Exporting your website design from Wix and moving it to Squarespace can be challenging, as there is no direct migration tool between these two platforms. However, with careful planning and execution, you can successfully transfer your site’s content, layout, and functionality. This guide explains the step-by-step process to ensure a smooth transition while minimizing disruptions to your website.
Understanding the Limitations
Before starting, it is important to recognize that Wix and Squarespace are both closed platforms. This means that you cannot simply export your Wix website and import it into Squarespace. Instead, you will need to manually rebuild your website on Squarespace by transferring content, redesigning layouts, and adjusting settings.
Step 1: Backup Your Wix Website
Since Wix does not provide an official export function, manually saving your site content is essential:
- Copy Text Content: Open each page of your website and copy the text into a document.
- Download Images: Save all images and media files from Wix to your computer.
- Record Design Details: Take screenshots of your current Wix layout for reference.
Step 2: Choose a Squarespace Template
Squarespace offers a variety of pre-designed templates that you can customize. Select a template that closely resembles your Wix design to make the transition easier.
Some key factors to consider when choosing a template include:
- The structure of your website (blog, portfolio, business site, etc.).
- Customization options and flexibility.
- Mobile responsiveness and SEO features.
Step 3: Rebuild Your Website on Squarespace
After selecting a template, start recreating your Wix website on Squarespace by following these steps:
1. Set Up Site Structure
Create pages that correspond to those on your Wix site. Use Squarespace’s page management system to organize them properly.
2. Add Content
Manually input the text and images you saved from Wix. Use Squarespace’s content blocks to format text, images, and videos.
3. Customize the Design
Adjust fonts, colors, and layouts in the Squarespace design editor to match your original website as closely as possible.
4. Configure Navigation
Ensure your site’s menu structure and links match your Wix site for a consistent user experience.
Step 4: Set Up SEO and Other Settings
To maintain your site’s visibility, pay attention to the following:
- Update meta titles and descriptions to match what you had in Wix.
- Set up redirects if your URLs are different in Squarespace.
- Enable SSL and adjust other security settings.
Step 5: Connect Your Domain
If you previously purchased a domain through Wix, you will need to transfer or connect it to Squarespace:
- If your domain is registered with Wix, you can transfer it to Squarespace or update the DNS settings to point to your new site.
- If your domain is with another provider, update the DNS settings using Squarespace’s instructions.
It is recommended to do this toward the end of the migration to avoid downtime.
Step 6: Test Your Website
Before officially launching your new Squarespace website:
- Check links, buttons, and site navigation.
- Ensure all images and text are displayed correctly.
- Test your website on different devices to confirm it is mobile-friendly.
- Run an SEO audit to verify that meta descriptions, alt text, and other elements are correctly set.
Step 7: Publish Your Site and Monitor Its Performance
Once everything is in place, publish your Squarespace site. Keep an eye on traffic and SEO rankings to identify any issues that may emerge after the transition. It’s normal to see a small dip in rankings after migration, but with proper SEO and maintenance, your site should recover.
Final Thoughts
While there’s no automated way to export your Wix website design to Squarespace, following these steps will help you recreate your site efficiently. The key to a successful migration is organization—having a clear plan, backing up your content, and taking time to customize the new site to match your previous design.
By taking the necessary precautions and making thoughtful adjustments, you can ensure your new Squarespace site is not only similar to your Wix site but also optimized for better performance and scalability.