SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. It maximizes the number of visitors to your website. 

A website is a landing pad for your business. Most people will go to their favorite search engine and use key words to look up what they need. With proper SEO, Search Engine Optimization, potential clients or customers will be sent to your business or organization. Search Engine Optimization maximizes the number of visitors to your website. When I design a website for a client, I build in SEO keywords and phrases throughout each page, and I teach the client how to do that going forward. The more specific information you can put on your website the better to direct those people who want to see you and need to see you.  

SEO is built into each Squarespace website. This is optional but by adding more information in the SEO features this will help search engines guide visitors to your website.  

The following are important Internal and External items to add for the greatest amount of SEO: 

Internal SEO 

Various ways you can add more information for search engines to find your website within the Squarespace website.

Site Title 

Add a Site Title to your website. Make sure that it contains your company name. If you use a logo the logo will appear in place of any Site Title. Even though the company name will not appear when you add a logo the text is used by search engines. 

Select Edit Site Header

Select Site Title & Logo

Site Description 

Add site description. There are 300 characters allowed in this field. Make sure to have as many keywords as possible. This description may appear below your Site Title in many search results online.

Home Menu/ Marketing/ SEO  

Page Descriptions 

Adding descriptions for your site is important for search engines to display your business or nonprofit organization but did you know that you can add SEO to every page? You can add descriptions on each page, blog post, event listing, and inventory item. Make sure to add keywords or phrases so search engines know what your website is about.

• Pages

Home Menu/ Pages

Select the gear shift to the right of each page and select SEO. Add a custom title that can be different than the one automatically appearing and add a description or keywords for each page as well.  

• Blog and Event Pages 

Add to Event Settings in the Event Page 

• Inventory Items/ Store Page 

Select inventory item and scroll down SEO. Select edit.  

Keywords and Phrases 

Simple but make sure to explain your business or nonprofit throughout your website. Search engines can pick up all keywords and phrases. Use words and phrases that visitors would use to find you.

Title Images and PDF’s 

Give each Image and PDF a title so the search engines can pick that up also. Anyone looking at your website will not know the title you used when you brought the image or PDF into your website, but search engines can pick up those keywords and phrases.

Create an Error 404 Page 

This allows a visitor to stay on your website even though there is a broken link. If someone clicks on a link and you have moved or removed an area you will have a broken link. Instead of having the visitor just receive an error message and leave your site the Error 404 page will redirect them somewhere else on your website. I have errors redirected to my home page. So, if for some reason there is an error in a link they will remain in my website and have the option to search for what they want from there.

Home Menu/ Design 

Select 404 page 

Squarespace Basics: 404 Page explains in detail about 404 Errors. 

Secure Website 

If your website is not https, s stands for security, you may be penalized by the search engines. Security is important for personal and business matters. You want to know that your information and the information of others is kept safe, if kept at all. Squarespace has enabled Security measures so that you can keep your website secure. 

Read more about https and why you need a secure website. Basics: Security.  

Home Menu/Settings/Advanced/SSL 

Select Secure (Preferred)  

Location Information 

Add your location so search engines can locate where you are and bring up your information when someone is looking for your type of business or organization in a certain area (i.e. “near me”). 

Home Menu/Settings/Business Information 

You can read more information about adding your Squarespace Basics: Business Information.  

 External SEO 

Various ways you can receive analytical data about your website outside of Squarespace.

Google Search Console - Free Service but you must have a Google account. This analytics tool is engine-focused, there are tools and insight provided to the website owner, so they may improve their visibility in search engines.  

Google ranks your website. To submit your sitemap to Google console. Squarespace has a built-in site map so use the following URL: www.yourdomainname.com/sitemap.xml. Just add in your domain name. 

Be sure to submit your site map to Google Console. 

Google Analytics - Free Service but you must have a Google account. User-focused, data is provided about visitors to your website and how they interact with your website.  

Home Menu/ Settings/ Advanced 

Select External API keys 

Enter the G Code from Google Analytics (To find this code go to Google Analytics/ Data Stream Details. 

Select website.  

Copy and paste the Measurement ID in the top upper hand corner. This code begins with the letter G. 

Bing Webmaster Tools - Free Service. This helps you manage your website’s presence on the internet.  

Add a site and enter domain name 

Select Add.  

As always, Squarespace has a complete guide with more detail about adding SEO to each part of your website and information on external tracking. SEO checklist.

These are very important SEO add ins that will help your Squarespace website be more visible to search engines. When I design a website, I add all the internal SEO information.

May Web Design, LLC refreshes and creates affordable websites that enable clients to take ownership and update themselves on a Squarespace platform. I enjoy helping clients increase customer engagement with a website and improve their overall web presence. The most important part of my business is that when I have completed and reviewed the website with a client, I teach the client how to update their website so that they can keep it fresh and new. A website offers a 24/7 welcome to prospective members, showing them what your business or organization has accomplished and what you plan to do. If built correctly it should welcome people to the site and show them around in a comfortable way.    

If you are interested in discussing the needs of a website for your business or nonprofit organization, contact May Web Design, LLC. Starting out with a basic brochure website may be all that your business or organization needs. Your website should grow with you and change as needed.  

I work with my clients so that I may design the website they envision and, most importantly, teach them how to update their website to keep the information fresh and new. While you are busy building your small business or nonprofit, I can create a website to grow with your dreams. I have a list of services on my website as well as a portfolio of my websites and testimonial from past clients. You may even set up a free 30 minute initial consultation call to discuss your website project.