Understanding SEO for Squarespace Websites

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you'll be able to:

• Understand how search engines discover, index, and rank websites
• Set up SEO effectively from the start of building a Squarespace website
• Use Squarespace's built-in SEO tools to improve your site's visibility

Introduction

Getting your Squarespace website found on Google isn't magic. It's about understanding how search engines work and using the right tools from day one. This chapter covers the essentials of SEO for Squarespace sites, focusing on practical steps you can take immediately. We'll show you how to use Squarespace's built-in features to give your site the best chance of ranking well in search results.

Lessons

How Search Engines Work with Squarespace

Search engines follow a three-step process to find and rank your Squarespace site:

Step 1: Crawling
Google's crawlers visit your site and follow links between pages. They read your content and examine your site's structure.

Step 2: Indexing
The crawlers store information about your pages in Google's index. This is like a massive library catalogue that helps Google understand what each page covers.

Step 3: Ranking
When someone searches, Google decides which pages to show based on relevance, quality, and user experience factors.

What this means for your Squarespace site:
Squarespace automatically creates a sitemap and submits it to search engines. This helps crawlers find all your pages quickly. The platform also generates clean, readable code that search engines can easily understand.

Essential Squarespace SEO Tools

Squarespace includes several SEO tools that work without any technical knowledge:

SEO Panel
Every page and blog post has an SEO panel where you can:

• Write custom page titles (what appears in search results)
• Add meta descriptions (the snippet of text under your title in search results)
• Set URL slugs (the end part of your web address)

Image SEO
When you upload images, Squarespace lets you add alt text. This describes what's in the image for search engines and screen readers.

Mobile Responsiveness
All Squarespace templates automatically adjust to different screen sizes. This matters because Google prioritises mobile-friendly sites in search results.

Built-in Analytics
Squarespace tracks basic visitor data, though you'll want to connect Google Analytics for more detailed insights.

Setting Up SEO from the Start

Here's how to optimise your Squarespace site step by step:

Step 1: Configure Site-Wide Settings
Go to Settings > SEO and add:

• Your site title and description
• Social sharing images
• Your location (if you're a local business)

Step 2: Optimise Individual Pages
For each page, use the SEO panel to:

• Write descriptive page titles under 60 characters
• Add meta descriptions that summarise the page content
• Use clear, simple URLs

Step 3: Optimise Your Content

• Write naturally about topics your audience cares about
• Use headings (H1, H2, H3) to structure your content
• Add descriptive alt text to all images
• Link between related pages on your site

Step 4: Set Up Webmaster Tools
Connect your site to Google Search Console to monitor how Google sees your site and fix any issues.

Practice

Choose one page on your Squarespace site and optimise it using these steps:

1. Open the page editor and find the SEO panel
2. Write a clear page title that describes what the page is about
3. Add a meta description that would make someone want to click from search results
4. Check that your URL slug is simple and descriptive
5. Add alt text to any images on the page
6. Review your headings to make sure they're in logical order

FAQs

How long does it take for SEO changes to show results?
Most changes take 2-4 weeks to show in search results. New sites can take 3-6 months to gain traction.

Can I see how my site performs in search results?
Squarespace shows basic search traffic in your analytics. For detailed insights, connect Google Analytics and Google Search Console.

What should I do first on a new Squarespace site?
Set up your site-wide SEO settings, write good page titles and descriptions, and make sure all your images have alt text.

Does Squarespace automatically submit my site to Google?
Yes, Squarespace creates and submits a sitemap automatically. You can also manually submit your site through Google Search Console.

Are there SEO features I can't control on Squarespace?
Some advanced technical SEO features are limited, but Squarespace handles most technical requirements automatically.

Jargon Buster

SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) – Making your website easier for search engines to find and understand

Meta Description – A short summary of a webpage that appears under the title in search results

Alt Text – A description of an image that helps search engines and screen readers understand what the image shows

URL Slug – The final part of a web address that identifies a specific page

Sitemap – A file that lists all the pages on your website to help search engines find them

Mobile Responsive – A website design that works well on phones, tablets, and computers

Wrap-up

SEO for Squarespace doesn't have to be complicated. The platform handles most technical requirements automatically, leaving you to focus on creating good content and using the built-in SEO tools effectively. Start with the basics: clear page titles, helpful descriptions, and descriptive alt text for images. These fundamentals will give your site a solid foundation for search engine visibility.

Your next step is to audit your existing pages using the practice exercise above, then maintain these good habits as you add new content to your site.

Ready to take your Squarespace skills further? Join our community at https://www.pixelhaze.academy/membership