Squarespace SEO Checklist
Let’s face it — SEO sounds complicated.
But when you break it down, it’s just about making sure your website is easy to find and even easier to love (by both Google and your visitors).
If you’re using Squarespace, you’re already off to a solid start. It’s built with clean code, mobile-friendly templates, and SEO basics baked in. But to really climb those search rankings, a little manual magic goes a long way.
Here’s your ultimate, human-friendly SEO checklist to help your Squarespace site get the attention it deserves.
1. Start With the Basics (Yes, They Matter)
Use a custom domain
Your domain name is your digital front door. A clean, easy-to-remember domain (like yourbusiness.com) builds trust and helps search engines take you seriously.
Write a clear site title and description
Head to Settings → SEO and add your site title and a short but sweet site description. These show up in Google search results, so think of them like your website’s elevator pitch.
2. Get Friendly With Your Pages
Create descriptive page titles
Instead of “Home,” go with “Modern Interior Design Studio | Portland, OR.” This tells both humans and search engines what the page is really about.
Use page descriptions
Each page should have its own meta description (Settings → SEO for that page). Keep it under 160 characters and make it click-worthy — it’s your page’s mini ad on Google.
Check your page URLs
Keep them short, clean, and keyword-friendly. For example:
/about-us instead of /about-us-2021-v2-final-final
3. Design for Both Humans and Google
Use proper heading structure
Headings help break up your content — and help Google understand what’s important.
Use H1 once (for the main title), then H2, H3, and so on as subheadings.
Write clear, helpful content
Search engines love content that answers real questions. Write like you’re talking to your dream client.
No keyword stuffing. Just real value.
Add alt text to all images
Alt text makes your site more accessible and gives Google context. Think: “handcrafted walnut dining table in modern kitchen” instead of “IMG_4832.”
4. Speed + Mobile = Big SEO Wins
Optimize your images
Big images = slow load times. Compress your images before uploading.
Ideal sizes: under 500KB for large images, under 100KB for icons.
Check your site on mobile
Most visitors (and Google crawlers) are on their phones. Use Squarespace’s built-in responsive design to make sure everything looks great on every screen.
5. Build Trust With Backlinks
Get mentioned (and linked) by other sites
Backlinks are like digital word-of-mouth. Google sees them as votes of confidence.
Start by sharing your work on social media, collaborating with others, or getting listed in directories related to your niche.
6. Submit Your Site to Search Engines
Connect to Google Search Console
This is like telling Google, “Hey, I’m here!”
Submit your sitemap (Squarespace creates it automatically at yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml) and monitor how your site is indexed.
7. Keep an Eye on Performance
Use built-in analytics
Squarespace Analytics shows you where traffic is coming from, which pages are doing well, and where people are bouncing. Use this data to make smart updates.
Keep content fresh
Search engines love up-to-date content. Update your site regularly, add blog posts, or tweak copy based on what’s working.
Bonus: Don’t Forget These SEO Goodies
Use SSL (enabled by default on Squarespace)
Add a favicon (tiny but mighty for branding)
Create 404 pages that guide users back, not just say “Oops”
Use internal links to connect related pages on your site
Make your navigation intuitive and simple
Final Thought
SEO is a long game, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start with this checklist, keep your visitors in mind, and stay consistent. With Squarespace doing the heavy lifting behind the scenes, you’re already ahead of the game.
