Start and Manage Your Blog with Squarespace

Learning Objectives

• Learn how to create and set up a blog on Squarespace
• Understand how to schedule and manage posts effectively
• Explore customisation options to enhance your blog's visual appeal
• Gain knowledge on implementing SEO best practices in your blog

Introduction

Squarespace makes setting up a blog straightforward whilst giving you creative freedom through its design features. This chapter will show you how to begin your blogging adventure, schedule content effectively, customise your blog's appearance, and optimise your posts for search engines. You'll have a fully functional blog up and running by the end of this lesson.

Lessons

Creating Your Squarespace Blog

Starting a blog on Squarespace is straightforward. Here's how to get your blog page set up:

Step 1: Log into your Squarespace account and navigate to your site dashboard.

Step 2: Click on 'Pages' in the left-hand menu.

Step 3: Click the '+' icon, then select 'Blog' from the dropdown menu.

Step 4: Choose a name for your blog page (you can change this later).

Step 5: Configure your blog's settings including the blog title, description, and URL slug.

Step 6: Choose whether to show your blog posts in a grid or list format.

Your blog page is now created and ready for content. You'll see it appear in your Pages list.

Pixelhaze Tip: Always check the preview after setting up your blog to see how it looks with your chosen template before adding posts.

Writing Your First Blog Post

Now you've got your blog page, it's time to add your first post:

Step 1: Click on your blog page in the Pages panel.

Step 2: Click the '+' button to add a new post.

Step 3: Add your post title in the title field.

Step 4: Write your content using the built-in editor. You can add text, images, videos, and other content blocks.

Step 5: Add a featured image by clicking 'Featured Image' in the post settings.

Step 6: Write a brief excerpt that will appear in your blog listings.

Step 7: Click 'Save' to save your draft or 'Publish' to make it live immediately.

Pixelhaze Tip: Write your first post as a welcome message to introduce yourself and explain what visitors can expect from your blog.

Scheduling Blog Posts

Scheduling posts helps you maintain a consistent publishing routine without being tied to your computer:

Step 1: While editing your post, click on the 'Settings' tab in the post editor.

Step 2: Find the 'Publish Date' section and click on it.

Step 3: Choose the date and time you want your post to go live.

Step 4: Click 'Save' or 'Publish'. Your post will automatically go live at your scheduled time.

You can see all your scheduled posts in your blog's post list, marked with a clock icon.

Pixelhaze Tip: Keep a calendar of scheduled posts to avoid content clashes and maintain consistency week to week.

Customising Your Blog's Design

Creating a unique look for your blog helps it stand out and reflect your brand:

Step 1: Go to 'Design' in your main site menu.

Step 2: Click on 'Site Styles' to adjust colours, fonts, and spacing.

Step 3: To change your blog's layout, go to 'Design' > 'Template' and browse available options.

Step 4: For blog-specific customisation, navigate to your blog page and look for the 'Design' tab.

Step 5: Adjust blog-specific settings like post spacing, sidebar options, and metadata display.

Step 6: Preview your changes before saving to see how they affect the reader experience.

Pixelhaze Tip: Keep your design clean and readable. Fancy fonts might look good but can make your content hard to read on mobile devices.

Optimising Blog Posts for SEO

Good SEO practices help more people find your blog through search engines:

Step 1: Write compelling, keyword-rich titles that accurately describe your post content.

Step 2: Fill in the SEO description for each post (found in post settings). Keep it under 160 characters.

Step 3: Use relevant tags and categories to help organise your content.

Step 4: Optimise your images by adding alt text and using descriptive filenames.

Step 5: Include internal links to other relevant posts on your blog.

Step 6: Use headings (H2, H3) to structure your content and make it easier to scan.

Pixelhaze Tip: Write for humans first, search engines second. Good content that people want to read will naturally perform better in search results.

Practice

Create your first blog post following these steps:

1. Set up a new blog page on your Squarespace site
2. Write a welcome post introducing yourself and your blog's purpose
3. Schedule it to publish tomorrow at 9am
4. Customise at least one design element (colours, fonts, or layout)
5. Add SEO-friendly title and description
6. Preview your post to check it looks good on both desktop and mobile

FAQs

Q: How do I add a new post to my Squarespace blog?
A: Navigate to your blog page in the Pages panel, then click the '+' button to add a new post. Write your content, add images, and click 'Save' or 'Publish' when ready.

Q: Can I track how many people visit my blog?
A: Yes, Squarespace provides built-in analytics. Go to 'Analytics' in your main menu to see visitor numbers, popular posts, and other engagement metrics.

Q: How do I handle comments on my blog?
A: Go to your blog's settings and find the 'Comments' section. You can enable, disable, or moderate comments based on your preferences.

Q: Can I import posts from another blogging platform?
A: Squarespace supports importing from WordPress, Blogger, and other platforms. Look for the 'Import' option in your blog settings.

Q: How do I change the URL of a blog post?
A: In the post editor, go to 'Settings' and edit the 'URL Slug' field. Keep URLs short and descriptive for best SEO results.

Jargon Buster

Blog Page: The main page that displays all your blog posts in a list or grid format.

Featured Image: The main image that represents your blog post and appears in blog listings.

Post Excerpt: A brief summary of your blog post that appears in listings and search results.

SEO Description: A short description of your page content that appears in search engine results.

URL Slug: The part of your web address that identifies a specific page (e.g., "my-first-blog-post").

Wrap-up

You've now got the knowledge to create, customise, and manage a blog on Squarespace. Remember that consistency is key – regular posting and engagement with your audience will help your blog grow. Start with your welcome post, then build a content calendar to keep your publishing schedule on track.

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