Creating a website on Squarespace is an exciting step, but making it live is what truly brings it to life. Whether you're launching a personal blog, business website, or online store, this guide walks you through everything you need to know about publishing your Squarespace website successfully.
Preparing Your Squarespace Website for Launch
Before you hit the publish button, it’s essential to ensure your website is ready for visitors. A well-prepared website enhances user experience, boosts SEO, and makes a strong first impression. Let’s go over the key areas to check before making your Squarespace website live.
Content & Design Check
Your website should not only look good but also be free of errors and easy to navigate. Carefully proofread your text to eliminate typos and ensure clarity. Use high-quality images that load quickly and align with your brand’s visual identity. Additionally, test how your website appears on different devices to guarantee a responsive design.
Testing Website Functionality
Nothing turns visitors away faster than broken links or non-working features. Test your contact forms, navigation menus, buttons, and any interactive elements to make sure they function correctly.
- Click through every link to check for broken or incorrect URLs.
- Submit test inquiries through your contact form to confirm you receive them.
- Test embedded videos, images, and third-party integrations.
Fixing these small issues before publishing ensures a smooth experience for your visitors.
SEO Optimization
To help people find your website, optimize it for search engines. Ensure your page titles, meta descriptions, and headings include relevant keywords naturally. Squarespace has built-in SEO tools that allow you to edit these elements easily. Also, check your URL structure—short, clean URLs improve both user experience and SEO rankings.
Squarespace Domain and Publishing Setup
Your domain name is your website’s online address. You can either purchase a domain directly from Squarespace or connect an existing domain from another provider. Let’s go over both options.
How to Connect a Custom Domain to Squarespace
If you already own a domain, connecting it to Squarespace is simple:
- Go to Settings > Domains in your Squarespace dashboard.
- Click Use a Domain I Own and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Update your domain’s DNS records through your registrar (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap).
Once connected, it may take up to 72 hours for the domain to fully update across the web.
How to Publish a Squarespace Website
With your website set up and optimized, it’s time to make it live. Squarespace makes publishing simple and intuitive. Follow these steps to publish your website:
- Log into your Squarespace account.
- Navigate to Settings > Site Availability.
- Select Public and confirm your choice.
Once you complete these steps, your website will be live for the world to see!
Visibility Settings: Making Your Squarespace Website Public
Not all websites are meant to be public right away. Squarespace allows you to control who can access your website:
- Public: Your website is live and accessible to everyone.
- Private: Your website remains hidden, visible only to you.
- Password Protected: Visitors must enter a password to access your website—ideal for client previews.
Adjust these settings based on whether you're ready for full public access or need a bit more time for refinement.
Useful Links
For additional guidance, check out these official Squarespace resources that provide in-depth instructions on key steps:
Publishing or Hiding Your Site – This guide explains how to make your Squarespace website public or private, detailing the steps to publish your site when you're ready.
Connecting a Third-Party Domain to Your Squarespace Site – Learn how to connect a domain purchased from another provider to your Squarespace website with this step-by-step guide.
Site Launch Checklist – Ensure your website is ready for launch by following this comprehensive checklist, covering content review, design polish, functionality testing, and SEO optimization.
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Post-Launch Checklist: What to Do After Publishing
Publishing your website is just the beginning. To maximize its impact, here’s what you should do next:
Monitor website analytics. Tracking visitor data helps you understand how users interact with your website. Squarespace offers built-in analytics, but connecting Google Analytics can provide deeper insights into traffic sources and user behavior.
Promote your website. Now that your website is live, let people know! Share your website on social media, update your business listings, and consider email marketing to attract visitors. If your website is for a business, claiming your Google My Business listing can also help with search visibility.
Ongoing maintenance. Keeping your website up to date is crucial. Regularly update content, check for broken links, and ensure your website remains visually appealing. A well-maintained website improves search rankings and keeps visitors coming back.
By following these steps, you can confidently publish your Squarespace website and continue growing your online presence. Remember, launching is just the first step—ongoing updates and promotion are key to long-term success!