Three Tips For an Optimized Squarespace Website
(Even if you don't know a thing about coding)
So, you're looking to create a new website for your business, but don't have much experience with development or coding? Good news! We're living in an exciting time of no-code websites, making your Squarespace design journey easier and less stressful.
There are several platforms to consider, but Squarespace is my fave. Whether you're starting fresh with Fluid Engine or sticking to Classic Editor, Squarespace offers a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to build and update your website yourself.
With its drag-and-drop functionality, custom templates, and built-in SEO features, Squarespace gives you all the tools you need to create a professional-looking website that can rank well in search engines (which is how people find you in the great big land o' Google!)
One of the key benefits of Squarespace customization is its flexibility. Whether you're creating a personal travel blog or a yoga studio website, there are plenty of ways to make your site feel exactly like you. Let's dive into how to make that happen.
Customize Your Website's Style & Layout
The magic of Squarespace design happens in the details. Between Fluid Engine's drag-and-drop features and all the customization options, you can create a website that truly stands out.
If you're designing the website yourself, you'll love Squarespace's pre-designed templates. They're cleanly designed and ready to customize. You can change your fonts and colors to match your brand's style perfectly.
And since the templates are mobile responsive, they'll look good on any device (with a little tweaking from you) - whether it's a desktop or a smartphone.
Fun fact - mobile devices made up just half of all web traffic worldwide in 2022, and that number grows every year. So mobile optimization isn't just nice to have – it's a must-have for your Squarespace site!
COLORS
When it comes to color selection in Squarespace, keep it simple: choose 5 colors that go together.
Using no more than 5 colors creates a consistent theme throughout your site.
Important for accessibility: pay attention to contrast. Make sure text is easy to read against background images by using contrasting colors or adding shapes behind the text.
When it comes to color selection, choose 5 colors that go together.
FONTS
Font selection can be super fun - and easy to get lost in. 😅 Pick fonts that are available in both Squarespace and your other design platforms (like Canva or Adobe Illustrator).
Your font choices help establish your brand's personality while keeping content easy to read. Stick to no more than three fonts for a cohesive feel for your virtual guests.
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CSS
Want to level up your Squarespace customization? Custom CSS code lets you make cool tweaks like adding color to navigation links, incorporating handwritten fonts, changing button colors, and even boosting your SEO with custom adjustments.
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Use High-Quality and Optimized Images
Now that you've got your Squarespace design looking good with colors and fonts, let's talk about what really makes a website pop - images. As a business owner or freelancer, you want a site that not only looks beautiful but is strategically designed and functions well.
You want your visitors to land on your website and think "Oh yeah. I like it here."
High-quality images are key to making that happen. When you use crisp, clear visuals, your Squarespace site looks more polished and professional. Plus, great images make it easier for your website guests to understand your content and navigate your pages. This leads to better engagement and higher conversion rates. 🙌
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And important to note - when you take or use photos with your phone, the quality can look grainy or blurry on a desktop setting. If you can’t hire a photographer in the beginning, no worries! You can also download free stock images from sites like Unsplash or Pexels.
✍️ TIP: Want images that aren't on every other website? Sign up for Haute Stock's email list (affiliate link) and get around a dozen free stock images that are a bit more unique.
Let's Talk Squarespace SEO and Images
Here's something cool about Squarespace - it loves optimized images. Google's search engines give priority to websites with high-quality, properly optimized images. So if you want Mz. Google to notice you, your image game needs to be strong.
Why image optimization matters for your Squarespace site:
Large, uncompressed images slow down your page loading speed (and nobody likes a slow website)
Properly sized images help visitors navigate your site smoothly
Adding image titles and alt text helps Google understand what your site is all about
Taking time to choose and optimize your images is about creating a better experience for your visitors and helping your site show up in search results.
Optimize Your Website's Navigation and User Experience
Let's talk about making your Squarespace website actually work for your visitors. Easy navigation is super important for keeping people around once they find you.
Whole careers are built around user experience (like UX Design), and it's easy to feel overwhelmed when you're just starting out. But I gotcha. Here's how to make your site user-friendly without getting too technical.
Why Navigation Matters
Think about when you land on a new website - you want to find what you're looking for quickly, right?
If a site is confusing or hard to use, visitors bounce away without finding what they need. We don't want that! 😬
Make Your Menus Make Sense
Keep your navigation menu simple and organized
Limit your upper navigation to five pages max
Use clear labels so people know exactly where each link goes
Skip generic "click here" text (your visitors are smarter than that!)
Calls to Action That Work: A call to action (CTA) is what helps visitors take the next step - whether that's signing up for your newsletter, booking a call, or making a purchase. Make these buttons clear and easy to spot.
Don't Forget Mobile: Remember that mobile traffic stat from earlier? Over 50% of people will see your site on their phones. Make sure your Squarespace design looks good and works well on all screen sizes.
These three tips will help you create a Squarespace website that looks chef's kiss, works like a dream, and actually brings in business.
