{"id":10938,"date":"2025-08-12T14:33:14","date_gmt":"2025-08-12T14:33:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/boostedhost.com\/blog\/squarespace-to-wordpress-migration-2025-keep-rankings-and-design-consistency\/"},"modified":"2025-08-12T14:33:18","modified_gmt":"2025-08-12T14:33:18","slug":"squarespace-to-wordpress-migration-2025-keep-rankings-and-design-consistency","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/boostedhost.com\/blog\/en\/squarespace-to-wordpress-migration-2025-keep-rankings-and-design-consistency\/","title":{"rendered":"Squarespace to WordPress Migration (2025): Keep Rankings and Design Consistency"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"10938\" class=\"elementor elementor-10938\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b87 e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"ad4f1b87\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p ><strong>Surprising fact:<\/strong> over 40% of small sites saw ranking dips after a platform change when URLs weren\u2019t preserved.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p >You\u2019re planning a clean site migration that protects SEO and keeps a familiar look. This guide shows the exact steps you\u2019ll take and the common pitfalls to avoid.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p ><em>The export is more helpful than you might expect:<\/em> Squarespace provides a WordPress\u2011compatible XML with pages, one blog page and its posts, gallery pages, and text\/embed blocks. It won\u2019t include product pages, audio\/video, custom CSS, folders, or index pages, so you\u2019ll handle those manually.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p >You\u2019ll import via WordPress Tools &gt; Import &gt; WordPress, assign authors, and use a lightweight plugin to pull images into the Media Library in batches to avoid timeouts.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p ><strong>Plan the switch:<\/strong> set a custom permalink structure (you can include a \/blog-1\/ prefix and dates), update DNS only after full validation, and keep the old site live while you test.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ad4f1b6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Key Takeaways<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul > <li>Know what content imports automatically and what needs manual handling.<\/li> <li>Use Tools &gt; Import and a plugin to migrate images safely.<\/li> <li>Match legacy URL patterns to protect search rankings.<\/li> <li>Switch DNS after end\u2011to\u2011end checks so visitors see no downtime.<\/li> <li>Prepare a QA checklist for posts, pages, media, and redirects.<\/li> <\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ad4f1b8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Why switch from Squarespace to WordPress in 2025<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p >In 2025, many site owners pick a self-hosted option to unlock features that site builders hide behind high tiers.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b10 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b10\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p ><strong>Flexibility and control:<\/strong> You gain full control over themes, code, and plugins. That lets you add advanced features without relying on a closed marketplace. <em>This is ideal<\/em> when integrations or custom behavior matter.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b11 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b11\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p ><strong>Cost and hosting:<\/strong> Squarespace bundles hosting and page building but limits exports and advanced tools unless you upgrade. Managed WordPress hosting often matches performance at similar monthly pricing. You can choose a host and add free plugins to replicate premium features.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b12 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b12\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p ><strong>What transfers:<\/strong> The exporter brings pages, one main blog with its posts, gallery pages, and text\/embed blocks. <strong>What doesn\u2019t:<\/strong> products, audio\/video, custom CSS, folders, index pages, and extra blog pages need manual work.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b13 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b13\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul >   <li>Keep core content and plan manual fixes for excluded items.<\/li>   <li>Expect faster access to SEO, caching, and code-level customization.<\/li>   <li>Compare hosting options to match traffic and budget.<\/li> <\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b14 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b14\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<table >   <tr>     <th>Area<\/th>     <th>Squarespace<\/th>     <th>Managed WordPress<\/th>     <th>Impact<\/th>   <\/tr>   <tr>     <td>Hosting model<\/td>     <td>Bundled<\/td>     <td>Choose your host<\/td>     <td>You pick backups, CDN, and update cadence<\/td>   <\/tr>   <tr>     <td>Cost<\/td>     <td>Tiered plans<\/td>     <td>Comparable plans + free core<\/td>     <td>Often lower long-term cost<\/td>   <\/tr>   <tr>     <td>Exported content<\/td>     <td>Pages, main blog, galleries<\/td>     <td>XML import + image step<\/td>     <td>Some items require manual rebuild<\/td>   <\/tr>   <tr>     <td>Control &amp; functionality<\/td>     <td>Limited by builder<\/td>     <td>Wide plugins and themes<\/td>     <td>Greater customization and scale<\/td>   <\/tr> <\/table>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b15 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ad4f1b15\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Pre-migration checklist: hosting, install WordPress, and export-ready content<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b16 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b16\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p ><strong>A safe switch starts with three basics:<\/strong> the right hosting plan, a verified install process, and a clean export of your content. Lock these down before you touch DNS so the new site mirrors the old one.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b17 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b17\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p ><div class=\"ast-oembed-container \" style=\"height: 100%;\"><iframe title=\"How To Migrate Your Website to a New Host (Overview)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/lvF_WmIoVnw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b18 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ad4f1b18\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Choose a WordPress-friendly host and plan<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b19 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b19\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p >Pick a managed hosting plan sized for your traffic and storage. Look for SSL, daily backups, and a staging area so you can preview changes safely.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b20 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ad4f1b20\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Install quickly via dashboard tools or one-click installers<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b21 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b21\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p >You can install wordpress using your host dashboard, Softaculous\/cPanel, or the manual five\u2011minute installer. Use the host&#8217;s tools to speed setup and keep credentials handy.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b22 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ad4f1b22\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Audit your Squarespace content and export the XML<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b23 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b23\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p >Generate the XML at Settings &gt; Advanced &gt; Import\/Export and download the file. The export includes pages, one blog and posts, galleries, and text\/embed blocks.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b24 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b24\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p ><em>Note:<\/em> products, audio\/video, custom CSS, folders, index pages, and extra blogs won\u2019t be in the XML and need manual rebuilding.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b25 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ad4f1b25\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Backups, access, and timing to minimize downtime<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b26 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b26\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul >   <li>Confirm access to both hosting and your Squarespace settings so you don\u2019t hunt for logins mid-work.<\/li>   <li>Schedule the migration in low traffic time and keep the current site live until QA is complete.<\/li>   <li>Store the XML file securely and test imports on staging before you switch DNS.<\/li> <\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b27 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b27\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<table >   <tr>     <th>Need<\/th>     <th>Managed Host<\/th>     <th>One-Click Installer<\/th>     <th>Benefit<\/th>   <\/tr>   <tr>     <td>SSL &amp; Backups<\/td>     <td>Included<\/td>     <td>Enabled via dashboard<\/td>     <td>Security and quick restore<\/td>   <\/tr>   <tr>     <td>Staging<\/td>     <td>Yes<\/td>     <td>Accessible in control panel<\/td>     <td>Safe testing<\/td>   <\/tr>   <tr>     <td>Install Speed<\/td>     <td>Minutes<\/td>     <td>One click or manual<\/td>     <td>Fast setup<\/td>   <\/tr> <\/table>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b28 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b28\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p >For a full, practical walkthrough on how to handle the import export and staging steps, see this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpbeginner.com\/wp-tutorials\/how-to-properly-move-from-squarespace-to-wordpress\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">proper migration guide<\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b29 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ad4f1b29\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How to move from squarespace to wordpress step by step<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b30 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b30\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p ><em>This section gives a compact, actionable process<\/em> so you can export content, run the importer, update DNS, and match permalinks without losing rankings.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b31 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ad4f1b31\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Export a WordPress-compatible XML file<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b32 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b32\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p >In your Squarespace settings go to <strong>Settings &gt; Advanced &gt; Import\/Export<\/strong> and choose the WordPress option. Download the XML file \u2014 this is the single file you&#8217;ll upload in WordPress.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b33 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ad4f1b33\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Import using Tools &gt; Import &gt; WordPress<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b34 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b34\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p >Open your WordPress dashboard, go to <strong>Tools &gt; Import &gt; WordPress<\/strong>, click Install Now, then Run Importer. Upload the XML file and follow prompts to map authors.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b35 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ad4f1b35\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Assign authors, attachments, and verify content<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b36 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b36\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p >Assign posts to existing or new authors during import. Note: the import attachments option often fails to fetch images, so plan a separate plugin step for media.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b37 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b37\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p >After import, check that pages and posts render correctly. Confirm headings, body text, and embeds display as expected.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b38 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ad4f1b38\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Update DNS and preserve legacy permalinks<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b39 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b39\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p >Only update DNS at your registrar or host after QA is complete. Keep the old site live during propagation to avoid downtime.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b40 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b40\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p >Set permalinks to match legacy patterns. For many blogs the custom structure <strong>\/blog-1\/%year%\/%monthnum%\/%day%\/%postname%\/<\/strong> preserves old URLs and protects SEO.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b41 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b41\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ol > <li>Export via Settings &gt; Advanced &gt; Import\/Export and save the XML file.<\/li> <li>Run Tools &gt; Import &gt; WordPress in your dashboard and upload the file.<\/li> <li>Assign authors, verify pages and posts, and note any missing media.<\/li> <li>Update DNS only after full QA and set permalinks to match legacy URLs.<\/li> <\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b42 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b42\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p >For official import notes and troubleshooting, check the Squarespace import help on WordPress: <a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.com\/support\/import\/import-from-squarespace\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Import from Squarespace<\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b43 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ad4f1b43\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Auto upload images from your Squarespace site into WordPress<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b44 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b44\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p >A simple workflow lets you fetch every external image and replace links across posts and pages. This avoids manual downloads and ensures images are served locally for better performance and SEO.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b45 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ad4f1b45\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Capture external images with a plugin<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b46 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b46\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p >Install the <strong>Auto Upload Images<\/strong> plugin. The images plugin scans content for external URLs and downloads files into your Media Library. That step converts remote links to local file paths and makes the site self-contained.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b48 aligncenter size-large wp-image-10952 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ad4f1b48\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/boostedhost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/A-realistic-high-quality-image-of-an-automatic-image-upload-process-from-a-Squarespace-website-1024x585.jpeg\" title=\"\" alt=\"A realistic, high-quality image of an automatic image upload process from a Squarespace website to a WordPress dashboard. The scene depicts a laptop screen showing the Squarespace admin interface, with a prominent &quot;Upload to WordPress&quot; button. In the foreground, a hand hovers over the button, ready to initiate the upload. The background features the BoostedHost logo, representing a web hosting service that facilitates the migration process. The lighting is natural and warm, creating a professional, productive atmosphere. The camera angle is slightly elevated, providing a clear view of the laptop screen and the user&#039;s hand movement.\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b49 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ad4f1b49\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Bulk-update posts and pages to trigger imports<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b50 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b50\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p >Open Posts &gt; All Posts and raise Screen Options \u201cNumber of items per page\u201d to a high value (for example, 999). Select the list, choose Bulk actions &gt; Edit, and click Update without changing any fields. The plugin runs during that update and will import images into WordPress.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b51 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b51\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p >If the page times out, split the list into smaller batches and repeat. Then run the same workflow for Pages so no older page images still point back to the old domain.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b52 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b52\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul >   <li><strong>Install:<\/strong> add Auto Upload Images and keep the plugin active during the run.<\/li>   <li><strong>Bulk edit:<\/strong> bump items per page, select all, Bulk actions &gt; Edit, then Update.<\/li>   <li><strong>Watch for timeouts:<\/strong> process smaller batches if needed.<\/li>   <li><strong>Verify:<\/strong> spot check posts to confirm image sources now point to local uploads and featured images show in archives.<\/li>   <li><strong>Final step:<\/strong> regenerate thumbnails if your theme needs new sizes, then decide whether to keep or remove the plugin.<\/li> <\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b53 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b53\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p ><em>This process<\/em> saves time and improves caching. Local images load faster and are easier to optimize with CDN and host-level tools.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b54 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ad4f1b54\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Preserve SEO signals: structure, redirects, and performance<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b55 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b55\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p >When you mirror legacy links and speed up delivery, search engines keep trusting your pages. Start by setting your permalink in <strong>Settings<\/strong> to the Squarespace pattern: <code>\/blog-1\/%year%\/%monthnum%\/%day%\/%postname%\/<\/code>. This preserves backlinks and indexed URLs.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b56 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b56\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p ><strong>Track and fix 404s.<\/strong> After launch, scan for missing pages and add redirects for edge cases. Validate canonical tags and update the XML sitemap, then submit it in Google Search Console.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b57 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b57\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p ><em>Optimize delivery:<\/em> enable your host\u2019s caching and turn on a CDN to cut TTFB and improve Core Web Vitals. Ensure images are served from your domain after the import so they benefit from compression and edge caching.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b58 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b58\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul > <li>Review internal links within pages and posts; replace any absolute URLs still pointing at the old site.<\/li> <li>Confirm SSL is active and force HTTPS to avoid mixed-content issues.<\/li> <li>Keep performance plugins minimal\u2014prefer host options to reduce conflicts and complexity.<\/li> <\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b59 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b59\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p >Finally, test crawlability and speed after major changes and monitor indexing. For link-building basics that complement redirects and content maintenance, see this <a href=\"https:\/\/boostedhost.com\/blog\/the-basics-of-link-building-for-seo\/\" target=\"_blank\">link-building guide<\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b60 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ad4f1b60\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Design consistency: themes, block editor, and functionality parity<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b61 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b61\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p ><strong>Choose a theme that reflects your current branding<\/strong> so readers feel at home the moment they land. WordPress themes from the official repository and premium vendors can match or exceed the Squarespace aesthetic while giving you more <strong>control<\/strong>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b63 aligncenter size-large wp-image-10964 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ad4f1b63\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/boostedhost.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/A-modern-minimalist-design-studio-with-clean-lines-neutral-tones-and-natural-textures.-In-1024x585.jpeg\" title=\"\" alt=\"A modern, minimalist design studio with clean lines, neutral tones, and natural textures. In the foreground, a simple geometric desk with a laptop displaying the BoostedHost brand logo. Above, suspended pendant lights cast a warm, diffused glow. In the middle ground, various web design elements - a tablet, a smartphone, and a sketchpad with hand-drawn wireframes. The background features a large window overlooking a cityscape, allowing natural light to flood the space. The overall atmosphere is one of focused creativity, professionalism, and design consistency.\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b64 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ad4f1b64\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Pick a theme that mirrors your old style<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b65 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b65\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p >Shortlist modern themes that echo clean typography and generous white space. Compare demos with your homepage and blog to find the closest match.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b66 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ad4f1b66\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Rebuild layouts with the Block Editor or page builders<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b67 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b67\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p >The Block Editor lets you rebuild hero areas, grids, and galleries visually. Page builder plugins are optional; use them only if a theme cannot deliver required <em>functionality<\/em>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b68 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b68\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul >   <li>Test how your content flows in the new theme and tweak spacing, fonts, and color.<\/li>   <li>Confirm pages and the blog index show featured images, metadata, and related items.<\/li>   <li>Validate navigation\u2014primary menu, footer links, and mobile menus\u2014so returning users feel at home.<\/li>   <li>Check galleries and embeds so media blocks render cleanly in the new site styles.<\/li>   <li>Use a child theme for custom tweaks and keep the parent theme updated for safe upgrades.<\/li> <\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b69 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b69\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p ><em>Tip:<\/em> document design decisions so future content stays on-brand and the website scales without surprises. A careful theme choice gives you design parity and long-term flexibility for your website.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b70 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ad4f1b70\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Post-migration QA: content, plugins, and settings<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b71 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b71\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p ><strong>A quick, methodical review after import stops small errors from becoming SEO headaches.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b72 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b72\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p >You\u2019ll comb through key pages and posts to confirm copy, headings, featured images, galleries, and embeds render correctly.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b73 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b73\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align:center\">  <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b74 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ad4f1b74\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Verify pages, posts, menus, media, and embeds<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b75 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b75\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p >Spot-check menus and navigation so mobile menus open smoothly and link to the right destinations. Check that featured images and galleries show and that embeds still load.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b76 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ad4f1b76\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Core settings: reading, discussion, media, and permalinks<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b77 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b77\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p >Open Settings and review Reading, Discussion, Media, and Permalinks. Choose the option that matches your legacy URLs. Use Tools on the dashboard to clear any residual import items.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b78 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ad4f1b78\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Install essential plugins for SEO, backups, and security<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b79 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b79\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p >Install a small set of plugins for SEO, backups, and security\u2014keep the stack lean to avoid conflicts. Test forms and analytics, then crawl the web for 404s and fix them with redirects.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b80 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b80\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul > <li>Confirm XML sitemap and robots.txt are correct and submitted.<\/li> <li>Validate canonical tags and run a site crawl for missing pages.<\/li> <li>Recheck top landing pages across browsers and devices.<\/li> <li>Set user roles, enforce strong passwords, and take a fresh backup after QA.<\/li> <\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b81 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ad4f1b81\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Conclusion<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b82 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b82\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p ><strong>Finish strong:<\/strong> a clear checklist makes the final launch simple and repeatable.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b83 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b83\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p >Follow the end\u2011to\u2011end plan: choose a WordPress\u2011friendly <strong>host<\/strong>, install WordPress, export via <em>Settings &gt; Advanced &gt; Import\/Export<\/em>, then run Tools &gt; Import &gt; WordPress and assign authors. Use the <strong>auto upload images<\/strong> flow and an upload images plugin with bulk updates so media lives in your Media Library.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b84 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b84\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p >Match permalinks (for example, <code>\/blog-1\/%year%\/%monthnum%\/%day%\/%postname%\/<\/code>), point your domain when QA is done, and run a final crawl. Rebuild any content that didn\u2019t export\u2014products, audio\/video, or custom CSS\u2014using themes and native tools.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b85 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b85\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p ><strong>Result:<\/strong> you\u2019ll have a polished new WordPress site that keeps rankings, preserves look and links, and gives you the freedom to grow.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad4f1b86 schema-section elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad4f1b86\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"schema-section\"><h2>FAQ<\/h2><div><h3>What\u2019s the fastest way to get your Squarespace content into a new WordPress site?<\/h3><div><div><p>Export your Squarespace content into the WordPress XML file, install WordPress on your host, then use Tools \u203a Import \u203a WordPress to bring in posts and pages. After import, run a media import (see Auto Upload Images plugin) to pull external image URLs into your media library.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><div><h3>Which hosting should you pick for a WordPress site that replaces a Squarespace site?<\/h3><div><div><p>Choose a WordPress-friendly host with one\u2011click installs, managed updates, fast PHP, and CDN\/caching options. Look at providers like WP Engine, SiteGround, or Bluehost for simple setup and good performance.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><div><h3>Will all my content transfer automatically when you export and import?<\/h3><div><div><p>No. Posts, pages, and basic text usually import via the XML file, but some items\u2014custom CSS, certain blocks, commerce settings, and some embedded elements\u2014may not. You\u2019ll need to rebuild or manually migrate those pieces.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><div><h3>How do you make sure images transfer without broken links?<\/h3><div><div><p>Use the Auto Upload Images plugin to scan posts for external image URLs and import them into your media library. Also consider bulk-updating posts\/pages to trigger imports and check for timeout issues on large sites.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><div><h3>How should you handle permalinks to preserve SEO and existing links?<\/h3><div><div><p>Match your previous URL structure by setting custom permalinks in WordPress (Settings \u203a Permalinks). Where exact matches aren\u2019t possible, create 301 redirects using a plugin like Redirection or via your host so old URLs point to the correct new pages.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><div><h3>What steps help prevent downtime when switching hosts and updating DNS?<\/h3><div><div><p>Prepare the new site on the new host before you update DNS. Lower TTL values ahead of time, schedule the change during low traffic, and keep the old site active for a short overlap to catch any missed requests.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><div><h3>How do you keep design consistency after migrating?<\/h3><div><div><p>Pick a theme that mirrors your old look, then rebuild templates with the Block Editor or a page builder like Elementor. Recreate key style settings, menus, and widgets to match layout and branding.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><div><h3>What plugins are essential right after migration?<\/h3><div><div><p>Install an SEO plugin (Yoast or Rank Math), a backup solution (UpdraftPlus), a security plugin (Wordfence or Sucuri), and image import helpers (Auto Upload Images). Add a redirects manager and a caching\/CDN plugin for performance.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><div><h3>How do you verify the migration worked correctly?<\/h3><div><div><p>Do a post-migration QA: check pages, posts, menus, media items, embeds, and author assignments. Test core settings (reading, discussion, media, permalinks), run a site crawl to find 404s, and review Google Search Console for indexing issues.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><div><h3>What\u2019s the best way to import large numbers of images without timeouts?<\/h3><div><div><p>Use bulk-import plugins and run imports in smaller batches. Increase server PHP limits temporarily, or use a host tool that supports background processing. The Auto Upload Images plugin paired with batch updates often works well.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><div><h3>Do ecommerce products and transactions come over with an export?<\/h3><div><div><p>No. Commerce data\u2014products, orders, customer accounts\u2014rarely exports cleanly via the XML. You\u2019ll likely need a dedicated migration tool or manual export\/import CSVs for WooCommerce and reconfigure payment gateways.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><div><h3>How do you preserve search rankings during the transition?<\/h3><div><div><p>Keep URL structures where possible, implement 301 redirects for changed URLs, maintain metadata with an SEO plugin, ensure fast page speeds, and submit an updated sitemap to Google Search Console after launch.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><div><h3>Can you migrate multiple authors and assign them correctly?<\/h3><div><div><p>Yes. The WordPress importer can map authors from the XML to existing or new WordPress users. Verify each author\u2019s posts after import and adjust roles or display names in Users \u203a All Users.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><div><h3>Is there an automated tool to handle the whole process for you?<\/h3><div><div><p>There are migration services and premium plugins that automate large parts of the process, including content and media transfer. For complex sites or commerce stores, consider a professional migration service to avoid data loss.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><div><h3>What common post-migration issues should you watch for?<\/h3><div><div><p>Broken images, missing embeds, layout differences, plugin conflicts, incorrect permalinks, and SEO metadata gaps are common. Run a site crawl, fix 404s, and do a full content review to catch problems early.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><div><h3>How do you handle legacy redirects and URL patterns that don\u2019t match WordPress defaults?<\/h3><div><div><p>Create custom redirect rules using a redirects plugin or your server config. Use pattern-based redirects to handle groups of URLs, and test them thoroughly to make sure legacy links resolve to the correct new pages.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Surprising fact: over 40% of small sites saw ranking dips after a platform change when URLs weren\u2019t preserved. You\u2019re planning a clean site migration that protects SEO and keeps a familiar look. This guide shows the exact steps you\u2019ll take and the common pitfalls to avoid. The export is more helpful than you might expect: Squarespace provides a WordPress\u2011compatible XML with pages, one blog page and its posts, gallery pages, and text\/embed blocks. It won\u2019t include product pages, audio\/video, custom CSS, folders, or index pages, so you\u2019ll handle those manually. You\u2019ll import via WordPress Tools &gt; Import &gt; WordPress, assign authors, and use a lightweight plugin to pull images into the Media Library in batches to avoid timeouts. Plan the switch: set a custom permalink structure (you can include a \/blog-1\/ prefix and dates), update DNS only after full validation, and keep the old site live while you test. Key Takeaways Know what content imports automatically and what needs manual handling. Use Tools &gt; Import and a plugin to migrate images safely. Match legacy URL patterns to protect search rankings. Switch DNS after end\u2011to\u2011end checks so visitors see no downtime. Prepare a QA checklist for posts, pages, media, and redirects. Why switch from Squarespace to WordPress in 2025 In 2025, many site owners pick a self-hosted option to unlock features that site builders hide behind high tiers. Flexibility and control: You gain full control over themes, code, and plugins. That lets you add advanced features without relying on a closed marketplace. This is ideal when integrations or custom behavior matter. Cost and hosting: Squarespace bundles hosting and page building but limits exports and advanced tools unless you upgrade. Managed WordPress hosting often matches performance at similar monthly pricing. You can choose a host and add free plugins to replicate premium features. What transfers: The exporter brings pages, one main blog with its posts, gallery pages, and text\/embed blocks. What doesn\u2019t: products, audio\/video, custom CSS, folders, index pages, and extra blog pages need manual work. Keep core content and plan manual fixes for excluded items. Expect faster access to SEO, caching, and code-level customization. Compare hosting options to match traffic and budget. Area Squarespace Managed WordPress Impact Hosting model Bundled Choose your host You pick backups, CDN, and update cadence Cost Tiered plans Comparable plans + free core Often lower long-term cost Exported content Pages, main blog, galleries XML import + image step Some items require manual rebuild Control &amp; functionality Limited by builder Wide plugins and themes Greater customization and scale Pre-migration checklist: hosting, install WordPress, and export-ready content A safe switch starts with three basics: the right hosting plan, a verified install process, and a clean export of your content. Lock these down before you touch DNS so the new site mirrors the old one. Choose a WordPress-friendly host and plan Pick a managed hosting plan sized for your traffic and storage. Look for SSL, daily backups, and a staging area so you can preview changes safely. Install quickly via dashboard tools or one-click installers You can install wordpress using your host dashboard, Softaculous\/cPanel, or the manual five\u2011minute installer. Use the host&#8217;s tools to speed setup and keep credentials handy. Audit your Squarespace content and export the XML Generate the XML at Settings &gt; Advanced &gt; Import\/Export and download the file. The export includes pages, one blog and posts, galleries, and text\/embed blocks. Note: products, audio\/video, custom CSS, folders, index pages, and extra blogs won\u2019t be in the XML and need manual rebuilding. Backups, access, and timing to minimize downtime Confirm access to both hosting and your Squarespace settings so you don\u2019t hunt for logins mid-work. Schedule the migration in low traffic time and keep the current site live until QA is complete. Store the XML file securely and test imports on staging before you switch DNS. Need Managed Host One-Click Installer Benefit SSL &amp; Backups Included Enabled via dashboard Security and quick restore Staging Yes Accessible in control panel Safe testing Install Speed Minutes One click or manual Fast setup For a full, practical walkthrough on how to handle the import export and staging steps, see this proper migration guide. How to move from squarespace to wordpress step by step This section gives a compact, actionable process so you can export content, run the importer, update DNS, and match permalinks without losing rankings. Export a WordPress-compatible XML file In your Squarespace settings go to Settings &gt; Advanced &gt; Import\/Export and choose the WordPress option. Download the XML file \u2014 this is the single file you&#8217;ll upload in WordPress. Import using Tools &gt; Import &gt; WordPress Open your WordPress dashboard, go to Tools &gt; Import &gt; WordPress, click Install Now, then Run Importer. Upload the XML file and follow prompts to map authors. Assign authors, attachments, and verify content Assign posts to existing or new authors during import. Note: the import attachments option often fails to fetch images, so plan a separate plugin step for media. After import, check that pages and posts render correctly. Confirm headings, body text, and embeds display as expected. Update DNS and preserve legacy permalinks Only update DNS at your registrar or host after QA is complete. Keep the old site live during propagation to avoid downtime. Set permalinks to match legacy patterns. For many blogs the custom structure \/blog-1\/%year%\/%monthnum%\/%day%\/%postname%\/ preserves old URLs and protects SEO. Export via Settings &gt; Advanced &gt; Import\/Export and save the XML file. Run Tools &gt; Import &gt; WordPress in your dashboard and upload the file. Assign authors, verify pages and posts, and note any missing media. Update DNS only after full QA and set permalinks to match legacy URLs. For official import notes and troubleshooting, check the Squarespace import help on WordPress: Import from Squarespace. Auto upload images from your Squarespace site into WordPress A simple workflow lets you fetch every external image and replace links across posts and pages. This avoids manual downloads and ensures images are served locally for better performance and SEO. Capture external<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10940,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[19,16,1],"tags":[312,311,315,313,309,307,314,310,308],"class_list":["post-10938","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hosting","category-web-hosting","category-wordpress","tag-building-a-wordpress-site","tag-content-migration-tips","tag-preserving-search-engine-rankings","tag-seo-best-practices","tag-seo-rankings-preservation","tag-squarespace-to-wordpress-migration","tag-transfer-squarespace-to-wordpress","tag-website-design-consistency","tag-website-migration-strategy"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/boostedhost.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10938","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/boostedhost.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/boostedhost.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/boostedhost.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/boostedhost.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10938"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/boostedhost.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10938\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10976,"href":"https:\/\/boostedhost.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10938\/revisions\/10976"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/boostedhost.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10940"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/boostedhost.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10938"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/boostedhost.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10938"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/boostedhost.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10938"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}