Can Squarespace Do Subdomains?

Yes, Squarespace supports subdomains, and you can easily create and manage subdomains within the platform. Subdomains are a great way to organize your website content or separate different parts of your site, such as a blog, store, or community forum. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to set up subdomains in Squarespace:

Using a Squarespace Domain:

If your primary domain is registered through Squarespace, setting up a subdomain is straightforward:

1. Log into your Squarespace Account:

2. Access your Squarespace site by logging in with your account credentials.

3. Go to the Domains Section:

4. Navigate to the Home Menu.
5. Select Settings.

6. Click on Domains.

7. Manage Your Domain:

8. Locate the domain that you have registered with Squarespace.

9. Click on the ... (ellipsis) button next to your domain and select DNS Settings.

10. Add a New CNAME Record:

11. Click on Add Record.

12. Choose CNAME from the drop-down menu.

13. Enter Subdomain Details:

14. In the Host field, enter the subdomain prefix (e.g., 'blog' if you want blog.yourdomain.com).
15. In the Points to field, enter the destination address or alias. If you want this subdomain to point to another site or external service, enter the relevant information provided by that service.

16. Click Save.

17. Configure the Subdomain:

18. If the subdomain points to a different page or use case within your Squarespace site, configure the necessary content or settings through the Site Menu.

Using a Non-Squarespace Domain:

If your domain is registered with an external registrar (e.g., GoDaddy, Google Domains), you'll need to create the subdomain through your domain registrar’s DNS settings and then point it to your Squarespace website.

1. Access Your Domain Registrar's DNS Settings:
2. Log into your account on your domain registrar's website (e.g., GoDaddy, Google Domains).

3. Go to the DNS Settings or Manage DNS section.

4. Add a CNAME Record:

5. Locate the option to add a new DNS record.

6. Choose to add a CNAME record.

7. Enter Subdomain Details:

8. In the Name or Host field, enter the prefix for your subdomain (e.g., 'shop' for shop.yourdomain.com).

9. In the Value or Points to field, enter Squarespace's subdomain target, usually ext-cust.squarespace.com.

10. Configure the Subdomain in Squarespace:

11. Log into Squarespace and navigate to Settings.
12. Go to Domains and select Use a domain I own.
13. Follow the instructions to connect the new subdomain to your Squarespace site.
14. Complete any verification steps required by your domain registrar.

Key Considerations and Limitations:

• Propagation Time: DNS changes like adding a CNAME record can take up to 48 hours to propagate, though it usually happens much faster.
• SSL Certificates: Squarespace provides SSL certificates, but if the subdomain is managed externally, ensure proper configuration to avoid security warnings.
• External Subdomains: If pointing your subdomain to an external site (e.g., a forum hosted on another platform), ensure alignment in branding and functionality.
• Handling Traffic: Consider how traffic will navigate between your main domain and subdomain to maintain a consistent user experience.

By following these steps, you can effectively create and manage subdomains in Squarespace, enhancing your site's structure and navigability.