While Squarespace is great for building beautiful websites, Shopify offers the tools you need to grow and manage an online store more effectively. Migrating your online store from Squarespace to Shopify may sound like a big task, but with the right steps, it’s simpler than you think. 

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the entire process, from transferring your products and content to setting up your Shopify store for success, and you can do it all by yourself!

Let’s get started!

Why Migrate from Squarespace to Shopify?

If you’re considering transferring from Squarespace to Shopify, here’s why Shopify might be a better platform for your business:

• Shopify was built specifically for online stores, making it powerful for e-commerce. Squarespace is more general-purpose and may not be as strong for online sales.
• Shopify has better marketing tools, easily connecting with platforms like Google and Facebook, which is great for ads and promotions. Squarespace doesn’t match up in this area.
• Shopify offers more room for customization, which is good whether you know how to code or not. Squarespace is simpler but less flexible, which can limit how unique your site looks.
• Shopify supports many more payment methods, over 100, including Google Pay and various credit/debit card options, making shopping easy for customers. Squarespace only has a few, like PayPal and Stripe, which could turn some customers away.
• Shopify is designed with SEO in mind, helping your products show up in search results and get more traffic. Squarespace’s SEO capabilities aren’t as strong, which might slow your traffic growth.
• Shopify’s app store has a wide variety of third-party apps to add features and improve your store. Squarespace has fewer options, which might not cover all your needs. through chat, email, and phone, ensuring you always have help whenever you need it.

Now that you know the benefits and advantages of Shopify over Squarespace, let’s get to the fun part!

Before Migrating from Squarespace to Shopify

Before migrating your store from Squarespace to Shopify, it’s imperative to be prepared and organized. This section will guide you through three fundamental steps to ensure a smooth transition.

Step 1: Back up Your Squarespace Store

Your store database is the backbone of your online business, housing all pertinent information, such as products, prices, customers, and orders. Safeguarding this data by creating a backup is paramount. This ensures you have a fallback in the event of unforeseen challenges during the migration.

1.1. Exporting Content

This covers essential components like blogs, text, and images. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Navigate to the Home menu and select “Settings.”
2. Proceed to “Import & Export Content.”
3. Choose “Export.”

4. Click on the WordPress icon. This action converts your Squarespace blog posts into a format compatible with Shopify.

5. If multiple blog pages exist, a prompt stating “Select Primary Blog” will appear. Select your primary blog from the provided options and initiate the “Export.”
6. Patiently wait for the exportation process to finalize. Duration varies based on your website’s content volume.
7. Upon completion, download the provided file.

8. Conclude by saving the .xml file once downloaded.

1.2. Export Orders or Products

Preserving order history and product details is crucial. Here’s how to export them to a CSV file:

1. Under the Home Menu, opt for Commerce and then select either “Orders” or “Inventory” based on your preference.
2. Initiate the “Export all” option.

3. If specificity is desired, individual products can be selected and exported from the Inventory Panel.

1.3. Export Customer Data

A comprehensive customer database can assist in future marketing campaigns and improve customer relationships. Here’s how to back it up:

1. Within the Customers view, locate the “…” icon situated at the top right.
2. Opt for “Export all profiles,” followed by a confirmation click.

3. The resulting .csv file encapsulates detailed customer profiles, order histories, expenditures, and more.

Step 2: Build a new Shopify store

Setting up a Shopify account is a breeze. Whether you’re looking for a brief exploration through a trial or diving straight in with a subscription, Shopify caters to all.

2.1. Kick off with a Free Trial

Venturing into Shopify’s ecosystem is smooth sailing with its user-friendly free trial. No strings attached with credit card details, just simple steps to have your store up in no time:

1. Visit the official Shopify site: Shopify Website.

2. Spot the “Start free trial” prompt, usually at the page’s upper right.
3. Fill in the necessary details. Remember, adjustments to this data can be made later. 

Once done, you’re greeted with your spanking new Shopify dashboard. 

2.2. Pick Your Ideal Shopify Plan

Once your trial plan concludes, a commitment in the form of a subscription becomes essential to continue your Shopify journey. Here’s a breakdown to guide your choice:

• Basic Shopify ($39/month) – Perfect for newcomers to eCommerce, this plan provides essential tools to launch your online store, including a website, shopping cart, and built-in blog.
• Shopify ($105/month) – Designed for growing businesses, this plan expands on the basics with detailed reports, gift card functionality, discount codes, and an abandoned cart recovery feature to boost conversions.
• Advanced Shopify ($399/month) – Ideal for high-volume businesses, this plan includes everything in the Shopify tier, plus real-time shipping rates, advanced reporting, and enhanced sales automation for a more streamlined operation.

Step 3: Set up the basic information

Essential details to consider:

• Name: Decide on a catchy, memorable store name.
• Address: Provide a physical location for authenticity and operational clarity.
• Contact Methods: Include email and phone details for customer inquiries.
• Transaction and Delivery: Implement the right payment gateways like Shopify Payments or PayPal, and establish clear shipping policies and zones.

4 steps to input your basic information:

1. Login Access: Begin by signing into your Shopify account.
2. Navigate Settings: Proceed to the “Settings” section on your dashboard.
3. Enter General Details: Access the “General” subsection and input your primary data.
4. Accuracy Check: Ensure all details are correctly entered, as these directly interface with your customers.

How to Migrate from Squarespace to Shopify: A Detailed Guide

In this section, I’ll walk you through the steps to seamlessly migrate Squarespace to Shopify in 3 methods.

Method 1: Manual Data Migration

How to Migrate Product Data Manually

Step 1: Export Product Data from Squarespace

• Navigate to Commerce via the Home Menu, then opt for Inventory.

• Select the ‘Export all‘ option.

Step 2: Import Product Data into Shopify

• Head to your Shopify admin area. Go to Products and choose ‘Import‘.

• Either drag the CSV file or search and select it.

• After selecting the file, choose ‘Upload and Continue’, then keep clicking ‘Next’ until the import initiates.

How to Migrate Customer Data Manually

Step 1: Export Customer Data from Squarespace

1. Within the ‘Customers‘ section, locate and click the “…” icon situated at the top right.
2. Click ‘Export all profiles‘ and then confirm. This action produces a CSV file inclusive of customer details, total orders, and expenditure, making it invaluable for marketing initiatives.

Step 2: Import Customer Data into Shopify

1. Access the ‘Customers‘ section from your Shopify admin page and then select ‘Import‘.

2. Like before, drag or select your CSV file.

3. Finally, hit the “Import Customers” button to complete the process.

Method 2: Automated migration using an importer app

Some of the migration tools available to move your store from Squarespace to Shopify are LitExtension, Cart2Cart, HulkApps, and more. LitExtension is one of the renowned automated migration tools. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to employ this tool:

Migrating your online store from Squarespace to Shopify can be streamlined using specialized third-party migration services. Notable options include:

• LitExtension Store Migration
• Cart2Cart Store Migration App
• Migration Pro: Store Migration

Below, I’ll take the LitExtension Store Migration app to demonstrate the steps

Step 1: Install the App

• From your Shopify App Store, look for the app and click Install

• Grant the app access to your Shopify store

Step 2: Set Up the Carts

• Create and log in to your Litextension account. Click Create New Migration on the top right corner.

• In the dropdown menu, choose ‘Squarespace’ as the source cart and input your store’s URL. Provide your email and password to finalize the source cart setup.
• Next, select ‘Shopify’ as the target cart and input the target store’s URL. Remember to enter your Shopify store’s API password. A helpful instruction guide is available to the right of the form for any assistance needed.

Step 3: Select the Data You Wish to Migrate:

• Use the ‘Select All’ option if you intend to migrate every piece of data from your store. However, if specific data like only products or customers are of interest, you can pick them individually.

• LitExtension introduces ‘Additional Options’ to enhance the migration process. These include the ability to clear data on the target store before migration or keep the original Product/Customer IDs.

Step 4: Initiating the Migration Process:

• Before diving into full migration, LitExtension offers a ‘Demo Migration’. This showcases a snippet of how the migration will unfold with a limited data set. If you prefer, you can bypass this by clicking the ‘Skip Demo Migration’ button.

• The duration of the ‘Full Migration’ is determined by your store’s data volume. Once complete, an email will land in your inbox, signaling the end of the migration.

Method 3: Hire a Shopify Expert

If you lack time or technical skills, hiring a Shopify expert is an excellent option. These professionals specialize in Shopify store setup, data migration, and customization, ensuring your transition from Squarespace is smooth and efficient.

How to Choose an Expert:

• Visit the Shopify Experts Directory to find qualified professionals.
• Look at their past projects to assess their experience and quality of work.
• Read feedback from previous clients to understand their reliability and communication style.
• Ensure the expert has experience with Squarespace-to-Shopify migrations and understands your industry.
• Request a detailed quote and confirm that their pricing fits your budget.

Tips for Working with a Shopify Expert

• Outline what you want to achieve with the migration, including data to be transferred, design preferences, and SEO requirements.
• Establish clear channels for updates, questions, and feedback throughout the migration process.
• Agree on a realistic deadline for completing the migration and testing the new store.
• Ask the expert to test the migrated data, functionality, and design before making the store live.
• If needed, ask the expert to provide training or guides to manage your Shopify store effectively after migration.

What to Do After Migration

Step 1: Customize Shopify Theme Store 

When you open a Shopify account, a default theme is automatically set up in your admin dashboard. To create a visually appealing online store, you’ll need to customize your theme. If you prefer a different look, you can add a new theme from the Shopify admin.

How to Add a Free Theme

• Step 1: Go to Online Store > Themes in your Shopify admin.
• Step 2: Scroll to the Popular free themes section.
• Step 3: Click a theme to preview its features.
• Step 4: To add a theme:
  • Click “Add” next to your preferred theme.
  • To explore more, click “Visit Theme Store” and follow the steps to add a theme.

How to Add a Paid Theme

• Step 1: Visit the Shopify Theme Store.
• Step 2: Browse themes and select one that suits your store.
• Step 3: If still in your trial period, consider choosing a free theme to avoid charges.
• Step 4: To proceed:
  • Click “Buy theme” (for paid themes).
  • Approve the payment if purchasing a theme.

Step 2: Set Up Shipping

Configuring your shipping settings correctly ensures a seamless customer experience. Incorrect rates can lead to overcharging or undercharging, resulting in refunds or additional payment requests.

If you sell digital products or services, deactivate the shipping option since no physical goods are involved.

How to Set Up Shipping:

• Step 1: Verify your store’s address for accurate shipping rates. Add additional shipping locations if necessary.
• Step 2: Create shipping zones to define the regions where you deliver.
• Step 3: Configure carrier-calculated rates if applicable. Many carriers use package dimensions and weight to determine shipping costs.
• Step 4: Set shipping rates for each zone.
• Step 5: Choose a shipping strategy that aligns with your business needs.
• Step 6: Decide on order fulfillment—you can manage shipping yourself or use a third-party fulfillment service.

For detailed guidance on shipping and fulfillment, refer to “How to set up shipping on Shopify for dropshipping.”

Step 3: Configure Taxes

Sales tax requirements vary by region, so it’s important to set up tax rules that comply with your location’s regulations.

Tax Configuration Options

• Automatic tax calculations: Shopify applies taxes based on customers’ shipping destinations.
• Manual tax overrides: Adjust tax rates for specific regions or product collections with unique tax rules.

Step 4: Set Up a Payment Provider

To accept payments securely, you must activate a payment provider. Shopify offers Shopify Payments in select countries, along with various third-party options.

How to Set Up Payments

• Step 1: Select a payment provider from Shopify or a third-party provider.
• Step 2: Activate Shopify Payments or your chosen third-party provider.
• Step 3: Choose your payment capture settings—manual or automatic.

The detailed guide refers to “How to Set Up Shopify Payments & Additional Payment Methods.”

How to Configure Your Checkout

• Step 1: Set up order fulfillment and payment authorization.
• Step 2: Add store policies (refund, shipping, privacy) for customer transparency.
• Step 3: Configure customer information settings to collect emails for order updates and promotions.

Step 5: Place Test Orders

Testing transactions ensures that your checkout process is smooth for customers. You can simulate various order scenarios, including:

• Successful and failed transactions
• Refunding and canceling orders
• Fulfilling or partially fulfilling an order
• Archiving successful orders

During testing, you’ll receive the same email notifications as your customers. You can refine them via Settings > Notifications in your Shopify admin.

Step 6: Add Staff to Your Store

If you have a team helping manage your store, grant them access by adding staff accounts. Each staff member has unique login credentials, and you can set permissions to control their access to sensitive information.

For detailed staff management settings, visit “Avada’s staff accounts guide.”

Step 7: Set Up Your Domain

A custom domain strengthens your brand and makes your store easy to find. You can buy a new domain through Shopify or connect an existing domain.

How to Buy a Domain Through Shopify

• Step 1: Purchase a domain via Settings > Domains.
• Step 2: Set it as your primary domain so it appears in search results and on social media.
• Step 3: Enable email forwarding to redirect customer emails to your inbox.

How to Connect or Transferring an Existing Domain

• If using a third-party domain, point it to Shopify.
• Shopify’s URL structure may differ from your previous platform. Set up 301 redirects to ensure old links still work.

For a seamless migration, disconnect your domain from your previous platform before transferring it.

Read more: How to Transfer a Domain From Squarespace To Shopify

Potential Problems of Squarespace to Shopify Replatforming

Data Loss

Migrating from one platform to another often brings the risk of data loss to the forefront. The integrity of vital information like customer details, product listings, and order histories might be compromised during the shift. Several triggers can lead to this issue:

• Faulty data transfer techniques, where some data may not move as intended.
• Mistakes in data mapping, leading to misplaced or lost information.
• Situations where the data gets corrupted during the transfer, making it unusable or inaccessible.

⇒ Solution: 

The key to tackling this problem lies in preparation. Before diving into the migration, secure a comprehensive backup of all your Squarespace content. This acts as a safety net. Should you encounter any data inconsistencies or loss during migration, this backup allows you to reset and retry, ensuring no permanent data loss.

Broken Links

Transitions between platforms can lead to disruptions in site navigation, primarily due to the contrasting ways Squarespace and Shopify structure their URLs. This can result in broken links, which adversely affect user experience and SEO rankings.

⇒ Solution:

• Map out all the primary URLs from your Squarespace store. This initial assessment helps you pinpoint potential problem areas.
• Initiate a process of establishing URL redirects. These redirects ensure that when a user or a search engine tries to access an old URL, they are seamlessly directed to the appropriate new one on Shopify.
• Shopify’s inbuilt URL redirect functionality comes handy here. For more intricate requirements or bulk redirects, third-party applications specializing in 301 redirects can be explored.

Design and Functionality Issues

Transitioning to a new platform often leads to discrepancies in your website’s appearance and operation. Elements like images may not load correctly, certain content might go missing, or specific features might cease to function.

⇒ Solution:

• Take a systematic approach to examining your new Shopify store. Assess each page, feature, and element to ensure consistent performance.
• Addressing such issues might require expertise. Consider collaborating with a Shopify professional who can delve deep, identify, and rectify design or functionality hitches, ensuring a seamless user experience.

SEO Ranking Drop

A significant pitfall of platform migration is the potential decline in SEO standings. Without proper handling of SEO elements during the transition, you risk losing visibility on search engines.

⇒ Solution:

• Foremost, establish 301 redirects for all existing URLs. This ensures any traffic to old links is directed to the corresponding pages on Shopify, preserving link equity.
• Pay close attention to essential SEO elements. Ensure that metadata, including title tags, meta descriptions, and header tags, is not only transferred but also optimized for search engines to maintain or even improve your ranking.

Integrations and Customizations

Each e-commerce platform has its architecture and capabilities. Custom-built features or integrations on Squarespace might not translate seamlessly to Shopify.

⇒ Solution:

• Start by listing all the customizations and integrations present in your Squarespace setup.
• Evaluate each item’s importance and applicability to your Shopify store.
• For those deemed essential, research available Shopify solutions. This could mean exploring the Shopify App Store for equivalent functionalities or seeking a Shopify developer’s expertise to recreate custom elements tailored to the new platform.

What to Do with Your Old Squarespace Store After Replatforming?

Once you’ve made the leap to Shopify, deciding the fate of your former Squarespace store is crucial. Here are several strategies you might consider:

1. Completely Close the Squarespace Store:

This is a definitive move. It involves terminating your hosting agreement and wiping out all the website data. Opt for this if you see no further use for your Squarespace store and wish to cut down on unnecessary expenses.

2. Maintain the Squarespace Store:

Retaining your old store might be worthwhile if it holds valuable content or caters to a specific customer base. In doing so:

• Set up URL redirects to your new Shopify store to safeguard your SEO efforts.
• Place a clear notification on the Squarespace store’s landing page to inform visitors of your move to Shopify.

3. Archive Your Squarespace Store:

Archiving is a middle-ground solution. It involves backing up your Squarespace store’s data and safely storing it either on your local machine or cloud storage. This method is cost-effective and ensures that you have access to your old store’s content or data whenever needed, without the ongoing hosting expenses.

Whichever path you choose, it’s vital to consider the implications on your SEO, customer experience, and operational costs. Make sure to communicate any changes clearly to your customers to maintain trust and brand consistency.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Migrating from Squarespace to Shopify is a worthwhile investment in your business’s growth. By carefully planning and using the right methods, you can ensure a smooth transition. With the detailed instructions for the 3 methods above, you can choose to take a DIY or a professional approach.