When people search for Squarespace export options, they usually find one answer: you can export your content as XML. But XML only includes blog posts and basic page text. It does not include your design, CSS, images, navigation, or any of the visual elements that make your site look the way it does.
If you want to export a Squarespace website with its full design intact, you need a different approach. This guide shows you how to export Squarespace to HTML and take your entire front-end with you.
What Squarespace Actually Exports (and What It Doesn't)
Squarespace has a built-in export feature under Settings > Advanced > Import/Export. Here is what it includes:
Included in Squarespace XML export:
- Blog posts (text content only)
- Basic pages (text content)
- Gallery page image references
Not included in XML export:
- Your site design, layout, and CSS
- Navigation structure
- Custom fonts and typography
- Hero sections, banners, and visual blocks
- Forms and their configuration
- Footer content
- Responsive layout rules
- Images (only references, not files)
- JavaScript interactions
In other words, the Squarespace XML export gives you raw text but strips away everything that makes your site visually distinctive. For most site owners, this is not useful.
How to Export a Squarespace Website to HTML
To export Squarespace to HTML with the full design preserved, use a front-end export tool like NoCodeExport:
Step 1: Make Sure Your Site Is Live
Your Squarespace site must be published and publicly accessible. If you are on a trial, the site may have a Squarespace banner that will be automatically removed during export.
Step 2: Scan Your Site
- Open the Squarespace export tool.
- Enter your Squarespace URL (custom domain or
.squarespace.comaddress). - Click Analyze.
The scanner detects the Squarespace platform, counts pages, identifies forms, and maps your site structure.
Step 3: Configure and Export
Choose your export settings:
- Full site to export all pages, or single page for just one
- Form handling mode (hosted, Formspree, Netlify Forms, or custom)
- Minification to compress HTML and CSS
Click Export. The tool renders each page in a headless browser, captures the full HTML/CSS output, strips Squarespace tracking scripts and credit badges, and packages everything into a downloadable ZIP.
Step 4: Deploy
Upload your exported files to any static hosting provider. Your Squarespace design is now running independently, without any Squarespace subscription.
What Gets Preserved in the Export
When you export Squarespace to HTML, the output includes:
- Full visual design. Every section, block, and layout element appears exactly as it does on Squarespace.
- CSS and typography. All styles, custom fonts, and responsive breakpoints are captured.
- Images. Photos, backgrounds, and gallery images are included.
- Navigation. Header menus, dropdowns, and footer links work locally.
- Scroll animations. Squarespace's entrance animations are recovered via cross-platform polyfills.
- Forms. Rewritten with working submission endpoints (not dependent on Squarespace backend).
What does not transfer:
- Squarespace Commerce (server-side checkout)
- Member areas (login-gated content)
- Scheduling and appointment features
- Blog comment system (Squarespace-hosted)
Squarespace Export Options Compared
| Method | Design Preserved | Cost | Effort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Squarespace XML Export | No (text only) | Free | Low |
| NoCodeExport HTML Export | Yes (full front-end) | Free | Low |
| Manual browser Save-As | Partial (one page, broken links) | Free | High |
| Hire a developer to rebuild | Yes (but different code) | $2,000--$10,000+ | High |
Exporting Squarespace to HTML with NoCodeExport gives you the best balance: full design preservation, zero cost, and minimal effort.
Where to Host Your Exported Squarespace Site
After you export Squarespace to HTML, pick a hosting provider:
| Provider | Free Tier | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Netlify | 100 GB bandwidth | Drag-and-drop deploys |
| Vercel | 100 GB bandwidth | Edge performance |
| GitHub Pages | Unlimited | Version control |
| Cloudflare Pages | Unlimited bandwidth | Global CDN |
All four providers support custom domains and HTTPS. For a detailed comparison, see our free hosting guide.
Squarespace charges $16 to $49/month for hosting. Switching to free static hosting after export saves you $192 to $588 per year.
Common Issues When Exporting Squarespace
Some fonts look different. Squarespace serves fonts from their own CDN. If a font is not available from Google Fonts or another public source, you may need to substitute it with a similar typeface. Most common web fonts transfer without issues.
Blog comments are missing. Squarespace comments are stored on their servers and cannot be exported. If you need to preserve comments, copy them manually before exporting, or switch to a third-party comment system like Disqus.
Embedded blocks (maps, forms, code) need reconfiguration. Third-party embeds like Google Maps render fine in the export, but Squarespace-native forms need to be reconfigured with an external form handler. The export tool handles this automatically based on your chosen form mode.
Pages load with broken styles locally.
If you open exported HTML files directly from your file system (using file://), some assets may not load due to browser security restrictions. Always test by deploying to a hosting provider or running a local server.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you export a Squarespace website to HTML? Yes. While Squarespace's built-in export only produces XML (blog text), tools like NoCodeExport can export the full front-end design as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Is the Squarespace XML export useful? Only if you need raw blog post text to import into WordPress or another CMS. The XML export does not include your site design, layout, or visual elements.
How much does it cost to export Squarespace to HTML? NoCodeExport offers a free plan with 10 exports per month (up to 8 pages each). For larger sites or offline asset downloads, Pro plans start at $10/month.
Will my Squarespace site still work after I export it? Your original Squarespace site is not affected. The export creates a copy. You can keep your Squarespace site running while you test the exported version on a new host.
Can I edit the exported HTML? Yes. The exported files are standard HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Any web developer or code editor can modify them. For ongoing editing without code, consider our self-hosting portfolio guide.
Related Guides
- Squarespace export guide -- Detailed platform-specific walkthrough
- Best no-code export tools -- Compare tools across all platforms
- Self-hosting your portfolio -- Guide for designers going independent
- Free static hosting comparison -- Where to host after export
Export Your Squarespace Site Today
Squarespace's XML export is not enough for most site owners. If you want your actual design, not just blog text, you need to export Squarespace to HTML.
Start your free Squarespace export and take full control of your website.
Technical Background
Understanding the underlying architecture is key to long-term scalability. NoCodeExport prioritizes clean, modular code generation that adheres to modern web standards.
Architecture
Built on top of established frameworks ensure portability and performance across any hosting provider.
Security
Static generation significantly reduces the attack surface, providing enterprise-grade security for every project.
