Gold 3D letters spelling 'SEO', representing Search Engine Optimization best practices.

Many website builders, including Squarespace, Wix, WordPress, and Webflow, provide built-in features to help with SEO. However, understanding and implementing best practices is essential to maximize visibility. Whether you're using Squarespace or another platform, these basic on-page SEO strategies can improve rankings, drive more traffic, and enhance user experience. Below, I’ll break down the key steps to optimise your site effectively.

1. SEO-Friendly Page Titles & Meta Descriptions

Each page on your site should have a unique, compelling title and meta description. These elements help search engines understand your content and entice users to click on your link in search results. Keep titles concise and include relevant keywords naturally.

HTML code snippet featuring meta tags, a crucial component of SEO best practices discussed in the blog post.

2. Use Structured Headings (H1, H2, H3)

Properly structuring your content with headings not only improves readability but also helps search engines understand the hierarchy of information on your page. Use:

H1 for the main page title
H2 for primary sections
H3 for sub-sections

This improves the overall user experience and SEO performance.

A tablet displaying a hand-drawn website wireframe with sections labeled "Image Banner," "Navigation," "Content," and "Footer," alongside a notebook with similar sketches, demonstrating website planning for optimal SEO.

3. Add Alt Text for Images

Alt text (alternative text) is a crucial element for both accessibility and SEO. It provides a textual description of images for visually impaired users and helps search engines understand what the images represent. Always include descriptive and keyword-rich alt text for your images.

Collection of scenic images showcasing various landscapes, demonstrating the need for detailed and accurate alt text for SEO accessibility.

4. Maintain Clean URL Structures

Your URLs should be short, descriptive, and easy to read. Avoid long strings of numbers or unnecessary words.

Instead of: www.yoursite.com/page1234

Use: www.yoursite.com/seo-tips

This makes it easier for search engines and visitors to understand the page’s content.

A close-up of a hand holding a transparent search bar displaying "www." and a magnifying glass icon, representing the foundation of well-structured URLs for SEO.

5. Optimize for Mobile-Friendliness

Since mobile-friendliness is a Google ranking factor, ensuring your site is responsive is essential. Most website builders automatically adjust for different screen sizes, but you should:

Test your site on various devices
Avoid using small fonts or hard-to-click buttons
Ensure images scale properly

Image of the redesigned StoryBrand Squarespace version of a home builders and contractors website featuring stunning imagery, clear messaging and strategic calls to action to guide visitors to book a consultation. — Designed by Certainly Nat

We understand the challenges small business owners face when it comes to building a website that truly reflects their brand’s success. At Certainly Nat we specialise in translating your goals into a stunning online presence that engages your audience and drives growth.

Our process is designed to make the experience stress-free and collaborative, so you can focus on running your business while we bring your vision to life. Whether you need a complete site redesign or a fresh start, we’re here to help.

6. Improve Site Speed

Site speed is another key ranking factor. Many platforms have built-in speed optimization, but you can further enhance it by:

Compressing images before uploading
Minimizing the use of heavy scripts and custom code
Using caching and content delivery networks (CDNs) where available

Image of a fiber optic cable and keyboard, emphasizing the technological infrastructure behind fast-loading websites and SEO performance.

7. Implement Internal Linking

Internal linking helps guide visitors to key pages on your site and improves SEO by distributing link equity. Best practices include:

Linking to relevant blog posts or service pages
Using descriptive anchor text
Avoiding excessive links on a single page

A hand touching a glowing node in a digital network, representing the strategic placement of internal links to guide users and search engines within a website for improved SEO.

8. Configure SEO Settings Properly

Finally, make sure all SEO settings in your platform are correctly configured. This includes:

Allowing pages to be indexed by search engines
Setting up automatic redirects for changed URLs
Ensuring a logical and intuitive site structure

Final Thoughts

By following these basic on-page SEO strategies, you can improve your website's search engine rankings and provide a better experience for your visitors—regardless of the platform you're using. But why stop there? If you're looking to upgrade your website with ease and create a site that works for your business—not against it—We can help! Our bold, story-driven Squarespace templates are built to blend beauty with strategy—so your site not only looks incredible but converts visitors into clients on any device.

Explore Templates

About Your Blogger, Certainly Nat

I know how overwhelming a website redesign can feel. That’s why I tell your Brand Story using Squarespace so you have a website that reflect your brand’s success while keeping the process smooth and stress-free. With a clear, streamlined design process, I’ll help you build a stunning site that looks great and drives business growth.

How to SEO your website - Checklist for On-Page SEO