Squarespace Domains Explained: How to Register, Transfer & Manage Your Domain
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Squarespace Domain.
A domain name is the foundation of your online presence. Whether you’re building a personal brand, launching an online store, or creating a portfolio, having a custom domain enhances credibility and makes it easier for people to find you. Squarespace simplifies the process of registering, transferring, and managing domains, allowing you to handle everything in one place.
What is a Squarespace Domain?
A Squarespace domain is a custom web address you can register through Squarespace or transfer from another registrar. All domains purchased through Squarespace are managed within the platform and come with built-in features like SSL security, DNS management, and free Whois privacy protection (where applicable).
Squarespace partners with domain registrars such as Squarespace Domains LLC, Squarespace Domains II LLC, Tucows, and Key-Systems to offer a seamless experience.
How to Register a Domain with Squarespace
1. Check Domain Availability
To register a domain, start by searching for your desired domain name on the Squarespace Domain Search Page. Pricing varies depending on the domain extension (TLD), such as .com, .net, .co, or .design.
2. Choose Your Plan
If you sign up for an annual Squarespace website plan, you get one free domain for a year. After the first year, renewal fees apply.
3. Complete the Purchase
Once you’ve chosen an available domain, you can proceed to checkout. Ensure you have a credit card or SEPA payment method on file to complete the purchase.
4. Configure Your Domain
Once purchased, your domain will be automatically linked to your Squarespace site. You can further customize your domain settings, such as:
Connecting multiple domains to one site
Redirecting domains
Adjusting DNS settings
Quick Fix
Steps to Transfer a Domain
1. Unlock Your Domain: Ensure your domain is unlocked by your current provider. This step is crucial to initiate the transfer process.
2. Get the Authorization Code: Obtain the transfer authorization code (EPP code) from your current provider.
3. Start the Transfer: Enter your domain in the Squarespace domain field and authorize the transfer by entering the EPP code.
4. Pay for the Transfer: Complete the payment for the one-year domain extension. The cost varies based on the domain's TLD (Top-Level Domain).
5. Check the Transfer Status: Monitor the transfer status in your Squarespace Domains panel. If there are any issues, such as a locked domain or incorrect authorization code, you will need to resolve these before the transfer can proceed.
How to Transfer an Existing Domain to Squarespace
If you already own a domain from another registrar (such as GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Google Domains), you can transfer it to Squarespace for easier management.
1. Unlock Your Domain
Before transferring, log in to your current domain provider and unlock your domain. Also, disable Whois privacy protection.
2. Get Your Authorization Code
Most registrars provide an EPP code (transfer key) that you’ll need to complete the transfer.
3. Start the Transfer on Squarespace
Go to Settings > Domains > Use a Domain I Own
Enter your domain name and click Transfer
Enter your EPP authorization code when prompted
4. Verify the Transfer
Your current registrar may send a confirmation email to approve the transfer. After approval, the transfer can take up to 7 days to complete.
5. Manage Your Transferred Domain
Once the transfer is complete, you can manage your domain directly in Squarespace. If you had email services linked to your domain (such as Google Workspace), ensure they are correctly set up after the transfer.
How to Manage Your Squarespace Domain
Once your domain is registered or transferred, you can manage it through Squarespace’s domain dashboard.
Key Features of Squarespace Domain Management:
✅ Full DNS Control – Modify DNS records to connect third-party services.
✅ Free Whois Privacy – Protects your personal details from public domain databases.
✅ SSL Security – All Squarespace domains come with free SSL certificates.
✅ Automatic Renewals – Avoid losing your domain by enabling auto-renewal.
✅ Domain Forwarding – Redirect your domain to another URL.
Country-Specific Domains (ccTLDs) on Squarespace
Squarespace offers a variety of country-code top-level domains (ccTLDs), including:
.ca (Canada)
.co.uk, .org.uk, .uk (United Kingdom)
.com.au, .au (Australia)
.in, .co.in (India)
.de (Germany)
.fr (France)
.nl (Netherlands)
.jp (Japan)
If your preferred ccTLD is not available through Squarespace, you can register it with a third-party provider and connect it to your Squarespace site.
Common Domain Limitations on Squarespace
Before purchasing a domain through Squarespace, consider these limitations:
Domains must be between 3 and 63 characters.
You can’t register a domain with "Squarespace" or "sqsp" in the name.
Special characters (such as ü, é, ñ) aren't fully supported and may display differently in browsers.
How to Connect a Third-Party Domain to Squarespace
If you own a domain with another provider and prefer not to transfer it, you can connect it instead by updating your domain’s DNS settings.
Steps to Connect a Domain:
Log in to your third-party registrar’s account.
Locate DNS Settings and update the CNAME and A records as per Squarespace’s requirements.
In Squarespace, go to Settings > Domains > Use a Domain I Own > Connect Domain.
Enter your domain name and follow the setup instructions.
Next Steps After Registering Your Domain
Once you have secured your domain, here’s what you can do next:
📌 Build Your Website – Start designing your site with Squarespace’s templates.
📌 Set Up Email Hosting – Integrate Google Workspace for a professional email address (e.g., you@yourdomain.com).
📌 Enable SSL & Security – Ensure your website is secure with built-in SSL.
📌 Optimize for SEO – Configure domain settings for better search engine ranking.
FAQ: Squarespace Domains
Q: Can I move my Squarespace domain to another provider?
A: Yes, you can transfer your domain away from Squarespace at any time by unlocking it and obtaining the transfer code.
Q: How much does a Squarespace domain cost after the first year?
A: Pricing depends on the TLD. Typically, domains renew at $20 to $70 per year.
Q: Can I use my Squarespace domain for email hosting?
A: Yes! You can set up a custom email with Google Workspace through Squarespace.
Q: Does Squarespace offer subdomains?
A: Yes! You can create subdomains (e.g., blog.yourdomain.com) within your DNS settings.
Final Thoughts
A domain is one of the most important aspects of your online brand. Whether you choose to register a new domain, transfer an existing one, or connect a third-party domain, Squarespace makes the process simple. With built-in security, DNS management, and Whois privacy, you can confidently manage your domain while focusing on building your website.
If you're ready to get started, visit Squarespace Domains and claim your custom domain today! 🚀
