Time to Upgrade? Squarespace Website Redesign Guide

15 Dec

Is your website working for you, or are you working around it?

If your site was built more than three years ago, you are likely operating on the legacy 7.0 platform. While it was the gold standard for its time, the digital landscape has shifted. A professional redesign is now the most effective way to align your brand with modern consumer expectations and technology.

As a Squarespace Gold Circle Member, I am currently helping forward-thinking clients transition to the new era of Squarespace. Here is why keeping your legacy site might be holding you back.

1. The Power of Fluid Engine Design

The most visible difference in a modern redesign is the move to Fluid Engine, Squarespace’s revolutionary drag-and-drop editor. On the old version 7.0, you were often fighting against a rigid grid.

With a Squarespace 7.1 Upgrade, we gain complete creative control. We can layer imagery, overlap text, and create dynamic layouts that simply weren't possible before. This ensures your brand looks current, rather than looking like a template from 2018.

2. True Mobile-First Design

Google now prioritizes mobile user experience over desktop. In the past, your mobile site was just a squashed version of your desktop site.

With the new engine, we can design a Mobile Friendly Website that is independent of the desktop view. We can resize buttons for thumbs, hide complex elements, and ensure your site scores high on Google’s Core Web Vitals.

3. Streamlining with Squarespace Payments

A redesign is the perfect time to audit your tech stack. If you are selling services or products, moving to Squarespace Payments can centralize your finances.

Instead of bouncing between Stripe, PayPal, and your website to track income, you get a fully integrated dashboard. According to Squarespace, this native integration also helps reduce checkout friction, potentially increasing your conversion rates.

4. Why You Need a Squarespace SEO Expert

The biggest fear business owners have regarding a redesign is losing their Google ranking. This is a valid concern. Migrating from 7.0 to 7.1 involves changing URL structures and backend code.

If you attempt a DIY migration, you risk breaking the "map" Google has of your site. As a specialized expert, I use specific protocols to ensure 301 redirects are in place and your SEO value is preserved during the move. Search Engine Journal highlights that a poorly managed migration is one of the top reasons for traffic drops.