Step-by-Step Guide: Moving Your Website From GoDaddy to Squarespace
Moving from GoDaddy to Squarespace requires careful planning and execution. Here's how to make the transition smoothly:
What You Can Transfer
- Domains: Transfer existing GoDaddy domains to Squarespace
- Website content: Must be manually recreated (no direct import available)
Keep Your GoDaddy Site Active
Maintain your GoDaddy site until the new Squarespace site is ready. Set your in-progress Squarespace site to private with password protection to avoid duplicate sites appearing in search results.
Step-by-Step Migration Process
- Create Your New Squarespace Site
- Start a 14-day free trial
- Choose a template or create custom design
- Add and organize pages
- Upload fresh content
- Customize site styles
Content Migration Tips:
- Clear text formatting when copying content
- Optimize images for responsive design
- Follow Squarespace's launch checklist
- Domain Transfer
- Transfer domain from GoDaddy to Squarespace (recommended)
- Alternative: Connect existing domain if transfer isn't possible
- Option to register new domain through Squarespace
- Select and Upgrade Plan
- Choose monthly or annual billing
- Annual plans include free domain for first year
- Keep site private until ready to launch
- Cancel GoDaddy Services
- Verify successful content migration
- Ensure domain transfer completion
- Cancel unnecessary GoDaddy services
Key Considerations
SEO Impact:
- Platform changes may temporarily affect rankings
- Squarespace provides built-in SEO optimization
- Follow best practices to maintain search visibility
Mobile Optimization:
- Automatic responsive design
- Built-in mobile style customization
- Cross-device compatibility
Additional Features:
- Contributor access for team collaboration
- Custom code integration (CSS, Code Blocks)
- 24/7 customer support
- Optional expert marketplace for professional help
Remember to document your current site structure and content before beginning the migration process. This ensures nothing is overlooked during the transition.
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