Fixing Common SEO Problems with SEOSpace
Learning Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you'll be able to:
- Spot and fix missing meta descriptions and duplicate titles on your Squarespace site
- Find and repair broken links that hurt your SEO
- Use SEOSpace to identify and resolve mobile usability issues
- Apply these fixes to improve your site's search engine performance
Introduction
SEO problems can quietly damage your website's performance. Missing meta descriptions, duplicate titles, broken links, and mobile issues are some of the most common culprits that stop potential customers from finding your site.
This chapter shows you how to identify and fix these problems using SEOSpace on Squarespace. We'll work through each issue step by step, so you can get your site back on track and performing well in search results.
Lessons
Lesson 1: Finding and Fixing Missing Meta Descriptions
Meta descriptions are the short summaries that appear under your page title in search results. Without them, search engines create their own summaries, which often don't represent your content well.
Step 1: Log into your Squarespace account and go to Marketing > SEO.
Step 2: Click on the SEO checklist or audit tool to scan your site.
Step 3: Look for pages flagged as having missing meta descriptions.
Step 4: For each flagged page, navigate to Pages > [Page Name] > SEO.
Step 5: Write a meta description that:
- Summarises what the page offers
- Includes your main keyword naturally
- Stays under 155 characters
- Encourages people to click
Example: Instead of leaving it blank, write "Fresh sourdough bread baked daily in our Manchester bakery. Order online for collection or local delivery."
Lesson 2: Fixing Duplicate Page Titles
Duplicate titles confuse search engines and dilute your SEO efforts. Each page needs its own unique title.
Step 1: Use the SEO audit tool to identify pages with duplicate titles.
Step 2: For each duplicate, go to Pages > [Page Name] > SEO.
Step 3: Create unique titles that clearly describe each page's specific content.
Step 4: Keep titles under 60 characters so they don't get cut off in search results.
Example: Instead of "Our Bakery Products" for multiple pages, use specific titles like "Wedding Cakes Manchester" and "Fresh Bread Daily Delivery."
Lesson 3: Repairing Broken Links
Broken links frustrate visitors and signal to search engines that your site isn't well-maintained.
Step 1: In your Squarespace dashboard, go to Analytics > Search Keywords.
Step 2: Use SEOSpace's link checker to scan for broken internal and external links.
Step 3: For each broken link:
- Update the URL if the page has moved
- Remove the link if the destination no longer exists
- Replace with a relevant alternative if available
Step 4: Test your fixes by clicking through the updated links.
This is the bit most people miss: checking links regularly prevents them from breaking in the first place.
Lesson 4: Improving Mobile Usability
Most people browse websites on their phones, so mobile problems directly impact your SEO and sales.
Step 1: Use SEOSpace's mobile performance report to identify issues.
Step 2: Common problems include:
- Text too small to read
- Buttons too close together
- Images that don't resize properly
- Pages that load slowly
Step 3: In your Squarespace editor, switch to mobile view and make adjustments:
- Increase font sizes if needed
- Ensure buttons are easily tappable
- Compress large images
- Remove unnecessary elements that slow loading
Step 4: Preview your changes on an actual mobile device to confirm they work.
Practice
Choose three pages on your own website and complete this checklist:
- Check each page has a unique, descriptive meta description
- Verify the page title is specific and under 60 characters
- Test all links on the page work properly
- View the page on your phone and note any usability issues
Fix any problems you find using the steps above.
FAQs
How often should I check for these SEO issues?
Run a full SEO audit monthly, but check new pages before publishing them.
Can I fix multiple pages at once in Squarespace?
No, you'll need to update meta descriptions and titles individually for each page.
What if SEOSpace doesn't catch all my broken links?
SEOSpace covers most issues, but manually clicking through your site's navigation occasionally helps catch missed problems.
Do I need to fix every single SEO issue immediately?
Start with pages that get the most traffic or are most important to your business. Fix high-priority issues first.
Jargon Buster
SEOSpace: Squarespace's built-in SEO tools that help identify and fix common search engine optimisation problems.
Meta Description: A brief summary of a webpage's content that appears in search results below the page title.
Duplicate Titles: When multiple pages on your website have identical title tags, which confuses search engines.
Mobile Usability: How well your website works on smartphones and tablets.
Broken Links: Links that no longer work because the destination page has been moved or deleted.
Wrap-up
You now know how to spot and fix the most common SEO problems that hurt website performance. Regular maintenance using these techniques keeps your site running smoothly and helps more people find your business online.
The key is consistency. Set a monthly reminder to run through these checks, and always test new pages before publishing them. Small fixes add up to big improvements in your search engine rankings.
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