Why this guide
Squarespace ships with polished templates and sane defaults. That’s perfect for busy teams and solo creators, but it also hides a few switches that quietly impact search. The goal here isn’t to turn Squarespace into a developer playground; it’s to get the most visibility with the least friction.
TL;DR quick wins
Do these once, then keep them tidy as you publish.
- Write page titles (≈30–65) and descriptions (≈70–160) that match the page’s intent; keep one H1 per page.
- Use short, readable slugs; set 301 redirects when you rename pages.
- Add ALT text that describes the image (not the filename).
- Set Open Graph & Twitter (title, description, 1200×630 image) for key pages and posts.
- Add basic JSON-LD where appropriate (Article/Product/FAQ) and validate.
- Submit your XML sitemap in Search Console and keep an eye on coverage.
The 30-minute plan (do it once, then maintain)
0–5 min: Indexability and basics
- Confirm the site is public (no accidental
noindexon the site or key pages). - Connect Google Search Console and submit the built-in XML sitemap.
- Spot-check a few pages for a sensible canonical (usually self on single pages).
5–10 min: Titles, descriptions, and one H1
- Pick your top pages (home, services/products, top posts). Write a human title that leads with the value.
- Write a helpful meta description (70–160) that explains the payoff.
- Ensure one H1 per page; demote extras to H2/H3 for scannability.
10–15 min: Clean slugs and redirects
- Keep slugs short, lowercase, hyphenated (e.g.,
/pricing). - When renaming, set a 301 redirect from the old path to the new one.
- Be consistent about trailing slashes and any www/non-www preference.
15–20 min: Collections (products, portfolio, blog)
Where most sites scale content—and SEO signals.
- Fill collection item titles, descriptions, and image ALT fields fully.
- Add a short intro on category/collection pages to explain the theme (150–300 words).
- Use internal links from items to related items and back to their collection hub.
20–25 min: Social previews that earn clicks
People share what looks good and promises something useful.
- Set Open Graph (title, description, image) and a Twitter Card (summary or large) for key pages.
- Use a 1200×630 image (1.91:1). Compress it; avoid huge files.
- Test how your title and description truncate; keep the hook intact.
25–30 min: Lightweight schema
- Site-wide Organization/Website (name, logo, social
sameAslinks). - Per-page types where relevant: Article, Product, FAQPage.
- Validate; fix simple warnings. Don’t chase every badge—be accurate first.
Keep it clean going forward (30–60 min when you have time)
Squarespace stays fast when you keep assets lean and navigation simple.
Media habits
- Export images at sensible sizes (max ~2560px long edge) and compress on upload.
- Prefer WebP when available; keep hero images light.
- Always add ALT text that describes the actual image content.
Navigation and internal links
- Keep navigation shallow—important pages should be 1–2 clicks from home.
- Add 3–5 internal links from high-traffic pages to key pages.
- Avoid orphan pages; every important page should be linked from somewhere useful.
Apps, embeds, and performance
- Install only the apps you truly need; remove what you don’t use.
- Use heavy embeds (maps, chat, video) sparingly on the homepage.
- Reuse components/patterns to keep the DOM small and pages consistent.
Troubleshooting (common gotchas)
If something feels off, it’s usually one of these.
- Accidental
noindexon a template or page—flip it off and re-submit the sitemap. - Duplicate titles/descriptions across multiple pages—bulk edit for uniqueness.
- Renamed pages without redirects—add 301s so old links keep working.
- Empty tag/category pages indexed—add value or noindex thin archives.
- Wrong social image when sharing—update OG image and test again.
Copy/paste checklist
Use this as your monthly “keep it healthy” reminder.
Done? Great. Schedule a 15-minute monthly sweep to keep momentum.
FAQ
Can I add custom schema everywhere?
You can cover the essentials. Where the UI is limited, focus on accurate content and internal links—those usually move the needle faster.
Do I need a developer for this?
No. Everything above is doable in the Squarespace interface. For complex migrations or multi-language, a specialist can save time.
Will schema guarantee rich results?
No. It’s eligibility, not a promise. Clean content + valid schema is the play.
How long until I see impact?
Clearer titles/descriptions can lift CTR quickly; structural tweaks (links, hubs) compound over weeks.
When should I consider switching platforms?
If you need granular control over templates, custom schema everywhere, or complex editorial workflows at scale. If not, keep compounding wins right where you are. Feel free to read When to Switch CMS: A Practical Guide
Final note
You don’t have to pick between beauty and visibility. Keep metadata tidy, links helpful, images described, and previews intentional. Do that consistently and Squarespace will pull its weight in search without fighting your design.