Boost Your Store's SEO on Squarespace

Learning Objectives

• Understand the basic principles of SEO for ecommerce stores on Squarespace
• Learn how to optimise product pages and images for better search engine visibility
• Discover how to use Squarespace's tools to track and improve SEO performance

Introduction

Getting your online store found by customers starts with good SEO. When your Squarespace store ranks well in search engines, more potential customers will discover your products. This chapter covers the essential steps to improve your store's search engine visibility using Squarespace's built-in features. We'll focus on practical techniques that beginners can implement straight away.

Lessons

Lesson 1: Optimising Product Pages

Your product pages are prime real estate for SEO. Here's how to make them work harder for you:

Step 1: Write unique meta titles and descriptions for each product page. Think about what your customers type when searching for your products. Keep titles under 60 characters and descriptions under 160 characters.

Step 2: Customise your URLs to include your product name instead of generic numbers. Go to the page settings and change the URL slug to something like "red-leather-handbag" rather than "product-123".

Step 3: Write detailed product descriptions that naturally include relevant keywords. Focus on helping customers understand what they're buying rather than cramming in keywords.

Step 4: Add descriptive alt text to all product images. Describe what's in the image clearly – "red leather handbag with gold hardware" works better than "handbag".

Lesson 2: Using Squarespace SEO Tools

Squarespace gives you several tools to monitor and improve your SEO performance:

Step 1: Open your Squarespace Analytics from the main menu. Look at the Search Keywords section to see which terms bring people to your site.

Step 2: Check your Traffic Sources to understand how much traffic comes from search engines compared to social media or direct visits.

Step 3: Review your Most Popular Content to see which pages perform best. Use these insights to improve underperforming pages.

Step 4: Set up Google Search Console through Settings > Connected Accounts. This gives you more detailed search performance data.

Lesson 3: Tackling Common SEO Challenges

Here are solutions for the most common SEO issues Squarespace store owners face:

Challenge 1: Duplicate content
Solution: Write unique descriptions for each product variation. Don't copy manufacturer descriptions – rewrite them in your own words.

Challenge 2: Slow loading images
Solution: Compress images before uploading them. Squarespace automatically optimises images, but starting with smaller files helps. Aim for under 500KB per image.

Challenge 3: Missing category pages
Solution: Create category pages with helpful content, not just product listings. Add buying guides or tips related to that product category.

Practice

Pick one product page from your store and complete these tasks:

1. Rewrite the meta title to include your main keyword and stay under 60 characters
2. Create a compelling meta description under 160 characters
3. Check the URL slug and update it to include relevant keywords
4. Review all image alt text and make it more descriptive
5. Add one paragraph to the product description with helpful information

FAQs

How can I optimise my product pages for SEO on Squarespace?
Focus on unique meta titles and descriptions, descriptive URLs, detailed product descriptions, and proper image alt text. Each product page should target specific keywords your customers use.

Does Squarespace offer tools for keyword research and analysis?
Squarespace provides basic keyword insights through Analytics, but you'll get better results using Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest for detailed keyword research.

Can I track my SEO performance on Squarespace?
Yes, use Squarespace Analytics to track organic traffic and popular keywords. Connect Google Search Console for more detailed search performance data.

How long does it take to see SEO results on Squarespace?
Most changes take 3-6 months to show significant results. Keep making improvements and be patient – SEO is a long-term strategy.

Jargon Buster

SEO (Search Engine Optimisation): Techniques used to help your website appear higher in search engine results when people search for relevant terms.

Meta Title and Description: The headline and summary that appear in search results. They help search engines understand your page content and encourage people to click through.

Alt Text: Descriptive text added to images that helps search engines understand what the image shows. Also helps visually impaired users understand your content.

URL Slug: The part of your web address that comes after your domain name. A good slug includes relevant keywords and describes the page content.

Wrap-up

You now have the essential tools to improve your Squarespace store's SEO. Start with your best-selling products and work through these optimisation steps. Remember that SEO takes time – focus on creating helpful content for your customers and the search rankings will follow. Keep monitoring your progress through Analytics and adjust your approach based on what you learn.

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