How to Change Templates on Squarespace (7.0 & 7.1 Guide for 2026)

Last Updated on February 6, 2026 by Himanshu Rawat

Changing your Squarespace template is one of the easiest ways to refresh your website’s look without rebuilding everything from scratch. However, how you change templates depends entirely on your Squarespace version. In 2026, most websites run on Squarespace 7.1, where traditional template switching no longer exists, and customization is done through Fluid Engine instead.

Check Your Squarespace Version

Before making any design changes, it’s essential to know which Squarespace version your website is using. The process for changing templates differs significantly between Version 7.0 and Version 7.1, and this distinction determines what customization options are available to you.

How to check your Squarespace version:

• Log in to your Squarespace dashboard

• Navigate to Website → Pages
• Scroll to the bottom of the Pages panel
  • If you see a template family name such as Brine, Bedford, Rally, or Avenue, your site is running on Squarespace Version 7.0
  • If you see Version 7.1 with no template family listed, your site is on Squarespace Version 7.1

Why this matters

Only Squarespace 7.0 allows direct template switching. In Version 7.1, all templates share the same core structure, and design changes are made through layout and style customization rather than switching templates.

How to Change Templates on Squarespace 7.0

Squarespace 7.0 gives you the flexibility to install, preview, and switch between different template families. This makes it easier to redesign your site without rebuilding everything from scratch. While your main content stays intact, visual styles and certain layout behaviors can change, so it’s important to understand what to expect before switching.

Note: If you’re redesigning your site or store, it’s also a good time to learn the best ways to promote your Squarespace store so your new design gets more visitors.

Here is a Step-by-Step: Switching Templates in Squarespace 7.0

1. Open the Template Panel

From your Squarespace dashboard:

• Go to Design → Template
• You’ll see your currently active template and options to manage others

2. Install a New Template

• Click Install new template
• Browse by category (Business, Portfolio, Blog, Online Store, etc.) or search by template name
• Hover over any template to see options

You can install multiple templates, but only one template per family is allowed at a time.

3. Preview the Template

• Select Preview or Start with on a template
• The site enters preview mode, which is visible only to you

In preview mode, you can safely explore how the new template handles your existing content without affecting your live site.

4. Review and Adjust Your Design

While previewing the template, take time to:

• Edit page layouts and section spacing
• Check headers, footers, and navigation structure
• Review blog layouts, product pages, and galleries
• Test desktop, tablet, and mobile views

Some things to watch closely:

• Index pages may convert into folder-style navigation
• Sidebar layouts may shift or disappear
• Gallery styles and image ratios may change

5. Set the Template Live

Once you’re happy with how everything looks:

• Click Set as live template
• Confirm the action

Your new template goes live immediately, and visitors will see the updated design.

What Happens When You Change a Template in 7.0

When you switch templates in Squarespace 7.0:

• Your content stays safe: Pages, text, images, blog posts, products, and URLs remain unchanged.
• Design styles reset: Fonts, colors, spacing, and some layout settings revert to the new template’s defaults.
• Layouts may adapt: Different templates interpret content differently, which can affect page structure.
• Template-specific features may change: Some elements behave uniquely depending on the template family.

Important Notes for Squarespace 7.0 Users

1. Style Settings Reset

Each template has its own design system. When switching templates:

• Fonts reset to the template’s defaults
• Color palettes revert
• Button styles, spacing, and animations may change

Tip: Before switching, take screenshots or notes of your existing style settings so you can recreate them later.

2. Switching Back Is Possible

• You can switch back to a previously installed template at any time
• Your old template-specific edits are preserved as long as the template remains installed

This makes it easy to experiment without permanent risk.

3. Uninstalling Templates

Be careful when uninstalling a template:

• Uninstalling permanently deletes all edits made within that template
• If you reinstall it later, it will load with default settings

Only uninstall templates you are certain you won’t need again.

How Template Changes Work in Squarespace 7.1 (Fluid Engine)

Squarespace 7.1 does not support traditional template switching like older versions. All 7.1 sites use the same underlying structure and features.

What Squarespace calls a “template” in 7.1 is simply a starting design—a visual preset that helps you begin faster. Once your site is created, there’s no option to swap templates.

So if you’re on Squarespace 7.1, changing your template really means redesigning your site using styles, layouts, and Fluid Engine.

How to Customize a Squarespace 7.1 Site

Step 1: Edit Site-Wide Styles

Site styles control the overall look and feel of your website. Any changes here apply globally across all pages.

How to access:

• Go to Website → Website Tools → Edit Site Styles

You can customize:

• Fonts and typography (headings, body text, buttons)
• Color palettes and theme colors
• Button styles and hover effects
• Spacing, borders, and animations
• Background colors and section styling

This is the fastest way to give your site a completely new visual identity.

Step 2: Redesign Layouts Using Fluid Engine

Fluid Engine is Squarespace’s grid-based editor that gives you full control over page layouts.

How to use Fluid Engine:

• Open any page and hover over a section
• Click Edit Section
• Drag, resize, and position blocks freely on the grid
• Add auto-layouts like:
  • Grids
  • Carousels
  • Stacked content sections
• Upgrade older sections by clicking Upgrade (if available)

Fluid Engine automatically adjusts layouts for mobile, and you can fine-tune mobile spacing and alignment separately.

Step 3: Add or Redesign Pages and Sections

A major redesign often involves changing page structure, not just styles.

You can:

• Add new sections with modern layouts
• Create or update:
  • Portfolio pages
  • Blog layouts
  • Video pages
  • Store and product pages
• Refresh content using newer commerce features such as:
  • Product waitlists
  • Improved checkout layouts
  • Enhanced product blocks

This step is where your site truly starts to feel like a “new template.”

Step 4: Reset Styles for a Fresh Start (Optional)

If you want to start over visually without rebuilding pages:

Go to: Site Styles → Reset

This restores default styles while keeping your content and page structure intact, useful for full redesigns or rebranding.

Note: While updating your layout, you can also add an Instagram feed or add reviews to your Squarespace site to make it more engaging and trustworthy.

Migrating from Squarespace 7.0 to 7.1

Squarespace offers a one-time, permanent upgrade from version 7.0 to 7.1, giving you access to Fluid Engine, modern layouts, and newer design tools.

Before You Update

• Duplicate your site: Create a copy of your site to keep as a backup and to reference your original design after the upgrade.
• Check your page count: Your site must have fewer than 100 pages to upgrade. Remove unused, test, or duplicate pages if needed.
• Disable Developer Mode: Developer Mode isn’t supported during the upgrade. Make sure to save any custom code so you can re-add it later.
• Save unsupported content: Album, cover, and index pages don’t migrate to 7.1. Copy their content or take screenshots so you can rebuild them using standard pages.

How to Update to Version 7.1

1. Go to Design → Update to Version 7.1

• Open your site’s Design panel and select the option to upgrade to version 7.1.

2. Click Get started

• This begins the upgrade process and creates a preview environment for your 7.1 site.

3. Preview your site in 7.1

• Squarespace generates a 7.1 preview while your live 7.0 site remains unchanged and active.

4. Review migrated pages and layouts

• Check each page to ensure content, images, and basic layouts have transferred correctly.

5. Adjust styles and layouts using Fluid Engine

• Refine spacing, reposition sections, and update site-wide styles to match your design goals.

6. Click Publish update when ready

• Once everything looks good, publish the update to make your 7.1 site live.

Note: Custom CSS may appear commented out after migration. Review the code and re-enable any styles you still need.

Common Issues After Changing Templates

Layout or Content Issues

Some page types used in Squarespace 7.0 don’t exist in 7.1 and are automatically converted during the upgrade. Because of this, certain layouts may look different or feel incomplete. Any missing or altered sections can be rebuilt easily using standard blocks and Fluid Engine sections.

SEO Considerations

In most cases, URLs redirect automatically, helping preserve existing search rankings. Page text and core content remain unchanged, which further protects SEO performance. After the upgrade, it’s still important to review SEO titles, descriptions, and metadata to ensure everything is set correctly.

Custom Code Conflicts

Custom CSS and third-party scripts may not behave the same way in 7.1. Some code may need to be updated or manually re-enabled after publishing. Always test custom features thoroughly to confirm they work as expected.

Store Limitations

Larger stores created in Squarespace 7.0 may require adjustments before or after upgrading. Product layouts, checkout flow, and store settings should be reviewed to avoid unexpected issues.

Final Check

Before making your site live, test it in an incognito or private window to ensure layouts, links, and functionality appear correctly for visitors.

Final Thoughts

Changing a Squarespace template in 2026 is less about switching designs and more about strategic customization. While Squarespace 7.0 allows traditional template swaps, Squarespace 7.1 gives you full creative control through Fluid Engine.

With careful previews, backups, and testing, you can redesign your site confidently without losing content, SEO value, or functionality.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I switch templates in Squarespace 7.1 like in 7.0?

No. Squarespace 7.1 does not support traditional template switching. All 7.1 sites use the same underlying structure, so changing a template means redesigning your site using Site Styles and Fluid Engine instead of installing a new template.

2. Will changing my Squarespace template affect my content?

In most cases, your pages, text, and images remain intact. However, layouts, styles, and some page types may change or need adjustments—especially when switching templates in 7.0 or migrating from 7.0 to 7.1.

3. Does changing a Squarespace template impact SEO?

Template changes usually do not harm SEO if your page content and URLs remain the same. Squarespace automatically handles redirects, but it’s recommended to review SEO titles, descriptions, and structured layouts after publishing.

4. Can I revert back to my old template after switching?

In Squarespace 7.0, you can switch back to a previously installed template as long as it hasn’t been uninstalled. In Squarespace 7.1, there is no rollback for template designs—changes are made directly to your live site styles and layouts.

5. Should I duplicate my site before changing templates?

Yes. Duplicating your site is strongly recommended before making major design changes or upgrading versions. It acts as a backup and allows you to test layouts, styles, and features without affecting your live website.