How to Change Your Squarespace Template

Squarespace Help

Mar 7

Should you start over or customize your current site?

So, you’re building a website on Squarespace. You’ve picked a template from their library, and you're excited to get started.

But then, you realize – it’s too basic. You want something more refined. Or maybe you’ve been eyeing another template and want to switch.

Alternatively, you may have just started a trial and now want a different design. Or you've already launched your site, paid for a subscription, and suddenly wish you had chosen a different template.

Here comes frustration. You search for a way to swap templates, only to find that Squarespace doesn’t let you do it with a simple click. Unlike WordPress or Shopify, where you can upload a new theme and instantly replace your design, Squarespace doesn’t have this option.

In Squarespace (and similar platforms like Wix), templates aren’t standalone themes that you can swap in and out. Instead, they’re fully customized websites that exist separately in your account. You can have multiple sites in your account, but you can’t just switch templates automatically.

And with the newest version of Squarespace, this limitation is even more pronounced. So, what can you do if you want to change your template? Here’s how to navigate this process.

Option 1: Start a New Trial Site

Squarespace doesn’t allow you to automatically switch templates. However, in version 7.1, all templates use the same underlying features, meaning you can manually recreate any design by adjusting fonts, colors, images, and layouts.

Fortunately, you can start as many free trial sites as you want. If you’re not happy with your current design, simply delete the trial and start a new one.

If you’ve already purchased a subscription but want to switch designs, there are options:

If you're within the first 14 days, you can get a full refund and start fresh.
If you’ve already committed to an annual plan, consider switching to a monthly plan before canceling. Squarespace often prioritizes refunds in this case.
If you purchase a subscription for a new site, you can contact Squarespace support and ask if they’ll refund your previous subscription since you’re switching designs.

This flexibility allows you to test different templates without feeling stuck.

Option 2: Buy a Premium Template

If you already have a website but aren’t happy with the design, you have two main options:

Start a new trial site and build from scratch.
Manually replace fonts, colors, and layouts in your existing site.

If you choose the second option, a premium template can make the process much easier. If you purchase a premium template from Applet Studio, you can select the installation add-on at checkout. Our team will manually update your fonts, colors, and styles to match the template you purchased.