How to Migrate from Squarespace to Wix What Moves, What Doesn't, Step by Step
People usually leave Squarespace for one of two reasons: the template stopped bending to what the business needs, or the bill and the add-ons stopped making sense. Here's what actually happens when you move, in the order I do it.
What moves and what doesn't
Wix has no importer for Squarespace, so nothing comes across at the press of a button. Here's how each part of your site is handled.
Moves across
Your written content in full, your images, your blog posts and your product details. I copy them across and check them on the new site. Your domain stays yours, and email on it keeps working.
Gets rebuilt
The design, because Squarespace templates don't exist on Wix. Your forms, and wherever their submissions go. Anything a Squarespace extension was handling.
Doesn't move
Blog comments, your Squarespace analytics history, and store settings like checkout, shipping and taxes. Members, scheduling and paid add-ons need planning, because each one is set up fresh on Wix.
How to migrate from Squarespace to Wix, step by step
This is the order I follow. Your Squarespace site keeps running until the very end.
- 1
List every address your site has
I pull every page, post and product address from your Squarespace sitemap and from Google Search Console, so I know which pages people actually find you through.
- 2
Check what your add-ons are doing
Store, scheduling, member areas, forms and anything else you pay Squarespace extra for. Each needs a Wix equivalent, and this decides how simple the move is.
- 3
Build the Wix site out of sight
The new site is built and tested on a temporary Wix address, so nobody sees a half-finished site.
- 4
Move your content across
Pages, blog posts, images and products are copied over and checked, with page titles and descriptions carried across too.
- 5
Rebuild the forms and test them
Every form is rebuilt and tested so enquiries reach the right inbox.
- 6
Map old addresses to new ones
Every address that's changing gets a 301 redirect to its new home, uploaded in batches, with the important ones checked by hand.
- 7
Switch the domain over
Your domain is pointed at Wix at a quiet time, with your email settings kept exactly as they were.
- 8
Reconnect Google and watch
Search Console is verified on the new site and the sitemap is submitted. I watch it for the first few weeks before you cancel Squarespace.
The redirects are the whole job
Squarespace and Wix organize their web addresses differently, so almost every page ends up somewhere new. When a page changes address, you have to tell Google where it went with a 301 redirect, which passes the ranking value from the old address to the new one. Wix doesn't create these for you. I build the map from an inventory of your existing addresses, upload it in batches, then check the ones that matter most by hand rather than trusting the upload report.
The full migration processWhat you gain, and what you give up
You gain
More layout freedom, a much larger app market, bookings and stores built in rather than bolted on, and an editor that's easier for non-technical owners.
You give up
Squarespace's typographic polish out of the box. Wix will do anything you want; it won't make as many tasteful decisions for you. That's what the design work is for.
Consider staying if
Your site is essentially a beautiful brochure you never touch, it's working, and nothing about it frustrates you. Moving for its own sake isn't worth anyone's money.
Not sure? Take the platform quizCommon questions
How do I migrate from Squarespace to Wix?
List every page address on your Squarespace site, build the Wix site on a temporary address, move your text, images, blog posts and products across, rebuild the forms, set up a 301 redirect for every address that changes, then point your domain at Wix. Your Squarespace site stays live until the switch.
Can Wix import my Squarespace site automatically?
No. Wix doesn't have an importer for Squarespace sites or Squarespace blogs, so the content is moved across by hand and the design is rebuilt. On a typical small business site that's very manageable.
Will I lose my Google rankings?
Not if the redirects are done properly. Expect some movement in the first few weeks while Google re-reads the site. That settles. Lasting damage comes from moving with no redirects at all.
How long is my site down?
It isn't. Your Squarespace site stays live while the Wix site is built and tested. The switch takes minutes.
Can I keep my domain and email?
Yes. If your domain is registered with Squarespace it can be transferred or simply pointed at the new site, and I handle the settings so email keeps arriving.
What about my Squarespace store?
Products, categories and images move, but the checkout, shipping and tax setup is rebuilt on Wix. It's worth scoping properly before we start, because this is usually the part that decides the price.
Do I cancel Squarespace straight away?
No. Keep it running until the new site is live, the redirects are working and you've had a week without surprises.