Is Squarespace Good For SEO In 2024? Let’s Find Out!

Is Squarespace good for SEO? Here is my answer to that question and it is it depends. I know it’s a vague response but it all depends on what you are using the platform for and which line of business you’re in.

The Squarespace platform may not have all of the same features and functionalities of WordPress, but that does not necessarily mean that it is bad for SEO.

Even though there are less features than WordPress, website owners can still take advantage of everything available, create great written content, a solid on-page SEO strategy, add a few good links, and then you should be in the mix for ranking keywords on the SERP.

Squarespace SEO Capabilities

Let’ See What Squarespace says about SEO on their own website.

Advanced SEO Tools

Squarespace allows a user to leverage their advanced set of SEO tools so they can be more readily found on search engines and get more visitors.

Squarespace SEO Tools & Capabilities

Here is a list of the SEO tools and their capabilities offered on their website.

SEO Page Settings

SEO page settings are crucial for optimizing your website’s visibility and attractiveness to both search engines and social media platforms. Key settings include:

1. Page Titles and Meta Descriptions: These are essential for search engines and users to understand the content and context of your pages. Page titles should be concise and relevant, while meta descriptions provide a brief summary of the page’s content, encouraging users to click through from search results.
2. Hiding a Page (No-Index): This feature allows you to prevent certain pages from being indexed by search engines. It is useful for pages that you do not want to appear in search results, such as internal or temporary pages.
3. Featured Image for Social Platforms: Selecting a featured image for your pages enhances their visual appeal when shared on social platforms. This image is typically displayed in social media posts or shares, helping to grab attention and potentially drive more traffic to your website.

Built The Right Way (Technical SEO)

“Built The Right Way” emphasizes the importance of technical SEO elements that ensure a website is not only search engine friendly but also provides a seamless user experience. Key components include:

1. XML Sitemaps: These are crucial for search engines to easily understand and index a website’s structure. XML sitemaps act as a roadmap, guiding search engines to all important pages on a site.
2. Automatic Markup (Schema/Structured Data): Implementing schema or structured data helps search engines better understand the content of your pages, which can enhance the way your site is represented in search results, potentially leading to higher visibility and click-through rates.
3. Clean URLs: URLs should be straightforward and readable, ideally containing keywords relevant to the page’s content. This not only helps search engines understand the page better but also improves user experience.
4. Mobile Optimization: With the increasing use of mobile devices, having a mobile-optimized site is crucial. It ensures a good user experience across all devices and is a significant factor in search engine rankings.
5. SSL Security: Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption is vital for website security. It protects data transferred between users and the site, and search engines favor secure websites, often ranking them higher.
6. Website Translations: Offering your website in multiple languages can significantly expand your reach and improve user experience for non-English speakers. This can also increase your site’s visibility in international search results.

Ecommerce SEO

Ecommerce SEO is specifically tailored to enhance the online visibility and accessibility of ecommerce websites. Key aspects include:

1. SEO Friendly Pages with Static URLs for Each Product Category: It is crucial for each product category on an ecommerce site to have its own unique, static URL. These URLs should be simple, readable, and include relevant keywords. This structure helps search engines easily crawl and index the site, making it easier for potential customers to find specific product categories through search.
2. Designed to Maximize Visibility of Your Brand and Products: The design of an ecommerce site should focus on highlighting both the brand and its products effectively. This involves optimizing product descriptions, using high-quality images, and ensuring that the site’s layout is user-friendly. A well-optimized design aids in improving the site’s ranking in search results, thereby increasing the chances of attracting potential customers.

The Squarespace SEO Checklist: Is It Helpful? 

The Squarespace SEO checklist does cover a number of different topics and points, but overall this is pretty straightforward information. The checklist is broken down into multiple sections:

• Before Publishing: This section emphasizes pre-launch optimization. It involves ensuring that your website’s fundamental SEO elements, like page titles, meta descriptions, and site structure, are effectively set up. This phase is crucial for laying the groundwork for search engine visibility.
• After Publishing: Post-launch, the focus shifts to refining and maintaining your SEO strategy. This includes monitoring site performance, analyzing traffic patterns, and making necessary adjustments based on user behavior and search engine updates. Regularly updating content and ensuring the site remains user-friendly and relevant are key practices during this phase.
• As Your Site Evolves: This part of the checklist deals with the ongoing process of SEO as your site grows and evolves. It includes continuously optimizing new content, staying updated with SEO trends and algorithm changes, and regularly evaluating and refining your SEO strategy to align with your growing business needs.
• Content Best Practices: This section covers strategies for creating high-quality, engaging content that is optimized for search engines. It encompasses using relevant keywords naturally, ensuring content is valuable and informative, and incorporating multimedia elements to enhance user engagement and dwell time.

From my perspective these are all of the things that cover the bare basics which give you a shot at being found on Google, but does not guarantee it. It is important to note that these are foundational steps and SEO success is influenced by a multitude of factors, including competition, market trends, and the ever-evolving nature of search engine algorithms.

Squarespace SEO Reviews From Around The Web

I found several reviews from different sources discussing Squarespace’s SEO capabilities, highlighting both its strengths and limitations:

1. From Website Builder Expert, Squarespace offers a competitive range of SEO options, providing features like mobile-friendliness, 301 redirects, SSL encryption, sitemap generation, Google Analytics and Search Console integration, keyword search panels, social media integration, canonical tags, and structured data. They emphasize the importance of optimizing site titles, Google Index, and using Bing Webmaster Tools. They also highlight the significance of readable file names, meta titles and descriptions, custom URLs, and headings for SEO optimization.
2. Taylor Nguyen’s review acknowledges the ease of use of Squarespace’s SEO features, noting that it is user-friendly for non-technical website owners. Key features like SSL security certificate activation, AMP enablement, mobile responsiveness, and search keyword analytics are easily accessible. The design of Squarespace templates is modern and engaging, which positively impacts user experience and consequently SEO. However, they also point out limitations, such as the platform’s website speed, which may not be competitive enough for some users, and issues with schema markup, which might require manual intervention. They also mention inconsistencies across different Squarespace templates and versions, and the lack of a plugin similar to Yoast for WordPress.
3. Another review from Marksmen Studio discusses the challenges Squarespace faces in SEO. While acknowledging its solid foundational features, they mention the persistence of built-in domains in search results, which can be a concern. They also note the afterlife of deleted pages and the previous issue with trailing slashes in URLs, which Squarespace has since resolved. When comparing Squarespace to WordPress, they suggest that with the right template and best practices, Squarespace sites can rank as well as WordPress sites. The Brine template is recommended for its SEO friendliness and design flexibility.

In summary, while Squarespace is generally user-friendly and offers a range of SEO tools, it has some limitations, especially in terms of site speed and advanced SEO features. However, with careful consideration of template choice and adherence to best practices, it can be a competitive option for SEO.

Is Squarespace Bad For SEO?

Squarespace is not inherently bad for SEO, but like any platform, it has its strengths and limitations. The effectiveness of Squarespace for SEO largely depends on how well you use its available features and align them with best SEO practices.

From the reviews and analysis available, Squarespace offers a range of SEO tools and features that are quite comprehensive for most users. This includes mobile-friendliness, integration with Google Analytics and Search Console, SSL security, and the capability for clean URLs and meta tag customization. These features are fundamental for SEO and are relatively user-friendly on Squarespace, making it a decent choice for those without technical SEO expertise.

However, there are certain limitations noted by experts. Squarespace’s website speed has been a point of concern, especially following Google’s Core Web Vitals update. Although steps can be taken to optimize speed, it may not match the performance of custom-built websites. There are also issues with automatic structured data (schema markup) that may require manual intervention for optimal results. Additionally, template inconsistencies, particularly between Squarespace 7.0 and 7.1, can pose challenges for SEO.

Ultimately, Squarespace can be an effective platform for SEO if its tools are utilized correctly and supplemented with solid content and link-building strategies. It might not offer the same level of customization or advanced features as some other platforms like WordPress, but for many users, it provides a good balance of ease-of-use and SEO capability.

Squarespace Vs. WordPress SEO

Now we have an idea of what Squarespace is capable of, let’s see how it compares to WordPress Search Engine Optimization (SEO).

Pros Of Squarespace SEO

• User-Friendly Interface: Squarespace is known for its intuitive and user-friendly design, making it easy for non-technical users to manage SEO settings.
• Integrated Features: It offers built-in SEO features like clean URLs, mobile optimization, SSL certificates, and social media integration, simplifying the optimization process​​.
• Responsive Design: All Squarespace templates are mobile-responsive, which is a crucial factor for SEO​​.

Cons Of Squarespace SEO

• Limited Customization: Compared to WordPress, Squarespace offers less flexibility in terms of SEO customization and advanced features.
• Speed Issues: Some users have reported concerns with the page loading speed, which is a significant factor in SEO rankings​​.
• Template Limitations: There can be inconsistencies and limitations with SEO depending on the Squarespace template used​​​​.

Pros Of WordPress SEO

• High Customizability: WordPress offers extensive customization options for SEO through plugins like Yoast SEO, allowing for detailed optimization strategies.
• Large Community and Resources: A vast community and numerous resources are available for support and enhancements, providing a wealth of information and tools for SEO optimization.
• Flexibility with Hosting and Speed: WordPress users have the flexibility to choose their hosting service, which can optimize website speed and performance, a key factor in SEO.

Cons Of WordPress SEO

• Requires More Technical Knowledge: Effective use of WordPress for SEO often requires a higher level of technical expertise, especially when customizing and managing plugins.
• Plugin Management: Reliance on plugins for SEO and other functionalities can lead to issues with site speed, security vulnerabilities, and compatibility if not properly managed.
• Regular Maintenance: WordPress sites require regular updates and maintenance for themes, plugins, and the core system, which can be time-consuming and technical.

How To Improve SEO On Your Squarespace Website?

Improving SEO on your Squarespace website involves several key strategies:

Optimize Page Titles and Meta Descriptions

Ensure that each page has a unique and descriptive title and meta description. Use relevant keywords and make them compelling to encourage clicks from search engine results.

Use Clean, SEO-Friendly URLs

Customize your URLs to be readable and keyword-rich. Squarespace automatically generates URLs based on page titles, but you can modify them for better SEO.

Optimize Images

Use high-quality images and include descriptive alt text for each image. This not only helps with SEO but also improves accessibility.

Mobile Optimization

Ensure your site is mobile-friendly, as this is a significant ranking factor for search engines. Squarespace templates are generally mobile-responsive, which is advantageous.

Utilize SSL Security

Squarespace provides SSL certificates for all websites. Having an SSL-secured site (HTTPS) is beneficial for SEO and user trust.

Improve Website Speed

Although Squarespace sites are generally optimized for speed, you can enhance this by optimizing image sizes and minimizing the use of heavy scripts or custom code.

Regularly Update Content

Keep your website content fresh and updated. Regularly adding new content can improve your site’s relevance and authority.

Utilize Squarespace SEO Features

Take advantage of built-in features like automatic sitemaps, Google Analytics and Search Console integration, and social media tools.

Keyword Research and Implementation

Conduct thorough keyword research to understand what your target audience is searching for and include these keywords naturally in your content, headings, and meta tags.

Link Building

Develop a strategy to get high-quality backlinks to your site. This could include guest blogging, partnerships, or creating shareable content.

Use Structured Data (Schema Markup)

While Squarespace automatically adds some basic structured data, you might need to manually add more specific schema markup for better context to search engines.

Blog Effectively

If you have a blog, use it to create relevant, high-quality content that addresses your audience’s needs and questions. This can significantly boost your SEO.

Local SEO (If Applicable)

For local businesses, ensure your website includes local keywords, and consider integrating Google My Business.

Monitor and Analyze Your SEO Performance

Regularly check your website’s performance using tools like Google Analytics and Search Console. This can help you understand where you need to make improvements.

These steps, when implemented effectively, can significantly enhance your Squarespace site’s SEO performance. Remember, SEO is an ongoing process and requires regular attention and adjustments based on performance data and search engine algorithm updates.

Where Do I Put SEO Keywords On Squarespace?

To effectively place SEO keywords on your Squarespace website, consider the following areas:

1. Page Titles: Each page should have a unique title that includes your primary keyword. This is one of the first things search engines and users see.
2. Meta Descriptions: Write compelling meta descriptions for each page, incorporating your target keywords. These descriptions appear in search results and can influence click-through rates.
3. URLs: Customize your page URLs to include relevant keywords. Squarespace allows you to edit these URLs to make them SEO-friendly.
4. Headings and Subheadings (H1, H2, H3, etc.): Use your keywords in the headings and subheadings throughout your content. This helps search engines understand the structure and relevance of your content.
5. Body Content: Naturally integrate keywords into the text of your pages, blog posts, and product descriptions. Avoid keyword stuffing; instead, focus on making the content useful and readable.
6. Image Alt Text: Include keywords in the alt text of images. This improves SEO and accessibility, as it provides a textual description of the image for search engines and screen readers.
7. SEO Page Settings: Squarespace offers an SEO section for each page where you can optimize various elements like page titles and descriptions. Ensure these are filled out with relevant keywords.
8. Blog Post Titles and Content: If you have a blog, include keywords in your post titles and throughout the articles. Blogging can significantly boost your site’s SEO.
9. Product Titles and Descriptions (for Ecommerce): If you run an online store on Squarespace, use keywords in your product titles and descriptions to improve the visibility of your products in search results.
10. Tags and Categories: Utilize tags and categories in blog posts and products with relevant keywords. This not only helps SEO but also improves site navigation for users.

Remember, while keywords are essential for SEO, they should be used strategically and not excessively. Overusing keywords can lead to poor user experience and potentially harm your SEO efforts. Always prioritize quality content that naturally incorporates keywords in a way that adds value to your readers or customers.

Conclusion 

To conclude, SEO is a vital component of a successful online presence. For Squarespace users, it’s important to leverage the platform’s built-in SEO features effectively. This includes choosing relevant, long-tail keywords that align with your business and using them appropriately across various elements of your website.

While there’s no definitive number of keywords to use per page, the focus should be on natural and contextually relevant usage. Unlike WordPress, Squarespace does not support external SEO plugins but offers a range of integrated SEO tools that cater to the basic and intermediate needs of website optimization.

Remember, good SEO practice is not just about incorporating keywords; it’s also about creating valuable, engaging content and providing a great user experience. For more detailed insights and guidance on SEO practices, you can refer to sources like Moz, Search Engine Journal, and Google’s Webmaster Guidelines.

Is Squarespace Good For SEO? Frequently Asked Questions