What Will Happen to My Index Page After Switching Squarespace Templates?

What Are Index Pages on Squarespace 7.0?

Index pages are a special page type on Squarespace 7.0 that combines multiple child pages into a single scrolling page. Each child page becomes a section within the index page. Visitors scroll through all sections as one continuous page rather than clicking between separate pages. Index pages are commonly used for homepages, landing pages, and one-page website designs.

Not all 7.0 templates support index pages. Templates in the Brine family, Bedford family, and some others include index page functionality. Templates that do not support index pages simply do not offer the option to create them.

What Happens to Index Pages When You Switch Templates

Scenario 1: New Template Supports Index Pages

If the new template supports index pages, your index page content carries over. The child pages remain as sections within the index. However, the visual presentation changes - each template displays index sections differently in terms of layout, spacing, transitions, and navigation behavior. Review the index page after switching and adjust section settings to match your intended design.

Scenario 2: New Template Does Not Support Index Pages

If the new template does not support index pages, the index structure breaks. Your child pages may: convert to standalone pages (each section becomes its own page in the navigation), display as a list of links instead of a scrolling page, or become inaccessible until you reorganize them into regular pages. This is the most disruptive scenario - your one-page scrolling design becomes multiple separate pages.

Scenario 3: Partial Support

Some templates support index pages but handle them differently - the navigation between sections may change, the visual transitions may differ, or certain section types may not display correctly. The content is preserved but the experience changes enough that you need to reconfigure the design.

Before Switching: Prepare Your Index Page

Document the Current Structure

Screenshot every section of your index page. Note the order of child pages, the content in each section, and how the navigation connects them. This reference is essential for rebuilding if the index page does not survive the switch.

Check Template Compatibility

Before switching, verify the new template supports index pages. Preview the new template (Design > Template > Preview) and check if your index page displays correctly. If the preview shows problems, you know to prepare for restructuring.

Back Up Your Content

Export your site content and save all Custom CSS before switching. If the index page breaks, you have a record of what needs to be rebuilt. For backup procedures, our guide to backing up your Squarespace site covers complete export methods.

If Your Index Page Breaks After Switching

Rebuild as Regular Sections

If the new template does not support index pages, rebuild the scrolling page using regular page sections. On 7.0, add sections to a single page and configure each one to replicate the content from your original index child pages. This creates a similar visual result without the index page structure.

Consider Migrating to 7.1

If index page limitations are driving your template switch, consider migrating to Squarespace 7.1 instead. On 7.1, every page supports multiple sections natively through the Fluid Engine - no special page type needed. The Fluid Engine provides more layout flexibility than any 7.0 index page. For the Fluid Engine, our guide to Fluid Engine on Squarespace covers every capability.

Use Anchor Links for Navigation

If you rebuild your index content as sections on a regular page, add anchor links to each section so visitors can navigate between them using the navigation menu. This replicates the index page's scrolling navigation behavior on a standard page. For anchor link setup, our guide to linking to sections in Squarespace covers the complete process.

Index Pages vs. 7.1 Multi-Section Pages

7.0 Index Pages: Special page type. Child pages become sections. Template-dependent support. Limited layout flexibility. Navigation between sections is template-controlled.

7.1 Multi-Section Pages: Every page supports multiple sections natively. Fluid Engine gives freeform layout control. Separate desktop and mobile editing. No template dependency. Section-level design controls for each section independently.

If your current 7.0 site relies heavily on index pages and you are unhappy with template limitations, migrating to 7.1 provides a fundamentally better multi-section page experience. For version comparison, our guide to Fluid Engine vs Classic Editor covers the differences in detail.

Template Families That Support Index Pages (7.0)

The following 7.0 template families support index pages: Brine (most flexible index support), Bedford, Pacific, Montauk, and York. If you are switching between templates within the same family, index page behavior is more likely to be preserved. Switching between different families carries more risk. For template selection, our guide to choosing a Squarespace template covers evaluation criteria including index page support.

After Switching: Verification Checklist

1. Check the index page displays. Does it show as a scrolling page or as separate pages?

2. Check section order. Are child pages in the correct sequence?

3. Check content display. Are images, text, and blocks positioned correctly in each section?

4. Check navigation. Do index section links work in the navigation menu?

5. Check mobile. Does the index page scroll correctly on phone screens? For mobile testing, our guide to Squarespace mobile optimization covers responsive verification.

6. Check SEO. Verify URL slugs and meta titles for each index child page are intact. For design strategies after template changes, our Squarespace design tips guide covers visual consistency. For the complete template switching process, our guide to changing templates on Squarespace covers every step. For broader customization, our guide to customizing your Squarespace website covers site structure and page organization.

Plan for the Index Page Before You Switch

Index pages are the most template-dependent feature on Squarespace 7.0. Before switching templates, verify the new template supports index pages, preview the result, and prepare for restructuring if it does not. Documenting your current index page structure and having a rebuild plan ensures you are not caught off guard.

If index page limitations are driving your decision to switch templates, migrating to 7.1 may be the better long-term solution - it eliminates the concept entirely in favor of a more flexible multi-section page system.