To help you get started, I’ve put together a Squarespace launch checklist. This comprehensive list includes everything you need to do to get your Squarespace site up and running before launching your business.
30 Point Squarespace launch checklist:
01. Choose a Squarespace plan.
The first step is to choose the right Squarespace plan for your needs.
There are three different plans to choose from:
- Personal: Perfect for individuals or businesses just getting started. Starts at $14/month.
- Business: Best for small businesses and online stores. Starts at $23/month.
- Commerce: Ideal for larger businesses and online stores. Starts at $27/month.
02. Set Up Email
Setting up email is one of the most important things for a successful launch on Squarespace. By default, Squarespace will use your personal email address for all correspondence, which can quickly become overwhelming.
To avoid this, create a dedicated email account for your website and forward all Squarespace-related emails to this account. This will help you stay organized and ensure that you don’t miss any important messages from Squarespace.
You can set up an email for a successful Squarespace launch with a little planning and organization. In addition, be sure to add a signature to your email account that includes your website’s URL. This will help promote your site and make it easy for people to find your contact information.
03. Get Right Template
There are so many beautiful Squarespace templates to choose from! But with so many options, it can be tough to decide which one is right for your business. Be sure to take some time to browse through all of the available templates and find the one that best suits your needs.
04. Design A Professional Logo
A professional logo is one of the most important investments you can make when starting your own business. Your logo is the first thing potential customers see, so it must make a good impression.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to design a professional logo without spending a lot of money. One way to do this is to use a free online Logo Maker. These tools allow you to create a custom logo using a variety of templates and tools.
Another option is to hire a freelance graphic designer to create a custom logo for you. If you have some basic design skills, you can also create your own logo using free online resources such as Canva or Adobe Photoshop. Regardless of which option you choose, taking the time to design a professional logo will pay off in the long run.
05. Write Compelling Content
Content is king! Be sure to write compelling content that will engage your audience. Write interesting and informative headlines, and make sure your body copy is well-written and persuasive. Use images and videos sparingly, and only if they add value to your content.
In addition, be sure to proofread your content carefully before you publish it. Nothing will turn off readers more quickly than spelling mistakes or grammatical errors. By taking the time to write quality content, you can give your Squarespace site a strong foundation for success.
06. Optimize Images
Every image on your site has the potential to inform, engage, and delight your audience—or bore them. That’s why it’s essential to make sure every image serves a purpose and performs well.
Here are a few tips:
- Choose the right file format: For most images on the web, JPEG is the best choice. It produces a smaller file size while still providing good quality.
- Optimize images for faster loading: Images can make or break your site’s performance. Large images can take forever to load, frustrating visitors and hurting your SEO. Use an image compression tool to reduce file size without sacrificing quality.
- Use alt text for accessibility and creative inspiration: Every image should have alt text, which screen readers use to describe the image to visually impaired people. In addition, alt text can be a great source of inspiration for creative content ideas.
07. Add Social Media Icons
Be sure to add social media icons to your website so that potential customers can easily connect with you on their favorite platforms.
08. Create A Custom Favicon
A favicon is a little icon in the browser tab when a visitor visits your website. You can create a custom favicon for your Squarespace website by going to the Design tab and selecting Favicon from the list of options.
09. Connect Your Domain
If you’re using a third-party domain provider, you’ll need to connect your domain to your Squarespace account. This can be done quickly by going to the Domains tab and following the instructions.
10. Set Up Google Analytics
Google Analytics is a free tool that allows you to track your website’s traffic and performance. Setting up Google Analytics is essential for understanding how people find and use your website
11. Configure Your Settings
There are a lot of necessary settings to configure on your Squarespace website. Be sure to take the time to review all of the available options and choose the right ones for your business.
12. Choose A Theme
Squarespace offers a wide variety of themes to choose from. Be sure to take the time to browse through all of the options and find the one that best suits your needs.
13. Add Your Products
Before you launch your Squarespace site, it’s essential to take a few key steps to ensure success. First, add all of your products. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s vital to have all of your products live on your site before you start promoting them. This way, customers will be able to immediately purchase what they’re interested in.
14. Configure Shipping Settings
Shipping is a critical part of the equation, no matter what you’re selling. If you’re using Squarespace to launch your business, it’s essential to take some time to configure your shipping settings so that everything runs smoothly.
Depending on the products you’re selling, you’ll need to decide how you want to calculate shipping fees, what kind of packaging you’ll use, and where you’ll ship to. You’ll also need to ensure that your shipping rates are accurate and up-to-date. Taking the time to configure these settings before you launch will help ensure a successful launch.
15. Set Up Payment Methods
Squarespace offers a variety of payment methods, so be sure to choose the ones that are right for your business. You can set up your payment methods by going to the Payment tab and following the instructions.
16. Configure Taxes
Depending on where you’re located, you may need to collect sales tax, VAT, or other taxes on your products and services. Squarespace makes it easy to collect and remit taxes, and they have a handy tax calculator to help you determine the right amount to charge.
In addition to configuring your taxes, you’ll also need to set up shipping rates and create attractive product and category pages.
17. Choose A Perfect Domain Name
Your domain name is your identity on the web. It’s how you’ll be known and how people will find you. So, choosing a perfect name is essential to the success of your Squarespace site.
The best domain names are short, punchy, and easy to remember. They’re also unique so that people will remember you and be able to find you again quickly. And finally, they should reflect what you do or what you’re all about.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a domain name for your Squarespace site:
- Keep it short and sweet: Long domain names are hard to remember, and they’ll take up valuable space in people’s heads.
- Make it easy to spell and pronounce: If people can’t easily spell or say your domain name, they’re likely to forget it.
- Avoid using hyphens: Hyphens make domain names harder to remember and can be confusing for people.
- Choose a .com domain: (dot)com domains are the most popular and most memorable.
- Make it unique: The more unique your domain name is, the easier it will be for people to remember and find you.
- Reflect on what you do: A domain name that reflects what you do or what you’re all about can be helpful in terms of search engine optimization and branding.
18. Set Up Email Accounts
You can create up to four different email addresses with your Squarespace account, and each address can be used for a different purpose. For example, you might want to create a contact@yourdomain.com address for customer inquiries or a sales@yourdomain.com address for online orders.
You can also set up email forwarding to send messages to your Squarespace email addresses automatically forwarded to another email account. This can be useful if you already have an existing email address that you want to continue using. Whichever way you set up your email accounts, Squarespace makes it easy to stay connected with your customers.
19. Install Apps
Squarespace offers a variety of apps that can be installed on your website. These apps can add functionality and improve the overall user experience.
20. Configure Advanced Settings
There are a variety of advanced settings that can be configured on your Squarespace website. Be sure to take the time to review all of the available options and choose the right ones for your business.
21. Test Your Website
Before you launch your website, be sure to test it thoroughly. This includes testing all features and functionality and checking for any errors or broken links.
22. Promote Your Website
Once your website is live, you’ll need to promote it to drive traffic and generate leads. There are various ways to promote your website, so be sure to explore all of the available options.
23. Monitor Your Website’s Performance
Once your website is up and running, you’ll need to monitor its performance. This can be done by going to the Analytics tab and following the instructions.
24. Update Your Website Regularly
A website is only successful if it is updated regularly with fresh content. This shows visitors that the site is active and relevant, and it also helps attract new visitors through search engines. Squarespace makes it easy to update your website with fresh content, and there are a few things you can do to ensure that your updates are successful.
First, consider what kind of content will be most engaging for your target audience. Then, create a schedule for yourself and stick to it. Updating your website on a regular basis can be time-consuming, but it is essential for maintaining a successful online presence.
25. Provide Excellent Customer Service
If you’re running a business, it’s crucial to provide excellent customer service. This includes responding to customer inquiries promptly and resolving any issues.
26. Offer A Free Trial
If you’re selling products or services on your Squarespace website, you may want to offer a free trial. This will allow potential customers to try your product or service before committing to a purchase.
27. Implement A Referral Program
A referral program is a great way to get people talking about your Squarespace site before it launches. You can offer incentives for people who sign up for your mailing list or share your site on social media. You can also give discounts to those who refer others to your site. By making it easy and rewarding for people to spread the word about your Squarespace site, you can ensure that it gets off to a successful start.
28. Host a Contest or Giveaway
A contest or giveaway is a great way to generate interest and excitement for your Squarespace launch. You can use social media, email lists, or even physical flyers to get the word out. Be sure to set clear rules and deadlines, and make sure the prize is something that will appeal to your target audience.
A successful launch is about getting people interested and engaged, so a contest or giveaway is excellent. Just be sure to get information from all entrants so you can contact the winner. You can also use this as an opportunity to gather data, such as email addresses or social media followings.
29. Collaborate with Other Brands
Collaborating with other brands is a great way to cross-promote your Squarespace website. This can be done by guest blogging, participating in joint webinars, or offering discounts to customers of the other brand.
30. Keep Your Website Fresh
It’s essential to keep your Squarespace website fresh with new content and features. This will help to improve your website’s SEO and keep your visitors coming back.
By following these 30 tips, you can set your Squarespace website up for success. Be sure to take the time to review all of the available options and choose the right ones for your business.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Squarespace launch checklist is a great way to ensure your website’s success. Be sure to take the time to review all of the available options and choose the right ones for your business. By following these 30 tips, you can set your Squarespace website up for success.
