Squarespace doesn't have an SEO plugin, but fear not! To get the most out of organic Search, you've got 2 options.

Option 1 requires a little effort on your end -- the goal of this guide is to make it as simple as possible. After all, Squarespace has gone to some trouble to make it simple too.

Option 2 is to hire a Squarespace SEO specialist.

For those who opt for the DIY rout, there are 3 things we have to do:

1. Setup your site with Google Search Console
2. Optimize your title tags
3. Get setup in Google Analytics

Google Search Console

Getting Verified

Getting setup in Google Search Console is a must. It's the interface between the search engine giant and your website.

Here's what to do.

1. Navigate to Google Search Console (formerly Webmaster Tools)
2. Add a property
3. Verify your property
   1. Click alternative methods.
   2. Copy the whole tag.
   3. Navigate to Squarespace. Login if you haven't already.
   4. Click Settings, Advanced, Code Injection.
   5. Paste the tag in the Header area.
   6. Click save.
   7. Navigate back to Search Console and click Verify.

For more information about getting setup in Search Console, visit Squarespace's help guide.

Submit your XML sitemap

Help Google understand your sites structure and its URLs. 

We're back in Search Console. Go to your Dashboard (link on the left).

1. Click Sitemaps.
2. Click Add/Test sitemap.
3. In the popup, type "sitemap.xml"
4. Click submit.

You're all set! 

The side benefit of getting setup in Search Console is that you can track keyword rankings.

You probably won't rank for many keywords off the bat, but with sustained effort and targeting you'll get there.

Optimize your title tags

Every webpage on your site must communicate well with search engines and people.

Why each webpage? Because webpages show up in search engines.

Your title tag is the familiar big blue link that you see in Google. It does two primary things.

1. Alerts search engines of your pages contents
2. Indicates to users what your page is about

It's really important for SEO that you include keywords in your title tags, in particular your homepage.

Homepage Title Tag

To modify your homepage title tag, go to Squarespace and login.

1. Click Settings.
2. Click SEO.
3. Modify the Homepage Title Format to include keywords at its beginning.

Example: f you sell baked cookies your title tag should include "Baked Cookies". If you sell them locally, consider adding your location. "(Location) Baked Cookies". It's also important to include your business name. It's common to find title tags formatted like so...

Keywords | Business Name

Remember to keep title tags below 60 characters so they don't get cutoff. Sometimes you can fit more.

Other Pages

Remember to modify title tags for all of your pages. This is done under the "Pages" section of your Squarespace website.

Get back to your main Squarespace Menu.

1. Click Pages.
2. Click the gear icon that displays when you hover over a page.
3. In the Page Title area, include keywords towards the front of your title tag

Use keywords that relate to your page. Each page should be about a topic. If people use Google to search this topic, it's important to use those search terms in your Page Title.

Do this for all of your pages. Trust me, it's worth it.

Google Analytics Setup (Optional)

Setup Analytics if you'd like more traffic. Google Analytics is the best medium to understand and optimize website performance.

If your website is for a business, I'd highly recommend it. Even if you don't use this data, if you hire a marketer they probably will.

Here's how to Setup Google Analytics with Squarespace.

Conclusion

You're all set!

There's always more you can do -- primarily with content marketing. But if you've completed these three steps you've setup solid SEO foundations.

To learn more about Squarespace SEO, link building, and content view our Definitive Squarespace SEO Guide.

Best of luck!