Should you start a new website on Squarespace 7.1 or 7.0? (Pros and Cons)
If you're new to Squarespace in 2020, then you're most likely starting out on Squarespace 7.1. If you've been using Squarespace for a while (or if you're a Circle Member), then you might still have the privilege of working with both - like myself.
This blog post is for those who still have that option open and are undecided which version they want to sway. I will go through some of factors I considered when making my choice, the pros and cons, and whether I'll be migrating my 7.0 website to join my 7.1 baby.
Photo by Christin Hume
Pssst... want website leads on autopilot?
Positive Design Changes in Squarespace 7.1
Personally, I find Squarespace 7.1 so much more intuitive, cleaner looking and it feels more 'modern'. However, there were certain elements in the design panel that I'm not such a fan of. But let's start with the positives!
I LOVE what they've done with the colour themes and colour palettes! You can create now sections with Squarespace's colour palettes OR you can custom make your own colour palette, which I think is SO cool! They just give your website so much more oomph ya know?!
Another thing I love about 7.1 is the sections and their amazing new collection of section templates. For example, if you want to insert images, texts, or headline - Squarespace has really impressed me with their numerous designs!
Also let's take a moment to appreciate the fact that you can now adjust the width for each section instead of using a million of those spacer blocks or subjecting your entire website to a fixed width! Soooo handy for blogging or creating a long form page where you have multiple sections for testimonials, quotes, images, etc.
Photo by Laura Mancke
The Disadvantages of Squarespace 7.1
Umm... what happened to my parallax scrolling!? It made my website look so savvy and cool! cry! But hopefully Squarespace plans to reintroduce that into 7.1 soon! In the meantime, you can copy and paste the code I found for Parallax Scrolling in Squarespace 7.1
Font customisation has been a bit of a nightmare for someone who likes to have control over that. I miss how easy it was to change fonts and font-sizes in 7.0 (you just clicked on it and voila, done). In the new 7.1, they've introduced font-pairs for you and while you still have full customisation... the process is a bit of a hassle with multiple extra steps. I'm not a fan of this feature - in fact, it's the my biggest pet peeve in 7.1 (emoji)!
Goodbye Secondary Navigation! Cry! To be honest, this is actually a make or break for many people - myself included. Why? Because I haven't yet found a way around this and my travel blog (Freedom Wanderers), relies on having this Secondary Navigation for better User Experience. So until Squarespace brings secondary navigation to 7.1, my travel blog is staying on 7.0 - sorry!
Pro-tip: Instead of the secondary navigation, you can have a Mega Menu instead! Fellow Squarespace Web Designer Chris is an absolute genius, you can find his specific Squarespace Mega Menu Bundle here.
Photo by Andrew Neel
Why I chose 7.1 for my new website - Aroha Visuals
All factors considered, I decided to build my new website on 7.1 because:
most of the new Squarespace users will be starting with 7.1 so if I'll be working with these clients, then I'd better get used to it!
it felt more modern to me and I really like the overall style of 7.1
I was simply curious and love trying out new things, so yea... that also played into it!
Plus, I don't really need Secondary navigation yet for my web design website. Parallax scrolling I have already sussed out, and the whole font customisation hassle is liveable.
Photo by Bonnie Kittle
Should you move your Squarespace 7.0 website to 7.1?
While I personally won't be migrating my Squarespace 7.0 website over to 7.1 any time soon, the optimal decision might differ for you.
Just note that there's no magic button for you to press that will migrate your website from 7.0 to 7.1 for you. Nope, if you want to switch your site to 7.1, you're gonna have build that baby from the ground up again! Me: cbf.
If you already have a great 7.0 website, then there's no harm in playing around with a new website design in 7.1 and simply migrate your domain over if you like it more. But I also think that Squarespace will be updating 7.1 with new features and that waiting until those come out isn't a bad idea.
Photo by Content Pixie
Should you start your new website on Squarespace 7.0 or 7.1?
This will definitely boil down to personal preference and your need for a secondary navigation. It also depends on your previous experience with the Squarespace platform.
If you're completely new to Squarespace, then it's a no brainer. Learn the new platform as that will be the one moving forward with new features. In the long run, 7.0 will be phased out just like all the other older versions of Squarespace.
If you already have experience creating 7.0 websites, then I can still recommend you dabble in 7.1 and try it. You might love it or hate it. But there are definitely loads of new features which I personally love for my new site!
What do you think of Squarespace 7.1? Have you tried it out yet? Let me know your favourite features in 7.1 or what you miss about 7.0
If you have any questions, comment below or slide in to my DMs @arohavisuals.