Webflow to Squarespace Migration Guide
Migrating from Webflow to Squarespace gives you access to stunning design templates with a more intuitive interface for managing content and commerce. This guide walks you through preserving your site's functionality while simplifying your workflow.
Webflow to Squarespace Migration Preparation
Essential steps to prepare for migrating your website from Webflow to Squarespace, ensuring a smooth transition while leveraging Squarespace's beautiful templates and user-friendly interface.
Export Content and Data from Webflow
Download your site's content by exporting your Webflow project as a ZIP file containing HTML, CSS, and assets. For ecommerce data, export product information, customer data, and order history in CSV format from your Webflow dashboard. Note that you'll need to manually migrate CMS content as Webflow doesn't provide direct CMS exports.
Audit Your Current Site Structure
Document your existing page hierarchy, navigation structure, and key functionalities in Webflow. Create a comprehensive list of all custom interactions, animations, and third-party integrations you're currently using. This inventory will help you identify which features can be replicated in Squarespace and which may need alternatives.
Choose Your Squarespace Plan and Template
Select the appropriate Squarespace plan based on your needs: Business ($23/mo) for basic sites, Commerce Basic ($27/mo) for simple stores, or Commerce Advanced ($49/mo) for advanced ecommerce features. Browse Squarespace's template gallery and choose a design that aligns with your brand and functional requirements.
Prepare Content for Manual Migration
Organize all your text content, images, and media files from Webflow into clearly labeled folders on your computer. Optimize images for web use and ensure all content is ready for manual input into Squarespace. Create a content migration checklist to track progress across all pages and sections.
Plan Your Domain and SEO Transition
Prepare your domain transfer strategy, whether connecting an existing domain or transferring it to Squarespace. Document your current URL structure and plan 301 redirects for important pages to maintain SEO rankings. Export any existing SEO metadata, page titles, and descriptions from Webflow for replication in Squarespace.
Set Up Development Environment
Create your new Squarespace site and begin with a temporary domain for testing purposes. Start building your site structure and uploading content while your original Webflow site remains live. This parallel approach ensures minimal downtime and allows you to thoroughly test functionality before going live.
Complete Migration Guide: Webflow to Squarespace
A comprehensive step-by-step process to migrate your website from Webflow to Squarespace, designed for content creators and small businesses seeking beautiful templates and simplified management. This guide covers data export, content migration, and platform optimization.
Export Data and Content from Webflow
2-4 hoursBegin by exporting all available data from your Webflow site through the Project Settings dashboard. Download your site's backup file and export any CMS collection data as CSV files. Since Webflow doesn't provide comprehensive export tools, you'll need to manually document your site structure, including pages, collections, and custom code. Take detailed screenshots of your current design, layout, and functionality for reference during the rebuild process.
- • Use Webflow's backup feature in Project Settings > General to download your site files
- • Export CMS collections individually from the CMS panel to get structured data
- • Document all custom code, integrations, and third-party tools currently in use
- • Webflow's export is limited - you'll lose dynamic functionality and CMS structure
- • Custom interactions and animations won't transfer and must be recreated
Set Up Squarespace Account and Choose Plan
30 minutesCreate your Squarespace account and select an appropriate plan based on your needs. For content creators and photographers, the Personal or Business plan typically provides sufficient features. Start with a 14-day free trial to test the platform before committing. Choose your initial domain settings, though you can modify these later during the domain transfer process.
- • Business plan offers advanced features like CSS editing and better SEO tools
- • Annual billing provides significant cost savings compared to monthly plans
- • You can upgrade or downgrade plans at any time during migration
- • Some features like advanced ecommerce require higher-tier plans
- • Domain transfer should be planned carefully to avoid downtime
Select and Customize Squarespace Template
3-6 hoursBrowse Squarespace's template gallery and select a design that closely matches your Webflow site's aesthetic and functionality. Consider templates specifically designed for your industry - photography, portfolio, or content-focused designs. Begin customizing the template using Squarespace's Style Editor to match your brand colors, fonts, and overall visual identity. Test the template's responsiveness across different devices to ensure it meets your design standards.
- • Choose templates from the 7.1 family for maximum customization flexibility
- • Preview templates with your actual content before finalizing selection
- • Consider mobile-first design since many visitors will view on mobile devices
- • Template switching after content migration can disrupt your layout and require significant rework
- • Some Webflow design elements may not be achievable in Squarespace templates
Migrate Website Content and Pages
8-16 hoursBegin manually recreating your website pages in Squarespace using the content from your Webflow site. Start with your homepage and primary navigation pages, then move to secondary content. Copy and paste text content, and re-upload images and media files to Squarespace's media library. Organize your content using Squarespace's page structure and navigation system, ensuring all important pages are included and properly categorized.
- • Use Squarespace's bulk image uploader for efficient media migration
- • Maintain consistent URL structures where possible for better SEO transition
- • Organize images in folders within Squarespace's media library for easy management
- • Large image files may need compression to meet Squarespace's storage limits
- • Complex layouts may require simplification to work within Squarespace's structure
Set Up Blog and Content Collections
4-8 hoursIf your Webflow site includes a blog or CMS collections, recreate these in Squarespace's blog system. Import blog posts manually, ensuring all content, images, and metadata are properly transferred. Set up blog categories and tags to maintain your content organization. Configure your blog layout, post templates, and author information to match your previous setup while taking advantage of Squarespace's built-in blogging features.
- • Use Squarespace's bulk blog post creation for efficiency with large content volumes
- • Set up RSS feeds and social sharing options during blog configuration
- • Configure comment settings and moderation preferences early in the process
- • Blog post URLs may change, requiring redirect planning
- • Complex CMS relationships from Webflow may not translate directly to Squarespace
Configure SEO and Analytics
2-3 hoursTransfer your SEO settings from Webflow to Squarespace, including meta titles, descriptions, and structured data where possible. Set up Google Analytics and Google Search Console integration through Squarespace's built-in tools. Configure your site's SEO settings in the Marketing panel, including social media integration and search engine visibility. Review and optimize page titles, descriptions, and URL slugs for all migrated content.
- • Use Squarespace's SEO checklist to ensure all optimization elements are configured
- • Import your existing Google Analytics data by connecting the same property
- • Set up Google Search Console early to monitor indexing during the transition
- • SEO rankings may temporarily fluctuate during the migration process
- • Some advanced SEO features from Webflow may not be available in Squarespace
Set Up Ecommerce Features (If Applicable)
4-8 hoursIf your Webflow site includes ecommerce functionality, configure Squarespace Commerce with your product catalog. Manually recreate products, ensuring you stay within Squarespace's 250 product variant limit if migrating from an unlimited Webflow setup. Set up product categories, inventory tracking, and pricing structures. Configure your checkout process, including payment methods, shipping options, and tax settings appropriate for your business location and customer base.
- • Use CSV templates for bulk product uploads to save time
- • Configure abandoned cart recovery and promotional codes during setup
- • Test the complete purchase flow before going live
- • Product variant limits may require consolidating or simplifying your product offerings
- • Complex product configurations may need to be simplified for Squarespace compatibility
Configure Forms and Integrations
2-4 hoursRecreate any contact forms, newsletter signups, or other interactive elements from your Webflow site using Squarespace's form builder. Set up email notifications, autoresponders, and form submission handling. Configure integrations with third-party services like Mailchimp, ConvertKit, or other tools you were using with Webflow. Test all forms and integrations to ensure they're working properly and data is being captured correctly.
- • Use Squarespace's native email campaigns if you're looking to simplify your marketing stack
- • Set up form notifications to multiple email addresses for important inquiries
- • Configure spam protection and CAPTCHA settings for public forms
- • Some complex Webflow integrations may not have direct Squarespace equivalents
- • Third-party integration limits may apply based on your Squarespace plan
Plan and Implement URL Redirects
3-5 hoursCreate a comprehensive redirect plan to maintain SEO value and user experience during the transition. Map all important URLs from your Webflow site to their new Squarespace equivalents. Set up 301 redirects in Squarespace's URL Redirects panel for all changed URLs, including blog posts, product pages, and landing pages. Prioritize redirects for your highest-traffic and most important pages to minimize SEO impact.
- • Export your Webflow sitemap to ensure no important URLs are missed
- • Use tools like Screaming Frog to audit your current site structure
- • Set up redirects for common URL variations and potential typos
- • Squarespace has limits on the number of redirects you can set up
- • Some dynamic URLs from Webflow may be difficult to redirect accurately
Domain Transfer and DNS Configuration
2-4 hours (plus propagation time)Plan your domain transfer carefully to minimize downtime and maintain email functionality. If your domain is currently managed through Webflow, prepare to transfer it to Squarespace or your preferred domain registrar. Configure DNS settings, including MX records for email if you use custom email addresses. Set up domain forwarding and ensure SSL certificates are properly configured for security and SEO benefits.
- • Schedule domain transfer during low-traffic periods to minimize impact
- • Keep detailed records of current DNS settings before making changes
- • Consider using Squarespace's domain service for simplified management
- • DNS propagation can take 24-48 hours to complete globally
- • Email service may be temporarily disrupted during domain transfer
Comprehensive Testing and Quality Assurance
4-6 hoursConduct thorough testing of your new Squarespace site across multiple devices, browsers, and screen sizes. Test all functionality including forms, ecommerce features, navigation, and interactive elements. Verify that all content has been migrated correctly and that images and media files are displaying properly. Check loading speeds and optimize any elements that may be affecting performance, particularly important for content creators showcasing visual work.
- • Use Squarespace's preview mode to test changes before publishing
- • Test your site on actual mobile devices, not just browser developer tools
- • Verify all external links and integrations are functioning correctly
- • Some functionality differences between platforms may require workflow adjustments
- • Performance optimization options may be more limited compared to Webflow
Launch and Post-Migration Monitoring
2-3 hours (plus ongoing monitoring)Execute your launch plan by making your Squarespace site live and monitoring all systems closely. Update any external links pointing to your old Webflow site and notify partners or collaborators about the change. Monitor your analytics, search rankings, and website performance closely for the first few weeks after launch. Address any issues quickly and make adjustments based on user feedback and performance data.
- • Announce the site launch on social media and to your email list
- • Monitor Google Search Console for crawl errors or indexing issues
- • Keep your Webflow site accessible for a few weeks as a backup during transition
- • Some SEO impact is normal during platform migrations and may take weeks to stabilize
- • Be prepared to make quick adjustments based on user feedback and performance metrics
What will be migrated
Post-migration verification checklist
Verify these items after your Squarespace store is live.
Browse catalog and verify images, prices, descriptions
Test variant selection and inventory
Compare with Webflow export data
Complete full test purchase with real payment
Test each configured payment method
Test multiple addresses and zones
Verify for different locations
Test login, registration, password reset
Check order confirmations, shipping notices
Test key URLs redirect correctly
Check meta titles and descriptions
Test on various devices
Compare performance to Webflow
Verify Google Analytics data collection
Monitor Google Search Console
Common challenges and solutions
Key questions and answers for businesses migrating from Webflow to Squarespace, covering technical migration steps, feature differences, and operational considerations.
How long does it typically take to migrate from Webflow to Squarespace?
Will migrating from Webflow to Squarespace hurt my SEO rankings?
Can I transfer my existing order history and customer data from Webflow?
What Webflow features won't be available in Squarespace?
How much website downtime should I expect during the migration?
Will I save money switching from Webflow to Squarespace?
How do I test my new Squarespace site before going live?
Can I recreate my Webflow design exactly in Squarespace?
What happens to my customers' login passwords during migration?
Can I continue taking orders during the migration process?
Should I migrate customer reviews and testimonials?
What's the best way to handle my Webflow CMS content in Squarespace?
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