How to Change a Squarespace Template

Contents

Choosing & Installing
Customizing
Switching Without Losing Content
Going Live
Troubleshooting
Best Practices
Useful Links
Final Thoughts

Changing your Squarespace template can give your website a fresh, modern look. Whether you want a full redesign or just a subtle layout change, this guide will walk you through selecting, customizing, and switching your Squarespace template smoothly—without losing content or website functionality.

Choosing and Installing a New Squarespace Template

Your template defines your website’s design and functionality. Squarespace offers a variety of templates, so choosing the right one is essential.

Explore the Squarespace Template Library: Visit the Squarespace template library and browse by category, industry, or features. Consider your website’s purpose, branding, and user experience when making a selection.
Preview Before Selecting: Instead of relying on thumbnails, use the live preview option to see how content is structured in each template.
Check Mobile Responsiveness: Every Squarespace template is mobile-friendly, but layouts may vary. Preview your choices on different screen sizes.

Steps to install a new template:

Log into your Squarespace account and navigate to Design.
Click Template to access the available options.
Browse and click Preview to see how a new template looks.
If satisfied, click Install. Your current template will remain active until you finalize the switch.

⚡ Some templates include advanced features like index pages, parallax scrolling, or unique navigation styles. Check Squarespace’s Help Center to see if your chosen template has any design limitations.

Customizing Your New Squarespace Template

Once you install a new template, customization is key to making it match your brand and content.

Adjust Styles: Use the Site Styles panel to modify fonts, colors, buttons, and spacing.
Check Content Placement: Your text and images will remain but may need adjustments for better alignment.
Modify Layout & Sections: Rearrange, add, or remove blocks to fit your website’s structure.
Test Navigation & Links: Ensure all buttons and menus function correctly.

💡 If you're switching from an older Squarespace version (7.0 to 7.1), some customization options might differ. Review the template settings before making major changes.

How to Change a Squarespace Template Without Losing Content

One major concern when switching templates is whether content will be lost. Fortunately, Squarespace preserves most website content, but you may need to adjust formatting.

Text, images, and blog posts: These transfer automatically, though formatting might need minor adjustments.
Navigation menus: Some templates have different menu placements, so check that links display correctly.
Custom sections & page layouts: Some template-specific features may not carry over. You may need to rebuild certain elements.

⚡ Before switching, take screenshots of important pages and copy any custom CSS or settings you’ve applied.

Going Live with Your New Squarespace Template

Steps to activate the new template:

Go to Design > Template in your Squarespace settings.
Select your new template and click Set as Primary.
Review each page to ensure formatting looks correct.
Click Publish to make your new template live.
Test your website on different browsers and devices for consistency.

Troubleshooting Issues When Changing a Squarespace Template

Sometimes, switching templates may cause display or styling issues. Here’s how to resolve common problems:

Content Not Displaying Properly: If elements appear misaligned, check Site Styles and adjust layout spacing.
Custom Code Not Working: Some custom CSS or JavaScript may not transfer correctly. Reapply your code if needed.
Broken Links or Navigation Issues: Verify that all menu links and buttons function correctly with the new template.

✅ If your website layout appears broken, try clearing your browser cache or previewing in an incognito window.

Best Practices for Switching Squarespace Templates

Switching to a new Squarespace template can refresh your website’s design, but it requires careful planning to avoid losing content or disrupting functionality. Follow these best practices to ensure a smooth transition.

Plan Ahead: Sketch out your new website layout before switching templates.
Back Up Key Content: Save copies of important text, images, and any custom code.
Test Before Publishing: Preview your website thoroughly to check for inconsistencies.

Useful Links

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Final Thoughts

Changing a Squarespace template can transform your website’s design without affecting content. By following these steps and best practices, you can switch templates smoothly while keeping your website functional and visually appealing. Explore Squarespace’s template library today and give your website a fresh, modern look!