Debunking the Rumours: Is Squarespace Bad for SEO?
In the fast-paced digital landscape, a solid online presence is crucial for any business or individual. A website is often the first point of contact between you and your audience, making it imperative to optimise your site for search engines. Squarespace, a popular website-building platform, is known for its user-friendly interface and stunning design templates. However, the burning question for many is, "Is Squarespace bag for SEO?"
Is Squarespace good for SEO?
Squarespace has garnered acclaim and scepticism in the ever-evolving landscape of website builders. One persistent rumour that occasionally surfaces in digital circles revolves around Squarespace's shortcomings in the realm of Search Engine Optimisation (SEO).
The Rumor: WordPress VS Squarespace
Debunked: An in-depth study by Ahrefs on Squarespace VS WordPress showed that 84.9% of Squarespace websites, compared to 54.5% of WordPress websites, get no organic traffic. Additionally, 8.1% of WordPress websites receive 100+ monthly organic visits, compared to Squarespace, with only 1.6%.
Looking at these results, it's a no-brainer at first glance – WordPress gets the gold medal in the WordPress vs. Squarespace SEO showdown.
However, these results are no surprise, especially when you consider all the additional SEO Plugins WordPress offers, such as Yoast, SEO Press, and NitroPack, to guide you through the process of optimising your site.
As a Squarespace SEO expert, I've collaborated with a diverse array of small and medium-sized businesses within the UK and on the global stage. It's been a gratifying experience, securing the top spot for my clients' websites in the intense competition for high-ranking keywords on Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs). Moreover, we've managed to outmanoeuvre some heavyweight household names along the way.
So, in the grand showdown of WordPress vs. Squarespace SEO capabilities, surprise, surprise – they're neck and neck. But there's a little catch – you've got to know the ropes! Yes, Squarespace is lacking in the SEO plugin department; luckily, by following these Squarespace SEO tips, you'll also see the same benefits my clients have.
Furthermore, let's spill the tea on aesthetics – when it comes to Squarespace, nothing compares—a sleek, modern, well-designed website is an unsung hero in the SEO game. It plays a pivotal role in impacting your search engine rankings.
The Rumor: Squarespace has slow loading times
Debunked: Yes, Squarespace often falls short in Google Page Speed Insight tests compared to other content management systems (CMS).
The slower load times of Squarespace websites on Google Page Speed Insight can be attributed to how different Javascript and CSS files are loaded. These delayed loading processes contribute to the lower scores observed in the speed tests.
However, Squarespace is currently working to address these issues by reducing the loading time of common/universal scripts and improving dynamic loading, compression, and caching.
Yes, it's frustrating —I grapple with the same issues on my own site and with my clients. Despite these challenges, it hasn't deterred me from securing first-page rankings on Google for numerous competitive keywords.
The Rumor: Squarespace lacks flexibility for advanced SEO strategies
Debunked: Squarespace strikes a balance between simplicity and flexibility. While it may not offer the same level of customisation as some other platforms, it does allow users to implement essential SEO strategies. For those with coding expertise, Squarespace's Developer Mode provides an avenue for more advanced customisations. It might not be as intricate as some dedicated CMS platforms, but it does offer a user-friendly compromise.
Squarespace SEO Strengths
Now it's time to shine a spotlight on why Squarespace is more than just a website builder – it's a powerhouse in the SEO world. Let's delve into the standout built-in features that make Squarespace a top-notch choice for search engine optimisation.
User-Friendly Interface: A Seamless Experience for All Skill Levels
At the heart of Squarespace's appeal lies its reputation for an exceptionally user-friendly interface designed to ensure that users, regardless of their familiarity with coding or web development, can effortlessly navigate the platform.
The intuitive design is a game-changer for beginners, providing a welcoming environment where the intricacies of web design become approachable rather than overwhelming.
Crucially, this simplicity doesn't compromise functionality. Users can delve into advanced settings when ready, ensuring that as their skills evolve, Squarespace grows alongside them. This scalability is a testament to the thoughtful design that makes Squarespace a platform for immediate use and long-term growth.
Mobile Responsiveness: Squarespace 7.1 Rocks Mobile Design
In 2023, 55% of website traffic came from mobile devices. So, in today's ever-evolving digital world, a mobile-friendly website is more than just an add-on - it's a necessity and a critical ranking factor for Google.
Creating a mobile-friendly site has never been easier since Squarespace's 7.1 new fluid engine launched. Allowing you to design a version of your site specifically for mobile devices, which not only enhances the user experience but contributes massively to your SEO rankings.
Unfortunately, Squarespace's fluid engine doesn't offer the same editing customisations for tablets as for mobile. Luckily, the Chrome Extension by Schwartz-Edmisten allows you to fix the spacing issues on screen sizes between mobile & tablet.
SSL Certificates: Elevating Security
Squarespace takes the hassle out of securing your website by automatically providing SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificates for all websites hosted on its platform.
SSL certificates are the unsung heroes that lock down the data exchange between your user's browser and your website. Think of it as a high-tech bodyguard for sensitive stuff like login details, personal information, and payment data, which is crucial for all websites, especially e-commerce sites that require high levels of protection to keep their customers safe when purchasing online!
Once you've enabled SSL on your Squarespace website, it will be considered a ranking factor for Google. Secure sites tend to rank higher in SERPs.
Clean HTML Markup
When we talk about Squarespace delivering clean HTML markup, we're delving into the foundation of your website's structure – the code that search engines, like Google, use to understand and index your content. Squarespace's commitment to producing clean HTML is a strategic move beyond aesthetics; it's about optimising your site for search engine readability and improving your site's SEO performance.
Content Management and Blogging:
Seamlessly integrated into Squarespace is its blogging platform, where, unlike other website builders, it's not a separate entity but an integral part of the entire site.
Whether you're just starting out or a seasoned blogger, creating awesome, engaging, keyword-rich content is the key to SEO success. Squarespace's robust blogging feature allows you to create and publish content seamlessly. Regularly updating your site with high-quality content will positively impact your search engine rankings.
Additionally, Squarespace's blogging platform has various built-in SEO features. Users can optimise their blog content with customisable meta titles, descriptions, and URLs, contributing to better visibility on search engine results.
Effective organisation is essential for a successful blog. Squarespace allows users to utilise tags and categories, making it easy for readers to navigate and discover related content.
Squarespace and the Dynamic SEO Playground.
In conclusion, "Is Squarespace good for SEO?" while it may not cater to every intricate demand of SEO, it certainly doesn't deserve the scepticism surrounding its capabilities. Squarespace provides a balanced solution between intuitive design and SEO functionality for any individual, business, or organisation looking to make an impact on search engines.
To ace Squarespace SEO, you've got to know its features, throw in some best practices, and remember that the ongoing hustle is real. The world of SEO is constantly evolving, with algorithms persistently shifting, and your competitors are consistently upping their game.
