How to Successfully Transition from Mailchimp to Squarespace

Switch from Mailchimp to Squarespace Email Campaigns

TL;DR:

• Export your Mailchimp contacts as a CSV file and import them into Squarespace Email Campaigns
• Start with a free trial to test the platform before committing to a paid plan
• Use Squarespace's design tools to create emails that match your website's branding
• Keep both platforms running during the transition, then disconnect Mailchimp when ready
• Choose a paid plan based on your list size and email frequency needs

Moving your email marketing from Mailchimp to Squarespace Email Campaigns makes sense if you want everything in one place. The integration keeps your emails consistent with your website design, and managing everything from one dashboard saves time.

Getting Started with the Free Trial

Before switching completely, test Squarespace Email Campaigns with their free trial. You can build mailing lists and send up to three campaigns without paying anything. Automations aren't available during the trial, but you'll get a good sense of how the platform works.

Keep your Mailchimp account active during this testing phase. This way, you can still send emails if needed while you're getting familiar with the new system.

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Moving Your Contacts Over

The contact transfer process is straightforward:

1. Go to your Mailchimp account and export your contacts as a CSV file
2. Make sure the CSV has email addresses in the first column, first names in the second, and last names in the third
3. Upload this file to your Squarespace Email Campaigns dashboard

If you run into problems exporting from Mailchimp, their support team can help sort it out.

Building Your Lists in Squarespace

Once your existing contacts are imported, set up ways to grow your list directly through your Squarespace site:

• Add newsletter signup blocks to your pages
• Create promotional pop-ups for new visitors
• Include email signup options at checkout

If you're not ready to fully commit yet, you can run both systems in parallel. Just make sure people aren't getting duplicate emails.

Creating Your First Campaign

Squarespace's email builder works similarly to their website editor:

1. Click 'Create' then 'Blast' in your Email Campaigns dashboard
2. Pick a template or start from scratch
3. Add your content using the drag-and-drop editor
4. Customize colors, fonts, and layouts to match your brand

The design tools are intuitive if you're already familiar with Squarespace's website builder.

Choosing Your Plan

Look at your current Mailchimp usage to pick the right Squarespace plan. Consider your list size and how often you send emails. You can pay monthly or annually, with annual plans offering some savings.

Making the Final Switch

Once you're comfortable with Squarespace Email Campaigns and have sent a few successful campaigns:

• Cancel your Mailchimp subscription
• Remove any Mailchimp integrations from your website
• Update any documentation or processes your team uses

FAQs

Can I import campaign history from Mailchimp?
No, only contact data transfers over. You'll start fresh with campaign history in Squarespace.

What happens to my Mailchimp automations?
You'll need to rebuild these in Squarespace Email Campaigns. Plan this out before making the switch.

Can I still use Mailchimp forms on my site?
Yes, but it defeats the purpose of consolidating. Switch to Squarespace forms to keep everything connected.

Are there any features I'll lose switching from Mailchimp?
Mailchimp has more advanced segmentation and automation features. Make sure Squarespace covers your essential needs before switching.

Jargon Buster

CSV file: A simple file format for storing data in rows and columns, like a basic spreadsheet that different platforms can read

Blast campaigns: Single emails sent to your entire list or a segment of subscribers at once

Automations: Emails that send automatically based on triggers like someone signing up or making a purchase

Get a 20% discount on your first Squarespace subscription (annual or monthly).

Wrap-up

Switching from Mailchimp to Squarespace Email Campaigns works best when you want everything in one place and value design consistency. The process is straightforward, but take your time with the transition. Test thoroughly during the free trial, and don't rush to cancel Mailchimp until you're confident the new setup meets your needs.

Ready to dive deeper into Squarespace email marketing? Check out our comprehensive guides and tutorials at Pixelhaze Academy.