Follow these steps to customize & launch your site:
Step 1. Change the site title and logo.
In edit mode, hover over the navigation and select EDIT SITE HEADER > SITE TITLE AND LOGO and type in your organizations name and location and replace the logo.
Step 2. Add your email in the contact form.
My email will automatically be there so please be sure replace it with yours. To do this simply go to the form on your contact page, double click it, and go to “storage.” There you can put your email address in.
Step 3. Update your site’s SEO settings.
To edit your SEO settings, follow the checklist on the SEO page or follow along with this training video.
Step 4. Change your blog’s SEO settings.
Editing your blog’s SEO is similar to that of the rest of your site. To edit your blog’s settings go to PAGES > BLOG. Then follow these steps:
Select the gear icon
In SEO add a site title and description
In SOCIAL IMAGE, add an alternate social sharing image
For each individual blog, select the three dots
In CONTENT - edit the post url to describe what your blog is about
In OPTIONS - Add relevant tags and categories
In SEO - add a title and description
In SOCIAL IMAGE - Add a social image
In SHARE - Connect to instagram or facebook to have your blogs automatically post
In LOCATION - add location if applicable
Step 4. Add a favicon.
Add a custom favicon by going to DESIGN > BROWSER ICON and simply replace it. To create a simple, branded favicon, go to Canva and follow these steps:
Create a new design.
Create a custom size of 100px x 100px.
Set the background as one of your brand colors.
Use a text box to type the first letter of your brand name. Be sure to use a font from your brand guidelines or one that looks similar.
Download it from Canva and upload it to Squarespace.
Step 5. Add your location.
The SEO training video goes over this as well. You will do this in two locations
1. Simply go to MARKETING > LOCATION MANAGEMENT > ADD LOCATION and fill in the prompted information.
2. Go to SETTINGS > BUSINESS INFORMATION > and scroll down to fill in your business address under “Physical Location”
Step 6. Connect Google Search Console.
Follow theses steps if you need to create a Google Search Console Account:
1. Simply google search “Google Search Console” and type in your domain.
2. Copy the Text record that pops up
3. In Squarespace go to SETTINGS > DOMAINS > click on your main domain > DNS SETTINGS > ADD PRESET > GOOGLE WORKSPACE VERIFICATION > and paste your Text record.
4. Go back to Google Search Console and hit verify.
5. Back in Squarespace to ANALYTICS > SEARCH KEYWORDS > CONNECT.
6. You’re done! (Need help? Reach out at sarah@magdalenedesignco.)
Step 7. Change your photos, add your site copy, and add your brand colors.
Watch the Squarespace 101 Video
Watch the Site Styles Video
Squarespace’s interface is pretty intuitive. Watch the Squarespace 101 video to learn how to customize and edit your template.
To edit your site’s colors and fonts go to DESIGN > SITE STYLES and edit your fonts and colors there.
Step 8. Embed your opt-in forms.
Email marketing is a a must-have for any business. This video tutorial shows you how to embed your opt-in form using Flodesk. (sidenote: I LOVE Flodesk) But regardless of the email marketing software you use, the process to embed your form will likely be very similar.
Step 9. Transfer or buy your domain.
To buy a domain go to SETTINGS > DOMAINS > GET A DOMAIN
Step 10. Purchase a plan and go live!
Simply click on the banner on the bottom of your page or go to SETTINGS > SITE AVAILABILITY > UPGRADE TO PUBLISH. I recommend the business plan. You will automatically get 20% off for the year for purchasing a template with us. I would definitely recommend paying annually instead of monthly to get full advantage of this discount.
Step 11. Send me an email with a link to your new, beautiful website. I can’t wait to see it!
CONGRATULATIONS, YOU’VE GOT A
SPARKLY NEW WEBSITE!
Need help with anything? Reach out to Sarah@magdalenedesignco.com