Squarespace SEO Made Easy - A Beginner’s Guide by Bear Digital

SEO for Beginners: 10 Simple Steps to Rank Higher on Google.

If you’ve ever Googled your own website and come up empty, you’re not alone. SEO can feel like a mysterious code only digital wizards understand - but it doesn’t have to be.

The truth is, you don’t need a marketing degree or expensive software to get your site ranking on Google. You just need the right foundations.

This guide breaks down 10 beginner-friendly SEO steps that actually work - no jargon, no overwhelm, just clear actions you can take today.

💡 Want a printable version with examples and a one-page checklist?

👉 Grab my SEO for Beginners PDF here on Etsy.

1. Start with Keyword Research

Before you write a single blog or headline, you need to know what people are actually typing into Google.

Use free tools like Ubersuggest or Google Keyword Planner to find search terms your audience uses - ideally a mix of high-volume and specific (long-tail) keywords.

Example: Instead of just “jewellery,” try “gold necklace with emerald pendant.”

2. Write Strong Titles and Meta Descriptions

Your meta title is the blue clickable text on Google - keep it under 60 characters and include your main keyword.

Your meta description is the short blurb underneath (under 160 characters). It’s your chance to convince people to click, so make it engaging.

Example:

Addison Jewellery | Custom Jewellers Auckland

Custom, handcrafted jewellery in Auckland. Discover ethical designs made to inspire and empower - shop online or visit our Auckland studio.

3. Use Headings Correctly (H1, H2, H3)

Each page should have one H1 (the main title) that clearly says what the page is about.Then use H2s and H3s to break up your content.

Google uses this structure to understand your site, and visitors use it to skim - so keep it clear and keyword-friendly.

4. Keep URLs Short and Clean

Squarespace and other platforms automatically create URLs from your page titles, but they can get messy.Edit them to be simple and descriptive, like:

✅ /wedding-photography-tips

❌ /page-1-wedding-tips

A clean URL = better readability for humans and search engines.

5. Add Image Alt Text

Alt text tells Google what your images show (and helps with accessibility). Describe your images naturally and include relevant keywords when it makes sense.

Example:

✅ “Bay horse grazing in paddock at sunset”

❌ “Horse, horse photo, horse grazing, horse image”

6. Optimise for Mobile & Speed

Most visitors are on their phones, and Google ranks mobile-friendly sites higher. Check your website on mobile and compress large images using TinyPNG or Squoosh. Avoid slow, heavy animations - speed really does matter.

7. Connect Google Search Console

This free tool shows how your site performs in Google Search. It tells you which keywords bring traffic, if your pages are indexed, and if there are any technical issues to fix.

Set it up now at search.google.com/search-console.

Squarespace users can verify using the meta tag method under Settings → Advanced → Code Injection → Header.

8. Write Keyword-Rich Page Content

Google wants to know your site answers users’ questions.Use your keywords naturally in your headings, paragraphs, and image alt text - but write for humans first.

Think: “If I landed on this page, would it answer my question clearly?”

9. Use Blog Posts to Bring in Traffic

Every new blog is another opportunity to rank.Write posts that solve problems, answer FAQs, or share behind-the-scenes insights - whatever helps your ideal customer.

Even one blog post a month can build authority and long-term organic traffic.

10.🔗 Link Between Pages (Internal Linking)

Link your pages and blogs together to help Google crawl your site (and keep visitors exploring).

Example:

“Want to keep your new ring sparkling? Read our [Jewellery Care Guide].”

Internal linking boosts both user experience and SEO - it’s a simple trick that makes a big difference.

Bonus Tip: Track Your Progress

Connect your site to Google Analytics so you can see what’s working. It tracks where your traffic comes from, which pages perform best, and where users drop off - helping you refine your SEO strategy over time.

🧭 Want the Full Step-by-Step SEO Checklist?

If you found this helpful, my SEO for Beginners PDF dives deeper into each step with examples, templates, and a printable one-page checklist you can tick off as you optimise your site.

✨ Download it now on Etsy:SEO for Beginners – Squarespace Edition by Bear Digital

About Bear Digital

Bear Digital helps small businesses grow online through SEO, social media strategy, and data-driven digital marketing - without the overwhelm.Learn more at beardigitalmarketing.com.