Can I Change the Domain of My Squarespace Website?

Yes, you can change the domain of your Squarespace website. There are several scenarios where you might want to change your domain: switching to a new domain, using a custom domain, or transferring an external domain to Squarespace. Below are detailed steps and considerations for each scenario:

1. Changing to a New Domain Purchased Through Squarespace

If you want to change your existing Squarespace domain to a new one purchased through them:

Steps:

1. Purchase the New Domain:

   • Go to the Home Menu in your Squarespace dashboard.
   • Click on Settings.
   • Select Domains.
   • Click on Get a Domain and follow the prompts to search for and purchase a new domain.

2. Set the New Domain as Primary:

   • Once purchased, navigate back to the Domains section under Settings.
   • Your new domain should appear in the list. Click the … (ellipsis) next to the new domain and select Set as Primary Domain.

3. Redirect the Old Domain:

   • You can redirect the old domain to the new one by ensuring the old Squarespace domain still points to your site under the Domains settings. This will ensure users visiting the old domain URL will be redirected to the new domain.

2. Using a Custom Domain You Already Own

If you have a custom domain that you purchased from another provider (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap), you can connect it to your Squarespace site:

Steps:

1. Log into Squarespace:

   • Navigate to your site’s Home Menu.
   • Click on Settings, then Domains.

2. Connect Third-Party Domain:

   • Click on Use a Domain I Own.
   • Enter your custom domain and follow the guided steps.
   • Squarespace will provide you with the DNS settings you'll need to update on your domain registrar (where you purchased your domain).

3. Update DNS Settings:

   • Go to your domain registrar's website.
   • Find the DNS settings for your domain (this might be under Manage Domains or DNS Management).
   • Follow Squarespace’s instructions to update the relevant DNS records (generally A records and CNAME records) to point to Squarespace’s servers.

4. Verify Domain Connection:

   • Return to Squarespace and click Verify Domain. It can take up to 72 hours for DNS changes to propagate, but it's usually much quicker.

5. Set as Primary Domain:

   • Once verified, in the Domains settings, click … next to your custom domain and select Set as Primary Domain.

3. Transferring a Domain to Squarespace

If you want to transfer your domain registration to Squarespace:

Steps:

1. Prepare the Domain for Transfer:

   • Log into your domain registrar's website.
   • Unlock the domain you want to transfer.
   • Obtain the authorization (EPP) code for your domain.

2. Initiate the Transfer:

   • In Squarespace, go to the Settings menu, then Domains.
   • Click Use a Domain I Own, then click Transfer to Squarespace.
   • Enter the domain name and the authorization code to start the transfer process.

3. Complete Verification:

   • Follow the on-screen instructions and complete any verification steps.

4. Wait for Transfer Completion:

   • Domain transfers can take up to 5-10 days. Squarespace will notify you once the transfer is complete.
   • Once transferred, go back to Domains in Settings to set the transferred domain as the primary domain.

Considerations:

• SEO: When changing your domain, set up 301 redirects to maintain your search engine rankings and ensure that visitors can still find your content.
• Email: If you have any email services associated with your old domain, ensure these are updated to reflect the new domain settings.
• Propagation Time: DNS changes can take up to 72 hours to propagate fully. During this time, both the old and new domains might point to your site inconsistently.
• Billing: If purchasing a new domain, consider the cost and renewal fees, which can vary based on the domain name and TLD (e.g., .com, .net).

By following these steps, you can successfully change the domain of your Squarespace website, ensuring a smooth transition with minimal downtime or user disruption.