Now is The Time To Move to 7.1

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Squarespace 7.1 launched back in 2020. But Squarespace is only recently starting to really push designers and users to start using the new version. 

So if you’re a website designer or own a Squarespace site, you might be wondering if it makes sense to finally make the switch. 

Read on as we break down some of the top benefits of moving from 7.0 to 7.1. And why now’s the time to do it. 

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Why should you move from Squarespace 7.0 to 7.1? 

Anyone planning to continue to use Squarespace long-term or for the next two to four years should seriously consider making the move to 7.1. This also applies if you plan to continuously add new content to your site. New content can include anythig from publishing blog posts, products, or adding new pages. 

While the migration process can feel time-consuming, moving to Squarespace 7.1 also comes with a lot of benefits. 

New Fluid Engine editor 

One of the biggest changes in 7.1 is Fluid Engine, the newest Squarespace editor. It’s only available on 7.1 and won’t be available in 7.0. Fluid Engine’s drag-and-drop functionality helps designers truly control the look and feel of a website. 

The new editor is particularly helpful for websites with a high percentage of mobile traffic. (Sites with greater than 60-75% mobile traffic.) The new Fluid Engine designer separates the mobile and desktop editors, giving you more control over the mobile experience. 

With that in mind, Fluid Engine is still new. So it does have some bugs and kinks. But the new functionality has so much potential and you can expect that things will only continue to get better. 

Squarespace will continue to invest in 7.1 

As Squarespace continues to invest in Fluid Engine, you’ll get access to more and more design options for your site. But there’s more to 7.1 than just a new editor. Squarespace is continuing to build out a wide range of new features in 7.1 that you’ll definitely want built into your site, including: 

• Email campaigns 

• Membership 

• Video tutorials 

• Scheduler 

• Galleries 

Access to new benefits 

By moving over to Squarespace 7.1 you’ll also gain access to any potential new features and benefits that come with the new versions. Instead of waiting until later on to make the decision, moving over now guarantees you first access to any new features that might not even be on your radar yet. 

Can I stay on Squarespace 7.0? 

Squarespace 7.0 is still being supported for the time being. So if you have a site that doesn’t need additional pages, blog posts, or any updates, you can probably stay on 7.0. 

However, if you’re a designer working with clients or think your website might need changes in the future, it’s probably worth considering a site migration.  

While it can be a project to move it now, it guarantees that you’ll get all the best benefits of Squarespace on your website. Once you build your site on the new version, you won’t need to continue to think about it in the future. 

Moving from Squarespace 7.0 to 7.1 

The unfortunate truth is that the migration from Squarespace 7.0 to 7.1 is a manual process. You’ll need to copy all the content on your current site to the new version. 

But there are a few ways to make this process easier for you. 

Using a plugin 

There are plugins available, like the one at squarewebsites.org that can help speed up the process. The plugin will automatically sync all the content from your old site to the new site. This will save you a ton of time when it comes to moving to 7.1 

That being said, the plugin isn’t perfect. You’ll still want to set aside some time to do some customization work and fix anything that wasn’t migrated over properly.  

The squarewebsites.org plugin isn’t free. However, you should be able to subscribe for only the one month during which you plan to move your site. 

Checklist for moving from Squarespace 7.0 to 7.1 

There’s a lot to consider when making the change from Squarespace 7.0 to 7.1, particularly around SEO. 

To make sure you’re not missing anything, download this checklist that walks you through all the steps. From changing URLs to setting up 301 redirects, this free checklist makes sure you don’t miss anything or create any issues in the process.  

Need More Help?

Squarespace 7.1 unlocks a whole host of unique features for web designers. While moving your websites over can be a bit of a process, the benefits of 7.1, including Fluid Engine, will be worth the switch in the long run.  

So if you’re still working in 7.0, now’s the time to make the switch to Squarespace 7.1.