Connecting your domain name to your Squarespace website is an essential step in establishing your online presence. Whether you purchased your domain through Squarespace or an external provider, linking it properly ensures visitors can easily access your site using your custom URL.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process, covering both scenarios: domains registered with Squarespace and domains purchased from third-party registrars. By the end of this article, you’ll understand how to configure DNS settings, verify domain ownership, and troubleshoot common issues.
Why Link a Domain Name to Squarespace?
Linking a domain to your Squarespace site allows you to:
- Use a personalized web address (e.g., www.yourbusiness.com)
- Build brand credibility and recognition
- Improve search engine optimization (SEO)
- Make your site easier to remember and share
Squarespace offers a smooth integration process for domains registered through their platform, but using an external domain requires some manual configuration. Understanding these steps ensures a hassle-free connection.
Prerequisites Before Linking Your Domain
Before starting, make sure you have the following:
- An active Squarespace account with your website ready to publish
- Access to your domain registrar’s dashboard (if your domain is not registered with Squarespace)
- Basic knowledge of DNS records (A records, CNAME records)
Tip: If you are unsure where your domain is registered, you can use tools like Who.is to lookup your domain details.
Linking a Domain Purchased Through Squarespace
If you bought your domain directly from Squarespace, the platform automatically manages your DNS settings, so linking is straightforward.
Follow these steps:
- Log in to your Squarespace account.
- Go to the Home Menu, then select Settings.
- Click on Domains, then select the domain you purchased.
- Click Use This Domain to connect it to your website.
- Squarespace will automatically configure the DNS records for you.
Once connected, Squarespace handles the technical details, including SSL certificates, so your website will load securely with HTTPS.
Benefits of Using Squarespace Domains
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Automatic DNS Setup | No need for manual configuration; Squarespace handles everything. |
| SSL Certificates | Free SSL certificates are provisioned automatically for secure browsing. |
| Easy Domain Management | Manage your domain and website settings in one place. |
| Customer Support | Squarespace support can assist with domain-related issues. |
Linking a Domain Purchased from a Third-Party Registrar
If your domain is registered with another provider such as GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains, or others, you will need to manually configure your DNS settings.
The general process involves updating your domain’s A records and CNAME records to point to Squarespace’s servers.
Step 1: Gather Squarespace DNS Information
Squarespace uses the following DNS records to link your domain:
| Record Type | Host | Points To / Value | TTL |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Record | @ (root domain) | 198.185.159.144 | 3600 seconds (1 hour) |
| A Record | @ | 198.185.159.145 | 3600 seconds (1 hour) |
| A Record | @ | 198.49.23.144 | 3600 seconds (1 hour) |
| A Record | @ | 198.49.23.145 | 3600 seconds (1 hour) |
| CNAME Record | www | ext-cust.squarespace.com | 3600 seconds (1 hour) |
Note: The ‘@’ symbol represents the root domain (example.com), and ‘www’ is the subdomain for www.example.com.
Step 2: Access Your Domain Registrar’s DNS Settings
Log in to your domain registrar’s dashboard and find the DNS management or domain settings section. This is where you will add or modify DNS records.
Look for options like “Manage DNS,” “DNS Settings,” or “Zone Editor.” The interface varies between registrars but generally includes fields to input record types, hostnames, destination IPs or URLs, and TTL values.
Step 3: Add or Update A Records
Create four A records for your root domain, each pointing to the IP addresses listed in the table above. These direct the domain to Squarespace’s servers.
If there are existing A records, replace them with the Squarespace IPs to avoid conflicts.
Step 4: Add or Update the CNAME Record
Create or edit the CNAME record for the www subdomain to point to ext-cust.squarespace.com. This ensures that visitors using www.yourdomain.com are correctly redirected.
Step 5: Verify Domain Connection in Squarespace
- Go to your Squarespace website dashboard.
- Navigate to Settings > Domains.
- Click Use a Domain I Own.
- Enter your full domain name and follow the prompts.
- Squarespace will attempt to verify your DNS settings.
It may take some time (up to 24-48 hours) for DNS changes to propagate globally. Be patient and check back periodically.
Important: Do not delete your existing MX records unless you plan to change your email provider. Removing MX records may disrupt your email services.
Common Domain Registrars and Their DNS Management
| Registrar | DNS Management Access | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| GoDaddy | Sign in > My Products > Manage DNS | Supports direct A and CNAME editing; domain forwarding can be disabled to avoid conflicts. |
| Namecheap | Dashboard > Domain List > Manage > Advanced DNS | Ensure the default URL redirect is removed before adding Squarespace records. |
| Google Domains | Sign in > My domains > DNS | Easy-to-use interface with built-in help for custom records. |
| Bluehost | Domains > Zone Editor | May require contacting support for advanced DNS changes. |
Using Domain Forwarding Instead of DNS Changes (Not Recommended)
Some users consider using domain forwarding to redirect their domain to their Squarespace URL instead of updating DNS. While this can work temporarily, it is not recommended because:
- It can negatively impact SEO since search engines prefer direct domain connections.
- It may cause issues with SSL certificates and site security.
- Visitors will see a redirect, which can be slower and less professional.
Best practice: Always update DNS records directly for a clean, professional domain connection.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Domain Not Connecting After 48 Hours
DNS propagation can take time, but if your domain is still not connecting after 48 hours, check the following:
- Verify that your DNS records exactly match Squarespace’s recommended IP addresses and CNAME.
- Clear your browser cache and try accessing your site again.
- Use online tools like DNS Checker to see if your DNS records have propagated globally.
SSL Certificate Not Active
Squarespace automatically issues SSL certificates once your domain is connected. If your site shows as “Not Secure,” try:
- Waiting up to 24 hours after the domain connection is verified.
- Ensuring your domain is fully pointed to Squarespace with correct DNS settings.
- Contacting Squarespace support if SSL still does not activate.
Email Services Stop Working
If you use email services through your domain (e.g., G Suite or Microsoft 365), make sure not to delete or alter your MX records when configuring DNS. Incorrect MX settings will disrupt email delivery.
Advanced Tips for Domain Linking
- Use Custom Subdomains: You can create subdomains like
blog.yourdomain.comand point them to different pages or services by adding additional CNAME or A records. - Manage Multiple Domains: Squarespace lets you connect multiple domains to one website and select your primary domain for SEO purposes.
- Enable Domain Lock: Most registrars offer domain lock to prevent unauthorized transfers; keep this enabled for security.
Summary
Linking your domain name to Squarespace is a critical step to create a professional and branded website. If your domain is registered through Squarespace, the process is mostly automatic.
For third-party domains, manual DNS configuration is required, involving updating A and CNAME records.
Always verify your DNS settings carefully, avoid altering MX records unless necessary, and allow time for DNS propagation. With these steps, your domain will seamlessly connect to your Squarespace site, providing visitors with a secure and memorable online destination.
“Your domain is your digital address. Make sure it points exactly where you want your visitors to go.”
