In today’s digital-first world, your photography portfolio isn’t just your calling card—it’s your primary lead magnet. And if you’re using Squarespace to host your website, you’re in good hands. Squarespace offers elegant templates and easy drag-and-drop tools that make site design feel natural. But to stand out on Google, it takes more than aesthetics.
This step-by-step Squarespace SEO guide is built exclusively for photographers in 2025. Whether you shoot weddings, portraits, events, or editorial content, you’ll learn exactly how to set up your Squarespace site to increase visibility, traffic, and bookings.
Need expert help? Our SEO team can do the heavy lifting for you.
Step 1: Choose the Right Template for SEO
Not all Squarespace templates are created equal when it comes to SEO performance. Some are heavier, slower, and less mobile-friendly.
What to Look For:
- Fast loading speed
- Responsive on all screen sizes
- Clean code structure
- Flexibility with content blocks
Recommended Templates: Brine, Five, Skye (2025 update)
Using the right template is like choosing the perfect camera lens—it changes how your subject (you) shows up.
Not sure if your template is slowing you down? Book a free performance audit.
Step 2: Set Up Title Tags and Meta Descriptions
These elements tell Google what each page is about. In Squarespace, you can access these settings easily for each page.
How to Access:
- Go to Pages
- Click the gear icon beside the page title
- Scroll to the SEO tab
Best Practices:
- Keep titles under 60 characters
- Use natural phrasing that includes your focus service and location
- Make meta descriptions enticing with a call to action
Example Title: “Elegant Portrait Photography in Austin | Jane Doe Studio”
Want professional help writing your metadata? Explore our SEO copywriting service.
Step 3: Optimize Your Image Files
Photography sites are image-heavy, and that can slow things down—hurting your rankings. Luckily, image optimization is simple with the right habits.
Image Optimization Checklist:
- Resize images to under 500 KB
- Use file names like
bride-groom-tuscany-sunset.jpg - Add descriptive ALT text (without keyword stuffing)
- Use Webp format where possible
In Squarespace:
- ALT text = image file name
- Use built-in image editor to crop & resize
Want us to handle the image optimization for your portfolio? Get support now.
Step 4: Structure Your Pages for Google
Think of your site like a gallery wall. Each section should be intentional and easy to follow.
Use Proper Headings:
- One H1 tag per page (usually the title)
- Use H2s and H3s to break content into sections
- Avoid skipping heading levels (like jumping from H1 to H4)
Create Key Pages:
- Homepage
- About Me
- Services
- Portfolio
- Blog
- Contact
Need help organizing your navigation? See our site architecture plans.
Step 5: Blog for Visibility and Authority
Blogging isn’t just for lifestyle influencers. It’s one of the best ways to rank for more search queries.
Blog Topic Ideas for Photographers:
- “Top 5 Elopement Locations in Utah”
- “How to Prepare for Your First Family Photo Shoot”
- “Behind the Scenes of a Destination Wedding”
Pro Tip: Use internal linking in each blog post to direct users to your services page.
Want monthly blog posts written for you? Check out our content service.
Step 6: Connect Google Tools to Your Site
Squarespace makes it easy to integrate with Google tools for data-driven SEO improvements.
Tools to Set Up:
- Google Search Console (track keyword rankings and crawl issues)
- Google Analytics 4 (measure visitor behavior)
- Google Business Profile (boost local searches)
Where to Add:
- Go to Settings > Advanced > External Services
Not confident about analytics? We offer full setup support.
Step 7: Add Structured Data (Schema Markup)
Structured data helps Google understand your business and display rich snippets.
What to Mark Up:
- Name
- Address
- Reviews
- Portfolio galleries
- Event details (for wedding photographers)
Squarespace doesn’t support this natively, but you can inject schema via Code Injection or use third-party tools.
Need schema implementation? Hire our tech SEO pros.
Step 8: Prioritize Mobile UX
Google is mobile-first, and so are your clients.
Mobile Optimization Checklist:
- Use vertical scrolling galleries
- Keep buttons thumb-friendly
- Avoid popups that block content
- Test on multiple screen sizes
Squarespace’s mobile preview is handy, but always check your live site.
Want a responsive design checkup? Let us audit it.
Step 9: Focus on Internal Linking
Internal links keep visitors engaged and help search engines crawl your site efficiently.
Where to Add Links:
- Portfolio > Services Page
- Blog > About Me
- FAQs > Contact Page
Add 2–3 links in every blog post and on key landing pages to relevant content.
Need help building a linking strategy? We do it for you.
Step 10: Build High-Quality Backlinks
Backlinks from authoritative websites signal trust to Google.
Where to Start:
- Submit your photo shoots to wedding blogs
- Get listed on vendor directories
- Collaborate with planners, venues, and florists
Even a few good backlinks can move the needle. Track them in Google Search Console.
Want a custom outreach plan? We specialize in backlink acquisition.
Step 11: Keep Your Site Updated
Your Squarespace site is a living part of your business. Don’t treat it like a one-and-done project.
Update Regularly:
- Refresh portfolios every 3–6 months
- Add new testimonials and galleries
- Update SEO copy to reflect changing services or locations
Need ongoing SEO maintenance? Hire us as your growth partner.
Conclusion: Put Your SEO on Auto-Pilot (While You Shoot)
By following these step-by-step SEO tactics inside Squarespace, you’re setting your photography business up for long-term success on Google. Each adjustment—from your titles to your image sizes to your blogs—builds your site’s authority, traffic, and trustworthiness.
And while SEO may not be as thrilling as a destination elopement, the results speak for themselves: more inquiries, more bookings, more growth.
Ready to elevate your visibility and grow your photography brand? Let us help you rank higher while you focus on your art. Explore our international SEO services for photographers.