• Table of Contents

  • The No-BS Guide to Squarespace SEO
  • Why Trust Me on Squarespace SEO?
  • Squarespace SEO Foundations: The Non-Negotiables
  • Your Squarespace SEO Checklist: The Basics
  • Mastering On-Page Squarespace SEO
  • Killer Page Titles and Descriptions
  • Headers Are Your Best Friend
  • Content That Actually Helps People
  • Advanced Squarespace SEO Tactics
  • Taming Your Images
  • The Secret Power of Blogging

The No-BS Guide to Squarespace SEO

Squarespace SEO doesn’t have to be a mystery. You know that feeling. You built this beautiful website. It looks perfect. But then… crickets. Where are the people? It’s like throwing a party and nobody shows up. I’ve been there. It’s frustrating.

Here’s the thing. Squarespace gets a bad rap sometimes. People say it’s not good for SEO. Let me be honest, that’s just not true anymore. The platform has come a long way. It gives you all the tools you need. You just have to know where to look.

This guide is going to change that. We’re going to walk through everything. From the basic settings you must get right to the advanced tricks that’ll push you ahead. No jargon. Just clear, actionable steps.

Why Trust Me on Squarespace SEO?

I’ve built and optimized dozens of Squarespace sites. One client, a local ceramicist, was buried on page 4 for “handmade mugs near me.” We worked through the steps in this guide. Within three months, she was in the top three spots. Her online sales? They doubled. It wasn’t magic. It was just doing the work. The right work.

Squarespace SEO Foundations: The Non-Negotiables

Let’s start with the basics. You can’t build a house on sand. These are your concrete foundations. Get these right first.

Your Squarespace SEO Checklist: The Basics

Before you do anything fancy, run through this list. It’s boring, but it’s everything.

• Choose the Right Domain: Yourname.com is always better than yourname.squarespace.com. It looks more professional and it’s better for branding in search results.
• Enable SSL: This gives you that little padlock in the browser bar. Google loves it. Squarespace does this automatically, but just check. It should be on.
• Submit Your Sitemap to Google: Your sitemap is a file that tells search engines about your pages. Squarespace generates it for you automatically. You just need to tell Google where it is using Google Search Console. It’s easier than it sounds.
• Connect Google Search Console: This is your window into how Google sees your site. It’s free. It’s essential. Do it now.

Mastering On-Page Squarespace SEO

This is where the real game is played. On-page SEO is all about optimizing the content that visitors (and Google) see.

Killer Page Titles and Descriptions

Think of your page title as a book title in a crowded store. It needs to grab attention and tell you what’s inside.

• Page Titles: Keep them under 60 characters. Put your main keyword first. Follow it with your brand name. For example: “Handmade Ceramic Mugs | Sarah’s Clay Studio”.
• Meta Descriptions: This is your ad copy. You have about 156 characters to convince someone to click. Don’t just describe the page. Make a promise. Ask a question. Use your keyword here too.

You set these in each page’s settings. Don’t leave them blank! Squarespace will just auto-generate something weak.

Headers Are Your Best Friend

Headers (H1, H2, H3 tags) are like a map for your content. They help readers scan. And they help Google understand your page’s structure.

• Use one H1 tag per page. This is your main title.
• Use H2 tags for main section headings.
• Use H3 tags for sub-points within those sections.

Don’t just make text big and bold. Actually use the formatting tools in the text editor. This is a simple Squarespace SEO win so many people miss.

Content That Actually Helps People

Google’s main goal is to serve up the best answer to a search. So your main job is to be the best answer.

Write clearly. Answer questions fully. Show your expertise. If you’re a photographer, don’t just say “I take photos.” Write a blog post about “5 Things to Ask Your Wedding Photographer Before Booking.” You’re solving a problem. That’s gold.

Advanced Squarespace SEO Tactics

You’ve got the basics down. Now let’s kick it up a notch. These strategies can give you a real edge.

Taming Your Images

Images can slow your site down. And search engines can’t “see” them. But you can help.

• Compress Before You Upload: Squarespace does some compression, but it’s better to start with a smaller file. Use a free tool like Squoosh to reduce file size without losing quality.
• Use Descriptive File Names: Change “IMG_12345.jpg” to “handmade-blue-ceramic-mug.jpg”.
• Always, Always Use Alt Text: This describes the image for screen readers and search engines. Be descriptive. Include your keyword if it makes sense.

The Secret Power of Blogging

A blog is