How to Change Your Template in Squarespace 7.1 (And What to Do About Your Subscription)
If you're building a website on Squarespace 7.1 and suddenly realize that the template you started with isn't quite right for your brand, you’ve probably spent a frustrating amount of time looking for the old "Change Template" button in the Design menu.
You aren't alone. One of the most frequently asked questions on the Squarespace forums is how to swap out a template after a site has already been started and paid for.
Here is the short answer: When it comes down to it, you simply can't change the template on Squarespace 7.1.
But don't panic! There is a fully approved workaround to get the exact design you want while ensuring you don't lose the money you've already spent on your current subscription. Here is everything you need to know.
The Problem: Why Can't You Change Templates in Squarespace 7.1?
In older versions of Squarespace (like version 7.0), templates were built on completely different code families. Switching templates meant you were actually changing the underlying features and capabilities of your website.
Squarespace 7.1 handles design entirely differently. In 7.1, every template shares the exact same underlying structure. The different "templates" you see in the Squarespace gallery are essentially just different starting points—pre-made combinations of demo content, color palettes, and typography. Because they all share a single master framework, Squarespace completely removed the ability to swap from one initial design to another.
While you could technically delete all your content manually, reset your site styles, and rebuild the new template block-by-block, this is incredibly tedious and time-consuming.
The Solution: The Step-by-Step Workaround
If you want to completely overhaul your design using a different template's starting point, you have to start a new website. However, this raises a major billing issue: if you've started a separate site, you can't move your Squarespace subscription over.
To avoid paying for two subscriptions at once, follow this exact process:
1. Start a New Trial Site
Go back to the Squarespace template library and select the template you actually want. Start a brand-new 14-day free trial. Make sure you create this trial under the same Squarespace account as your current paid site so all of your websites are housed under one login.
2. Contact Squarespace Support for a Refund
Because subscriptions are permanently tied to the site they were purchased on, you will need to cancel your original plan. However, you don't have to eat the cost of the unused time!
Reach out directly to Squarespace Customer Support. Explain that you had to start a new site because you needed to switch templates. Ask them if you can cancel your original plan and get a prorated refund for the unused time. (Squarespace support is highly accustomed to this exact request and has a standard workflow for it).
3. Upgrade Your New Site
Once support has canceled your old site and initiated your prorated refund, simply upgrade your new trial site to a paid plan. You can now build your website using the correct template without paying double for the privilege!
Summary
Can I change my template in Squarespace 7.1? No. All 7.1 templates use the exact same framework, so the native "switch template" feature has been removed. Templates are now just starting points for demo content.
Can I transfer my subscription to a new Squarespace site? No, subscriptions cannot be transferred directly between different websites.
What is the workaround? Start a new trial site with your desired template. Contact Squarespace support to cancel your original site's plan and request a prorated refund for the unused time. Finally, purchase a new plan on your newly created site.
