Your no-fluff guide to getting found on Google without needing to become an SEO expert.

So you’ve built your Squarespace site. You’ve got the fonts, the colours, the vibe. You’ve hit publish and… crickets.

If you’re wondering why no one’s finding your website, it might be time to look at your SEO.

But don’t panic, we’re not about to throw a bunch of jargon at you. This is a simple, doable SEO checklist built for small business owners who want to be found without spending hours buried in Google.

Let’s break it down.

 

But First… What Is SEO?

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimisation, which basically means setting up your site so Google understands what it’s about and can show it to the right people.

When your site is SEO-friendly:

  1. Your dream customers can find you when they search for what you offer
  2. You get traffic without relying on social media every day
  3. Your site starts working for you, not just sitting there looking pretty

Squarespace doesn’t have the most advanced SEO tools, but with the right setup? It can absolutely hold its own.


Your Squarespace SEO Checklist

 

Here’s what you actually need to check off:

Set Your Site Title + SEO Site Description

Head to Settings > Marketing > SEO Appearance > Search Appearance

Your site title should clearly state your business name and (if space allows) what you do.

Example:

Instead of just: “The Fern Studio”

Try: “The Fern Studio | Brand Design for Creative Entrepreneurs”

Google uses this info when deciding what your homepage is about, don’t waste the space.

 

2. Add SEO Titles + Descriptions for Every Page

Go to each page, click the ⚙️ Settings icon, and fill out the SEO title and SEO description fields.

  1. Page Title: Should be clear, keyword-rich, and under 60 characters
  2. Description: Should describe what the page is about and include relevant keywords (under 160 characters)

Example for a brand kit page:

Title: “Bold Brand Kit for Small Businesses | To Known”

Description: “Editable brand kit for creatives who want a bold, confident look. Includes logos, colour palette, fonts, and more.”

Don’t skip this, it’s what shows up in Google search results.


3. Use Keyword-Friendly Page URLs

By default, Squarespace will give you URLs like /page-1. That’s not helpful for humans or search engines.

Go to Page Settings > URL Slug and change it to something descriptive.

Example:

/brand-kits

/shopify-code-snippets

/custom-website-template

Keep it short, relevant, and lowercase with dashes between words.


4. Structure Your Content with Headers

Google loves organised content. Use H1, H2, and H3 headers properly.

  1. Every page should have one H1 (usually your main headline)
  2. Use H2s for section titles
  3. Use H3s for sub-points if needed

Don’t just bold text to make it look like a heading actually apply header tags. It helps Google understand what each page is about.


5. Add Alt Text to All Images

Alt text = the short description of what an image shows. It’s used for accessibility and SEO.

To add alt text in Squarespace:

  1. Click on the image block
  2. Add a description in the Filename or Image Alt box (depends on your block type)

Be specific, instead of “photo,” write “Brand kit mockup for service-based business.”


6. Connect Google Search Console

If you haven’t already, connect GSC under Settings > Marketing > SEO Appearance > Google Search Console

  1. Google Search Console helps Google crawl and index your site

It takes 5 minutes to set up and gives you loads of helpful data.

 

7. Submit Your Sitemap

Once Search Console is connected, submit your sitemap so Google knows what pages you have.

  1. Your sitemap lives at: yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml
  2. Go to Google Search Console > Sitemaps > Paste in that link

This tells Google to start crawling your pages, which is how you show up in search.

 

8. Add Internal Links

Internal links = linking between your own pages. It helps users explore your site and shows Google how your content connects.

Example:

  1. On your homepage: “Explore our [brand kits]”
  2. On your blog: “Learn how to [optimise your product page]”

Do this naturally, but consistently.


9. Blog (Yes, Really)

Blogging isn’t just for lifestyle influencers. It’s one of the best ways to:

  1. Answer your customers’ questions
  2. Use keywords without stuffing them
  3. Keep your site active and fresh (which Google likes)

 

10. Optimise for Mobile

Squarespace is responsive by default, but always check how your site looks on mobile.

  1. Are your headlines cut off?
  2. Are your images overlapping?
  3. Is the font size readable?

Most of your traffic will come from phones. Don’t lose people because your layout doesn’t translate.


 

Final Thoughts

SEO doesn’t have to be overwhelming, especially on Squarespace.

By setting up your pages with intention and keeping things clear, clean, and easy to read, you’re already doing better than 90% of small business websites out there.

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