What Squarespace's export includes
From Settings, Squarespace creates an .xml file intended for importing into WordPress (help centre). It is built for WordPress; other platforms may not read it.
| Part of your site | In the export? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Layout (basic) pages | Yes | Text and image blocks; embed and Instagram blocks as text only. |
| Blog | One blog only | Its posts and up to 1,000 comments each. Pick a primary blog if you have several. |
| Gallery pages | Yes, on version 7.0 sites | |
| Store, album, portfolio, index, calendar pages | No | Rebuilt by hand. |
| Products | Separate CSV | Up to 10,000 (each variant counts). No reviews, featured or variant images, or alt text (help). |
| Audio, video and product blocks, dropdowns | No | |
| Headers, footers, sidebars, drafts | No | |
| Styles and custom CSS | No | The design is rebuilt on the new platform. |
| Domain bought from Squarespace | Transferable | Unlock it and request a transfer code. Squarespace charges no fee; the process can take up to 15 days (help). |
Step by step, without losing Google rankings
- Download the export file (Settings, then Import and export) and the products CSV, and save any PDFs and full-size images separately.
- Note what the export skips: store, portfolio, index and calendar pages, extra blogs, headers and footers. Those get rebuilt by hand.
- Import into WordPress (Tools, then Import, then WordPress) on the new site while Squarespace stays live, then rebuild the design and the skipped pages.
- Map old URLs to new ones. Squarespace's sitemap (yoursite.ca/sitemap.xml) lists them; add a permanent (301) redirect for each address that changes.
- Switch the domain: point it at the new host or transfer it out of Squarespace, then submit the new sitemap in Google Search Console.
- Cancel Squarespace last, after checking forms, checkout and email on the new site.
Squarespace blog posts and product pages have their own URL patterns. If the new site uses different ones, each old address needs a redirect. The WordPress import brings the content across but not the redirects.
Where to move to
Squarespace's export is made for WordPress, so WordPress is the natural destination, either WordPress.com (managed) or self-hosted. Moving a store, look at Shopify or WooCommerce. Compare in Squarespace vs WordPress and see costs on the WordPress pricing page.
Doing it yourself vs having it done
A small site with one blog moves reasonably well with the export and an afternoon of clean-up. Have it done when you have a store, several blogs, portfolio or index pages, or search rankings that bring in work. Those parts don't export, and they're where a rushed move costs you.
Questions people ask
Can I export my whole Squarespace site?
No. Squarespace exports layout pages, one blog, and text and image blocks in a WordPress-format XML file. Store, album, portfolio and index pages, extra blogs, styles and custom CSS don't export. Products export separately as a CSV.
How long does it take to move a domain from Squarespace?
Squarespace says a transfer can take up to 15 days after you unlock the domain and give the transfer code to the new provider. It charges no fee to transfer away; the new provider may charge for the transfer or renewal.
Will moving from Squarespace hurt my SEO?
Not if each old URL redirects (301) to the matching new page and the content comes across. Submit the new sitemap in Google Search Console and fix any 404s it reports in the first few weeks.
Sources
Each checked October 22, 2026. Platforms change prices often; their own page is the final word.