Easy SEO for Squarespace Beginners

Learning Objectives

• Understand the importance of SEO and how it improves website visibility
• Learn how to edit meta titles and descriptions in Squarespace
• Know how to add alt text to images for better SEO
• Understand the limitations of Squarespace for advanced SEO features

Introduction

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is essential for getting your website found online. It helps your site appear higher in search results when people look for businesses or content like yours. Squarespace includes several built-in SEO tools that make optimisation straightforward, even if you're new to the concept. This chapter covers the core SEO features you need to know to improve your site's visibility.

Lessons

Understanding SEO in Squarespace

SEO makes your website easier for search engines to understand and rank. Squarespace handles many technical SEO requirements automatically, so you can focus on the content and settings that matter most.

Step 1: Open your Squarespace dashboard and locate the SEO settings. You'll find these in the page editor under the gear icon.

Step 2: Notice how Squarespace's clean, responsive designs already help with SEO. Search engines prefer websites that load quickly and work well on mobile devices.

Editing Meta Titles and Descriptions

Meta titles and descriptions appear in search results and influence whether people click through to your site. Getting these right is crucial for SEO success.

Step 1: Go to any page on your site and click the gear icon to access page settings.

Step 2: Click the "SEO" tab. Here you'll see fields for your meta title and description.

Step 3: Write a clear meta title under 60 characters. This should describe what the page is about using relevant keywords.

Step 4: Create a meta description of around 155 characters. This should summarise the page content and encourage clicks.

Adding Alt Text to Images

Alt text helps search engines understand your images and makes your site more accessible to users with visual impairments.

Step 1: Click on any image in your Squarespace editor to open the image settings.

Step 2: Go to the "Design" tab and find the "Image Description" field.

Step 3: Write a clear description of what the image shows. Be specific and descriptive.

Step 4: Save your changes and repeat for other important images on your site.

Practice

Try these exercises to apply what you've learned:

1. Update the meta title and description for your homepage. Make sure they accurately describe your business and include relevant keywords.

2. Add descriptive alt text to five images across your site. Focus on images that are important to your content or business.

3. Review three other pages on your site and check their meta titles and descriptions. Update any that are missing or could be improved.

FAQs

Can I customise my sitemap on Squarespace?
No, Squarespace automatically generates and updates your sitemap. This ensures all your pages are properly indexed by search engines without you needing to manage it.

What if I need more advanced SEO features?
For advanced needs like structured data markup or custom schema, you might need to add custom code or use third-party tools. Squarespace covers the essentials well, but has limitations for very technical SEO work.

How often should I update my SEO settings?
Review your SEO settings every few months or when you make significant changes to your site. Regular updates help maintain your search engine performance.

Do I need to submit my site to search engines?
Squarespace automatically submits your sitemap to major search engines, but you can also manually submit your site to Google Search Console for more detailed insights.

Jargon Buster

• SEO: Search Engine Optimization – the practice of improving your website to increase its visibility in search engine results
• Meta Title: The clickable headline that appears in search results and browser tabs
• Meta Description: The short summary that appears below the title in search results
• Alt Text: Alternative text that describes images for search engines and screen readers
• Sitemap: A file that lists all the pages on your website for search engines to find and index

Wrap-up

You now know the essential SEO basics for Squarespace. Focus on writing clear, descriptive meta titles and descriptions, adding alt text to your images, and keeping your content fresh and relevant. These fundamentals will help improve your site's visibility in search results. Remember that SEO is an ongoing process – small, consistent improvements over time will give you the best results.

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