Can You Change Domain Name on Squarespace?

Yes, you can change the domain name on Squarespace. Here is a comprehensive guide to help you through the process:

1. Before You Begin: Considerations and Preparations

Assess the Impact: - SEO Considerations: Changing your domain name can affect your search engine rankings. Ensure you have a plan for setting up 301 redirects to maintain your SEO as much as possible. - Branding: Make sure your new domain aligns well with your brand and is easy for your audience to remember and spell. - Email Accounts: If you have branded email addresses tied to your old domain, this will also need to change.

Backup Content: - While Squarespace is robust, it's always a good idea to have a backup of your site content before making significant changes. You can export your text-based content via Squarespace’s export tool.

2. Two Scenarios: Changing Domains

A. Using a New Domain Purchased Through Squarespace

1. Purchase the New Domain:
2. Navigate to the Home Menu -> Settings -> Domains -> Get a Domain.

3. Search for and purchase the desired domain.

4. Assign the New Domain to Your Site:

5. Once purchased, Squarespace automatically lists the new domain under the “Domains” settings.

6. Set the new domain as the primary domain by navigating to Home Menu -> Settings -> Domains. Click on the new domain and select "Set as Primary Domain."

7. Set Up Redirects:

8. To ensure all old links redirect to your new domain, set up 301 redirects. This can be done by going to Advanced Settings -> URL Mapping, and setting up the old URLs to point to new URLs.

B. Using a New Domain Purchased from Another Provider

1. Purchase and Configure the New Domain:

2. Make sure your new domain is fully registered and under your control with the third-party provider.

3. Point the Domain to Squarespace:

4. Access the DNS settings of your new domain through your domain provider's dashboard.

5. Update the A records and CNAME record to point to Squarespace. You can find detailed instructions specific to your domain provider on Squarespace’s support documentation.

6. Add the New Domain in Squarespace:

7. In Squarespace, go to Home Menu -> Settings -> Domains -> Use a Domain I Own.

8. Enter your new domain name and follow the prompts to link it to your Squarespace site.

9. Set as Primary Domain:

10. Once the domain is verified and connected (this may take a little while), go to Home Menu -> Settings -> Domains.

11. Click on your new domain, and then select "Set as Primary Domain."

12. Set Up Redirects:

13. As before, create 301 redirects to ensure that your old domain URLs redirect to the new domain.

3. Post-Implementation: Ensure Smooth Transition

Update Internal Links: - Go through your site and update any hard-coded internal links to reflect the new domain.

Update Google Search Console and Analytics: - Verify your new domain in Google Search Console. - Update your site’s URL in Google Analytics to ensure you continue tracking traffic data.

Inform Your Audience: - Consider a marketing campaign or a newsletter notification to inform your audience of the domain change. Also, update any social media profiles and other marketing materials with the new URL.

Monitor Traffic and Search Rankings: - Keep an eye on your website analytics and search engine rankings. Be prepared for some fluctuations which should stabilize over time.

4. Potential Limitations

Email Address Transition: - If you were using a custom email associated with your old domain, transition it to the new domain to maintain continuity.

Third-Party Services: - Some third-party services might need you to update the domain settings in their configurations.

By following these steps, you should be able to smoothly transition to a new domain name on Squarespace with minimal disruption to your site’s functionality and SEO.