You can change your Squarespace template at any time, and your content stays in place

Squarespace lets you swap templates without deleting your pages, text, images, or settings. When you switch, your content moves to the new template's structure — so a blog post stays a blog post, a product page stays a product page. Some formatting may shift (like column widths or font sizes), and custom code you added might need adjustment, but nothing disappears.

The process takes about five minutes. You pick a new template from Squarespace's library, confirm the switch, and then spend time adjusting how things look on the new design. Most people find they need to tweak spacing, colors, or section layouts after switching, but that's normal.

Key Takeaways

  • Your pages, text, images, and products transfer to the new template automatically — you won't lose any content.
  • Custom code, custom CSS, and some advanced formatting may break or need updates after you switch templates.
  • You can preview a template before switching to see how your content will look in the new design.
  • After switching, plan to spend 30 minutes to a few hours adjusting colors, fonts, spacing, and section layouts to match your vision.

How to switch templates in Squarespace

Log into your Squarespace account and go to Home in the left sidebar. At the top of the page, click Change Template. Squarespace will show you its full template library organized by category (Portfolio, Blog, Store, etc.). Browse or search for a template you like.

Click on any template to see a preview of how your actual content would look in that design. Scroll through the preview to check how your pages, products, or blog posts render. When you find one you want to use, click Preview to see a full-screen version, then click get your free guide or Choose This Template (the button text varies).

Squarespace will ask you to confirm the switch. Read the message — it reminds you that some custom code or styling may need updates. Click Switch Template to proceed. Your site will refresh, and you'll see your content in the new template.

What happens to your content when you switch

All your pages, blog posts, products, images, and text transfer automatically. Squarespace maps your old content to the new template's page types, so a Services page stays a Services page, a product listing stays a product listing. Your site structure and navigation carry over too.

However, custom styling often breaks. If you added custom CSS through the Custom CSS panel, that code stays in your site but may not work the same way in the new template — the new template's class names and structure are different. If you embedded custom code (like a form, map, or script) in a page, it usually stays, but you may need to resize or reposition it to fit the new layout.

Formatting details like column widths, text alignment, spacing, and font sizes will change to match the new template's defaults. Your color scheme and custom fonts transfer, but the new template may use them differently than the old one did.

Preview before you commit to a switch

Always preview a template with your actual content before switching. When you click on a template in the library, Squarespace shows you a live preview using your real pages, products, and images — not placeholder content. Scroll through to see how your blog posts, product photos, and text blocks look in the new design.

Pay attention to details: Do your product images look good at the new template's default sizes? Does your navigation fit without wrapping? Are there enough spacing and breathing room around your content? If you have a lot of text on a page, does it feel cramped or readable?

If the preview doesn't look right, go back and try a different template. You can preview as many as you want before deciding. There's no penalty for looking at ten templates before choosing one.

Adjusting your site after switching templates

After you switch, your site will look different. Spend time going through each page and section to see what needs tweaking. Most adjustments happen in the Design panel, where you can change colors, fonts, spacing, and section layouts without touching code.

Start with the homepage and main pages your visitors see first. Check that images are sized correctly, text is readable, and sections have good spacing. Then move through your other pages — blog, products, contact, about — and make the same checks. If you have a lot of pages, this can take an hour or more, but it's worth doing to make sure your site looks intentional in the new design.

If you added custom CSS before switching, log into the Custom CSS panel and test your site in different browsers and on mobile. Some of your old CSS may not work, and you'll need to update or remove it. If you're not comfortable editing CSS, consider leaving it as is and using the Design panel to make changes instead.

When custom code or styling breaks

Custom CSS often breaks because the new template uses different HTML structure and class names. If your site looks broken after switching — sections are misaligned, colors are wrong, or spacing is off — check the Custom CSS panel first. You may need to rewrite some rules to match the new template's structure.

Embedded code (like a Calendly widget, Typeform, or custom script) usually stays in place, but you might need to resize the container or adjust margins. Click into the section where the code lives and use the Design panel to adjust spacing or width.

If you're stuck, Squarespace's support team can help you troubleshoot custom code issues. You can also roll back to your previous template if the switch didn't work out — go back to Change Template and pick your old template. Your content will be fine either way.

Can you undo a template switch?

Yes. If you switch templates and decide you don't like the new design, go back to Home, click Change Template, and select your old template. Your content stays intact, and you'll be back to your previous design. You can switch back and forth as many times as you want.

Keep in mind that if you made design changes after switching (like adjusting colors or fonts), those changes won't revert when you switch back. You'll need to redo them or remember what they were. For this reason, it's a good idea to take screenshots of your old site's design before switching if you think you might go back.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my blog posts and products transfer to the new template?

Yes, all your blog posts, products, images, and text transfer automatically. Squarespace maps them to the new template's page types, so everything stays organized the same way. You may need to adjust spacing or sizing, but no content is lost.

What if I have a lot of custom code on my site?

Custom code usually stays in place, but it may not work the same way in the new template. Test your site thoroughly after switching. If custom CSS breaks, you'll need to update it to match the new template's structure. Embedded widgets (like forms or maps) typically work but may need resizing.

Can I see how my content looks in a new template before I switch?

Yes. Click on any template in the library and select Preview. Squarespace shows you your actual pages, products, and images in the new design. Scroll through to see how everything looks before you commit to the switch.

How long does it take to switch templates?

The switch itself takes a few minutes. However, adjusting your site's design afterward — tweaking colors, fonts, spacing, and layouts — can take 30 minutes to a few hours depending on how many pages you have and how much customization you want.

What if the new template doesn't work out?

Go back to Change Template and pick your old template. Your content and settings stay the same. You can switch back and forth as many times as you need to find a design you like.