If you are reading this and asking yourself, “Should I switch from SquareSpace to WordPress” then you are probably starting to see some of the benefits that WordPress offers. But, is the change worth it? How do you make the switch, and why should you?
Let’s get to it so you can take the next step toward making your little space on the internet, one you enjoy!
Why should you switch from Squarespace to WordPress?
If you are looking to take your website to the next level and reach a wider audience, then we highly recommend WordPress. If you have had any kind of conversations with us, you know how much we adore WordPress.
It is user-friendly and has a ton of options for customizing. It also allows for plenty of plug-ins and WordPress theme options.
If you are experiencing limitations with your current website builder, more specifically Squarespace, it is time for the switch.
If you are starting a new site, just head to WordPress. Let us tell you why you should consider WordPress, over Squarespace.
Business owners, heads up! If you are running a business, you need a website. Sure, you don’t have time to create an online store from scratch. You want it to be easy. The first step is assessing your needs and checking to see if the CMS (Content Management System) is the one for you.
The Squarespace Limitations
Squarespace is undoubtedly a great website builder, but it has its limitations. What if you want to add a feature that Squarespace doesn’t offer? What if you want to customize your website to your liking but Squarespace doesn’t allow for it? This is where WordPress comes in handy.
WordPress offers endless customization possibilities and third-party plugins that allow you to add more functionality to your website. The ease of use with WordPress is unparalleled. There are easy steps to get your site up and running with Squarespace. Thinking about having a new WordPress website may seem daunting, but when you experience both, you will know why it should have been the first thing you did.
SEO and Analytics
Squarespace only allows for basic SEO and analytics features. This means you are limited in optimizing your website and tracking its performance.
WordPress, on the other hand, has various plugins that allow you to optimize your website for search engines and track its performance so you know if the content you are putting out is of interest.
This process helps you understand what content your audience is engaging with and what needs improvement. When you create new pages on a WordPress site, you can rest assured that Google will begin seeing it as long as you have optimized it.
By the way, if you are not using SEO practices for your content, it’s a good idea to start. Even the most basic pages in the process of website building should be optimized.
There is definitely a learning curve when working with page builders, despite what CMS you are using. Having worked with both, and many other CMSystems, creating a new website is much easier with WordPress.
WordPress Flexibility
With WordPress, you have the freedom to migrate your website to a different hosting provider or to your own hosting. With Squarespace, you are limited to their hosting only. This means that if you outgrow your current hosting plan, you have to upgrade to a more expensive plan, or worse, switch to a different website builder altogether.
A bonus though is that managed WordPress hosting does take the hassle out of the technical side. Managed hosting is like having a personal support team to ensure your site runs smoothly. The WordPress dashboard alone offers so much more customization and flexibility with your options.
CMS Support
The CMS, WordPress, is a champ at managing your content. No more squabbles over organizing your articles and media files.
WordPress has a huge community of developers, designers, and users who are always ready to help with any issues you experience. Squarespace has a smaller community, which means you might have to wait longer to get help when you need it.
If you choose to go your own route, we have a referral for you. Our WordPress resource is Daniyal Mehroz. He is the only person, other than us, who has access to our site. We trust him completely. He is the WordPress master!
WordPress vs. Squarespace Cost
While Squarespace’s pricing plans may seem cheaper than WordPress, it’s important to note that, as stated, you are limited to their hosting only. This means that, as your website grows in traffic and content, you may have to upgrade to a more expensive plan.
With WordPress, you have the freedom to choose your hosting provider, and there are affordable hosting options available. Plus, WordPress is open-source software, which means you don’t have to pay for any licensing fees.
Blogging Made Easier
WordPress is designed for bloggers. It used to be the only go-to in the blogging sphere. No matter what type of site you have, even if it is not a WordPress website, you should have one blog page and create blog content in your niche.
You can create a dedicated blog page showcasing all your awesome content while driving traffic to your site. Just ask a successful blogger what CMS they use. We are willing to bet that they are WordPress users.
Images Made Easy
If you have used another CMS, you will love the ease of uploading images. You can auto-upload images with WordPress. They are just a click away, making your blog posts pop effortlessly.
Once the images are in your media library, you can use them as much as you want, with ease. Importing external images is quick and easy, without a lot of lagging and delay. Same as the process to import file attachments. You simply click upload file, like you would when you import images, and voila! It’s done.
Switching to WordPress will elevate your blogging game, giving you more control and customization. It’s an adventure worth taking in the world of content creation. If you are a new user in the website arena, then just trust us that WordPress is a great option for you.
Making the Switch
Switching from Squarespace to WordPress may sound daunting, but the good news is that it’s a step towards achieving a more flexible, optimized, and feature-rich website. If you are leery about making the change yourself, just know that there is help available.
You do not have to change your domain name in order to move from your Squarespace site. You can seamlessly redirect it to your new WordPress site. No need to lose your online identity in the transition. This is important, especially for search engine optimization, that your domain transfer, especially if you have done a lot of work that Google is recognizing. You need to use an XML file to export your Squarespace content and smoothly import it into your new WordPress platform.
Simplified Step-by-Step Guide for Transitioning from Squarespace to WordPress
Hope we haven’t lost you yet. All of this is worth it, really. Hope these steps make it easier for you to make the switch.
Step 1: Choose a WordPress Host
Unlike Squarespace, WordPress needs a web hosting provider. You can use WordPress for your hosting or pick a host that specializes in WordPress. We use WordPress hosting and have had a wonderful experience. Hosting is the foundation for your online presence.
Step 2: Install WordPress
Some hosts may install WordPress for you. With WP Engine, use their user portal to install WordPress by following a few simple steps.
Step 3: Export Squarespace Content From Squarespace
Go to Settings > Advanced > Import/Export. Use the ‘exporter’ tool to save your content in .xml format optimized for WordPress.
Step 4: Import Squarespace Content into WordPress
Log into your WordPress Admin dashboard, and go to Tools > Import. Click ‘Run Importer,’ select the .xml file, and follow the upload process.
Step 5: Import Your Squarespace Images into WordPress
Install the Auto Upload Images plugin in WordPress. It automatically imports images from Squarespace to your WordPress media gallery. Then, it updates the image URLs.
These steps should help you have a seamless transition of your Squarespace content to WordPress.
What now?
The next thing is to use the customization options to make your website your own website. You can use contact forms, make style changes, pursue through free themes, or even install one of your own. Having control of your own website is a big deal.
Don’t forget, if all of this seems daunting to you, you can reach out to WordPress customer support, or our resource, Daniyal Mehroz.
Whether you are starting a new WordPress site, or diving fresh into the world of customization, WordPress makes it easy with customization possibilities. With bonuses like SEO and analytics plugins, migration flexibility, a supportive community, and cost-efficient hosting options, WordPress is undoubtedly the better choice.
So, why hesitate? Take the plunge and say goodbye to your old Squarespace website and make the switch to WordPress. We highly recommend it! Are you interested in starting your own blog? The best way to start is to read our ebook on The Ultimate Resource Guide for Starting Your Blog.
FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! We have just the person- our WordPress guru- Daniyal Mehroz.
While some initial performance fluctuations might occur during the transition, with proper optimization and best practices, WordPress can offer excellent speed and performance for your blog.
To ensure a smooth transition to WordPress without disrupting your readers’ experience, start by planning meticulously and backing up your Squarespace site. Choose a low-traffic time for the migration, maintain brand consistency, and set up proper redirects for URLs. Thoroughly test the new site for accuracy and functionality. Communicate the change to your audience in advance through various channels and engage with their feedback to address any concerns promptly. This careful approach will help maintain a seamless experience for your readers during the switch.
