Starting Your Squarespace Site
A Step by Step Guide
for Small Businesses
Step-by-Step Guide to Your First Squarespace Site
Creating a website doesn’t have to be complicated—Squarespace simplifies the process by offering an all-in-one solution for hosting, design, and domains.
Ready to launch your business website? Keep reading for the step-by-step guide!
- Define Your Goals – Clarify your website’s purpose and target audience before starting.
- Choose a Domain & Plan – Pick a memorable domain and a Squarespace plan that fits your business needs.
- Select & Customize a Template – Use a built-in template and tweak it for a professional, on-brand look.
- Optimize for SEO & Performance – Utilize Squarespace’s SEO tools to improve visibility and site speed.
- Prepare for Launch – Test functionality, set up tracking, and promote your site to attract visitors.
The Beginner’s Guide to Squarespace for Business Owners
Creating a website for your small business can feel overwhelming, but Squarespace makes it much simpler by handling hosting, design, and domain registration all in one place. If you’re looking for an easy, all-in-one platform that doesn’t require coding or separate hosting, Squarespace is a great option.
Here’s everything you need to do before launching your site!
1. Define Your Website’s Purpose and Goals
Before jumping into the technical aspects of building your site, it’s important to take a step back and define your goals. A well-planned website will not only look great but also function effectively to serve your business needs. Taking the time to outline your objectives now will help you make better decisions when it comes to design, structure, and functionality.
Before you start, ask yourself:
What is the main goal of my website? (e.g., attract new clients, sell products, showcase work, book appointments)
Who is my target audience?
What actions do I want visitors to take? (e.g., sign up for a newsletter, buy a product, contact me)
Having a clear vision will help guide your choices for hosting, design, and content.
2. Choose a Domain Name
Your domain name is your website’s address (e.g., yourbusiness.com). Here’s how to choose the right one:
Keep it short, easy to spell, and memorable.
Avoid numbers and hyphens, as they can be confusing.
Try to get a .com extension if possible, as it’s the most recognized.
Use keywords related to your business if your name is taken (DenverDanceStudio.com)
Register your domain through sites like:
Pro Tip: If you already own a domain, you can connect it to Squarespace instead of buying a new one.
3. Select a Squarespace Plan
Unlike WordPress (which requires separate hosting), Squarespace pricing includes hosting. Choose a plan that fits your needs:
Personal – Best for simple websites with basic pages.
Business – Adds e-commerce, marketing tools, and customization.
Commerce (Basic & Advanced) – Best for selling products and services online.
Visit Squarespace Pricing to compare options.
4. Sign Up and Choose a Template
With WordPress, you need to install a theme, but Squarespace provides ready-made templates that you can customize.
Go to Squarespace Templates.
Choose a template that matches your business type (e.g., photography, retail, consulting).
Click “Start with this Design” and create an account.
Pro Tip: Choose a template based on functionality, not just aesthetics. Look for built-in features like contact forms, galleries, or booking systems.
6. Add Essential Pages
Map out your essential pages, their purpose and a CTA (call to action for each).
How to Add Pages in Squarespace:
Click Pages in the left menu.
Click the + button to add a new page.
Select a Page Type (Standard, Gallery, Blog, Store, etc.).
Customize with content and layout options.
7. Optimize for SEO
Squarespace includes built-in SEO tools, but here’s how to maximize them:
Go to Marketing → SEO and fill in site titles and descriptions.
Customize page URLs to be short and keyword-rich.
Use alt text for images to improve accessibility and ranking.
Enable SSL (it’s automatic with Squarespace) to keep your site secure.
Pro Tip: Connect your site to Google Search Console to monitor SEO performance.
Final Steps Before Launch
Once your Squarespace site is set up, it’s time to build out your essential pages, optimize performance, and prepare for launch. Tap into our post on creating an outstanding user experience on your site while you start planning your pages. If you plan to use content marketing, a blog can help drive traffic and improve SEO.
Before making your site live, test everything—check all links, forms, and responsiveness across devices. Set up Google Analytics to track visitors and ensure your site runs smoothly. Once satisfied, announce your launch through social media, email marketing, and business directories to attract your first visitors.
Final Thoughts
Squarespace is one of the easiest ways to create a professional, polished website without needing technical skills. By following these steps, you’ll have a fully functional site ready to attract customers and grow your business.
Do you need help with branding or website visuals? Feel free to reach out—we’d love to bring your vision to life!
Book a free consultation if you need help with your website!
Our latest blog, in your inbox!
✨ Branding & Marketing Tips that inspire and help you elevate your business.
✨ Insightful advice on making your brand unforgettable and connecting with your audience.
✨ Delivered 1-2 times per month, with thoughtful, actionable content—no fluff, just value.
