Thinking about moving your website to WordPress.com? You’re not alone. Whether you’re leaving Squarespace to get more flexibility, tired of the maintenance with a self-hosted WordPress.org site, or just want a faster, more secure setup without the technical stress, WordPress.com offers a powerful, beginner-friendly solution.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to migrate to WordPress.com from common platforms like Squarespace or self-hosted WordPress, plus cover domain settings, common challenges, and why this move could be the smartest decision for your website.
Quick Answer: You can migrate your website to WordPress.com by exporting your content from your current platform, importing it using WordPress.com’s built-in tools, and optionally connecting your custom domain. The process is beginner-friendly and can be completed in under an hour.
Table of Contents:
- Why Migrate to WordPress.com?
- Method 1: Migrate from Squarespace to WordPress.com
- Method 2: Migrate from WordPress.org to WordPress.com
- Method 3: Migrate a WooCommerce Shop to WordPress.com Commerce
- Method 4: Use a Migration Plugin or App (Beginner-Friendly Tools)
- Domain and Hosting Considerations
- Common Issues and How to Fix Them
- FAQ
- Final Thoughts
Why Migrate to WordPress.com?
If you’re currently on a platform like Squarespace or WordPress.org, the decision to migrate might be rooted in one or more of the following:
✅ Less Maintenance
Unlike self-hosted WordPress, WordPress.com handles hosting, security, updates, backups, and performance optimization for you.
✅ Built-in Features
You get a full suite of tools: SSL, CDN, SEO, backups, email subscriptions, payment gateways, all included depending on your plan.
✅ No Plugin Hassle (But You Can Use Them)
On the Business plan or higher, you can still use plugins, but you don’t have to.
✅ Trusted Hosting Infrastructure
Your site runs on Automattic’s global cloud infrastructure, making it secure, fast, and scalable.
✅ All-in-One Simplicity
Instead of juggling a dozen different services, WordPress.com gives you everything under one roof, with support to help if you ever get stuck.
Method 1: Migrate from Squarespace to WordPress.com
Migrating from Squarespace to WordPress.com is ideal for users who want more flexibility, better SEO control, and plugin access (on Business plan or higher).
Step-by-Step:
- Prepare Your Squarespace Site
Log into your Squarespace dashboard. Remove any unnecessary pages or content that you don’t want to migrate to keep your export clean. Confirm that your site is live and functional. - Export Content from Squarespace
Navigate to Settings → Advanced → Import/Export → Export. Squarespace only exports certain content (e.g., blog posts, pages, image blocks). Click “Export” and select the WordPress option when prompted. Download the resulting.xmlfile to your computer. - Create or Log In to WordPress.com
Go to WordPress.com and log in. You can either start a new website or choose an existing site to import your content into. - Set Up a Site if Needed
Choose a site title, temporary domain (you can change this later), and select a layout or starter template if prompted. - Use the WordPress.com Import Tool
From your dashboard, go to Tools → Import → Choose Squarespace. Upload the.xmlfile you exported. WordPress.com will process the file and bring in the posts, pages, and supported media. - Review Imported Content
Go to Pages and Posts to review what was successfully imported. Images or galleries may not always transfer perfectly, double-check them manually. Re-add contact forms or custom blocks if needed. - Select and Customize a Theme
Visit Appearance → Themes, select a theme that closely matches your brand, and use the block-based Site Editor to redesign the layout. Customize fonts, colors, menus, and widgets. - Connect or Transfer Your Domain
If you already own a domain through Squarespace or a registrar like GoDaddy, you can either:- Point your domain to WordPress.com by updating DNS settings (instructions provided during setup), or
- Transfer your domain to WordPress.com to manage everything in one place (recommended for simplicity).
- Test Everything
Preview your site on desktop and mobile. Check that all links work, all pages load properly, and forms or embedded elements behave as expected. - Launch
If you’re satisfied, go live by connecting your domain or removing any under-construction placeholder. WordPress.com will handle SSL automatically.
Migrating from Squarespace is mostly about exporting your content and importing it into WordPress.
Step-by-Step:
- Export Your Site from Squarespace
Go to Settings → Advanced → Import/Export → Export, then download the.xmlfile. - Sign Into WordPress.com
Create an account or log in, then select the site you want to import to, or start a new one. - Use the Built-in Import Tool
Go to Tools → Import → Squarespace → Upload File, and select the.xmlfile. - Review Content
Pages, blog posts, and media will appear, double-check formatting and page layout. - Design Your Theme
Pick a WordPress.com theme and customize it using the Site Editor. - Connect Your Domain
Use WordPress.com’s domain manager to map or transfer your domain.
Method 2: Migrate from WordPress.org to WordPress.com
This is one of the most common moves, especially for those tired of managing hosting, plugins, and updates.
Step-by-Step:
- Export Your WordPress.org Content
From your WP dashboard, go to Tools → Export → All Content, and download the XML file. - Log into WordPress.com
Start a new site or use an existing one. - Go to Tools → Import
Choose WordPress → Upload XML File to import posts, pages, and media. - Theme + Plugin Compatibility
On a Business plan or higher, you can install the same plugins and themes you used on WordPress.org (with some exceptions). - DNS + Domain Setup
Update your domain’s nameservers to point to WordPress.com, or transfer the domain entirely. - Review Site Functionality
Double-check contact forms, SEO settings, and ecommerce integrations.
Method 3: Migrate a WooCommerce Shop to WordPress.com Commerce
If you’ve been managing WooCommerce on a shared or self-hosted server, moving to WordPress.com’s Commerce plan could dramatically simplify your operations.
Why Switch?
- Faster loading and security out of the box
- Built-in backups and staging site
- Less downtime, especially during traffic spikes
Step-by-Step:
- Backup Your Site
Use a plugin like UpdraftPlus or export your database and files via cPanel or your hosting control panel. - Use the WordPress.com Migration Service
Business/Commerce plan users can request a free migration service from the WordPress.com support team. - Install WooCommerce on WordPress.com
On a Commerce plan, go to Plugins → Add New → WooCommerce, and activate it. - Re-import Products & Orders
Use WooCommerce’s native CSV import/export feature, or use a dedicated migration tool like Cart2Cart to bring over products, customers, and order history seamlessly. - Reconnect Extensions and Payment Gateways
Reinstall any necessary WooCommerce extensions (like Subscriptions, Bookings, etc.). Set up and test payment providers like Stripe, PayPal, or Square. - Test Site Functionality
Review your product pages, cart and checkout flow, shipping settings, and emails. Run a test transaction to verify everything is live.
Method 4: Use a Migration Plugin or App (Beginner-Friendly Tools)
If you’d rather not handle exporting/importing files manually, several tools can streamline or automate the process.
🔧 Recommended Tools:
- Site Import on WordPress.com
Free for most platform migrations (Blogger, WordPress.org, Squarespace, etc.) - Cart2Cart (Paid)
Great for eCommerce moves (e.g., Shopify to WooCommerce on WordPress.com) - WP All Import (Advanced)
Useful if you need to map custom fields, users, or complex data structures from another CMS. - Migrate Guru (Free, for WordPress.org)
Fast, automated migration from one WordPress host to another. Great for large sites.
These tools handle much of the technical work and can reduce the chances of missed data or downtime. Be sure to review what each app does and whether it’s compatible with your current host or export format.
If you’ve been managing WooCommerce on a shared or self-hosted server, moving to WordPress.com’s Commerce plan could dramatically simplify your operations.
Why Switch?
- Faster loading and security out of the box
- Built-in backups and staging site
- Less downtime, especially during traffic spikes
Step-by-Step:
- Backup Your Site
Use a plugin like UpdraftPlus or export your database and files. - Use the WordPress.com Migration Service
Business/Commerce plan users can request a free migration service from the support team. - Install WooCommerce on WordPress.com
Go to Plugins → Add New → WooCommerce (available on Commerce plan). - Re-import Products & Orders
Use WooCommerce’s native import/export tools or an integration plugin like Cart2Cart. - Test Payments + Cart
Reconnect your payment processors (Stripe, PayPal, etc.) and run a test transaction.
Domain and Hosting Considerations
| Scenario | What to Do at WordPress.com | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Already own a domain | Point DNS to WordPress.com or transfer domain | Transferring makes management easier |
| Want a new domain | Register during WordPress.com site setup | Free for one year with paid plans |
| Using Squarespace domain | Unlock and get transfer code, then transfer to WordPress.com | Domain must be older than 60 days |
| Managing multiple domains | Consolidate them under one account via domain mapping | WordPress.com supports multiple domains per site |
| Experiencing domain propagation delays | Wait up to 48 hours after DNS change | Use online DNS checkers to confirm propagation |
This grid helps you match your domain situation with the most appropriate step on WordPress.com.
Already Have a Custom Domain?
- You can point your domain to WordPress.com by updating your DNS settings.
- Or you can transfer your domain to WordPress.com and manage it all in one place.
Need a New Domain?
- You can register one directly through WordPress.com during setup.
- A free domain is included for one year on paid plans.
Common Issues and How to Fix Them
Expand for a list of common issues.
Images Not Importing?
Use the “Media Import” tool to fetch remote images. You can also re-upload missing files manually if needed.
Broken Links?
Install a redirection plugin (Business plan) or manually update URLs. Use a free tool like Broken Link Checker to catch issues.
Theme Doesn’t Match?
WordPress.com themes may look different, choose one that fits your brand and customize it using the Site Editor.
Lost SEO?
Use 301 redirects where possible. Also update your SEO metadata using Jetpack SEO or the built-in tools under Settings > Marketing > Traffic.
Plugin Conflicts (from WordPress.org)?
Not all third-party plugins are supported on WordPress.com. Look for feature equivalents via Jetpack or WordPress.com’s native functionality.
Missing Widgets or Sidebars?
Some legacy themes use widget areas not supported by modern block themes. Convert to blocks or use reusable patterns.
Permalinks Changed?
Double-check that the permalink structure matches your old site. Use a redirect plugin or update in WordPress.com settings.
Imported Pages Not Showing in Menu?
Menus don’t always carry over. Go to Appearance > Menus and manually rebuild your navigation.
Media Files Broken in Posts?
Image paths may need to be corrected if internal links were hardcoded. Use a search-and-replace plugin to fix these globally.
Email Forms Not Working?
If you were using a third-party form tool on your old site, re-create the form using WordPress.com’s built-in form block or Jetpack Forms.
Ecommerce Sync Issues?
If you’re using WooCommerce, make sure product IDs, SKUs, and payment settings are synced properly. Reconnect integrations if needed.
Domain Not Resolving?
If your custom domain isn’t working, double-check DNS propagation or reverify your nameserver settings.
These issues are common across most migrations and can be resolved with a little attention to detail and testing before launch.
FAQ
Can I migrate to WordPress.com without losing my content?
Yes, all your posts, pages, and media can be migrated using the built-in import tools.
Do I need to pay to migrate?
No, migration tools are free. However, access to plugins, advanced themes, and ecommerce features require a Business or Commerce plan.
Can I use my existing domain?
Yes, you can map or transfer any domain to WordPress.com.
Will my SEO be affected?
If you use proper redirects and keep URLs consistent, the impact is minimal. In many cases, performance improvements can boost rankings.
What if my site is really complex?
WordPress.com has migration experts available for Business and Commerce plan users.
Final Thoughts
If you’re just landing here from a scroll, here’s what you need to know:
Migrating to WordPress.com is one of the easiest ways to modernize your site without taking on technical debt. Whether you’re coming from Squarespace, self-hosted WordPress.org, or running WooCommerce on a shared server, WordPress.com gives you speed, simplicity, and support, without sacrificing flexibility.
We walked through:
- How to move content, media, and domain settings from Squarespace and WordPress.org
- How to migrate and relaunch a WooCommerce store using the WordPress.com Commerce plan
- What tools, plugins, and apps can help automate or streamline the migration process
- What to do when common issues arise, and how to fix them fast
If you want performance, peace of mind, and fewer moving parts, WordPress.com is a great long-term home. Plans like Business and Commerce unlock everything from plugin support to ecommerce tools, making it a serious upgrade for any growing site.
And if you’re overwhelmed? Tap into WordPress.com’s free migration service or use a tool like Cart2Cart or Migrate Guru to get up and running faster.
No matter where you’re coming from, WordPress.com is ready to meet you where you’re at, and take you further.
Migrating to WordPress.com isn’t just about moving your site, it’s about simplifying your entire workflow. Whether you’re switching from Squarespace, WordPress.org, or even managing WooCommerce on your own server, WordPress.com gives you performance, peace of mind, and premium design, all in one place.
Once you’re on the Business or Commerce plan, the platform takes care of the headaches, so you can focus on your content, your products, and your audience.
Want help? WordPress.com also offers dedicated migration support if you don’t want to do it yourself.
Internal Links
- WordPress.com vs WordPress.org
- Best Hosting and Website Builder
- What is WooCommerce
- How to Host a Website
- How to Create a Website for Affiliate Programs
External Links
- WordPress.com – account and platform access
- WordPress.com Migration Support – free migration help for Business/Commerce users
- UpdraftPlus Plugin – for site backups
- Cart2Cart WooCommerce Migration – paid service for ecommerce migrations
- WP All Import – advanced importer tool
- Migrate Guru – free plugin for WordPress.org migrations
- WordPress.com Import Tool – for various platform migrations
AH Web Works 
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