How to Get Your Squarespace Website on Google: A Simple Guide Anyone Can Follow
Hello there! You've spent hours crafting the perfect Squarespace website. The design looks amazing, your content is polished, and you're ready to welcome visitors. But there's a problem: no one is finding your site on Google. Sound familiar?
I completely understand this frustration – I see it with my clients all the time. The good news? This is a totally fixable problem! As a Squarespace web designer who's helped dozens of clients improve their Google visibility, I'm excited to share my straightforward, jargon-free process with you today.
➻ Why Your Gorgeous Squarespace Site Might Be Invisible to Google
Let's start with understanding what might be happening:
Think of Google as a friendly neighbour who doesn't know you've moved in yet. Your beautiful Squarespace website is like a new home in the neighbourhood – wonderful, but Google hasn't received your housewarming invitation!
Sometimes, your Squarespace site might even have settings that are accidentally telling Google "no visitors, please!" This happens more often than you'd think, especially if you were focused on design rather than search visibility when launching.
➻ Simple Steps to Submit Your Squarespace Website to Google
Let's fix this together with a friendly process anyone can follow:
Step 1: Make Sure Your Squarespace Site Is Published and Not in Private Mode
This might seem obvious, but we all overlook the basics sometimes! Google can only find websites that are open to visitors.
Head over to Settings → Site Availability
Ensure your site is set to Public (think of this as opening your front door)
Step 2: Create a Google Search Console Account
Think of Google Search Console as a direct line of communication between you and Google – and it's completely free!
Visit Google Search Console
Click "Add Property"
Enter your website URL (make sure to include the https:// part)
Step 3: Verify You Own Your Squarespace Website
This is Google's friendly way of making sure you're really the owner of the website you're trying to add.
In Search Console, you'll see verification options
Choose the "HTML tag" method
Copy the meta tag Google provides (it'll look something like <meta name="google-site-verification" content="a-long-string-of-characters">)
Now, let's add this to your Squarespace site:
Navigate to Settings → Advanced → Code Injection
Paste the HTML tag in the Header field
Save your changes
Return to Google Search Console and click "Verify"
Step 4: Submit Your Squarespace Sitemap to Google
A sitemap is essentially a roadmap of your website that helps Google discover all your wonderful content.
In your Squarespace dashboard, go to Settings → Advanced → SEO
Find your sitemap URL (it typically looks like yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml)
Copy this URL
In Google Search Console, go to "Sitemaps"
Paste your sitemap URL and click "Submit"
Wonderful job! You've now officially introduced your Squarespace website to Google. But to make a great impression, we need to make sure Google falls in love with what it sees.
➻ Squarespace-Specific SEO Settings Explained in Plain English
Let's optimise your Squarespace site so Google not only finds it but ranks it well:
1. Set Up Page Titles and Descriptions
For each important page on your site:
Go to Pages
Click the ⚙️ (gear icon) next to the page
Select SEO
Add a clear Page Title that includes relevant keywords (like "Custom Squarespace Design for Small Businesses")
Write a friendly Description (about 155 characters) that also includes keywords
These elements appear in Google search results – they're your website's first impression on potential visitors!
2. Add Alt Text to All Images
Google can't "see" your beautiful images, but it can read descriptions about them:
Click on any image on your site
In the image editor, find the Alt Text field
Describe what's in the image using keywords when natural (like "Squarespace website design for a boutique fashion store")
3. Enable SSL (Secure Sockets Layer)
Google prioritizes secure websites (and your visitors appreciate the security too):
Go to Settings → Advanced → SSL
Make sure "Secure (SSL)" is selected
If you see any mixed content warnings, follow Squarespace's guidance to resolve them
➻ Quick Wins for Better Google Visibility (No Technical Knowledge Required)
1. Create Content That Answers Questions
Google loves websites that help people solve problems. Think about what your potential clients are searching for:
"How to customize Squarespace templates"
"Best Squarespace template for photographers"
"How to add an online store to Squarespace"
Create warm, helpful blog posts or pages that directly address these questions, naturally incorporating these phrases throughout your content.
2. Improve Your Website's Loading Speed
We all love beautiful images, but too many can slow down your Squarespace site. Let's balance beauty and speed:
Resize images before uploading (1500-2000px wide is usually plenty)
Take advantage of Squarespace's built-in image compression
Be mindful about the number of fonts and animations you use
3. Make Sure Your Site Works Beautifully on Mobile
Google (and your visitors) prioritise mobile-friendly websites:
Preview your site on mobile using Squarespace's device view
Ensure buttons are comfortably large enough to tap
Check that text is readable without zooming
Test all forms and interactive elements to ensure a smooth experience
➻ How to Check If Your Efforts Are Working
Patience is key here – typically it takes 2-4 weeks for Google to fully index a new website. Here's how we can track your progress together:
1. Use Google Search Console Reports
Check the "Coverage" report to see if Google is finding your pages
Look at "Performance" to see which search terms are bringing visitors to your site
Review any errors Google reports and address them promptly
2. Try the "site:" Search
In Google, simply type site:yourdomain.com
This shows you all the pages Google has indexed from your site
If nothing shows up after a few weeks, let's revisit the steps above together
3. Set Up Google Analytics for Deeper Insights
Go to Settings → Advanced → External Services
Connect your Google Analytics account (if you don't have one yet, it's free to create)
This gives you friendly insights about your visitors and how they found you
➻ Common Squarespace SEO Challenges (And How to Overcome Them)
Duplicate Content: Sometimes Squarespace creates multiple URLs for the same content. Using canonical tags (in Settings → Advanced → Code Injection) can help Google understand which version to prioritize.
Heading Structure: Make sure to use proper headings (H1, H2, H3) in your content instead of just making text bigger – this helps both Google and your readers navigate your content.
Local SEO Opportunities: If you serve a specific area, be sure to warmly mention your location throughout your site and create a Google Business Profile to connect with local customers.
Natural Keyword Usage: While keywords matter, your content should read naturally and warmly. Write for your wonderful human visitors first, with Google as an important but secondary consideration.
➻ Final Thoughts: Patience + Persistence = Google Success
Getting your Squarespace website to shine on Google isn't an overnight success story, but following these friendly steps will put you on the right path. Remember that consistent, genuine effort over time yields the best results.
If you're feeling a bit overwhelmed or would like professional help optimizing your Squarespace site for Google, I'm here for you! I offer personalized SEO services specifically for Squarespace websites. Feel free to contact me for a friendly, no-pressure consultation.
Have you tried any of these techniques on your Squarespace site? I'd love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!
