Squarespace consistently introduces new updates aimed at simplifying website design, management, and updates. However, these updates are exclusive to websites built on their latest version, 7.1. If your site currently runs on a Squarespace 7.0 template, I strongly recommend upgrading to take full advantage of these fantastic new features!

With the release of newer versions like Squarespace 7.1 and more recently Fluid Engine, it was announced that no further updates would be made to Squarespace version 7.0. As a result, websites built on 7.0 may encounter increasing design limitations over time. The idea of rebuilding your website on the newer version can understandably feel daunting—you've invested time and effort into designing and launching your current site, and now the prospect of starting over can be overwhelming.

When clients express these concerns to me, I always emphasize that the most challenging part of building a website is typically gathering and organizing the content. If you've already accomplished that, the process of upgrading to the new version will be relatively straightforward.

Squarespace recently introduced a new tool that allows you to transition your website from Squarespace 7.0 to 7.1 with a simple click! The 7.1 Update tool specifically updates your site’s editor while preserving everything else—such as SEO settings, domain configurations, billing details, and orders (so convenient!).

This update is particularly beneficial for larger websites with extensive pages and content, as it streamlines the upgrade process. Your existing 7.0 site remains fully operational during the transition, and any necessary design or layout adjustments can be previewed before finalizing the upgrade.

So, what advantages does upgrading to Squarespace 7.1 offer?

There are seriously SO many benefits to upgrading to 7.1!

Drag-and-drop style section building (Fluid Engine - THE BEST NEW FEATURE! You can say goodbye to limited page layouts and have the freedom to move elements around to anywhere on the page)
Simple addition of custom design features like overlapping images without coding
Ability to create image shapes such as circles and arches
Simplified mobile styling WITHOUT coding
Built-in animations (scrolling text, etc.)
Save and duplicate styled sections
Unlimited font color options
Background color options for text and form blocks
Ability to add Paywalls to blog posts

How do you upgrade your website from Squarespace 7.0 to 7.1?

Here are the steps to upgrade your website from Squarespace 7.0 to 7.1:

Navigate to the back-end menu panel of your Squarespace website and select "Website" and then "Design".
Scroll to the bottom of the page where you'll find an "Update to Version 7.1" button.
Click on this button and follow the prompts to enter preview mode of your website in version 7.1.
At this stage, you can still revert back to your previous 7.0 website without any changes by simply clicking "Cancel". This option allows you to preview the process without committing to the update immediately.

Important Note: The "Update to Version 7.1" button will only appear on certain templates. if your website uses a Bedford or Brine template. If the button is not visible for your site, try updating the template to the Bedford template before proceeding with the update.

Here are the steps to finalize your website upgrade from Squarespace 7.0 to 7.1:

Enter preview mode to adjust layout and design elements on each page as needed. Be aware that some block layouts may differ slightly between 7.1 and 7.0, requiring adjustments to design and spacing.
CSS code specific to 7.0 blocks and sections will appear in the CSS panel but will not affect the 7.1 version (displayed in light grey). Updated block structures and terminology may require new CSS code for custom updates on your 7.1 preview site.
When ready to complete the upgrade and publish your website on Squarespace 7.1, click the "Publish Update" button.
A warning will notify you that publishing is irreversible, and access to the 7.0 version will be discontinued.

By following these steps, your website will be updated to Squarespace 7.1, ensuring access to new updates and features.

Considerations when upgrading your website from Squarespace 7.0 to 7.1:

The upgrade button is accessible only for websites using the Bedford or Brine family templates on Squarespace 7.0.
Cover pages will not transfer over, as they are not supported in Squarespace 7.1.
Exiting preview mode without publishing will result in the loss of any page updates in progress.
Once you confirm and publish the update, all changes become permanent.

For a full walk through of considerations, limitations and workarounds I recommend visiting this article about upgrading from Squarespace 7.0 to 7.1.