Before making your site public, implement these essential SEO optimizations:

Site Information

• Create a site title under 60 characters with relevant keywords
• Write a concise site description (50-300 characters)
• Add unique SEO descriptions for all pages, blog posts, products, and events (50-300 characters each)
• Format page titles properly for browser tabs and social media

Design Elements

• Add a favicon for brand recognition
• Include social sharing images for your site and individual pages
• Create a custom 404 page with helpful navigation links
• Review content for SEO best practices

Domain Settings

• Connect a custom domain
• Link social media profiles
• Enable SSL security
• Use descriptive URL slugs
• Choose appropriate blog post URL format

Location Details (if applicable)

• Add physical address on contact page
• Create Google Business Profile
• Include business hours and services

Post-Launch Tasks:

1. Set up search console accounts:

   • Google Search Console authentication
   • Submit site for Google indexing
   • Bing Webmaster Tools setup
   • Connect Google Analytics

2. Ongoing Maintenance:

   • Optimize new content regularly
   • Create redirects for changed URLs
   • Update content frequently
   • Monitor analytics and search rankings

Content Optimization Best Practices:

• Use strategic keywords naturally
• Structure content with proper headings
• Add alt text to all images
• Keep image sizes under 500KB
• Maintain total page size under 5MB
• Include internal links between pages
• Organize content with tags and categories

Note: Rankings may fluctuate initially after changes. Allow 1-2 weeks for search engines to reindex your site. If rankings don't improve, analyze traffic patterns and consider adjusting keywords.

For additional support:

• Attend SEO webinars
• Consult with SEO professionals
• Join community forums
• Consider Squarespace Circle membership for advanced tips

Related Articles

Previous Articles