Shopify, preventing SEO ranking loss. Plan your new URL structure and prepare meta titles, descriptions, and alt tags for a seamless SEO transition.

Set Up Analytics and Tracking

Install Google Analytics 4, Google Tag Manager, and Facebook Pixel on your new Shopify store before launch. Configure conversion tracking and ecommerce events to ensure you don't lose valuable customer behavior data during the migration process.

Complete Squarespace to Shopify Migration Guide

A comprehensive 12-step process to migrate your store from Squarespace to Shopify, leveraging CSV exports for products and WordPress exports for content. This guide addresses the variant limit differences and helps you take advantage of Shopify's robust app ecosystem for better store management.

Export Products and Data from Squarespace

30 minutes

Navigate to your Squarespace Commerce dashboard and export your product catalog as a CSV file. Go to Commerce > Inventory and click the export button to download all product data including titles, descriptions, prices, and inventory levels. Note that Squarespace's CSV export will include all product variants, which may exceed Shopify's 100-variant limit per product.

Tips:

• Clean up product data in Excel before importing to remove unnecessary variants
• Take screenshots of your current product organization for reference
• Export customer data separately if available in your Squarespace analytics

Important:

• Squarespace CSV format may need reformatting for Shopify compatibility
• Product images are not included in CSV exports and must be handled separately

Export Content Using WordPress Format

15 minutes

In your Squarespace dashboard, go to Settings > Advanced > Import/Export and select 'Export as WordPress' to download your blog posts, pages, and other content. This XML file will contain your site structure, blog content, and basic page layouts. The WordPress export format is compatible with many migration tools and will preserve your content hierarchy.

Tips:

• Verify the export includes all published and draft content
• Note any custom code blocks or advanced layouts that may need manual recreation
• Export site analytics data separately for reference

Important:

• Custom CSS and JavaScript won't be included in the WordPress export
• Advanced page layouts and custom blocks will need manual recreation

Set Up Shopify Account and Store

45 minutes

Create your Shopify account and complete the initial store setup wizard, including store name, address, and basic business information. Choose your primary currency and timezone to match your target market. Configure your store's basic settings including units of measurement, order numbering format, and checkout preferences in the Settings section.

Tips:

• Use the same business name and branding for consistency
• Set up your admin user permissions if you have team members
• Enable Shopify Payments early to streamline payment processing

Important:

• Currency settings cannot be easily changed later without affecting existing orders
• Store URL structure will be different from Squarespace and affect SEO

Select and Customize Shopify Theme

2-4 hours

Browse the Shopify Theme Store and select a theme that matches your brand aesthetic and functional requirements. Install your chosen theme and begin customization through the theme editor, uploading your logo, setting brand colors, and configuring the homepage layout. Consider themes optimized for your product types and customer experience needs.

Tips:

• Choose a responsive theme optimized for mobile commerce
• Look for themes with built-in features that match your Squarespace functionality
• Test theme performance and loading speeds before finalizing

Important:

• Free themes have limited customization options compared to premium themes
• Extensive customization may require Liquid template knowledge

Prepare and Import Products

3-6 hours

Reformat your Squarespace CSV export to match Shopify's product import template, ensuring all required fields are properly mapped. Split products with more than 100 variants into separate products to comply with Shopify's limits. Use Shopify's CSV import tool in the Products section to upload your product catalog, then manually upload product images through the admin interface.

Tips:

• Use Shopify's sample CSV template to ensure proper formatting
• Import products in small batches to identify and fix errors quickly
• Optimize product images for web before uploading to improve site speed

Important:

• Products exceeding 100 variants must be restructured or split
• SEO settings and meta descriptions may need manual adjustment after import

Import Customer Data

1-2 hours

If you have customer data from Squarespace, format it according to Shopify's customer import template and upload via the Customers section in your admin. Include customer names, email addresses, and any available purchase history. Note that customer passwords cannot be transferred, so customers will need to reset their passwords on first login to your new Shopify store.

Tips:

• Send advance notice to customers about the migration and password reset requirement
• Segment customers by purchase history or engagement for targeted communication
• Consider offering a welcome discount to encourage re-engagement

Important:

• Customer passwords cannot be migrated and must be reset
• Purchase history may not transfer completely depending on Squarespace data availability

Configure Payment Processing

1 hour

Set up Shopify Payments as your primary payment processor, or configure third-party payment gateways like PayPal or Stripe if preferred. Enter your banking information for payouts and configure payment methods accepted at checkout. Test payment processing with small transactions to ensure everything works correctly before going live.

Tips:

• Enable multiple payment methods to reduce cart abandonment
• Set up fraud protection settings to minimize chargebacks
• Configure automatic tax calculations if selling in multiple jurisdictions

Important:

• Payment gateway fees may differ from your Squarespace setup
• Bank verification for Shopify Payments can take 2-3 business days

Set Up Shipping Configuration

2-3 hours

Configure shipping zones, rates, and methods in Shopify's Shipping settings to match or improve upon your Squarespace shipping setup. Set up shipping profiles for different product types, configure free shipping thresholds, and integrate with shipping carriers for real-time rates. Test shipping calculations for various scenarios including domestic and international orders.

Tips:

• Use Shopify's shipping calculator apps for more complex rate structures
• Set up shipping notifications and tracking integration
• Consider offering local delivery or pickup options if applicable

Important:

• Shipping rates may need adjustment based on Shopify's calculation methods
• International shipping settings require careful configuration for customs and duties

Configure Tax Settings

1-2 hours

Set up tax collection in Shopify's Tax settings, configuring rates for all jurisdictions where you're required to collect sales tax. Enable automatic tax calculations and integrate with tax services like Avalara if needed for complex tax requirements. Verify tax calculations are working correctly for different customer locations and product types.

Tips:

• Research current tax obligations in all states/countries where you sell
• Use Shopify's automatic tax settings for US sales tax where available
• Keep records of tax configuration changes for accounting purposes

Important:

• Tax requirements may have changed since your Squarespace setup
• Manual tax rate setup requires ongoing maintenance for rate changes

Migrate Content and Create Pages

4-8 hours

Use your WordPress export file to recreate blog posts and static pages in Shopify. Manually recreate key pages like About, FAQ, and Contact using Shopify's page editor, adapting content to fit your new theme structure. Set up your blog in Shopify and import posts, reformatting as needed to match Shopify's blog structure and your new design.

Tips:

• Prioritize high-traffic pages for immediate recreation
• Use apps like Matrixify for bulk content import if you have many blog posts
• Optimize content for Shopify's SEO structure during migration

Important:

• Custom page layouts from Squarespace may not translate directly
• Blog post URLs will change unless manually configured

Set Up URL Redirects and SEO

2-4 hours

Create 301 redirects from your old Squarespace URLs to your new Shopify URLs to preserve SEO rankings and prevent broken links. Use Shopify's URL redirect feature in the Navigation settings to map old product, category, and page URLs to their new locations. Update your sitemap and submit it to search engines, and configure meta titles and descriptions for key pages.

Tips:

• Use tools like Screaming Frog to audit your old site's URL structure
• Set up Google Search Console for your new Shopify domain
• Install SEO apps like Plug in SEO for ongoing optimization

Important:

• Some SEO ranking loss is normal during migration
• Redirect limits may require prioritizing most important URLs

Test Store Functionality and Go Live

3-5 hours

Conduct comprehensive testing of your new Shopify store including product browsing, cart functionality, checkout process, payment processing, and email notifications. Test on multiple devices and browsers to ensure consistent performance. Remove password protection, update DNS settings to point your domain to Shopify, and monitor the site closely for the first few days after launch.

Tips:

• Create a testing checklist covering all store functions
• Have friends or colleagues test the checkout process
• Set up Google Analytics and other tracking tools before launch

Important:

• DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to propagate globally
• Monitor for any broken links or missing functionality after going live

What will be migrated

products

Products, descriptions, SKUs, prices, images. Variants: Squarespace supports 250 vs Shopify's 100.

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

Key questions and answers for businesses migrating from Squarespace to Shopify, covering everything from data transfer to cost implications and operational continuity.

How long does it take to migrate from Squarespace to Shopify?

A typical Squarespace to Shopify migration takes 2-4 weeks depending on your store size and complexity. This includes time for data export, theme setup, app configuration, and thorough testing before going live.

Will I lose my SEO rankings when migrating from Squarespace to Shopify?

You can preserve most SEO value by implementing proper 301 redirects from your old Squarespace URLs to new Shopify URLs. Plan your URL structure carefully and update your sitemap to minimize any temporary ranking fluctuations.

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

Squarespace doesn't provide direct order history export, so you'll need to manually export customer data and recreate order records if needed. Customer email lists can be exported and imported into Shopify, but customers will need to create new passwords.

How much more will Shopify cost compared to my current Squarespace plan?

Shopify Basic at $39/month is higher than Squarespace Commerce Basic ($27/month), but you gain access to 8,000+ apps and better ecommerce functionality. Factor in costs for essential apps, which can add $20-100+ monthly depending on your needs.

Will there be any downtime during the migration?

You can build your Shopify store while your Squarespace site remains live, minimizing downtime to just the DNS switching period (typically 24-48 hours). Plan the switch during low-traffic periods to minimize impact on sales.

How do I export my products from Squarespace to Shopify?

Use Squarespace's CSV export feature to download your product data, then format it according to Shopify's CSV requirements. You'll need to manually transfer product images and may need to recreate complex product variants.

What Shopify apps can replace Squarespace's built-in features?

Shopify's app store offers alternatives for most Squarespace features: email marketing (Klaviyo, Mailchimp), analytics (Google Analytics, Lucky Orange), and social media integration (Facebook Shop, Instagram Shopping). Many apps offer more advanced functionality than Squarespace's native tools.

Can I recreate my Squarespace design on Shopify?

While you can't directly transfer your Squarespace theme, Shopify offers many customizable themes that can achieve similar aesthetics. You may need to invest in custom development or premium themes to match your exact design preferences.

How should I test my Shopify store before launching?

Use Shopify's password-protected preview feature to test all functionality including checkout, payment processing, and app integrations. Create test orders, verify email notifications, and ensure all product variants and pricing display correctly.

Will my customers need to create new accounts?

Yes, customers will need to create new accounts on Shopify since password data cannot be transferred for security reasons. You can import customer email addresses and contact information, but they'll need to set new passwords on their first login.

Can I migrate my blog content and customer reviews?

Blog content can be exported from Squarespace and imported into Shopify's blog feature, though formatting may need adjustment. Customer reviews typically need to be manually recreated or imported using review apps like Judge.me or Yotpo.

Should I pause marketing campaigns during the migration?

Continue running campaigns but pause new product launches or major promotions during the transition period. Update your Google Ads and Facebook Ads with new Shopify URLs once live, and monitor conversion tracking to ensure proper attribution.