Why Isn’t My Squarespace Website Showing Up in Google?
The Backstory: Addressing a Common New Website Challenge
Recently, a client with a fresh Squarespace site and domain was understandably stressed—her website wasn’t showing up in Google search results after launch. We’d connected Google Analytics and Google Search Console, but with a brand-new business name and no web history, her site hadn’t yet made it onto Google’s radar.
If you’re dealing with a similar scenario, here’s why new sites may take a while to appear in search results, along with some tips to speed up the process and optimise your visibility.
Understanding the Basics: Why New Websites Take Time to Appear
New websites and domains need to “prove” their relevance to Google, which takes time. Think of it like opening a shop on a quiet side street—Google’s bots have to find and “evaluate” your site before it can be added to its search catalog. Here’s why this often takes longer than expected:
Indexing and Crawling: Google’s search bots scan and catalog (or “index”) new sites, but this doesn’t happen instantly.
New Domain, No Authority: Without history or links from other reputable sites, new domains have little authority in Google’s eyes.
SEO Setup and Content: Google uses content and keywords to understand your site’s relevance. Without these signals, it’s harder to rank.
Key Terms to Know for New Website Owners
SERP (Search Engine Results Page): The list of links displayed when someone conducts a Google search.
Indexing: The process by which Google adds your site to its catalog.
Crawling: When Google’s bots scan a site to understand and rank it.
Domain Authority: A score that reflects how likely your site is to rank based on its reputation, backlinks, and content relevance.
Troubleshooting Steps for New Squarespace Sites
If your site is missing from Google results, try these troubleshooting steps to ensure Google can find it:
Check Your Site’s Visibility Settings: Ensure your site isn’t set to “private” or “under construction” in Squarespace.
Verify in Google Search Console: Make sure your site is verified in Google Search Console so you can track its indexing status.
Submit Your Sitemap: Squarespace provides a sitemap that you can submit to Google Search Console, which helps bots discover your pages faster.
Optimize Your Page Titles and Descriptions: Use clear, relevant keywords in your page titles and meta descriptions. This helps search engines quickly understand what each page is about.
Be Patient, But Keep Publishing: Even with all steps in place, it can take Google a few weeks to index new sites. While waiting, publish valuable content - like blogs, tips and walkthroughs - that reinforces your business niche.
Going Beyond the Basics: Steps to Boost Your Visibility Faster
Top Squarespace SEO Tips to Keep Your Site Optimized
To further enhance your Squarespace site’s visibility, here are a few essential SEO tweaks:
Use Alt Text for Images: Alt text helps Google understand the content of images. Add keyword-rich descriptions to your images on Squarespace to help your SEO.
Add Internal Links: Link your content to other pages on your site to help Google discover your content and understand its structure.
Write Unique, Informative Content: Regularly publish helpful blog posts, guides, or service information to keep users engaged and improve your search rankings.
Regularly Monitor Google Search Console: Keep an eye on how your site is performing, fix any errors, and check for any issues with indexing.
The Bottom Line
If your new Squarespace site isn’t showing up in Google, remember it’s completely normal for new sites to take time. While waiting for indexing, you can strengthen your online presence by setting up a Google Maps listing, using social media to drive traffic, and building backlinks through quality content on other platforms. Each step you take helps Google recognize your site as valuable, setting it up for long-term success.
By following these tips, you’ll be giving your site the boost it needs to start climbing in search results, bringing you closer to the customers who need your services the most.