How to Change The Squarespace Template in Minutes

Summarize this article with:

Your website looks dated. Your brand has evolved. The template that worked two years ago now feels like a limitation.

Learning how to change the Squarespace template gives you control over your site’s visual appearance without starting from scratch.

But here is the catch. The process differs completely between Squarespace 7.0 and 7.1. Pick the wrong approach and you waste hours or lose content.

This guide walks you through both versions step by step. You will learn how to identify your version, back up your design settings, install new templates, preview changes safely, and fix common formatting issues.

Total time needed: 15 to 30 minutes.

How to Change the Squarespace Template

Changing the Squarespace template is the process of installing a different design layout through the Design panel in Squarespace 7.0 or adjusting Site Styles in Squarespace 7.1.

Users need this when their current site design feels outdated, their brand direction has shifted, or they want features only certain templates offer.

This guide covers the complete template switching process for both Squarespace versions.

Expect to spend 15 to 30 minutes. Basic familiarity with the Squarespace dashboard is all you need.

Prerequisites

Before you switch templates, gather these items:

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Active Squarespace account with site access
Confirmation of your Squarespace version (7.0 or 7.1)
Backup of any custom CSS code
Written list of current font names and color hex codes
Screenshots of existing page layouts
15 to 30 minutes of uninterrupted time

Skip the backup step and you will lose your style settings permanently.

How Do You Identify Your Squarespace Version?

Your Squarespace version determines which template switching method you can use.

Version 7.0 lets you install multiple templates and switch freely. Version 7.1 does not allow traditional template switching at all.

Where Do You Find the Version Number?

Open your Squarespace Dashboard. Click Help in the bottom left corner. Your platform version displays at the top of the help panel.

Quick Version Indicators

7.0: You see “Template” option inside Design panel
7.1: You see “Site Styles” only, no Template option

Still confused? Check if your site has Index Pages. Only 7.0 templates support them.

How Do You Back Up Your Current Design Settings?

Template switching resets all site styles to defaults. Your fonts, colors, spacing, and button styles vanish instantly.

Back everything up before touching the Design panel.

What Settings Should You Document?

Navigate to Website, then Design, then Site Styles.

Write down every value you see:

Font families and sizes for headings and body text
Color hex codes for backgrounds, text, buttons, links
Spacing and padding values
Button styles and border radius settings

How Do You Save Custom CSS?

Go to Website, then Design, then Custom CSS.

Copy everything in that editor. Paste it into a text file on your computer.

Custom CSS is template-specific. When you switch, the CSS Editor goes blank. Your old template keeps its CSS if you switch back later.

Squarespace 7.0: How Do You Install a New Template?

Installing a new template adds it to your available options without affecting your live site.

You can install multiple templates and preview each one before committing.

Where Is the Template Library?

Click Website in your dashboard sidebar.

Select Design. Click Template. You see your currently installed templates listed here.

Click the Install New Template button below your existing templates.

How Do You Choose the Right Template?

The template library opens with category filters on the left.

Browse by industry, layout type, or specific features you need. Each template preview shows demo content so you can judge the visual appearance.

Consider these factors:

Does the template support Index Pages if you use them?
Does the navigation menu structure match your needs?
Does the blog layout work for your content?
Are the gallery options what you want?

Click any template to see its full demo. Found one you like? Click Install to add it to your site.

The new template appears in your installed templates list. Your live site remains unchanged until you preview and activate it.

How Do You Preview the New Template Before Switching?

Previewing lets you test how your content looks in the new layout without affecting your live site.

Visitors see nothing until you publish the change.

Where Is the Preview Function?

Go to Website, then Design, then Template.

Hover over your newly installed template. Click Preview to load it with your existing content.

What Should You Check During Preview?

Page layouts and content block placement
Navigation menu display and positioning
Blog post formatting
Gallery and image arrangements
Footer and sidebar visibility

The preview adds demo content to your site architecture. Do not panic. This content disappears when you finalize or cancel.

Test every major page. Click through your navigation. Check mobile view using browser tools.

How Do You Set the New Template as Primary?

Setting a template as primary makes it live immediately. All visitors see the new design.

Where Do You Activate the Template?

While previewing, look for the Set as Primary button in the top bar.

Click it. Confirm your choice. Done.

Can You Switch Back to Your Old Template?

Yes. Your previous template stays installed with all its style settings intact.

Go back to Website, then Design, then Template. Click Set as Primary on your old template to revert.

Content changes you made after switching may need manual adjustment when reverting.

Squarespace 7.1: How Do You Change Your Site Design?

Squarespace 7.1 does not support traditional template switching. All 7.1 sites share one unified template architecture.

The “templates” you see when creating a site are just pre-configured style combinations.

What Are Your Options in 7.1?

Two paths exist:

Manually adjust Site Styles to match a different design
Create a brand new 7.1 site and transfer your content

Manual adjustment takes less time. New site creation gives you a fresh start but requires domain transfer and content migration.

How Do You Access Site Styles?

Click Website in your dashboard. Select Styles.

The Site Styles panel opens on the right side. Here you control fonts, colors, buttons, spacing, and section layouts.

How Do You Apply a Pre-Made Theme in Squarespace 7.1?

Squarespace recently added Themes to 7.1. These are bundled style presets that change multiple settings at once.

Where Do You Find Themes?

Go to Website, then Styles, then Themes.

Browse the available presets. Each theme includes coordinated font pairings, color palettes, and button styles.

How Do You Apply a Theme?

Click any theme to preview it. Click Apply Theme to activate.

Your entire site updates instantly. You can still customize individual settings after applying.

Themes offer a quick design refresh without rebuilding. Perfect for brand updates or seasonal changes.

What Content Transfers Automatically Between Templates?

Most core content survives a template switch. Layout-specific elements do not.

What Stays Intact?

All page text and images
Blog posts and their content
Product pages and inventory
Basic navigation structure
Your favicon and site title

What Resets or Disappears?

All custom CSS code
Sidebar content
Footer configurations
Per-page header images
Site style settings (fonts, colors, spacing)
Index page structures may break

Template-specific features vanish when switching to templates that lack them.

How Do You Fix Formatting Issues After Switching?

Expect some cleanup work. Templates handle content blocks differently.

Common Issues and Fixes

Broken page layouts: Rebuild sections using the new template’s layout options. Check each page individually.

Missing Index pages: Not all templates support Index pages. Recreate content using standard pages if needed.

Navigation problems: Some templates position menus differently. Adjust in Website, then Navigation settings.

Image sizing issues: Different templates use different aspect ratios. Re-crop or replace images that look stretched or cropped poorly.

How Do You Reapply Custom CSS?

Go to Website, then Design, then Custom CSS.

Paste your backed-up code. Test thoroughly. Some selectors may have changed between templates.

Old CSS may not work perfectly. Adjust selectors to match the new template’s HTML structure.

How Do You Migrate from Squarespace 7.0 to 7.1?

No direct migration path exists. You must build a new site manually.

What Is the Migration Process?

Create a new Squarespace 7.1 trial site
Rebuild all pages and content by hand
Transfer your domain to the new site
Cancel your old 7.0 subscription

Request a prorated refund for your old subscription if you had an annual plan.

Is Migration Worth It?

7.1 offers more responsive design options and newer features. But migration takes hours of manual work.

Stick with 7.0 if your current template meets your needs. Edit your existing Squarespace website instead.

Verification

After switching, test everything before announcing your new design.

Click through all navigation links on desktop and mobile
Verify every page displays correctly
Check blog post formatting and pagination
Test product pages if you have an online store
Submit contact forms to confirm they still work
Review site on Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge
Test on actual mobile devices, not just browser emulators

Ask a friend to browse your site. Fresh eyes catch issues you miss.

Troubleshooting

Template Preview Shows Error Message

Problem: Preview fails to load or shows an error.

Fix: Confirm you have a home page set. Go to Website, then Pages. Look for the home icon next to your designated homepage.

Index Pages Do Not Transfer Correctly

Problem: Index page content appears broken or missing.

Fix: Recreate the Index structure using your new template’s Index page layout. Some templates handle Index pages differently.

Custom CSS Not Appearing

Problem: Your CSS code seems to have no effect.

Fix: CSS is template-specific. Re-add code in Website, then Design, then Custom CSS. Update selectors if the new template uses different class names.

Cannot Find Install New Template Option

Problem: The Install New Template button does not exist.

Fix: Your site runs on version 7.1. Use Site Styles to change your design instead. Traditional template switching is not available.

Sidebar and Footer Content Missing

Problem: Sidebar or footer disappeared after switching.

Fix: Sidebars and footers are template-specific. Rebuild them in your new template. Switching back to your old template restores them.

Related Processes

These guides cover related Squarespace tasks:

FAQ on How To Change The Squarespace Template

Can You Change Templates in Squarespace 7.1?

No. Squarespace 7.1 does not support traditional template switching. All 7.1 sites use one unified architecture. Change your design through the Site Styles panel instead, or create a new site with a different starting template.

Will I Lose My Content When Switching Templates?

Core content stays intact. Pages, blog posts, images, and products transfer automatically. However, custom CSS, sidebar content, footer configurations, and site style settings reset completely. Back up everything before switching.

How Do I Know Which Squarespace Version I Have?

Open your dashboard and click Help. The version displays at the top. Alternatively, check the Design panel. If you see a Template option, you have 7.0. Only Site Styles means 7.1.

Can I Preview a Template Before Making It Live?

Yes. In Squarespace 7.0, hover over any installed template and click Preview. Your live site remains unchanged. Test the new layout thoroughly before clicking Set as Primary to activate it.

How Long Does It Take to Switch Squarespace Templates?

The actual switch takes seconds. Budget 15 to 30 minutes total for backing up settings, previewing, and fixing formatting issues. Complex sites with heavy customization need more time for cleanup.

Do I Need to Reinstall My Template After Switching Back?

No. Previously installed templates stay in your template library with their style settings preserved. Switch back anytime by clicking Set as Primary on your old template. No reinstallation required.

Why Did My Custom CSS Disappear After Switching?

Custom CSS is template-specific. Each template has its own CSS Editor. Your code still exists if you switch back to the original template. Always copy your CSS to a text file before any template change.

Can I Use Multiple Templates on Different Pages?

No. Squarespace applies one template across your entire site. You cannot mix layouts from different templates. Use page-specific customizations or sections to create visual variety within your single template.

What Happens to My Index Pages When I Switch Templates?

Index page behavior varies by template. Some templates do not support Index pages at all. Your content may break or disappear. Check template compatibility before switching if Index pages are critical to your site.

Is There a Way to Migrate from Squarespace 7.0 to 7.1?

No direct migration exists. Create a new 7.1 trial site, rebuild your pages manually, then share your Squarespace website for review before transferring your domain. Request a prorated refund for your old subscription.

Conclusion

Knowing how to change the Squarespace template puts you in control of your site’s visual appearance without rebuilding from zero.

The template switching process depends entirely on your Squarespace version. Version 7.0 gives you full flexibility through the Design panel. Version 7.1 limits you to Site Styles adjustments or starting fresh.

Back up your style settings before any changes. Preview thoroughly. Check every page after switching.

Content transfers automatically but page layouts may need manual fixes. Sidebars, footers, and custom CSS require rebuilding in your new template.

Take your time with the process. A rushed site redesign creates more problems than it solves.

Your template library stays intact. You can always switch back if the new design does not work out.