What Happened to My Footer and Sidebar After Switching Squarespace Templates?

Creating the perfect Squarespace website takes time. Part of designing the perfect website is to change the footer and sidebar to make sure they have elements in there to help you convert visitors. For instance, you might want to add email subscription forms or social media links. These can help you keep engaging with audiences, long after they’ve left your website.

However, there are going to be times when you think that a completely new design is going to be beneficial. With Squarespace, you have access to hundreds of potential templates that are all free and you can switch between templates at any moment. It is just a simple case of finding the template you want and installing it on your website.

The process is so simple that those with no experience in building a website can do it within minutes.

When you do make the change, there can be problems. One of the major problems that website owners come across is that the footer and sidebar have changed after switching Squarespace templates. What has happened to the footer and sidebar and how can that be solved?

Understanding Styling Options

When it comes to building a Squarespace website it's important that you understand how the style aspects of the website are stored. Within Squarespace, the custom CSS, footers, styles, sidebars, headers, and more are stored within the files of the template. When the website is accessed, only the live template files are accessed.

If you switch templates, then you’re asking the browser of the user to ignore the old template files and instead, they will fetch the documents for the new template’s footer and sidebar. Therefore, the hard work that you’ve put into the footer and sidebar will not be seen.

That doesn’t mean that you can’t use the footer and sidebar settings though.

How to Use Old Footer and Sidebar Settings

When it comes to using the old footer and sidebar settings on your website there are two options. You can revert back to the old template on your Squarespace website. Or you can change your new template footer and sidebar settings and utilize these.

There might be a problem though as some templates don’t support the same functionality as other templates. Even some sidebars might not be available on templates.

That is why it is always important to check the functionality of new templates before installing them. This allows you to ensure that you can transfer any pages/content/functions/customizations over to the new template when you make it live.

If in doubt, you can also speak to a third-party developer. They might be able to get your old settings back onto your new template for a modest fee.

Adjusting to Template Switches on Squarespace

Adjusting the Footer After a Template Change

After switching templates, customizations such as email subscription forms or social media links in the footer might not automatically transfer. This is due to each Squarespace template having its own design rules and content structure, which can affect how footers are displayed and function. To integrate these elements into the new template, it might be necessary to manually adjust or recreate the footer to ensure it aligns with the new layout and capabilities.

Adapting the Sidebar in the New Template

Similarly, the sidebar may not appear as previously configured after a template switch. This discrepancy arises from the differing sidebar functionalities and supports across Squarespace templates. If the new template supports sidebars, adjustments may be required to effectively reintegrate sidebar elements, taking into account the new template’s layout and capabilities.

Handling Changes and Troubleshooting

Encountering changes in footer and sidebar setups is a common aspect of navigating Squarespace troubleshooting and issues after a template switch. Recognizing the unique features and limitations of each template can help in making informed decisions before undergoing a switch.

For seamless adaptation, it might also be beneficial to consult Squarespace's support documentation or consider the assistance of a developer to customize the new template effectively.

Adjusting to New Squarespace Templates: A Guide for Footers and Sidebars

When switching Squarespace templates, it's crucial to consider how elements like footers and sidebars will transition. Each template handles these sections differently, which can affect the overall design and functionality of your site. Below are some important reminders to keep in mind during the transition process.

Footer Content Migration

When transitioning to a new template, the content in the footer may not automatically reformat to match the new design. It's important to manually check the footer layout and content to ensure they align with the new template's aesthetic and functionality.

This may involve re-arranging content blocks, resizing elements, or adjusting the styling to fit the new template's footer area. Some templates offer more complex footer options, including multiple columns or the ability to add background images, so taking the time to explore these features can greatly enhance the look of your site.

Sidebar Configuration

Not all templates support sidebar functionality, and for those that do, the placement and configuration options can vary significantly. If transitioning from a template with a sidebar to one without, consider how to integrate that content elsewhere on your site.

For templates that do include sidebars, explore the customization options available, such as sidebar width, position (left or right side of the page), and the types of content blocks that can be added. This reconfiguration is an opportunity to streamline navigation and highlight important information in a more visually appealing way.

Responsiveness and Mobile Design

The appearance of footers and sidebars can vary drastically on mobile devices compared to desktop views. It's essential to preview and adjust the mobile site design to ensure footers and sidebars are accessible and visually coherent on smaller screens.

Some templates automatically adjust these elements for mobile optimization, but others may require manual adjustments. Consider the hierarchy of information, especially in the footer, to ensure that crucial links and contact information are easily accessible on mobile devices.

Adjusting sidebar content or converting it into a collapsible menu can improve the mobile user experience, making navigation simpler and more intuitive.

Conclusion: What Happened to My Footer and Sidebar After Switching Squarespace Templates?

When it comes to the footer and sidebar settings of your Squarespace website, they’re stored within the files of the template. When you switch templates, the changes you made under the old template will not be valid. Therefore, you will have to make those changes again or revert back to the old template.