Squarespace has been on an ambitious journey since its start. It has undergone many changes to stay at the front of the website builder industry. The platform’s different versions are a result of its dedication to innovation, usability, and design. While there are still sites using Squarespace 5.0, this article covers versions 7.0 and 7.1:

Also see our updated review of Squarespace for a more in-depth look at the platform.

How to Check Your Squarespace Version

To check which version of Squarespace you are using, access your website, open the “Pages” panel, then scroll to the bottom. Under the Utilities section, you will see version 7.0 or 7.1 in the bottom-left corner.

If you are on version 7.0, you will also see the name of your template displayed.

Your Squarespace version affects the features and style options available to you.

Current Versions at a Glance

Squarespace’s pricing plans apply to all versions (unless you have a legacy plan):

• Squarespace Version 5 (2008): This version is the earliest of the current platforms.

• Squarespace Version 7.0 (2014): This version includes a variety of templates offering different features.

  • Squarespace Developer Platform: An advanced tool or “version” for developers allowing full code control. It is accessed via 7.0.

• Squarespace Version 7.1 (2020): This latest version offers one template family with consistent features and style options across the board.

  • Fluid Engine (2022): Fluid Engine is an optional feature on Version 7.1 that some view as almost another “version.”

Need Squarespace help?

We offer fast, highly-experienced support.

Do you have to upgrade from 7.0 to 7.1?

No, you do not have to switch platforms. Squarespace provides support for all versions.

Should you use 7.0 or 7.1? Should you switch?

Squarespace’s marketing emails lead many businesses to believe they are missing out on something in regards to Version 7.1 or Fluid Engine. For most SMBs, this is not true. Some businesses interpret the communications to mean they must move, or risk getting booted off the platform. But this is not the case.

Adding to the confusion, many new designers who are only familiar with the 7.1 platform tend to frame the switch as imperative.

Note: Both versions are SEO-friendly, learn more about Squarespace SEO tools.

How to determine which version is right for you:

• If you are launching a new ecommerce site, use version 7.1.

• If you’re launching a new small business, then 7.1 is likely your starting point.

• If you specifically want to build an online course with chapters and progress tracker, you’ll use version 7.1. Learn more about Squarespace Courses.

• If you want to use Fluid Engine, allowing for blocks to be placed on top of other blocks or have a need for separate mobile styling, then you’ll use 7.1.

• If it is time for a site redesign, your goals, budget, size of your site, and other factors, will determine if a redesign or migration from 7.0 to 7.1 is in your best interests.

• If you need very advanced functionality, your developer might use the 7.0 developer platform.

• If your support staff is accustomed to 7.0 and resistant to learning new tools, stay put.

• If your site is on 7.1 and your support staff isn’t detailed oriented or your staff turns over frequently, encourage them to use Classic Editor, or turn off Fluid Engine altogether.

• If your business is thinking “let’s move, but keep the same overall look,” this isn’t a reason to move. A better use of your time or budget might be to audit and improve your 7.0 site and SEO content. That said, if your site is built on Bedford or Brine, then it is a fairly smooth switch.

• If your 7.0 site utilizes gallery pages to display the same content across multiple pages/posts via summary or gallery blocks—meaning one update is reflected in many locations—stay put for now.

• If your large content site or multi-audience site requires robust secondary menu navigation, consider the 7.0 Brine family. Alternatively, if your local service business wants dual navigation to simply display contact information, one of the free code solutions for 7.1 should work.

• If you want the most stable version, with the fewest bugs and annoyances, then 7.0 is for you.

• If you need an extremely simple approach for someone that is hesitant to learn new tools, consider the 7.0 Bedford family. While it is not super flexible in design, it is a reliable choice for those who don’t care to spend time designing a site. The Bedford family templates can be easily switched to 7.1 at a later date.

• If you are a creative using a 7.0 template with a more unique layout/functionality, such as Avenue, Flatiron, or Forte, familiarize yourself with 7.1 before making a decision.

If you can establish a business case that demonstrates a positive ROI for a site migration, then consider making the switch. But if you just have a general curiosity about what you might be missing out on, then it may not be worth the time or expense.

FWIW the site you are viewing is built on a retired 7.0 template Marquee, which was replaced by the Brine family.

Exercise Caution If Upgrading from 7.0 to 7.1

Squarespace does not yet provide a migration path for all sites to move from 7.0 to 7.1. Currently, only sites that are built on Bedford or Brine can make a smooth switch. If you are unsure about “upgrading” your site, open a 7.1 trial site to familiarize yourself with the new environment, then make a determination.

If you plan to either (1) rebuild a site from scratch or (2) start with a duplicated site (which is not an exact copy), these redesigns would be considered website migrations. These approaches require technical know-how to maintain SEO authority. Proceed cautiously if you are an established business with organic search traffic.

It is advisable to hire an experienced SEO for a migration consultation. If your in-house team is handling the move, make sure they understand 301 redirects and how to do redirects on Squarespace. If you hire someone to help, make sure to vet SEO skills.

Tip: For whatever reason, on version 7.1 only Circle members have access to Gallery Blocks. You can ask a Squarespace site designer to save a section with a Gallery Block for your future use.

Is Fluid Engine worth it?

If your proposed design necessitates it, then yes Fluid Engine allows for greater flexibility with content layouts, allowing blocks to be placed more precisely and on top of other blocks. That said Fluid Engine also adds a layer of complexity that often overwhelms DIY users. It requires you to design the desktop and mobile versions of your site separately which can be much more time-consuming.

Many DIY users prefer the simpler styling process of the easier Classic Editor. The Classic Editor can be used on either version of Squarespace. If you see an “upgrade” button on a 7.1 section, this indicates that section was built with Classic Editor.

Tip: Fluid Engine on Safari can be painfully slow, the solution is to use Chrome.

Changing a Squarespace Template

Templates can play a significant role in shaping a website’s look and functionality.

Version 7.0

You can use your site’s style settings to adjust your design and structure without starting over, but if desired, you can switch to a different template.

Squarespace version 7.0 is organized into template families, with each family having distinct features. A “family” of templates simply means multiple examples of the same base template styled various ways. For example, the ever-popular Brine family has about 45 variations—any functionality specific to Brine applies to all the examples.

When you switch a 7.0 template, you’ll need to rebuild the footer and reorganize the pages in your menu. And if you are on a template that has multiple content areas on a page, such as Five (not to be confused with version 5.0), you’ll need to evaluate all pages before switching the template to verify your content is in the body of the page, otherwise it will be hidden if your new template doesn’t have the corresponding page sections.

Version 7.1

In contrast, version 7.1 offers one standardized template. Every template in this version belongs to the same family—every example you see is the same site styled differently. Having uniform features and styling options across the board makes things easier for the Squarespace support team and their customers. Thus you cannot “switch” the version 7.1 template, instead you simply update your site’s style to meet your needs.

Final Thoughts

Each Squarespace version has its merits, and the choice boils down to the preferences and needs of your business. We are huge fans of Squarespace 7.0, but also enjoy features available on 7.1. If you have any questions about which version is best for your situation, reach out and we’ll take a quick look.

When you need expert help, a Squarespace website developer who has used the platform for years will be more familiar with template features and platform quirks than the first-line support team. If you need fast answers, book a Zoom.

Get fast expert help.

We offer fast, highly-experienced support.