Key Squarespace Mistakes to Avoid

18 Apr

Squarespace has helped plenty of people & businesses create attractive and effective websites.

Its user-friendly design and attractive templates make it a favourite for web designers (including us here at by Stoneman).

However, there are common mistakes that can hurt your website’s performance and success. As a Squarespace user, knowing these issues is important to make the most of the platform.

Let's dive into some key things Squarespace users should actively avoid:

1. Neglecting mobile optimisation

Most website traffic now comes from mobile devices. Studies show that people use their phones more than desktops. For example, Statista reported that mobile devices made up about 60% of global website traffic in 2024.

Overlooking how your Squarespace site appears and works on smartphones and tablets is a serious mistake.

Don't forget to check and optimise your site's look on different screen sizes.
A site that doesn't adjust for mobile can result in a bad experience for users, more visitors leaving quickly, and possibly lower rankings on search engines since Google favors mobile-friendly sites.
Use Squarespace's responsive design tools and preview your site on different mobile devices. Focus on text readability, image size, and easy navigation.

2. Overlooking SEO basics

A good-looking website is just part of the challenge. You also need visitors. Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is essential for attracting natural traffic to your Squarespace site.

Avoid ignoring basic SEO practices such as using relevant keywords, optimising page titles and descriptions, and ensuring proper heading structures (H1, H2, etc.).
Without basic SEO, your website could get buried online, making it hard for potential customers to find you on search engines like Google.
Instead, find important keywords for your niche and add them to your website content. Use Squarespace's SEO tools to edit page titles, meta descriptions, and image alt text. Send your sitemap to search engines.

3. Loading up on large, unoptimised images

Images are important for a good website, but large, unoptimised files can make it load slowly. Studies show that 40% of users leave a site if it takes over 3 seconds to load.

Avoid uploading large images directly from your camera without making them smaller for the web.
Slow loading times annoy users, causing them to leave your site and hurting your SEO. Big files also use more bandwidth.
Optimise your images before uploading to Squarespace. Resize them to fit the display area and compress to lower file size while maintaining quality. Squarespace also has built-in image optimization.

4. Not making the most of analytics

Squarespace has analytics tools that give useful information about your website's performance, like where visitors come from, which pages are popular, and how users behave.

Avoid neglecting or skipping regular checks of your website analytics.
Without monitoring your website's data, you won't know what’s effective, what isn't, or how to make improvements.
Instead, get to know Squarespace Analytics and regularly check your website data. Focus on important metrics to understand your audience, spot trends, and use this information to improve your site. You can also connect with Google Analytics for deeper insights.

5. Sticking to default settings & content

Squarespace templates are a good base, but using the standard content and settings can make your website seem ordinary and not show your unique brand.

Don't leave placeholder text and images unchanged; customise the design to fit your brand.
A branded website helps you stand out, earn trust, and provide a memorable online experience.
Instead, customise your chosen template with your own text, images, colours, fonts, and branding. Use Squarespace's options to adjust the design to fit your needs and style.

6. Forgetting regular backups

Ok so we know that Squarespace backs up your site automatically, but knowing the process is still helpful.

Don't assume your data is always safe without knowing the platform's backup process.
Technical issues or mistakes can happen, even if they're uncommon. Understanding backups gives you reassurance.
Learn about Squarespace's backup and restore policies. You may not need to start backups yourself, but knowing the process can help if problems arise.

7. Neglecting security updates

This is another one that is mainly automated on Squarespace, but still, website security is crucial for safeguarding your data and visitors.

Avoid neglecting security measures.
A hacked website can cause data leaks, loss of customer trust, and harm your reputation.
Use strong passwords for your account and watch for any unusual activity. Keep your login details safe.

By avoiding these common mistakes, Squarespace users can build better, more user-friendly websites that meet their online goals. Take time to improve your site, know your audience, and show a professional and appealing online image.

At by Stoneman, we know that whilst Squarespace is easy to use, creating a great website can still be tough. If you're facing challenges, need help with customisations, or want to make sure your client's site looks and works well, contact us.

We're here to help you create outstanding websites for your clients – reach out today to talk about your projects!