Adding a Search Bar, Tag, and Category Filter to Your Squarespace Blog Page
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Are you an author with a passion for regular blogging? If so, you're probably well aware of the importance of making your blog user-friendly and easy to navigate. In this blog post, we're going to delve into a step-by-step guide on how to add a search bar, tags, and a category filter to the top of your Squarespace author blog. These features will not only improve your readers' experience but also help them find the content they're looking for quickly. Let's dive right in.
Adding a Search Bar
Historically, Squarespace's blog pages were relatively limited in terms of customization. However, with Squarespace 7.1, you can now add sections to your blog page, making it more dynamic and engaging.
Choose Your Blog Layout: Start by selecting the side-by-side blog layout that suits your style.
Add a Section: Think of adding a section as creating a banner area for your blog page. This is where you'll place your search bar, tags, and category filter.
Customize the Section: After adding a section, customize its appearance to match the rest of your blog page. This consistency in design is essential for a polished look.
Add a Title: Click on the "Add Block" option within the section and insert a title. Ensure that the title is set as "heading one" for better search functionality.
Include a Divider: To separate the title from the search bar, consider adding a divider. Adjust its thickness to match the design of your header.
Insert the Search Bar: Add a search bar by searching for "search" in the block options. Edit the search bar settings to make sure it only searches your blog page, ensuring that search results are relevant to your content.
Implementing Tags and Category Filters
Add an Archive Block: The archive block allows your visitors to choose between tags and categories to filter your blog posts. Add this block to your section.
Select the Blog Page: Just like with the search bar, ensure that the archive block is set to filter content only from your blog page.
Configure the Archive Block:
Choose the drop-down layout for a more user-friendly experience.
Change the drop-down title to "Tag" or "Category" to clarify its purpose.
Group the tags or categories by their respective names.
Sort them alphabetically for easier navigation.
Duplicate the Archive Block: To add both tag and category filters, simply duplicate the archive block and adjust its settings to filter by categories instead of tags.
Why These Features Matter for Authors
As an author who regularly publishes blogs, these enhancements are essential for several reasons:
Improved User Experience: Your readers will appreciate the ability to search for specific topics or use tags and categories to find content that interests them.
Efficient Navigation: With these features, even if you have a substantial number of blog posts, your audience can quickly locate the information they seek.
Enhanced Engagement: Users can easily explore and engage with your content, leading to more time spent on your site and increased interaction.
Professionalism: A well-organized and user-friendly blog page reflects positively on your author brand, showing that you care about your readers' experience.
Incorporating a search bar, tags, and category filters into your Squarespace author blog is a simple yet effective way to enhance your readers' experience and make your content more accessible. Whether you're a seasoned blogger or just starting, these features are invaluable for building a loyal readership.
If you have any questions about optimizing your Squarespace author website or need assistance with web design, don't hesitate to reach out. At Coyote Moon, we specialize in Squarespace web design and are here to help you make the most of your online presence. Feel free to explore our website at coyotemooncreative.com and remember to like and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more helpful tips and tutorials.
Happy blogging and best of luck with your Squarespace author website!
Your Designer
I'm Travis, an expert Squarespace web designer and 7+ year former Squarespace employee. I have worked with every type of business, building platforms for solo entrepreneurs through to multi-million dollar corporations. If you want to discuss a potential project, you can email on travis@coyotemooncreative.com or get in touch with me here. Alternatively, you can book a 30-minute consultation call here.
