SEO for Squarespace websites

14 January 2025

Reading time: 14 minutes

Senior SEO-specialist

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is crucial to the success of any website, including those built with Squarespace. By optimizing your Squarespace site for search engines, you increase visibility, attract more visitors and increase the likelihood of conversion.

Squarespace offers a user-friendly platform with several built-in SEO features that make it easier to optimize your website without the need for in-depth technical knowledge. In this guide, I tell you all about SEO for Squarespace websites.

Table of contents show

Basic SEO settings in Squarespace

Squarespace makes it easy to manage your SEO settings right from your site dashboard:

Site Title and Meta Description: Go to ‘Marketing’ > ‘SEO’ in your Squarespace dashboard. Here you can enter the site title and meta description that will be displayed in search results.
URL Slugs: Each page on your Squarespace site has a configurable URL slug, which you can customize for better SEO. You do this by going to ‘Pages’, selecting the page you want to edit, and then selecting ‘Settings’ > ‘SEO’ where you can adjust the URL slug.

Good extensions for SEO in Squarespace

Although Squarespace offers a range of built-in SEO tools, there are external tools and extensions that can supplement your SEO efforts:

Google Search Console: Use Google Search Console to verify your Squarespace site and get insights on how your site is performing in Google search results. It can be connected directly through Squarespace by navigating “Settings” > “Advanced” > “External Services” > “Google Search Console.
Google Analytics: For in-depth analysis of your website traffic, you can link Google Analytics to your Squarespace site. This provides valuable insights into visitor behavior, which you can use to further refine your SEO strategy.
Squarespace SEO Checker: There are several online tools available specifically designed to analyze the SEO performance of Squarespace sites. These tools can help you identify and correct any SEO shortcomings of your site.

By using these settings and tools effectively, you can significantly improve the SEO of your Squarespace website, resulting in higher search engine rankings and an increase in traffic to your site.

Product page optimization in Squarespace

To optimize your product pages in Squarespace:

Product titles: Make sure each title is clear, descriptive and contains relevant keywords. This not only helps search engines index your products, but also improves clickthrough rates in search results.
Product descriptions: Write detailed and compelling descriptions with targeted keywords. This not only increases SEO value but also provides valuable information for customers.
Images: Use the alt text feature for each image to add descriptive and keyword-rich descriptions. This improves the findability of your images in search engines.

The importance of structured data in Squarespace

Structured data via schema markup is crucial for clearly communicating the details of your products to search engines, which can result in richer, more informative search results:

Implementation: Squarespace automatically generates certain schema markup for product pages, such as name, price, and availability, which helps create rich search results.

Using rich snippets and schema markup in Squarespace

Rich snippets play an important role in how products are displayed in search results. They can give potential buyers instant information about product reviews, prices and whether an item is in stock, which increases the visibility and attractiveness of your products:

Benefits: By showing relevant information such as reviews and prices in search results, rich snippets can increase clickthrough rates to your Squarespace site.

How to add schema markup to your Squarespace site

Although Squarespace automatically adds basic schema markup to product pages, you can add additional schema markup for specific needs:

Custom code injections: For advanced customization, you can add custom schema markup using Squarespace’s Code Injection feature or on specific pages using the Code Block feature. This requires some knowledge of schema.org vocabulary and should be done carefully to avoid errors.

By following these practices, you can improve the visibility and attractiveness of your product pages on Squarespace, which can lead to better SEO performance and ultimately more sales.

Speed and mobile optimization for Squarespace

Load speed is a critical factor for both SEO and user experience. Faster websites rank higher in search results and retain visitors’ attention better. Squarespace sites are optimized for speed, but performance can vary depending on site content and design.

What extensions are possible for page speed in Squarespace?

Squarespace does not offer traditional “extensions” like some other platforms, but there are integrated tools and best practices to improve speed:

Image optimization: Squarespace automatically optimizes images for speed, but it is crucial to preprocess images to Web-friendly sizes before uploading them.
Minimize custom CSS and Javascript: Although Squarespace supports adding custom code, too much custom code can affect load time.

Squarespace website optimized for mobile

Responsive design: All Squarespace templates are responsive, meaning they automatically adapt to mobile devices. Be sure to test the mobile display regularly and adjust as needed.
Avoid heavy files: Limit the use of large media files that can slow down mobile loading.
Test your site: Use tools such as Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test to see how well your site performs on mobile devices and follow any recommendations.

How do you install Google Analytics in a Squarespace website?

Create a Google Analytics account: If you don’t already have an account, visit analytics.google.com to create one and follow the instructions to set up a new property for your Squarespace site.
Copy your Tracking ID: After setting up your site in Google Analytics, copy the Tracking ID.
Add the Tracking ID to Squarespace: Login to your Squarespace dashboard, go to ‘Settings’ > ‘Advanced’ > ‘External APIs’ and paste your Tracking ID in the ‘Google Analytics Account Number’ field.

How do you install the Google Tag Manager in a Squarespace website?

Create a Google Tag Manager account: Visit tagmanager.google.com and set up an account if you have not already done so. Create a container for your website and copy the GTM code.
Add GTM to Squarespace: In Squarespace, there is currently no native integration for GTM as there is for Google Analytics. The implementation requires inserting the GTM code into the Header code injection areas, which may have limitations. Full functionality and correct code placement may require the use of Squarespace’s premium plans or careful application of custom code injections in accordance with Google Tag Manager instructions.

By following these steps, you can lay the foundation for a solid SEO strategy on your Squarespace site, including important aspects such as speed, mobile optimization, and advanced tracking via Google Analytics and Google Tag Manager.

How do you install the Google Search Console in a Squarespace website?

To integrate Google Search Console with your Squarespace website, follow these steps:

Sign in to Google Search Console: Use your Google account to sign in to Google Search Console.
Add your Squarespace website: Select ‘Add a property’ and enter the URL of your Squarespace website. Choose the URL prefix method for easy setup.
Verify your website: Google offers several verification methods. For Squarespace, the recommended method is to use the HTML tag. Copy the verification code Google gives you.
Place the verification code in Squarespace: Log into your Squarespace dashboard, go to ‘Settings’ > ‘Advanced’ > ‘Code Injection’ and paste the HTML verification code into the header area. Save and publish your site.
Confirm verification in Google Search Console: Go back to Google Search Console and click ‘Verify’. If everything is set up correctly, Google confirms that your site has been verified.

SEO company for Squarespace websites

When selecting an SEO company for your Squarespace site, consider the following:

Experience with Squarespace: Choose a company with proven experience optimizing Squarespace websites.
Transparency and communication: The company should be open about their strategies and offer regular updates and reports on your progress.
Understanding your goals: Make sure the SEO company understands your business goals and can offer customized strategies.
References and reviews: Look for testimonials from previous customers to assess the company’s effectiveness and reliability.

My top Squarespace SEO tips

Use SEO-friendly URLs: Make each page URL descriptive and keyword-rich.
Optimize page titles and meta descriptions: Each page should have unique titles and descriptions that contain relevant keywords.
Create quality content: Regularly publish original and valuable content aimed at your target audience.
Implement alt texts for images: Don’t forget to provide every image on your site with a descriptive alt text.
Take advantage of Squarespace’s SEO tools: Leverage Squarespace’s built-in SEO features for sitemaps, SSL certificates and more.

Squarespace SEO checklist

Make sure your website is indexed: Use Google Search Console to make sure your website is correctly indexed by Google.
Optimize for mobile devices: Make sure your website is responsive and works well on different screen sizes.
Use the right keywords: Conduct keyword research and use these keywords strategically on your site.
Improve loading speed: Analyze and improve where possible the loading speed of your website.
Create and optimize your content: Create valuable content and use internal links to improve the structure of your site.
Implement structured data: Use schema markup for product pages, blog posts and other relevant content.
Build quality backlinks: Obtain backlinks from reputable sites within your industry or niche.

By following these steps, you can significantly improve the visibility and SEO performance of your Squarespace website.

Squarespace SEO for advanced users

For those who want to take their Squarespace SEO to the next level, there are advanced strategies and techniques that can help:

Advanced keyword strategies: Go beyond basic keyword research and dive into long-tail keyword strategies, user intent, and semantic search to more accurately match your content to what your target audience is looking for.
Custom CSS and Javascript for SEO: While Squarespace offers much “out of the box,” you can use custom CSS and Javascript to further enhance specific SEO elements, such as loading speed and mobile optimization.
Use of 301 redirects: Effectively manage 301 redirects within Squarespace to ensure SEO retention when pages are moved or deleted.
Link building and content marketing: Develop a strong link building and content marketing strategy to increase the authority and relevance of your website.
Analysis and optimization: Use advanced analytics tools to understand visitor behavior and conduct regular SEO audits to continually refine your strategies.

What is the cost of SEO for Squarespace websites?

The cost of SEO for Squarespace websites varies widely, depending on several factors such as the size of the site, the goals of the SEO campaign, and whether you choose do-it-yourself SEO or professional SEO services. DIY SEO can have limited direct costs beyond your time and effort, while professional SEO services can range from several hundred to thousands of dollars per month, depending on the depth and breadth of services offered.

Is Yoast SEO available for Squarespace?

No, Yoast SEO, a popular WordPress SEO plugin, is not available for Squarespace. However, Squarespace offers its own built-in SEO tools and features that help users optimize their websites. In addition, consider using external tools and platforms for keyword research, content analysis, and other SEO-related tasks not directly supported by Squarespace. For advanced SEO functionalities, you may need to find creative solutions within the Squarespace environment or integrate additional services compatible with Squarespace.

Squarespace SEO vs other CMSs

Squarespace is known for its strong design capabilities and usability, making it a popular choice for users looking for a visually appealing website without in-depth technical knowledge. Compared to other CMS platforms such as WordPress, Squarespace offers fewer customization options in terms of SEO, mainly because of a more limited range of plugins and extensions.

Squarespace SEO vs WordPress

WordPress offers unparalleled customization options when it comes to SEO, thanks to a wide range of plugins such as Yoast SEO and All in One SEO. These tools offer in-depth control over every aspect of SEO, from keyword analysis to technical SEO and content optimization. Users can customize nearly every element of their site to refine their SEO strategy, making WordPress especially powerful for those willing to invest the time and resources in SEO.

Squarespace, although more user-friendly and with less of a steep learning curve than WordPress, offers more limited SEO customization options. Squarespace’s built-in SEO tools are designed to help users cover the basics of SEO without the need for additional plugins. This makes Squarespace a good choice for smaller sites or for users who prioritize simplicity and design.

Squarespace SEO vs. Wix

Wix and Squarespace are both user-friendly website builders that offer built-in SEO features. Wix has made significant advances in SEO, with features such as Wix SEO Wiz, which provides users with a personalized SEO plan. Wix also offers more flexibility with their recent updates, giving users more control over their SEO settings.

Squarespace, on the other hand, is often praised for its clean designs and strong visual appeal. Although Squarespace’s SEO capabilities are similar to Wix’s, some users appreciate Squarespace’s aesthetics and usability, especially when it comes to site design. The choice between Wix and Squarespace could ultimately depend on personal preference between ease of use and design flexibility.

Squarespace SEO vs Shopify

Shopify is a powerful e-commerce platform designed specifically for online stores. It offers advanced e-commerce SEO features, such as automatic sitemap generation, easy customization of meta information for products and collections, and integrated blogging features. Shopify is particularly strong at handling the unique SEO challenges that come with e-commerce, such as product variations, categories and international SEO.

Squarespace also offers e-commerce capabilities, but with a more general approach. While Squarespace provides all the basic SEO features needed for a successful online store, including mobile optimization and clean URL structures, it may fall short compared to the depth of Shopify’s specialized e-commerce SEO tools. Squarespace may be a good choice for smaller e-commerce sites that value design and ease of use, while Shopify is better suited for stores that need more advanced SEO features and scalability.

In all cases, the effectiveness of SEO depends on how well you use and optimize the available tools, regardless of the platform. Each of these platforms can deliver strong SEO performance when properly configured and maintained.

What kind of websites are usually built with Squarespace?

Squarespace is commonly used for a variety of website types, including:

Portfolios: Artists, photographers and designers use Squarespace for the strong visual presentation of their work.
Small business websites: Squarespace offers a simple solution for small businesses to showcase their presence online.
Blogs: With its intuitive content management system, Squarespace is a popular platform for bloggers.
E-commerce sites: Squarespace offers integrated e-commerce capabilities for selling products and services.
Events and weddings: Squarespace’s templates and features are ideal for promoting events or sharing details about weddings.

What are the biggest pitfalls of a Squarespace site?

Some common pitfalls when using Squarespace for SEO include:

Limited SEO customizations: Although Squarespace offers basic SEO settings, users sometimes lack the deeper customization options available on other platforms such as WordPress.
Speed considerations: Depending on the use of images and other media, Squarespace sites can sometimes load slowly, affecting SEO and user experience.
Migration challenges: Switching from Squarespace to another platform can be tricky, especially when it comes to maintaining SEO ranking and structure.

Summary

Squarespace provides a solid foundation for SEO, with built-in features that meet basic search engine optimization requirements. The platform offers streamlined solutions for managing titles, descriptions, and sitemaps, as well as full support for HTTPS. Moreover, all Squarespace templates are mobile-responsive from the start, an important factor for modern SEO.

However, for users looking for advanced SEO functionalities or specific customizations, Squarespace can feel restrictive compared to other platforms that offer more freedom for in-depth SEO strategies. Overall, Squarespace is well suited for SEO within the limitations of the platform, especially for users who prefer ease of use and design over complex SEO customization.