How to Transfer Your Old Website to a New Squarespace Site
Is your old website in need of a modern makeover? Transferring your existing website to Squarespace is a fantastic way to give your online presence a fresh, professional look. Squarespace’s user-friendly platform makes it easier than ever to create a stunning site without the need for extensive coding knowledge.
How to Migrate Your Old Website to a Brand New Squarespace Site:
Whether you’re firmly standing at the very beginning of your new website journey, or halfway there, review the following steps to get your new website off to a great start.
Step 1: Plan Your Migration
Before you dive in, take some time to plan out your website migration. Consider what you want to keep, what needs updating, and any new features you want to add. Make a checklist of pages, content, and images you’ll need to transfer.
Step 2: Choose a Squarespace Template
This is where we come in! Choose one of our templates to get your website on a strategic path toward sales and leads. Choose one that aligns with your brand and vision. The template you select will form the foundation of your new website, so pick one that you love and that works well for your content.
Step 3: Set Up Your Squarespace Account
If you don’t already have a Squarespace account, sign up for one. Squarespace offers an initial two-week free trial, so you can get the lay of the land without any upfront costs. MorningMade Squarespace templates come with a 6-month free trial so you can perfect every detail of your new site before launching! Once you’ve signed up, you can start setting up your new site.
Step 4: Organize Your Content
Gather all the content you’ll be transferring from your old website. This includes text, images, videos, and any other media. Organize these files in folders on your computer so that they’re easy to access when you start the migration process.
Step 5: Create Your New Site Structure
Set up the basic structure of your new Squarespace site. This includes creating pages, navigation menus, and adding any necessary sections. Some of the essential pages may include: Home, About, Services, Blog, Shop, and Contact. Our templates come with an optional structure already in place.
Step 6: Transfer Your Content
Copy and paste the content from your old website to your new Squarespace site. This is a great opportunity to revise and upgrade your current content. Start with the text and then add images and other media.
Need to import an existing blog? Check out this Squarespace how-to article about importing blog posts from popular blog platforms like Wordpress and Blogger. Something to consider: the importing process does not copy images over, so you have to add those back into your posts manually.
Step 7: Customize Your Design
Use Squarespace’s design tools to customize the fonts, colors, and even edit layouts to match your brand’s identity and voice. Use our “Saved Sections” to add cohesive elements like strategic calls to action to the pages of your website.
Step 8: Set Up Your Shop
If your website includes a storefront, be sure to create a Stripe payment processor account, and set up your store listings. Whether you’re selling digital or physical products, an integrated online storefront can be a wonderful and seamless way to sell your wares.
Step 9: Optimize for SEO
Ensure your new site is optimized for search engines. Use Squarespace’s SEO tools to add meta descriptions, keywords, and alt text for images.
Step 10: Set Up Analytics
Squarespace makes it easy to connect your site to Google Analytics. This will help you track your site’s performance and gain insights into your visitors’ behavior. Set up analytics to monitor traffic, user engagement, and other important metrics.
Step 11: Test Your Site
Before you go live, thoroughly test your new Squarespace site. Check all links and forms to ensure everything is working correctly. Preview your site on different devices to make sure it looks great on desktops and smartphones using the “Desktop View” and “Mobile View” toggle in the top right corner of your Squarespace page editor.
Step 12: Connect Your Domain
Once you’re satisfied with your new site, it’s time to connect your domain. If you already have a domain, you can transfer it to Squarespace or connect it to your new site. Follow Squarespace’s instructions for domain setup to ensure a smooth transition. Most new Squarespace subscriptions also come with a free domain, so you can select one at that time as well.
Step 13: Launch Your New Site
Congratulations! You’re ready to launch your new Squarespace site. Double-check everything one last time, then hit the publish button. Share your new site with your audience and start enjoying the benefits of your beautiful and strategic website.
Bonus Tips:
Leverage Squarespace’s Help Resources: Squarespace offers extensive support and resources, including guides, tutorials, and a helpful customer service team. If you run into any issues, don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance.
Keep Your Audience Informed: Let your audience know about the upcoming change. Announce the launch date on your social media channels and email newsletter to build anticipation and ensure a smooth transition for your visitors.
Transferring your old website to a new Squarespace site might seem like a big task, but with some careful planning and a bit of creativity, you'll have a stunning new site in no time. Follow these steps, and you'll be amazed at how your refreshed online presence can elevate your brand and engage your audience like never before.
Is it time for a new website?
Does your site need a little TLC, or could you use a full blown website facelift? Find out now with our Web Design Evaluation, and get working toward a website you’re proud to share with the world.
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