Alex Morgan
Alex Morgan
Senior Hosting Analyst
10+ years testing web hosting infrastructure. Benchmarks servers across 4 continents.
WordPress Hosting

How to Migrate Squarespace to WordPress 2026

Squarespace exports are partial. expect to rebuild design in a theme and manually handle commerce. This guide minimises traffic loss during DNS cutover.

How we validated these steps

Before a procedural walkthrough ships, every step runs on at least two brands when the task is host-specific, or twice on the same stack on different days when it is not. Console errors are captured, UI label drift between regions is noted, and copy is revised the moment a vendor moves a button. Screenshots and paths are spot-checked quarterly. Security-sensitive actions (DNS, SSL, billing) trigger recovery-option checks plus links to the host's own documentation for authoritative wording.

  1. 1

    Step 1: Export what Squarespace allows

    Use XML export for blog/pages where available; download images manually or via tools for galleries Squarespace does not export cleanly.

  2. 2

    Step 2: Install WordPress on target hosting

    Provision hosting, SSL, and WordPress; pick a flexible theme (Astra/Kadence) to approximate layout.

  3. 3

    Step 3: Import content

    Tools → Import → WordPress. upload XML. Reassign authors and check media attachments.

  4. 4

    Step 4: Rebuild key pages

    Landing pages often need block editor or page builder recreation. treat this as a redesign with content reuse.

  5. 5

    Step 5: Map URLs and prepare redirects

    Spreadsheet old Squarespace URLs to new WordPress permalinks; implement 301s via redirect plugin or server rules.

  6. 6

    Step 6: Staging QA

    Test forms, analytics, and mobile layouts before DNS switch.

  7. 7

    Step 7: Cut DNS and monitor

    Lower TTL, switch A/CNAME, watch Search Console for crawl errors post-launch.

1
Bluehost WordPress Choice
Bluehost stays in rotation when buyers want the WordPress.org stamp, US-friendly support, and a simple bundle: we always quote renewal, not intro.
★★★★½
✓ Pros
  • Staging, backups, and PHP version options on Bluehost match our screenshots.
  • WordPress.org recommended, a familiar name for first-time buyers.
  • Domain, SSL, and WordPress in one guided setup flow.
✕ Cons
  • Bluehost menu labels change. Look for the idea, not one fixed menu path.
  • Slower loading than LiteSpeed hosts at a similar price with default settings.
Price/mo$2.95
Storage10 GB SSD
Free Domain✓ Yes
Uptime99.9%
9.6 /10
Get Deal Bluehost →
Read full review
2
SiteGround Fastest
Revenue-critical sites are where SiteGround earns the premium: Google Cloud, SuperCacher, and support that actually reads the ticket before replying.
★★★★½
✓ Pros
  • Staging, backups, and PHP version options on SiteGround match our screenshots.
  • High uptime, steady response times on their Google Cloud setup.
  • Staging and daily backups on every plan.
✕ Cons
  • SiteGround menu labels change. Look for the idea, not one fixed menu path.
  • No free domain included.
Price/mo$3.99
Storage10 GB SSD
Free Domain✕ No
Uptime99.99%
9.8 /10
Get Deal SiteGround →
Read full review

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep Squarespace commerce?+
You typically rebuild checkout on WooCommerce or Shopify. Plan data migration separately.
Will rankings drop?+
Temporary fluctuation is normal; proper 301 mapping and speed parity reduce risk.