How to Set Up a Blog on Squarespace That People Actually Read (With Free Blog Post Planner Download)
***SUMMARY (approx reading time 6-7 minutes). If you’re starting a Squarespace blog—or trying to fix the one you haven’t touched since 2021—this guide walks you through how to set it up in a way people actually read. You’ll learn how to structure your blog page, make your posts visually appealing, write content your audience is genuinely searching for, and optimize everything for SEO so your posts actually rank. Whether you’re blogging for visibility, authority, or client attraction, this is your step-by-step blueprint to create a blog that works with your business, not against it.
Clients are always telling me, “I want to start blogging, but I have no idea where to begin.”
And every time, I smile, sip my coffee, and say the same thing:
Starting a blog is easy.
Starting a blog people actually read? That’s the art.
Most business owners treat blogging like a digital journal — a place to dump thoughts when inspiration hits If that’s your jam, great - you might want to give Substack a try. But blogging for your business is very different. It’s not about your day. It’s not about your mood. It’s definitely not about your stream-of-consciousness word vomit.
It’s about strategy. Intention. Clarity. Structure.
So let’s rebuild the way you think about blogging — especially if you’re on Squarespace — and get you set up with a blog that brings in traffic, builds trust, and supports your business like the quiet little workhorse it is.
Grab a drink. We’re going in.
1. Before You Hit “Publish”… Slow Down.
Hot take: most people rush the setup. And rushing the setup leads to chaos later — messy categories, inconsistent formatting, broken layouts, and blog posts that look like they were formatted in the dark.
Before writing a single sentence, ask yourself:
Who am I writing for?
What problems do they have?
What do they Google at 11 p.m. when they should be sleeping?
What do I want this blog to do for my business?
Do I want traffic? Leads? More people joining my email list?
Your answers shape everything else.
If you don’t know your audience, the blog will flop. If you don’t know your goals, the blog will meander. And if you skip this step, you’ll eventually have to go back and fix everything — which is way less fun than doing it right the first time.
Think of this like prepping your ingredients before cooking. You could skip it… but then you’re chopping onions with one hand while stirring pasta with the other, and everything is burning anyway.
Let’s avoid that.
2. Set Up Your Blog Page (Yes, This Part Matters More Than You Think)
Squarespace makes the setup part almost too simple — like, suspiciously simple. But this is where design meets strategy.
Add a Blog Page in Squarespace
Inside your Squarespace dashboard, head to Pages → Add Page → Blog.
This becomes your central hub — your blog “homebase.”
It’s tempting to hide blog posts in random folders or embed them into pages (don’t do that). You want a dedicated blog page so your readers know where to find your content, and Google can index everything properly.
Pick a Clean Layout
Your layout should be:
Easy to scan
Light on clutter
Mobile friendly
Visually balanced
Squarespace gives you multiple blog layouts — grid, list, single column, sidebars, no sidebars — and these choices matter.
A grid layout works great for lifestyle, coaching, and visual brands.
A list layout is ideal for educational or step-by-step content.
Pick the one that feels like you, but also feels easy for your reader to browse.
Create Categories (Your Blog’s Filing System)
Categories keep you organized and help readers find what they need.
Instead of using generic categories like “Tips” or “Updates” (yawn), create categories based on what your audience is struggling with.
For example:
Mindset & Motivation
Confidence & Leadership
Confidence Building
Overcoming Limiting Beliefs
Self-Trust & Intuition
These categories also help with internal linking and SEO. If you want Google to understand your site’s structure, categories give it a roadmap.
Your future self will thank you. Your readers will thank you. Google will send you a fruit basket.
3. Make It Visual (Because Humans Are Shallow and That’s OK)
We like pretty things. It’s human nature. And online, visuals are the difference between “Ooo, I want to read this” and “Nope, too much text, goodbye.”
Add High-Quality Images
Use crisp, clean images that match your brand vibe. Avoid anything blurry, pixelated, or suspiciously stock-photo-ish. Those images need to be optimzed as well - you can read more about that here →
Use Graphics or Pull Quotes
Break up long paragraphs with:
Pull quotes
Highlight boxes
Section dividers
Screenshots
Icons
Your reader shouldn’t feel like they’re staring down a wall of text taller than Mount Everest.
Add a Featured Image for Every Post
This is non-negotiable. Featured images matter for:
Pinterest
Social sharing
Blog archives
Grid layouts
Branding consistency
Think of your featured image like the book cover — people judge it, and they judge fast.
A polished blog builds trust. A messy blog builds anxiety.
4. Write for Your Audience (Not for Your Inner Poet From 9th Grade English)
You’re not writing a memoir. You’re writing content that solves real problems for real people who want real answers — quickly.
Pick Topics Your Clients Are Googling
If you have clients, you already have content.
Every question someone asks you is a blog post waiting to happen.
Examples:
“Why do I feel stuck in my life?”
“How do I stop procrastinating?”
“Why is my self-talk so negative?”
“How do I become more confident?”
Your content should make your readers think:
This person gets me.
Use Clear, Benefit-Driven Headlines
People don’t click fluffy headlines.
People click headlines that answer the question:
“What’s in it for me?”
Your headlines should promise value, clarity, or a solution.
Keep Your Sections Short & Scannable
Nobody reads blogs in a straight line anymore.
People skim. They scroll. They look for bold headers, lists, and “aha” moments.
Chunk your content.
Break it down.
Make it easy.
Your future clients will love you for it.
5. Optimize for SEO (A Blog Without SEO Is Basically a Secret Diary)
Half the reason to blog is for Google to notice you.
If you skip SEO, it’s like whispering your content into a void.
Here’s the quick-and-dirty version of what to optimize:
Titles & Meta Descriptions
Your title should include your keyword and your promise.
Your meta description should be 150–160 characters and tell the reader exactly what they’ll learn. You can read more about that here.
Use Proper Headings
No more bold paragraphs pretending to be headings.
Use H1, H2, H3 properly.
H1 = your post title
H2 = main sections
H3 = subsections
This helps Google understand your content structure.
Link to Other Posts & Your Services
Internal linking helps:
SEO ranking
Time on site
Lead generation
Navigational flow
Plus, it’s an easy way to showcase your expertise without being pushy.
Add Alt Text to Your Images
Alt text tells Google what your image is about.
It also helps visually impaired readers and improves accessibility.
SEO is not optional anymore. It’s part of your blogging DNA.
6. Share & Repurpose (Because Posting Once and Ghosting Helps No One)
The biggest blogging mistake?
Publishing… and then disappearing.
You can’t expect traffic if you’re hiding your posts like they’re FBI files.
Where to Share
Pinterest (your new best friend)
Instagram (feed + stories + carousels)
Your newsletter
LinkedIn
Facebook groups (where appropriate)
How to Repurpose
Turn each blog into Reels
Turn key points into carousel posts
Pull quotes into graphics
Break the blog into email tips
Record a short video tutorial
Use it as a script for a live or webinar
Convert sections into a freebie
Your blog is a content goldmine — treat it like one.
Traffic doesn’t magically appear. You have to show up, share, and promote consistently.
7. The Bottom Line
A good blog isn’t just “content.”
It’s strategy, intentionality, and clarity wrapped in one beautiful, helpful package.
It’s how you build trust.
It’s how you rank on Google.
It’s how you help your future clients before they ever contact you.
And if you set it up right, your blog becomes one of the most powerful pieces of your entire Squarespace website.
If you want a blog that attracts your dream clients — not random internet wanderers — I can help.
I’m Here To Help You!
Struggling with getting getting started?
Explore my Squarespace blogging services and let’s build you a content engine that works for you on autopilot.
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