How Do I Point My Google Domain to Squarespace?

Pointing your Google Domain to Squarespace involves configuring the DNS settings of your Google Domain to direct traffic to your Squarespace website. Here's a detailed, step-by-step guide to help you achieve this:

Step 1: Prepare Your Squarespace Site

1. Log into Squarespace:

2. Go to Squarespace and log in to your account.

3. Get Your Squarespace Settings:

4. Navigate to your Home Menu.
5. Click on Settings.
6. Select Domains.
7. Click Use a domain I own.
8. Enter your Google Domain and click Continue.
9. Select Connect Domain.

Squarespace will provide you with DNS settings that you'll need to enter into your Google Domains account. These settings typically include two separate pieces of information: - CNAME Record - A (Address) Records

Step 2: Access Google Domains

1. Log into Google Domains:

2. Go to Google Domains and log in with the Google account you used to purchase your domain.

3. Select Your Domain:

4. Click on the domain name you wish to point to Squarespace. This will take you to the domain’s settings page.

Step 3: Update DNS Settings in Google Domains

1. Open the DNS Settings Page:

2. Click on the DNS tab on the left-hand menu.

3. Add the A Records:

4. In the Custom resource records section, you'll need to add four A records provided by Squarespace. These records allow your domain to point to the Squarespace IP addresses.
5. Enter the following information:
   • Name: Leave it blank or enter @.
   • Type: Select A.
   • TTL: Leave as default or enter a value (3600 seconds is standard).
   • Data: Enter the first IP address provided by Squarespace.

6. Click Add and repeat this process for the remaining three IP addresses.

7. Add the CNAME Record:

8. Create a new CNAME record under the Custom resource records section.
9. Enter the following information:
   • Name: www
   • Type: CNAME
   • TTL: Leave as default (3600 seconds is standard)
   • Data: Enter the unique Squarespace CNAME, such as ext-cust.squarespace.com (this value will be unique to your Squarespace site and will be provided by Squarespace).
10. Click Add.

Step 4: Verify the Connection in Squarespace

1. Return to the Squarespace Domain Settings:

2. Go back to the Domains panel in your Squarespace account.

3. Initiate Domain Verification:

4. Click on the domain you just connected.
5. Click Refresh to verify the DNS settings.

Once Squarespace detects the correct DNS records, your domain will be connected successfully. This process can take up to 24-48 hours to propagate fully across the internet.

Considerations and Limitations

• Propagation Time: DNS updates can take up to 48 hours to propagate, although changes often start to take effect within a few hours.
• DNS Management: Ensure you only have one set of A records and CNAME records pointing to Squarespace to avoid conflicts.
• Squarespace Plan: Ensure your Squarespace subscription plan supports connecting a custom domain (as of the last update, this feature is available on all paid plans).

Troubleshooting

• Clear Cache: Sometimes, you might need to clear your browser cache or flush your DNS cache to see the changes.
• Check for Errors: Ensure there are no typos in your DNS entries. Even a small error can prevent your domain from pointing correctly.
• Support: If you encounter any issues, both Squarespace and Google Domains have support teams that can help you troubleshoot.

By following these steps, you should be able to successfully point your Google Domain to your Squarespace site, ensuring that visitors are directed to your beautiful new website.