Why you should migrate your site from Squarespace 7.0 to 7.1
If you have a site on Squarespace 7.0 and you have been quietly pretending that the newer version does not exist, trust me, you are not alone!
I speak to so many authors who built their site years ago, wrapped it up with a neat little bow and thought they would never have to touch it again.
Then along came 7.1 with all its upgrades and goodies. At first glance it can feel like yet another tech chore. But honestly, moving to 7.1 is one of the most worthwhile updates you can make to your online home.
Let’s talk through why.
1) The editor feels so much smoother
One of the biggest changes you will notice in 7.1 is how much easier it is to work with. I have clients who are still on 7.0 and when they ask me to make updates to their sites I’m actually shocked at how clunky and difficult it is to work on compared to 7.1!
Which is ironic because I resisted migrating my own sites for ages because I was so in love with 7.0 (and specifically, the Brine template!)
In 7.0 the platform is split into different template families. Each of those families behaves slightly differently. Some have features others do not. Some let you do things on blogs that others block completely. It is a bit like housekeeping in a building where every floor has its own rules.
In 7.1 all those differences disappear. Every template works the same because there is really only one template behind the scenes.
You still get different design presets, but they all share the same functionality.
If you have ever tried to follow a tutorial and then realised halfway through that your template simply does not support the thing you are trying to do, 7.1 will feel like a huge breath of fresh air.
2) The design options are miles better
Let’s be honest. Customising a design in 7.0 could be a bit limiting unless you were happy to dive into custom code. Fonts only got you so far. Buttons were a bit rigid. Spacing options were not always intuitive. It worked fine, but it was tricky.
In 7.1 the design options are genuinely lovely to use. You can control spacing, sizing, colours and layout with far more precision. You can create much more modern looking pages without even thinking about code. You can stack sections, add split layouts, insert banners anywhere you like and adjust background colours and images with ease.
Another huge perk is Fluid Engine. This is Squarespace’s much newer drag and drop layout system, and it only exists on 7.1.
If you have ever wished you could place things exactly where you want them instead of being stuck inside rigid block zones, Fluid Engine is a dream.
It gives you granular control over desktop and mobile layouts, lets you layer content, overlap elements, fine tune spacing and create more bespoke page designs without hiring a developer. It feels more like designing on a canvas than filling out a form, and it opens up so many creative options that 7.0 simply cannot match.
If you are an author or creative who wants a site that feels more personal and more current, 7.1 makes that possible without needing to use a developer or any fiddly code.
3) Section-based pages give you so much more flexibility
This is one of the biggest reasons people migrate and is by far my favourite part of 7.1.
In 7.0 pages were built inside rigid template layouts. You could add blocks, but you were always nudging against invisible walls. Want to create a full width image followed by a two column text area, then a gallery, then a signup block? You could do it but only in very specific ways.
7.1 introduced sections, and they changed everything. Each section has its own style, layout and background options. You can rearrange them with simple drag and drop. You can duplicate them to use as templates. You can mix and match layouts as you like. It gives you the freedom to build pages that feel completely bespoke and less like slightly altered templates.
4) Better mobile design without the fuss
More than 50% of your website visitors are viewing your site on their phones. It is just the world we live in now. On 7.0 mobile styling sometimes felt like pot luck. Certain templates looked great. Others refused to behave. You did not always get proper control over spacing and image crops. It was fine, but not perfect.
In 7.1, the mobile design is completely independent of the desktop design, which means you can have a different design for each.
This is honestly a game-changer, especially after Squarespace brought out its new Layers functionality, meaning you can hide images and other elements on mobile view with a simple click.
Christy Price has a great demo of this here →
5) More marketing friendly features
The newer platform integrates more smoothly with the rest of the Squarespace ecosystem. Announcements, promotional pop ups, scheduling, memberships, commerce and email marketing all work more seamlessly in 7.1.
You will feel the difference if you rely on your site to gather subscribers or drive conversions.
Even small things, like improved forms and smoother newsletter signups, help create a more professional feel for users.
You can also run your own online courses directly through your website - which I do here, and love.
In fact, I use Squarespace to run most of my business. I use it for Contracts and Invoices and to keep track of my business finances.
The only other tools I pay for now are Loom and Canva Pro.
6) New features only come to 7.1 now
This is a big one. Squarespace has not added new features to 7.0 for a long time. They still support it, but they are not developing it anymore.
Anything new that gets rolled out only exists on 7.1. If you want your author website to stay current and take advantage of the latest tools, 7.1 is where all the action is.
This is especially important if you plan to keep your site for years. Sticking with 7.0 means slowly falling behind, and eventually you will find tutorials and help articles that no longer apply to your setup.
7.0’s main limitations
Let’s look at the downsides of staying put.
Fewer layout options
7.0 templates are built to be what they are. You can tweak them but you cannot transform them - at least not without using lots of code. If you ever feel boxed in by your site and wish you could reorganise things, that frustration tends to get louder over time.
Template family quirks
Every 7.0 template family comes with its own strange little rules. Some support index pages, some do not. Some let you change navigation styles, others are locked down. It is a lot of admin to keep track of.
Blog limitations
Blog pages in 7.0 vary depending on your template. Some allow certain layouts, some block them entirely. If blogging is part of your strategy, 7.1 brings consistency and better styling options.
Design becomes harder to modernise
A lot of 7.0 sites are starting to look like older Squarespace sites. You can tell at a glance - and I see SO many author websites built on the same template - they all begin to look the same. You want your author brand to look slick and professional, so this is really worth thinking about.
How to tell what version of Squarespace your site is built on
You might have read this far and be wondering: but am I on Squarespace 7.0 or 7.1?
Don’t worry there’s an easy way to find out.
To check your site's version, open the Pages panel for your site and scroll to the bottom of the panel.
If you're on version 7.0, your site's template name also appears.
How to migrate your site
A few years ago, there was no easy way to migrate your website to the newer version of the platform. You basically had to rebuild the site in its entirety on the new version and then move your domain over, which is why many people stayed put.
However, Squarespace eventually released a migration tool which made it possible.
Don’t get me wrong - there is still quite a bit of work involved in the migration, but it’s much easier than it used to be.
Squarespace have a guide to walk you through the process here →
Things to bear in mind when migrating
While upgrading to 7.1 is generally smooth, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Your site might not look exactly the same after the migration. Some spacing, fonts, or block positions can shift slightly because 7.1 handles layouts differently.
Certain features from 7.0 templates may not have a direct equivalent in 7.1, so a little redesign work may be needed on specific pages.
It’s also a good idea to review your mobile layouts after migrating, as 7.1’s responsive system can change how elements stack or resize.
Overall, it’s a small trade-off for the improved flexibility, modern design options, and long-term support you gain with 7.1- but being aware of these points upfront makes the transition far less stressful.
So is it worth migrating?
In almost every situation the answer is yes!
The only real exception is if you are using a very specific 7.0 template feature that does not exist on 7.1, but those cases are rare now. For most users, moving to 7.1 unlocks a smoother editor, more flexibility, better design options and a site that will grow with you rather than hold you back.
If your author website is an important part of how you present yourself to the world, the upgrade is absolutely worth the effort. You will not just end up with a prettier site. You will end up with a site that is easier to maintain, more robust for the long term and far more enjoyable to work on.
And honestly, that last part matters more than people think. When you enjoy working on your site, you keep it fresh. You improve it. You make it a place you feel proud to send people. And that alone is a giant win.
On a budget but need an author website?
The DIY Author Website Course is just for you! →
Want me to handle your migration for you?
I know this kind of stuff can seem really daunting if you’re not confident with technology.
That’s why I offer a Squarespace 7.0 to 7.1 Migration service, where you can hand the whole process over to me and I’ll get your site switched over within a day - with no involvement from you at all 😆.
I’ve done this for numerous clients now and as a total geek, I absolutely love doing it!
If this service is of interest to you (and you don’t have to be a former client), then get in touch and I’ll let you know my next available slot.
Save 10% off your first year’s Squarespace subscription using code CHARLOTTE10
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