What Is SEO and Why Your Business Can’t Ignore It
SEO Isn’t a Buzzword. It’s Your Brand’s Best Friend.
You’ve launched your website. It’s beautiful, it’s on-brand, and it’s ready to be discovered. But… crickets. This is where SEO steps in.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) helps your site show up on Google when someone searches for what you do. Whether you're a small-batch candle maker, a neighborhood restaurant, or a designer (👋), SEO is how people find you online—without ads, gimmicks, or guesswork.
What Is SEO?
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. At its core, it's the process of making your website more visible to people who are using search engines like Google.
It’s about using the right words, building your site with intention, and making it easy for search engines (and humans!) to navigate. Google rewards content that’s clear, relevant, and useful. The better your SEO, the higher your chances of showing up on that coveted first page.
🔗 Check out MOZ Beginner Guide to SEO
Why Should You Care?
You can have the most stunning website on the internet, but if nobody sees it, it’s not working hard enough. SEO ensures your site pulls its weight—so you’re not shouting into the void.
Good SEO is like a storefront window on the busiest street in town.
It doesn’t just bring people to your site. It brings the right people: those actively looking for your products or services.
Squarespace & AI: What’s the Deal?
Platforms like Squarespace now offer built-in SEO prompts and even AI tools to help write optimized content. While helpful for beginners, these tools are not a full SEO strategy—they're more like a solid starting block.
Think of it this way: Squarespace AI can help you check boxes, but it can’t fully replace the strategy, creativity, and real-world understanding that comes from actual research, analytics, and UX-driven design.
🔗 Squarespace SEO Checklist
🔗 How to Use AI for SEO
5 Real-World Tips to Improve SEO
1. Start With On-Site Optimization
Use relevant keywords in your page titles, meta descriptions, headings, URLs, and image alt tags. Structure matters.
2. Make Sure Your Site Is Mobile-Friendly
Google prioritizes mobile-first websites. Squarespace makes this easier, but always check your design on different devices.
🔗 Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test
3. Submit Your Site to Google Search Console
Google Search Console shows you how your site is performing and which keywords are driving traffic.
4. Create Quality Content (Consistently)
Google loves fresh, helpful content. Blogs, project spotlights, FAQs, or even photo captions all help with SEO.
5. Be Patient and Strategic
SEO is a long game. Avoid “quick fix” agencies that don’t request baseline data or Google Console access.
A Quick Word on SEO “Experts”
Here’s the tea: Not every SEO provider is worth the investment. A trusted colleague shared this:
“SEO is a full-time job. Tools are expensive. Strategy takes time. If a firm offers SEO as a side hustle, it's not real SEO.”
Look for specialists who:
Require 6+ months of Google Search Console data before doing an audit
Offer specific, strategic implementation—not just reports
Don’t make vague or unrealistic promises
Final Word
SEO is the silent workhorse behind a thriving digital presence. It’s not just for big corporations or online retailers—it’s for anyone who wants their business to grow in the right direction.
Whether you're using Squarespace, WordPress, or working with a designer (like me), knowing the basics helps you ask smarter questions, make better decisions, and get better results.
Let’s Get Your Site Seen
Need help with SEO-focused web design? While I’m not an SEO expert and don’t offer a full-service SEO solution, I do build websites with best practices baked in—from strategic content structure to on-page optimization that sets you up for long-term visibility. Every site I create is designed to help you show up, stand out, and grow your business with confidence.
