Moderate 2-4 days 12 steps

Wix to Square Online Migration Guide

Wix

Square Online

This guide walks you through migrating from Wix to Square Online to achieve seamless integration between your online store and physical point-of-sale system. Learn how to transfer your products, customer data, and settings while leveraging Square's unified retail ecosystem.

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Wix to Square Online Migration Guide

Migrate from Wix to Square Online to unify your point-of-sale and online store operations. This guide covers exporting your Wix data and setting up your integrated Square ecosystem.

Export Your Wix Store Data

Download your product catalog from Wix's dashboard as a CSV file, including product names, descriptions, prices, and images. Note that Wix's export has limitations, so you'll need to manually save product images and recreate some custom fields in Square Online.

Set Up Your Square Account and POS Integration

Create your Square account and configure Square POS if you plan to use physical locations. This integration is Square Online's key advantage, allowing seamless inventory sync between your online store and physical retail operations.

Choose Your Square Online Plan and Configure Store Settings

Select between the free plan (with Square branding) or paid plans ($29-79/month) for custom domains and advanced features. Configure your store settings, payment processing, shipping zones, and tax calculations to match your current Wix setup.

Import Products and Optimize for Square's 100 Variant Limit

Upload your product data to Square Online, keeping in mind the 100 variant limit per product (same as Wix). Manually upload product images and recreate any complex product configurations that didn't transfer via CSV export.

Migrate Customer Data and Set Up Marketing Tools

Export customer information from Wix and import contacts into Square's customer directory for unified customer management across POS and online. Configure Square's built-in email marketing tools to replace any Wix marketing integrations.

Test Integration and Launch Your Unified Store

Thoroughly test the connection between Square POS and your online store, ensuring inventory levels sync correctly and orders process seamlessly. Update your domain settings and redirect your Wix site traffic to maintain SEO rankings.

Complete Migration Guide: Wix to Square Online

A comprehensive step-by-step process to migrate your e-commerce store from Wix to Square Online, enabling unified POS and online store management for retail businesses seeking omnichannel capabilities.

Export Data from Wix Store

2-3 hours

Access your Wix dashboard and navigate to Store Products to export your product catalog via CSV. Use the built-in export feature for basic product data including names, descriptions, and prices. For customer data, go to Contacts and export your customer list. Note that order history and detailed product variants may require manual documentation as Wix has limited export capabilities for these elements.

Tips:

• Export products in small batches if you have a large catalog to avoid timeout issues
• Take screenshots of complex product configurations that can't be exported
• Document your current shipping zones and tax settings manually as these aren't included in CSV exports

Important:

• Wix doesn't export order history in a usable format for import to other platforms
• Product variant data beyond basic options may not export completely

Create Square Account and Set Up Square Online

30-45 minutes

Sign up for a Square account at squareup.com if you don't already have one, as this will serve as your unified platform for both online and POS operations. Navigate to the Square Online section and activate your online store. Choose your initial store URL (you can connect a custom domain later). Complete the basic business information setup including business type, address, and contact details.

Tips:

• Use the same business email across all Square services for seamless integration
• Enable Square POS during setup if you plan to use physical point-of-sale systems
• Verify your business information is consistent across all Square products

Important:

• Square Online requires a Square account - you cannot use it standalone
• Some advanced features require upgrading from the free Square Online plan

Select and Customize Your Square Online Theme

2-4 hours

Browse Square Online's theme library and select a design that matches your brand aesthetic and product type. Most themes are mobile-responsive and optimized for retail businesses. Customize the theme colors, fonts, and layout to match your previous Wix design as closely as possible. Upload your logo and configure the header and footer sections with your business information.

Tips:

• Choose themes specifically designed for your product category (fashion, electronics, etc.)
• Test theme responsiveness on mobile devices as Square Online prioritizes mobile commerce
• Save your brand colors and fonts in a document for consistent application across all pages

Important:

• Square Online themes have less customization flexibility compared to Wix
• Some design elements may require CSS knowledge to modify extensively

Configure Product Categories and Structure

1-2 hours

Set up your product category structure in Square Online before importing products. Navigate to Items & Orders > Categories and create your main product categories and subcategories. This organizational structure will help with navigation and inventory management across both online and POS systems. Consider how categories will display in your physical store if you're using Square POS integration.

Tips:

• Create categories that work for both online browsing and POS quick-selection
• Use clear, descriptive category names that customers will easily understand
• Plan for future product expansion when setting up your category structure

Important:

• Changing category structures after product import can be time-consuming
• Category limits may apply depending on your Square Online plan

Import and Configure Products

4-6 hours

Use Square Online's bulk import feature to upload your product CSV from Wix. Navigate to Items & Orders > Items and select 'Import Items' to upload your CSV file. Map the CSV columns to Square's product fields including name, description, price, SKU, and category. Since you're moving from Wix's 100 variant limit to Square's unlimited variants, you can now expand product options and create more detailed variant combinations for items like clothing sizes and colors.

Tips:

• Clean up your CSV data before import to ensure consistent formatting
• Take advantage of unlimited variants to create more detailed product options
• Import products in batches and test the first batch before importing everything

Important:

• Product images must be uploaded separately after the CSV import
• Complex variant structures from Wix may need manual recreation in Square

Upload Product Images and Media

6-8 hours

Manually upload product images for each item since these don't transfer via CSV import. Go through each product in your Square Online catalog and add primary images, gallery images, and any variant-specific photos. Optimize images for web use to ensure fast loading times. If you had product videos on Wix, you'll need to re-upload these to Square Online or embed them from video hosting platforms.

Tips:

• Resize images to Square's recommended dimensions before uploading
• Use consistent image backgrounds and lighting for a professional appearance
• Add alt text to images for better SEO and accessibility

Important:

• Large image files can slow down your store's loading speed
• Square Online has file size limits for image uploads

Import Customer Data and Set Up Customer Accounts

2-3 hours

Import your customer list from Wix using the CSV export you created earlier. In Square Online, navigate to Customers and use the import feature to upload customer contact information. Enable customer accounts on your store to allow returning customers to create profiles and track orders. Configure email preferences and customer communication settings to match your previous setup.

Tips:

• Clean duplicate customer entries before importing to avoid confusion
• Send a welcome email to existing customers about your new platform
• Set up customer groups or segments for targeted marketing campaigns

Important:

• Customer passwords cannot be transferred and will need to be reset
• Order history from Wix will not be available in customer accounts on Square

Configure Payment Processing and Square Integration

1-2 hours

Set up Square's integrated payment processing system, which is one of the main advantages of migrating from Wix. Configure accepted payment methods including credit cards, digital wallets, and buy-now-pay-later options. If you're using Square POS hardware, ensure your online payment settings sync with your physical store setup. Test payment processing in Square's sandbox environment before going live.

Tips:

• Square's integrated payments eliminate third-party transaction fees
• Enable Apple Pay and Google Pay for faster mobile checkout
• Set up automatic settlement to your bank account for streamlined cash flow

Important:

• Payment processing rates may differ from your previous Wix setup
• International payment options may be limited compared to some third-party processors

Set Up Shipping Zones and Tax Configuration

2-3 hours

Configure your shipping zones, rates, and methods in Square Online's shipping settings. Recreate the shipping structure you had on Wix, including free shipping thresholds, flat rates, and calculated shipping options. Set up tax rates for all applicable jurisdictions where you sell products. Square Online can automatically calculate taxes based on your business location and customer shipping addresses.

Tips:

• Use Square's automatic tax calculation feature to ensure compliance
• Set up shipping rules that encourage larger order values
• Test shipping calculations with various destinations and order sizes

Important:

• Tax settings must be configured correctly to avoid compliance issues
• International shipping may require additional customs and duty considerations

Migrate Website Content and Pages

3-4 hours

Recreate your essential website pages from Wix including About Us, Contact, Privacy Policy, Terms of Service, and FAQ pages. Copy and paste content from your Wix pages, reformatting as needed for Square Online's page editor. Set up your main navigation menu to include all important pages and ensure logical site structure for both customers and search engines.

Tips:

• Update any Wix-specific references in your content
• Optimize page content for SEO with relevant keywords
• Include contact information and business hours on multiple pages

Important:

• Page layouts may look different due to theme limitations
• Some interactive elements from Wix may not be available in Square Online

Set Up Domain and URL Redirects

2-4 hours

Connect your custom domain to Square Online by updating DNS settings or transferring your domain. Set up 301 redirects from your old Wix URLs to corresponding Square Online URLs to preserve SEO rankings and ensure customers can still find your products. Create a redirect map for all important pages including product pages, category pages, and content pages.

Tips:

• Use a redirect mapping tool to ensure you don't miss important URLs
• Test redirects thoroughly before making the switch public
• Keep your old Wix site live until all redirects are confirmed working

Important:

• Incorrect DNS settings can cause website downtime
• Some SEO ranking may be temporarily affected during the transition

Test Store Functionality and Go Live

4-6 hours

Conduct comprehensive testing of your Square Online store including product browsing, cart functionality, checkout process, payment processing, and email notifications. Test the integration between your online store and Square POS system if applicable. Place test orders to verify the entire customer journey works smoothly. Once testing is complete, announce your new store to customers and update all marketing materials with new URLs.

Tips:

• Test on multiple devices and browsers to ensure compatibility
• Have friends or family members test the store from a customer perspective
• Monitor site performance and loading speeds after going live

Important:

• Don't delete your Wix store immediately - keep it as backup for 30 days
• Monitor for any broken links or missing content in the first few weeks

What will be migrated

products

Products, descriptions, SKUs, prices, images. Variants: Wix supports 100 vs Square Online'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

Essential questions and answers for businesses planning to migrate from Wix to Square Online, covering migration process, feature changes, and operational considerations.

How long does it typically take to migrate from Wix to Square Online?

A complete migration usually takes 2-4 weeks depending on your store size and complexity. While Square Online offers quick setup, you'll need time to manually export some data from Wix, recreate your design, and thoroughly test everything before going live.

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

You may experience temporary SEO impact during the transition, but proper planning can minimize this. Set up 301 redirects from your old Wix URLs to your new Square Online URLs and submit an updated sitemap to Google Search Console to help maintain your rankings.

Can I transfer my order history and customer data from Wix to Square Online?

Wix provides CSV export for basic customer and order data, but the transfer isn't automatic. You'll need to manually import customer information into Square Online, and historical order data may need to be maintained separately for record-keeping purposes.

What Wix apps and integrations won't be available on Square Online?

Square Online has fewer third-party integrations compared to Wix's extensive app market. You'll need to find alternatives for specialized marketing tools, advanced analytics, or custom functionality you currently use on Wix, though Square's built-in POS integration may replace some needs.

How do Square Online's customization options compare to Wix's drag-and-drop editor?

Square Online offers less design flexibility than Wix's advanced editor, with more template-based customization. While you can modify colors, fonts, and layouts, you won't have the same level of pixel-perfect control that Wix provides for complex custom designs.

How much website downtime should I expect during the migration?

You can minimize downtime to just a few hours by building your Square Online site in parallel before switching your domain. The main downtime occurs when you update your DNS settings to point to Square Online, which typically takes 2-24 hours to fully propagate.

Should I use Square Online's free plan or upgrade to a paid plan?

The free plan includes Square branding and uses a Square subdomain, while paid plans start at $29/month for custom domains and no Square branding. Compare this to your current Wix plan ($27-$59/month) - you might save money, especially if you benefit from Square's integrated payment processing.

How can I test my Square Online store before making it live?

Square Online allows you to build and preview your site before publishing, and you can use a temporary Square subdomain for testing. Test all functionality including checkout, inventory sync, and mobile responsiveness before switching your custom domain from Wix.

Will my customers need to create new passwords after the migration?

Yes, customers will need to create new accounts on your Square Online store as password data cannot be transferred for security reasons. Plan to communicate this change to your customers and consider offering a small incentive for re-registering to maintain customer relationships.

Can I continue selling during the migration process?

Yes, keep your Wix store running while building your Square Online store in parallel. Only switch over when your new store is fully tested and ready, ensuring no interruption to your sales during the transition period.

How do I transfer my product reviews from Wix to Square Online?

Product reviews typically need to be manually transferred as there's no direct import feature. You may need to screenshot or copy important reviews and re-enter them, or consider starting fresh and encouraging customers to leave new reviews on your Square Online store.

What's the main advantage of switching to Square Online from Wix?

The biggest benefit is unified inventory and sales management if you have or plan to have a physical store presence. Square Online integrates seamlessly with Square POS systems, giving you real-time inventory sync and unified reporting across online and offline sales channels.