Moderate 2-4 days 12 steps

Squarespace to WooCommerce Migration Guide

Squarespace

WooCommerce

Migrate from Squarespace to WooCommerce to unlock unlimited customization, advanced ecommerce features, and seamless WordPress integration. This guide covers transferring products, content, and design while maintaining SEO rankings.

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Squarespace to WooCommerce Migration Preparation

Essential steps to prepare for migrating your online store from Squarespace to WooCommerce, ensuring a smooth transition while gaining full control over your ecommerce platform.

Set Up WordPress Hosting and Install WooCommerce

Choose a WordPress hosting provider that meets WooCommerce requirements and install WordPress with the WooCommerce plugin. Ensure your hosting supports PHP 7.4+, MySQL 5.6+, and has SSL certificates available for secure transactions.

Export Your Squarespace Store Data

Download your product data as CSV from Squarespace Commerce settings and export your website content using Squarespace's WordPress export feature. Note that you'll need to manually save images and may need to export customer data separately if available.

Audit and Prepare Product Information

Review your exported CSV file containing up to 250 product variants and clean up any inconsistent data, missing descriptions, or pricing issues. Organize your product images separately as these won't be included in the CSV export and will need manual migration.

Configure WooCommerce Store Settings

Set up your store's basic configuration including currency, tax settings, shipping zones, and payment gateways in WooCommerce. Install and configure essential plugins for functionality that was built into Squarespace, such as SEO tools and analytics.

Choose and Customize Your WordPress Theme

Select a WooCommerce-compatible theme that matches your brand aesthetic and customize it to replicate your Squarespace design. Take screenshots of your current Squarespace site for reference during the design recreation process.

Plan Your Domain and URL Structure

Decide whether to keep your existing domain with Squarespace or transfer it to your new hosting provider, and map out URL redirects for SEO preservation. Set up a staging environment to test the migration before making your new WooCommerce store live.

Complete Migration from Squarespace to WooCommerce

A comprehensive 12-step guide to migrate your Squarespace store to WooCommerce, gaining full control over your e-commerce site while leveraging WordPress's flexibility and cost-effectiveness.

Export Data from Squarespace

1-2 hours

Begin by exporting your products from Squarespace's Commerce section as CSV files, which will include product names, descriptions, prices, and inventory data. Navigate to Settings > Advanced > Import/Export to download your site content as a WordPress XML file. Document your current site structure, including pages, blog posts, and any custom code blocks you've added.

Tips:

• Take screenshots of your current site layout and design for reference
• Export customer data separately if you have access to it
• Note down all third-party integrations and apps currently in use

Important:

• Squarespace doesn't export customer passwords - users will need to reset them
• Product images may need to be downloaded separately from the media library

Set Up WordPress Hosting and Install WooCommerce

30-60 minutes

Choose a WordPress hosting provider that supports WooCommerce requirements (PHP 7.4+, MySQL 5.6+). Install WordPress through your hosting panel's one-click installer or manually upload WordPress files. Once WordPress is installed, navigate to Plugins > Add New and install the WooCommerce plugin, then run through the setup wizard to configure basic store settings.

Tips:

• Choose hosting with SSD storage and CDN for better performance
• Enable SSL certificate during hosting setup
• Consider managed WordPress hosting for easier maintenance

Important:

• Ensure your hosting plan can handle your expected traffic volume
• Don't skip the WooCommerce setup wizard as it configures essential settings

Select and Configure WordPress Theme

2-4 hours

Choose a WooCommerce-compatible theme that matches your brand aesthetic and functional requirements. Popular options include Storefront (free), Astra, or GeneratePress for flexibility. Install your chosen theme through Appearance > Themes and begin customizing colors, fonts, and layout to match your original Squarespace design. Configure the header, footer, and navigation menus to replicate your site structure.

Tips:

• Use the WordPress Customizer to preview changes before publishing
• Install a page builder like Elementor if you need more design flexibility
• Create a child theme to preserve customizations during theme updates

Important:

• Not all themes are fully WooCommerce compatible - test cart and checkout functionality
• Avoid themes with too many built-in features that might slow down your site

Import Products to WooCommerce

2-3 hours

Use WooCommerce's built-in CSV importer (WooCommerce > Products > Import) to upload your Squarespace product data. Map the CSV columns to corresponding WooCommerce fields, ensuring product names, descriptions, prices, SKUs, and inventory levels transfer correctly. Since you're moving from a 250-variant limit to unlimited variants, this is an opportunity to expand product options and create more detailed product configurations.

Tips:

• Format your CSV according to WooCommerce's sample import file
• Import products in small batches to avoid timeout errors
• Use the 'Update existing products' option if you need to re-import

Important:

• Product images must be uploaded separately or linked via URL in the CSV
• Double-check that variable products and their variations import correctly

Upload and Organize Product Images

3-5 hours

Download all product images from your Squarespace media library and upload them to WordPress Media Library. Use the WooCommerce Product Gallery feature to assign featured images and create image galleries for each product. Optimize images for web performance using plugins like Smush or ShortPixel to maintain fast loading times while preserving quality.

Tips:

• Maintain consistent image dimensions for a professional look
• Use descriptive filenames and alt text for SEO benefits
• Consider using a bulk image optimization tool before uploading

Important:

• Large image files can significantly slow down your site
• Ensure you have rights to all images if any were sourced externally

Configure Payment Gateways

1-2 hours

Set up payment processing through WooCommerce > Settings > Payments, configuring gateways like Stripe, PayPal, or Square that you used on Squarespace. Install and configure the respective payment gateway plugins, ensuring they're properly connected to your merchant accounts. Test payment processing in a staging environment to verify transactions process correctly and funds are deposited to the right accounts.

Tips:

• Enable multiple payment options to reduce cart abandonment
• Configure payment gateway webhooks for automatic order status updates
• Set up sandbox/test modes before going live

Important:

• Payment gateway fees may differ from Squarespace's integrated processing
• Ensure PCI compliance requirements are met for your chosen payment methods

Set Up Shipping Configuration

2-3 hours

Configure shipping zones, methods, and rates in WooCommerce > Settings > Shipping to match your current Squarespace shipping setup. Create shipping classes for different product types and set up flat rate, free shipping thresholds, or calculated shipping rates. If you were using Squarespace's shipping integrations, install equivalent plugins for carriers like UPS, FedEx, or USPS to maintain similar functionality.

Tips:

• Test shipping calculations with various cart combinations
• Set up shipping classes for products with special requirements
• Consider offering free shipping thresholds to increase average order value

Important:

• Shipping costs can significantly impact conversion rates - ensure accuracy
• International shipping may require additional tax and customs configurations

Configure Tax Settings

1-2 hours

Set up tax configurations in WooCommerce > Settings > Tax, creating tax classes and rates that match your business requirements and legal obligations. Configure tax settings for different locations, product types, and customer categories. If you were using Squarespace's automated tax calculations, consider installing a plugin like TaxJar or Avalara for similar functionality in WooCommerce.

Tips:

• Research tax requirements for all locations where you sell
• Set up separate tax classes for different product categories if needed
• Enable tax-inclusive or tax-exclusive pricing based on your target market

Important:

• Tax compliance is crucial - consult with a tax professional if unsure
• Different countries have varying digital tax requirements

Migrate Content and Pages

3-4 hours

Import your Squarespace content using the WordPress XML file you exported earlier through Tools > Import > WordPress. Create essential e-commerce pages like About Us, Contact, Privacy Policy, Terms of Service, and FAQ pages using the imported content as a starting point. Set up your blog section and import all blog posts, ensuring internal links and formatting are preserved correctly.

Tips:

• Use WordPress's built-in editor or a page builder to recreate complex layouts
• Update internal links to point to your new WordPress URLs
• Create custom page templates for unique Squarespace page designs

Important:

• Some Squarespace-specific formatting may not transfer correctly
• Custom code blocks from Squarespace will need to be manually recreated

Import Customer Data

1-2 hours

If you have customer data from Squarespace, use a plugin like 'Import Users from CSV' to bring customer information into WordPress. Create customer accounts with their email addresses, names, and any available order history. Since passwords cannot be exported from Squarespace, set up a system for customers to reset their passwords and access their accounts on the new platform.

Tips:

• Send email notifications to customers about the migration and password reset process
• Import customer data in batches to avoid server overload
• Preserve customer groups or segments if you had them in Squarespace

Important:

• Customer passwords cannot be migrated - all customers will need to reset passwords
• Ensure compliance with data protection regulations when handling customer data

Set Up URL Redirects

2-3 hours

Install a redirect plugin like 'Redirection' or 'Simple 301 Redirects' to map your old Squarespace URLs to new WordPress URLs. Create 301 redirects for all product pages, category pages, and important content pages to preserve SEO rankings and ensure customers can find your content. Test all redirects thoroughly to ensure they work correctly and don't create redirect loops.

Tips:

• Use Google Search Console to identify your most important pages for redirection
• Create a comprehensive redirect map before implementing
• Monitor 404 errors after launch to catch any missed redirects

Important:

• Incorrect redirects can harm SEO rankings
• Too many redirect chains can slow down page loading times

Testing and Launch Preparation

4-6 hours

Conduct comprehensive testing of your WooCommerce store, including product browsing, cart functionality, checkout process, payment processing, and order management. Test on multiple devices and browsers to ensure compatibility. Verify that all forms work correctly, email notifications are sent properly, and inventory management functions as expected before switching your domain to point to the new WordPress site.

Tips:

• Create test orders using different payment methods and shipping options
• Test customer registration and account management features
• Verify that all email templates are properly formatted and branded

Important:

• Don't launch without testing the complete customer journey
• Have a rollback plan ready in case critical issues are discovered after launch

What will be migrated

products

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

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 merchants ask when migrating from Squarespace to WooCommerce, covering technical requirements, data transfer, and operational considerations.

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

A complete migration typically takes 2-4 weeks depending on store complexity. This includes setting up WordPress hosting, configuring WooCommerce, importing products via CSV, recreating design elements, and thorough testing before launch.

Will I lose my search engine rankings when migrating to WooCommerce?

You can preserve most SEO value by implementing proper 301 redirects from old Squarespace URLs to new WooCommerce URLs. Plan your URL structure carefully and use SEO plugins like Yoast to maintain meta descriptions and titles from your original site.

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

Order history transfer is limited since Squarespace doesn't provide direct order export functionality. You'll need to manually export customer data and recreate order records, or use third-party migration tools that can extract this information through API connections.

What Squarespace features won't be available in WooCommerce?

You'll lose Squarespace's built-in hosting, automatic SSL, and integrated analytics dashboard. However, WooCommerce offers more flexibility through plugins for similar functionality, though you'll need to configure hosting, security, and analytics tools separately.

Do I need technical knowledge to manage WooCommerce after migration?

Basic WordPress knowledge is essential for ongoing maintenance, updates, and troubleshooting. Unlike Squarespace's managed environment, you'll be responsible for hosting management, plugin updates, security, and backups, though many hosting providers offer managed WordPress services.

How much will WooCommerce cost compared to my Squarespace plan?

While WooCommerce is free, total costs vary significantly based on hosting ($10-200+/month), premium themes ($50-200), essential plugins ($100-500/year), and maintenance. This could be less than Squarespace's $27-49/month plans or significantly more depending on your needs.

Will there be downtime during the migration process?

No downtime is required during migration since you build the WooCommerce site separately before switching. You can keep your Squarespace site running until the new WooCommerce site is ready, then simply update your domain's DNS settings to point to the new hosting.

Can I replicate my Squarespace design in WooCommerce?

Most design elements can be recreated using WooCommerce themes and customization, though it may require custom CSS or hiring a developer. WooCommerce offers more design flexibility than Squarespace, but achieving pixel-perfect replication might need additional development work.

Will my customers need to create new accounts after migration?

Yes, customer passwords cannot be transferred due to different encryption methods. Customers will need to use the 'forgot password' feature to create new passwords, so communicate this change clearly and consider offering incentives to encourage account recreation.

How do I handle inventory management during the migration?

Sync inventory levels manually between both platforms during the transition period, or temporarily pause sales on Squarespace once you're ready to launch WooCommerce. Export your final inventory counts from Squarespace and import them into WooCommerce just before going live.

What's the best way to test my WooCommerce store before launching?

Set up your WooCommerce site on a staging environment or temporary domain to test all functionality including checkout, payment processing, shipping calculations, and email notifications. Use test payment methods and create dummy orders to ensure everything works properly before switching domains.

Will my product reviews transfer from Squarespace to WooCommerce?

Product reviews don't transfer automatically and may require manual recreation or custom import scripts. Consider using this migration as an opportunity to implement a more robust review system through WooCommerce extensions, and reach out to previous customers to rebuild your review base.