Should I Upgrade My Website to Squarespace 7.1?
Your website is the cornerstone of your digital presence. It’s your own little home on the Internet! It’s how people find you, connect with you, and decide to work with you.
That’s why it’s so important to keep it up to date and running as smoothly as possible. If you’re currently using Squarespace 7.0, you might be wondering whether it’s time to upgrade to 7.1 or not.
Before you make any decisions about your Squarespace upgrade to 7.1, let’s talk through the benefits, considerations, and potential impact of making the switch.
What is Squarespace 7.1?
Squarespace has always been a user-friendly platform, but when Squarespace 7.1 launched, it marked a significant evolution. This new version offers even more flexibility and powerful new features for website owners.
It was designed to provide more intuitive design tools and expanded selling capabilities, ensuring that every Squarespace user is equipped for success in a digital environment.
Some key characteristics that set version 7.1 apart include:
A unified design system that provides consistent features across all templates
The innovative Fluid Engine editor for a more flexible content layout
Enhanced mobile responsiveness with an independent mobile layout design
Expanded ecommerce capabilities with support for up to 10,000 products
New sections-based page building approach for easier content organization
Modern design features like auto-layouts and site-wide animations
By focusing on delivering more powerful, versatile solutions for brands and businesses, Squarespace 7.1 is making it easier than ever to create a professional and engaging online presence.
Key Benefits of Upgrading to 7.1
Depending on your business, there are several significant benefits to upgrading your website. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular.
Enhanced Design Flexibility
With this upgrade, Squarespace introduced Fluid Engine. This powerful drag-and-drop editor gives you unprecedented control over your layout. You can now place elements exactly where you want them and create more sophisticated designs without needing to know how to code.
Improved Mobile Responsiveness
Mobile responsiveness is no longer an option. If you want to succeed in today’s economy, having a website that looks great on all devices is non-negotiable.
Squarespace 7.1 offers enhanced mobile responsiveness features, including independent mobile layouts and automatic optimization for different screen sizes. The upgrade also gives users better control over spacing and alignment, as well as improved navigation menus for mobile users.
Advanced E-commerce Features
If you’re an e-commerce business, version 7.1 comes with a lot of features to make running your business easier than ever.
Product catalog capacity has been increased to up to 10,000 products, while improved category management and enhanced product variant options make organization easier. Squarespace also improved its product page layouts and added new features such as waitlists and inventory alerts.
SEO and Performance Improvements
What’s a great website without a great SEO strategy? The new version includes several features that can help boost your website's search engine visibility, such as improved page load times, better URL structure options, and improved metadata controls. If you upgrade to version 7.1, you’ll also benefit from automatic image optimization and improved site architecture.
Important Considerations Before Upgrading
Before you make the final decision to upgrade, consider these points.
It’s a permanent change. Understand that upgrading to Squarespace 7.1 is a one-way move. Once you do it, you can’t go back to 7.0.
You’ll need to rebuild your website in the new system. While this may seem like a daunting task, it’s also the perfect time to refresh your design, improve the user experience, update your copy, and implement new features.
There’s a time investment required. The migration process requires careful planning and execution. You'll need to back up all your existing content, choose a new template, rebuild your pages, test functionality, and update integrations. None of this can be done on the fly.
How a Squarespace Web Designer Can Help
If upgrading seems overwhelming, working with a professional Squarespace web designer like HeiPro Digital can help. Partnering with someone knowledgeable is the easiest way to make your upgrade process smoother and more successful.
Our team has a lot of experience with Squarespace web design, including the process of upgrading to version 7.1. We’re ready to help you:
Develop a strategic plan for the upgrade process
Carefully manage your content migration
Design an optimized and custom layout using 7.1’s new features
Ensure that brand consistency is maintained across all pages
Develop a user-friendly, mobile-responsive layout
Assist with all technical aspects, including setting up new features and integrations
Create an SEO optimization strategy
Once your website is upgraded, we’ll run our performance testing and quality assurance processes to ensure you are ready for a successful launch.
Ready to Upgrade Your Website? Contact HeiPro Digital
Ready to upgrade your website to Squarespace 7.1? HeiPro can help you make the most of the platform’s new features in a smooth, streamlined, and stress-free way. Contact us today to start a conversation!