Keep my old domain name

  • Unknown's avatar
    vivianamackade · Member ·

    Hi! I own a domain I’m currently using with Squarespace, viviana-mackade.com.
    I want to move all my blog/website contents from Squarespace to WP, and keep the domain.
    Mow. I made a ‘plan’ to switch and keep the domain, but I’m not sure it’s doable.

    Here’s what I thought:
    – move all the contents from Squarespace to WP using a free domain.
    -wait for the Squarespace subscription to run out (a couple of weeks)
    -update my WP subscription to ‘personal’
    -choose the old domain name and start using WP with my old website name, viviana-mackade.com

    Can I do this?
    I have a very active blog, and my website address is everywhere (I’m a novelist, so it’s n the back of my books and such), and I really don’t want to loose it.
    Thank you very much,
    Viviana

    The blog I need help with is: (visible only to logged in users)

  • Unknown's avatar
    gemmacevans · Member ·

    Hi Viviana,

    I want to move all my blog/website contents from Squarespace to WP, and keep the domain.

    Let’s start with content. Your content will need to be exported from Squarespace:

    https://support.squarespace.com/hc/en-us/articles/206566687-Exporting-your-site

    The .xml file of your content can then be imported into your WordPress.com site. There is more information about the process here:

    Import a Website

    We don’t currently support incoming domain transfers — so that would need to stay with Squarespace or whoever you decide to transfer it to.

    viviana-mackade.com can be ‘mapped’ to your WordPress.com site with domain mapping:

    http://en.support.wordpress.com/map-existing-domain

    You will need an upgraded WordPress.com plan, such as the Personal plan. Each paid plan includes a free domain credit which you can use to map a domain you already own.

    Come back to me if you need any more information!

  • Unknown's avatar
    vivianamackade · Member ·

    HI, and thank you for your help!
    the personal plan is what I wanted to do, but if I try to map my old domain there, it tells me I have to pay 99$…
    Is there a way for me to have the domain mapped for the prive of the Personal plan?
    also, would it make any difference if I wait for the Squarespace account (and domain) to expire? Because it will on the 25th of April. Will the domain I had in there be free for me to use in WordPress with the Personal plan?

  • Unknown's avatar
    gemmacevans · Member ·

    Hi Viviana,

    the personal plan is what I wanted to do, but if I try to map my old domain there, it tells me I have to pay 99$…

    Add the Personal plan to your cart before the domain, otherwise the Premium plan is automatically selected.

    Because it will on the 25th of April. Will the domain I had in there be free for me to use in WordPress with the Personal plan?

    We don’t recommend letting the domain expire because there is no guarantee you’ll be able to get it back again. The safest option is to renew the domain with Squarespace and map it to your WordPress.com site.

    Ultimately it’s your decision but that’s what I’d recommend :)

  • Unknown's avatar
    vivianamackade · Member ·

    Thank you!

    One last question.

    Do I have to keep the Squarespace domain alive even after I mapped it to WP?
    Like, forever?
    Or as long as Squarespace and I shall live?

  • Unknown's avatar
    gemmacevans · Member ·

    Hi Viviana,

    Do I have to keep the Squarespace domain alive even after I mapped it to WP?

    Yes, you will need to renew the domain with Squarespace for as long as you want to map it to your WordPress.com site. Domain mapping only connects the domain to your site — it won’t renew it :)

  • Unknown's avatar
    vivianamackade · Member ·

    HI, me again.
    So, apparently, I can move the domain name from them to you, that’s what they told me:

    If you choose to not keep it with us though you can also unlock your Squarespace domain and choose to transfer it to another provider as well.

    Now, you told me I have to buy the personal plan before getting the old domain or it will go directly to premium. So,
    -add the personal plan to my chart, choose a random domain name, and pay for it.
    _when the domain from Square space is unlocked, I can pick it up, like it was another change?

    Sorry to keep asking, I really hope I’m at the end of this ordeal.
    Thank you again,
    Vivi

  • Unknown's avatar
    gemmacevans · Member ·

    Hi Vivi,

    So, apparently, I can move the domain name from them to you, that’s what they told me

    We don’t currently support incoming domain transfers, so it won’t be possible to transfer the domain to WordPress.com. If you would like to use the domain on WordPress.com, two things need to happen:

    1. Continue to renew the domain through Squarespace.

    2. Purchase domain mapping to connect that domain to your WordPress.com site. Domain mapping doesn’t include renewal costs, it only connects the domain with your site.

    -add the personal plan to my chart, choose a random domain name, and pay for it.

    Add the plan to your cart but don’t register a domain. The plan includes a credit which you can use to map the domain you already own.

    When you type the domain into the search box you will see a message to say it’s already taken — that’s because you have already registered it elsewhere. There is an option to map the domain instead underneath:

    https://cloudup.com/cn4arlIXzk6

    Sorry to keep asking, I really hope I’m at the end of this ordeal.

    No need to apologise, I’m happy to help :)

  • Unknown's avatar
    vivianamackade · Member ·

    Thank you!
    You’ve been super helpful!

    Have a great Easter,
    Vivi

  • Unknown's avatar
    gemmacevans · Member ·

    Hi Vivi,

    You too :) If you need anything, you know where we are!

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