Moderate 2-4 days 12 steps

Squarespace to Wix Migration Guide

Squarespace

Wix

This guide shows small businesses how to migrate from Squarespace to Wix's more affordable platform while maintaining your online presence. Learn step-by-step processes for transferring content, products, and design elements to Wix's budget-friendly drag-and-drop builder.

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Squarespace to Wix Migration Preparation

Essential steps to prepare for migrating your Squarespace website to Wix's affordable drag-and-drop platform

Choose Your Wix Business Plan

Select between Business Basic ($27/mo), Business Unlimited ($32/mo), or Business VIP ($59/mo) based on your needs. Business Basic is suitable for most small catalogs, while Business Unlimited offers more storage and bandwidth for growing businesses.

Export Your Squarespace Content

Navigate to Settings > Advanced > Import/Export in your Squarespace admin to download a WordPress XML file containing your pages, blog posts, and basic content. This export will preserve your text content and basic structure for import into Wix.

Export Product Data from Squarespace Commerce

Go to Commerce > Inventory in Squarespace and export your product catalog as a CSV file. Ensure your product catalog stays within Wix's variant limits and review product descriptions, pricing, and inventory data before export.

Backup Images and Media Files

Download all images, videos, and media files from your Squarespace site manually, as these aren't included in the WordPress export. Organize them in folders by category (products, blog images, logos) to streamline the upload process to Wix.

Document Current Site Structure

Create a sitemap of your current Squarespace navigation, page hierarchy, and URL structure. Note any custom CSS, integrations, or third-party apps you're using that will need to be replicated in Wix's app market.

Set Up Domain Transfer Plan

Decide whether to transfer your domain to Wix or keep it with your current registrar and point it to Wix servers. If transferring, unlock your domain at your current registrar and obtain the authorization code needed for the transfer process.

Complete Migration Guide: Squarespace to Wix

A comprehensive 12-step process to migrate your online store from Squarespace to Wix, designed specifically for small businesses seeking affordable simplicity. This guide addresses the critical variant limit differences and ensures a smooth transition of your products, content, and customer data.

Export Products and Data from Squarespace

2-3 hours

Navigate to Commerce > Inventory in your Squarespace admin and export your products as CSV. Go to Settings > Import/Export and create a WordPress XML export for your content including pages, blog posts, and media. Download all custom images and files from your Design > Custom CSS and Pages sections. Squarespace's CSV export includes product names, descriptions, prices, SKUs, and basic inventory data.

Tips:

• Export during low-traffic hours to avoid interruptions
• Create a backup of your entire site using Squarespace's built-in backup feature
• Document any custom code or integrations you've added

Important:

• Squarespace CSV exports don't include product variants in a Wix-compatible format
• Custom fonts and some design elements won't transfer automatically

Set Up Your Wix Account and Business Plan

30-45 minutes

Create a new Wix account and select a Business & eCommerce plan that supports online stores. Choose either Business Basic ($23/month) for up to 10 products or Business Unlimited ($27/month) for unlimited products. Connect your existing domain or register a new one through Wix. Enable Wix Stores from the App Market to activate eCommerce functionality.

Tips:

• Take advantage of Wix's 14-day money-back guarantee to test the platform
• Choose Business Unlimited if you plan to expand beyond 10 products
• Use the same domain name to maintain SEO value

Important:

• Don't publish your new site until migration is complete
• Annual plans offer better pricing but require upfront payment

Select and Customize Your Wix Template

3-4 hours

Browse Wix's eCommerce templates and select one that matches your business type and aesthetic preferences. Use the Wix Editor to customize colors, fonts, and layout to match your original Squarespace design as closely as possible. Focus on templates optimized for your product type (physical goods, services, etc.). Configure your header, footer, and navigation menu structure.

Tips:

• Choose templates with built-in mobile optimization
• Look for templates that showcase products similar to yours
• Save multiple design versions to compare options

Important:

• Switching templates later will require redesigning your entire site
• Some advanced Squarespace design features may not have direct Wix equivalents

Prepare Product Data for Wix Import

4-6 hours

Open your Squarespace CSV export and reformat it to match Wix's import requirements using the Wix CSV template. Since Wix has a 100-variant limit per product compared to Squarespace's 250, you'll need to split complex products with many variants into separate products. Map Squarespace fields to Wix fields: handle→slug, vendor→brand, product-type→collection. Clean up product descriptions and ensure all image URLs are accessible.

Tips:

• Use Excel or Google Sheets to efficiently reformat your data
• Group similar variants into logical product families
• Validate all image URLs before importing

Important:

• Products with over 100 variants must be restructured or simplified
• Some Squarespace-specific fields may not have Wix equivalents

Import Products to Wix Store

3-5 hours

Navigate to your Wix dashboard and go to Store Products > Import Products. Upload your formatted CSV file and map the columns to Wix product fields. Review the import preview carefully, paying special attention to variant structures and pricing. Import products in batches of 50-100 to avoid timeout errors. After import, manually upload product images and verify all product details.

Tips:

• Test import with a small batch of 5-10 products first
• Keep original image files organized in folders by product
• Use Wix's bulk edit feature to make consistent changes across products

Important:

• Large imports may fail - break into smaller batches if needed
• Product images must be re-uploaded manually as URLs may not import correctly

Migrate Customer Data and Accounts

2-3 hours

Export customer data from Squarespace Commerce > Customers as CSV including names, emails, and order history. In Wix, go to Contacts and import customer information using the CSV import tool. Since Squarespace customer passwords cannot be transferred, prepare a customer communication plan to help them reset passwords. Set up customer account features in Wix including account creation, login, and profile management.

Tips:

• Send password reset instructions to all existing customers before launch
• Create customer groups in Wix to maintain any loyalty programs
• Import customer data close to launch to ensure accuracy

Important:

• Customer passwords cannot be migrated - all customers must create new passwords
• Order history may not transfer completely depending on Squarespace plan

Configure Payment Processing

1-2 hours

Set up payment methods in Wix Payments or connect your existing payment processor (Stripe, PayPal, Square). If using Stripe with Squarespace, you can connect the same Stripe account to Wix for continuity. Configure accepted payment methods, currencies, and payment terms. Test payment processing with small test transactions. Set up automatic tax calculations if you were using them in Squarespace.

Tips:

• Use the same payment processor to maintain customer payment methods where possible
• Enable multiple payment options to reduce cart abandonment
• Test payments in sandbox mode before going live

Important:

• Some payment processors may require re-verification for the new platform
• Payment processing fees may differ between Squarespace and Wix integrations

Set Up Shipping Rules and Zones

2-3 hours

Recreate your Squarespace shipping configuration in Wix Store Settings > Shipping & Fulfillment. Set up shipping zones, rates, and delivery options to match your current setup. Configure shipping calculations based on weight, price, or flat rates as needed. If you use third-party shipping apps with Squarespace, research Wix alternatives and install comparable solutions. Test shipping calculations with various cart scenarios.

Tips:

• Screenshot your current Squarespace shipping settings for reference
• Consider Wix's built-in shipping label printing features
• Set up shipping notifications and tracking integration

Important:

• Complex shipping rules may need to be simplified for Wix
• Third-party shipping integrations will need to be reconfigured

Configure Tax Settings

1-2 hours

Set up tax configuration in Wix Store Settings > Tax to match your Squarespace tax setup. Configure tax rates for different regions, product categories, and customer types. If you use automated tax services like TaxJar with Squarespace, connect the same service to Wix or use Wix's built-in tax features. Set up tax-exempt customer groups if applicable. Test tax calculations across different scenarios and locations.

Tips:

• Export your current tax settings from Squarespace for reference
• Use Wix's automatic tax calculation for US sales tax if eligible
• Verify tax settings comply with your local regulations

Important:

• Tax compliance is critical - double-check all settings before launch
• Some complex tax rules may require manual configuration

Migrate Content and Create Pages

4-6 hours

Use your WordPress XML export to recreate key pages in Wix including About, Contact, Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service. Copy and paste content from your Squarespace blog posts into new Wix blog posts, maintaining publication dates where possible. Recreate your main navigation menu and footer links. Upload and organize media files in Wix Media Manager. Set up SEO settings for each page including meta titles and descriptions.

Tips:

• Maintain the same URL structure where possible for SEO
• Use Wix SEO Wiz to optimize your pages for search engines
• Create a sitemap of your old site to ensure nothing is missed

Important:

• Custom code from Squarespace may not work in Wix
• Some page layouts may need to be recreated manually

Set Up 301 Redirects and SEO

2-3 hours

Create a comprehensive redirect plan mapping old Squarespace URLs to new Wix URLs using Wix's URL Redirect Manager in Site Settings > SEO Tools. Set up redirects for product pages, blog posts, and important landing pages. Install Wix SEO Wiz and run through the optimization checklist. Connect Google Analytics and Google Search Console to your new Wix site. Submit your new sitemap to search engines.

Tips:

• Prioritize redirects for your highest-traffic pages first
• Use Google Analytics to identify your most important URLs
• Set up Google Tag Manager for advanced tracking

Important:

• Missing redirects will result in 404 errors and lost SEO value
• Some Squarespace URL structures may not have direct Wix equivalents

Test Everything and Go Live

3-4 hours

Conduct comprehensive testing of your new Wix site including placing test orders, testing payment processing, and verifying shipping calculations. Check all links, forms, and interactive elements. Test the site on mobile devices and different browsers. Have team members or trusted customers review the site for issues. Once testing is complete, publish your Wix site and update your domain DNS settings. Monitor the site closely for the first 48 hours after launch.

Tips:

• Create a testing checklist to ensure nothing is missed
• Test with real payment amounts (then refund) to verify the complete process
• Have a rollback plan ready in case of critical issues

Important:

• Don't rush the testing phase - issues found after launch are harder to fix
• Monitor site performance and user feedback closely after launch

What will be migrated

products

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

Essential questions and answers for businesses migrating from Squarespace to Wix, covering data transfer, feature differences, and operational considerations.

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

The migration process usually takes 2-4 weeks depending on your site complexity and product catalog size. You'll need time to export data from Squarespace, set up your new Wix site, and thoroughly test all functionality before going live.

Will I lose my search engine rankings when switching from Squarespace to Wix?

There will likely be some temporary SEO impact due to URL structure changes and the migration process. To minimize this, set up proper 301 redirects, maintain your content structure, and submit your new sitemap to search engines immediately after launch.

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

Squarespace's CSV export includes product data but limited order history details. You'll need to manually export customer and order information separately, and Wix's import capabilities for historical data are limited compared to more robust ecommerce platforms.

What Squarespace features might I lose when moving to Wix?

You may lose some advanced ecommerce features like abandoned cart recovery (unless you upgrade to higher Wix plans), advanced inventory management, and certain third-party integrations. Wix is better suited for simpler product catalogs and basic ecommerce needs.

How much website downtime should I expect during the migration?

If planned properly, you can minimize downtime to just a few hours for DNS propagation. Build your entire Wix site while your Squarespace site remains live, then switch your domain when ready.

Will my customers need to create new accounts on the Wix site?

Yes, customer passwords cannot be transferred between platforms for security reasons. You'll need to notify customers to create new accounts and may want to offer a welcome discount to ease this transition.

How do the costs compare between Squarespace and Wix for ecommerce?

Wix can be slightly more expensive - their Business Basic starts at $27/month compared to Squarespace's Business at $23/month. However, Wix's Business Unlimited at $32/month offers good value for growing businesses, while advanced features require the $59/month VIP plan.

Can I replicate my current Squarespace design exactly on Wix?

While Wix offers extensive design flexibility with its drag-and-drop builder, you likely won't be able to replicate your Squarespace design exactly. You'll need to choose a new Wix template and customize it to match your brand as closely as possible.

What's the best way to test my new Wix site before going live?

Use Wix's preview mode to test all functionality, including checkout processes, contact forms, and mobile responsiveness. Create test orders, invite team members to review, and check all pages thoroughly before connecting your domain.

How should I handle my business operations during the migration?

Continue processing orders on Squarespace until the migration is complete, and consider temporarily pausing marketing campaigns during the switch. Plan the migration during your slowest business period to minimize disruption.

Will my existing app integrations work with Wix?

Most integrations will need to be reconfigured or replaced with Wix-compatible alternatives from their App Market. Popular tools like Mailchimp, Google Analytics, and social media integrations are available, but specialized Squarespace apps may not have direct equivalents.

Can I transfer my customer reviews from Squarespace to Wix?

Review migration depends on how reviews were collected on Squarespace - built-in reviews may not transfer easily, while third-party review apps might offer export options. You may need to manually recreate important reviews or start fresh with Wix's review system.