Import Your Blog to Squarespace
TL;DR:
- You can import content from WordPress, Blogger, or Tumblr to Squarespace
- This is a one-time import only – future updates need to be added manually
- WordPress users need version 3.2 or higher and should disable plugins first
- Blogger sites must be public with full feed settings enabled
- Tumblr users need to remove Ask/Answer posts before importing
- Large WordPress sites work better with advanced import using XML files
- Common issues include interrupted imports and missing images
Preparing for Import
Start by creating your new Squarespace site at squarespace.com. The import process only works once, so any content you add to your original platform after importing won't automatically sync to Squarespace.
Back up your original blog content before you begin. This protects you if anything goes wrong during the transfer.
Platform-Specific Requirements
WordPress
Your WordPress site needs to be version 3.2 or higher for the import to work. Disable all plugins before starting – they often interfere with the import process.
Squarespace can only import WordPress-generated XML files. Custom databases or third-party exports won't work.
Blogger
Make sure your Blogger site is publicly accessible. Private blogs can't be imported.
Change your blog feed setting to 'Full' in your Blogger dashboard. This ensures all your content gets pulled across, not just excerpts.
Tumblr
Remove any Ask/Answer posts before importing. Squarespace doesn't support these post types and they'll cause the import to fail.
Stick to standard Tumblr post formats: text, images, audio, video, quotes, links, and chat posts all work fine.
How to Import Your Content
WordPress
You have two options:
Basic Import works for smaller sites with straightforward content. Just enter your WordPress URL in the Squarespace import panel.
Advanced Import is better for larger or more complex sites. Export an XML file from your WordPress dashboard (Tools > Export > All Content), then upload this file to Squarespace through the import panel.
Blogger and Tumblr
Use the Import panel in your Squarespace dashboard and enter your blog's URL. The system will automatically fetch your content.
For Tumblr, double-check you've deleted those Ask/Answer posts first.
Fixing Common Problems
If your import gets interrupted, Squarespace will try to restart it automatically. Check the 'Import & export content' panel for status updates.
Missing images usually happen when posts contain more than 100 images. Squarespace has block limits that cause this. Split large posts across multiple pages or reduce the number of images.
For WordPress imports that keep failing, try exporting smaller chunks of content instead of your entire site at once. Large databases can overwhelm the import system.
FAQs
Can I import my content multiple times?
No, it's a one-time process. Any new content needs to be added manually to your Squarespace site.
Why do images disappear when I edit imported posts?
This happens when a page has more than 100 images due to Squarespace's block limits. Reduce the number of images or split the content across multiple pages.
My WordPress import keeps failing. What should I do?
Check your WordPress version is 3.2 or higher and disable all plugins. For large sites, try exporting and importing content in smaller segments.
Will my comments transfer over?
No, comments don't import. You'll need to set up a new commenting system on your Squarespace site.
Jargon Buster
XML File – A structured file format that packages your blog content for transfer between different platforms
Blog Feed – Settings that control how your blog content is shared and syndicated to other services
Block Limits – Squarespace's restriction on how many content blocks can exist on a single page
Wrap-up
Moving your blog to Squarespace doesn't have to be complicated. Follow the specific steps for your platform and you'll have your content transferred smoothly. The key is preparation – back up your content, check your platform requirements, and clean up any incompatible post types before you start.
If you run into problems, work through the troubleshooting steps or contact Squarespace support directly. They're usually quick to help with import issues.
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