How Do I Revert Back to Old Squarespace?

Reverting back to an old version of Squarespace can be a nuanced task, often dependent on the specific contexts of changes you want to undo. It's important to understand that if you're referring to downgrading from Squarespace 7.1 to 7.0 (which are different versions of their platform), there's no official way provided by Squarespace to revert back automatically. However, if your goal is to revert recent changes or recover previous versions of content, there are steps you can take. Below are detailed actions you can consider based on your situation:

Reverting Content Changes

If you've made changes to specific content or pages and wish to revert those, Squarespace has some built-in features to help:

1. Undo/Redo Actions:

2. While in the page editor, you can often use Ctrl+Z (Windows) or Command+Z (Mac) to undo recent changes. Similarly, Ctrl+Y or Command+Y can redo them.

3. Restoring Backup (Squarespace 7.1):

4. Unfortunately, Squarespace lacks a comprehensive version history or auto-backup feature akin to more advanced content management systems. However, if you've manually created a backup or a duplicate of the existing page/template, you can restore content from there.

Reverting Site Design Changes

If you've made changes to your site's design and want to revert to a previous design, your options are:

1. Reapply a Template (Squarespace 7.0):
2. Squarespace 7.0 users can apply and switch between different templates. If you have not deleted the previous template and still have it in your dashboard, you can switch back to it.

3. Template changes can be found under Design > Template. Select the previous template you wish to activate.

4. Custom CSS Rollback:

5. If you have custom CSS or code injections, you might have backups or external copies you can place back into your active custom code areas.

Content and Design Restoration for Squarespace 7.1

If you’re on Squarespace 7.1 and wish to roll back a site or specific design aspect:

1. Custom Blocks and Sections:

2. You can manually use similar sections or block settings by creating a new section and setting its properties to match the older design. Squarepace 7.1 relies heavily on sections and blocks, so reviewing each block's settings can help.

3. Backups via Export:

4. You can use the export feature found under Settings > Advanced > Import/Export. Although primarily used for migrations, having backups can provide some fallback for content. However, note that not all elements, especially design or templates, are included in exports.

Considering Downgrading Versions

Officially, Squarespace does not support downgrading from 7.1 to 7.0, largely due to extensive structural differences between the two versions. Here’s what you can consider:

1. Manual Recreate:

2. You could manually recreate your site using Squarespace 7.0 if crucial. Start a new trial site under 7.0 and manually input content and design settings. Although time-consuming, it assures you of precision.

3. Consult Squarespace Support:

4. If you find that the changes are complex, reaching out to Squarespace support may provide additional guidance or workarounds. They can advise based on the site's specifics if any unnoticed workaround exists.

General Best Practices:

1. Always Backup Content:
2. Regularly save copies of your content externally. Utilize export features or copy-paste content to documents.
3. Document Custom Changes:
4. Keep a detailed log of custom CSS, JavaScript, or HTML you've added. Store snippets externally for quick reversion.
5. Trial Changes in Safe Copies:
6. Create duplicate pages or clone sections as a trial before applying significant changes. This helps to ensure that you can easily revert if necessary.

Conclusion

Reverting changes in Squarespace primarily depends on the change's nature—be it content, design, or template/settings associated. While direct downgrading between major versions isn’t facilitated by Squarespace, taking preventive measures such as consistent backups and detailed documentation of changes can significantly mitigate potential issues. If in doubt, Squarespace support is a valuable resource for detailed guidance tailored to your unique site.