Webflow to Squarespace Migration - Step-by-Step Guide & Expert Services

A Comprehensive Guide to Transitioning from Webflow to Squarespace

As your e-commerce business grows, the need for a more robust, scalable, or specialized platform often arises. If you've built your online store on Webflow and are now looking to transition to Squarespace, this guide is for you. Squarespace offers an intuitive, all-in-one platform known for its design-centric approach and integrated e-commerce features, making it an attractive destination for merchants seeking a streamlined solution.

Replatforming your store, or migrating your data, can seem daunting. It involves moving crucial assets like products, customer records, orders, and content while striving to maintain SEO rankings and data integrity. This article will walk you through a clear, step-by-step process for performing a smooth data transfer from Webflow (utilizing a CSV file export method due to Webflow's nature) to Squarespace, leveraging an automated migration tool.

Prerequisites for Migration

Before initiating the data transfer, careful preparation of both your source (Webflow) and target (Squarespace) platforms is essential to ensure a successful and seamless transition. Properly setting up both environments will prevent common pitfalls and facilitate a smoother journey for your valuable e-commerce data.

Preparing Your Source Store (Webflow via CSV)

• Data Export: Since Webflow doesn't offer a direct API connection for large-scale e-commerce data export in the same way traditional shopping carts do, the primary method for data transfer will be through CSV (Comma Separated Values) files. You will need to export your products (including SKUs and variants), product categories, customer data, and order history from Webflow into separate, well-organized CSV files. Ensure that all relevant fields are included and correctly formatted.
• Data Audit: Review your exported CSV files for accuracy and completeness. This is the ideal time to clean up any outdated or redundant information.
• Backup: Always create a full backup of your Webflow site and its database before proceeding with any data export or migration process.
• For more general guidance, consult our How to prepare Source store for migration? FAQ.

Preparing Your Target Store (Squarespace)

• Squarespace Account: Ensure you have an active Squarespace account and have initiated a new e-commerce store setup. You don't need to add products manually at this stage, as the migration will handle that.
• Install Migration App: Squarespace requires the installation of the Cart2Cart Squarespace Migration App to facilitate the API-based data transfer. This app acts as the bridge, enabling secure communication and data exchange between the migration service and your Squarespace store.
• API Access: Squarespace employs an API-only connection method. The Cart2Cart app will help establish the necessary API scopes and generate an Admin API access token required for the migration service to access and populate your store data. Remember that Squarespace has API rate limits, which the migration tool will manage, and HTTPS is required for secure connections.
• Review Target Options: Familiarize yourself with Squarespace's e-commerce capabilities. Note that specific data entities like Gift Cards are supported, along with Products, Categories, Reviews, Customers, Orders, Coupons, and CMS Pages.
• For more detailed information, please see our How to prepare Target store for migration? FAQ.

Performing the Migration: A Step-by-Step Guide

With your preparations complete, you're ready to use an automated migration tool like Cart2Cart to move your Webflow e-commerce data to Squarespace. Follow these steps carefully to ensure a smooth transition.

Step 1: Start Your Migration

Begin by accessing the migration wizard. This initial step will guide you through setting up your migration project.

Step 2: Connect Your Source Store (Webflow via CSV)

In the wizard, you will first specify your source platform. Since Webflow data is handled via CSV, select 'CSV File to Cart' from the dropdown menu. You will then be prompted to upload the CSV files you exported from your Webflow store containing your products, customer records, and orders. The system will validate these files to ensure they are properly formatted for migration.

As per the CsvToCart connection method, you can transfer various entities including Products, Product Categories, Product Reviews, Customers, Orders, Coupons, CMS Pages, and Blog Posts.

Step 3: Connect Your Target Store (Squarespace)

Next, select 'Squarespace' as your target shopping cart. The system will guide you to connect your Squarespace store using its API. This typically involves providing your Squarespace Admin URL and generating or entering an API key/access token within the Cart2Cart Squarespace Migration App installed on your Squarespace site. This establishes a secure link for data transfer. Remember, Squarespace connects via API only and requires the Cart2Cart Squarespace Migration App to be installed.

Step 4: Select Data Entities for Migration

This critical step allows you to choose exactly which types of data you want to move from your Webflow CSV files to your new Squarespace store. You can select all available entities with a single click or pick specific ones like products, customer records, orders, product categories, and even blog posts and CMS pages if applicable. For Squarespace, supported entities include Products, Product Categories, Products Reviews, Customers, Orders, CMS Pages, Gift Cards, Coupons, and Blogs Posts.

Step 5: Configure Additional Options and Data Mapping

Additional Migration Options

At this stage, you'll encounter a list of powerful additional migration options that can significantly enhance your replatforming process. We highly recommend reviewing these settings:

• Clear Target Store Data: The 'Clear Target' option allows you to remove any existing data from your Squarespace store before the migration, ensuring a clean slate. Read more about clearing current data on Target store before migration.
• Preserve Order IDs: This option retains the original order identification numbers, crucial for historical data and accounting. Find out how Preserve IDs options can be used.
• Migrate SEO URLs & Create 301 SEO URLs: These options are vital for maintaining your search engine rankings and link equity. They ensure that your old Webflow URLs are redirected to their new Squarespace counterparts, preventing broken links and preserving your SEO value.
• Migrate Images in Description: Ensures all product images embedded within product descriptions are transferred correctly.
• Migrate All Categories: This option ensures your full category hierarchy is moved.

Data Mapping Setup

After selecting additional options, you'll proceed to data mapping. This crucial step involves matching fields from your Webflow CSV data to the corresponding fields in Squarespace. For example, you'll map customer groups and order statuses to ensure data consistency and integrity. The intuitive interface guides you through matching your source data to the appropriate structures in your new Squarespace store.

Step 6: Run Demo Migration & Full Migration

Before committing to the full data transfer, it's highly recommended to perform a Free Demo Migration. This allows you to migrate a limited number of entities (e.g., 10 products, 10 customers, 10 orders) to your Squarespace store. Review the demo results thoroughly to ensure all data has transferred correctly and appears as expected. This helps identify any potential issues with data mapping or formatting before the full commitment.

Once satisfied with the demo, proceed with the Full Migration. During this phase, all selected data will be transferred from your Webflow CSV files to Squarespace. You may also consider adding a Migration Insurance Plan, which offers a set number of remigrations for a specific duration, providing peace of mind during your transition. You can learn more about how Migration Insurance works.

Be aware of Squarespace's API rate limits during the full migration, though the migration service is designed to handle these efficiently to prevent interruptions.

Post-Migration Steps

After your data has successfully been transferred to Squarespace, there are several vital post-migration tasks to ensure your new store is fully operational, optimized, and ready for customers.

• Thorough Data Verification: Systematically check all migrated data. Verify that products (SKUs, variants, images, descriptions), customer accounts, order histories, and CMS pages are accurate and complete. Pay special attention to pricing, inventory levels, and product categories.
• Configure SEO Settings: If you opted for 301 redirects during migration, verify their functionality. Update your sitemap in Squarespace and submit it to search engines. Check your metadata for products and pages to ensure SEO rankings are preserved.
• Test Store Functionality: Conduct comprehensive tests of all key e-commerce functionalities. This includes the entire checkout process, payment gateways, shipping calculations, contact forms, and any integrations with third-party apps.
• Update DNS and Domain: Once you are confident that your Squarespace store is fully functional, update your domain's DNS settings to point to your new Squarespace site. This will make your new store live to the public. Plan this step carefully to minimize downtime.
• Review and Optimize Design: Take advantage of Squarespace's powerful design tools to refine your store's aesthetics and user experience. Ensure your site is responsive and performs well on all devices.
• Ongoing Sync (Optional): If you continue to receive new orders on your old Webflow store during the transition period, consider a Recent Data Migration Service to transfer any new data that appeared after your full migration.
• Consider Remigration (Optional): If you find significant issues or need to update data, a Cart2Cart Remigration Service can help you perform another full or partial data transfer.

Migrating from Webflow to Squarespace is a strategic move that can significantly enhance your store's capabilities and user experience. By following this detailed guide, you can ensure a smooth, secure, and successful transition, setting your business up for continued growth on its new platform. If you encounter any challenges or require assistance, do not hesitate to contact us.