How Do I Remove Squarespace From URL?

To remove "squarespace" from your URL when using a Squarespace website, you need to associate your website with a custom domain. This essentially involves two key steps: purchasing a custom domain and connecting it to your Squarespace site. Below are detailed steps and considerations for achieving this:

Step 1: Purchase a Custom Domain

You have two main options to purchase a custom domain: through Squarespace directly or via a third-party domain registrar like Google Domains, GoDaddy, or Namecheap.

Option A: Purchase a Domain through Squarespace

1. Log in to Squarespace: Log in to your Squarespace account and navigate to the Home Menu.
2. Settings: Click on the "Settings" option.
3. Domains: Select "Domains" from the list.
4. Get a Domain: Click on "Get a Domain" and search for your desired domain name.
5. Checkout: Follow the prompts to purchase the domain. This automatically configures the domain to point to your Squarespace site.

Option B: Purchase a Domain through a Third-Party Registrar

1. Choose a Registrar: Go to a domain registrar website like Google Domains, GoDaddy, or Namecheap.
2. Search for Domain: Use their search tool to find an available domain that suits your needs.
3. Purchase: Follow their checkout process to buy the domain.

Step 2: Connect the Custom Domain to Your Squarespace Site

If you purchased the domain through Squarespace, it is usually connected automatically. If you’re using a third-party registrar, you’ll need to connect it to your Squarespace site manually through DNS settings.

Connecting a Domain from a Third-Party Registrar

1. Log in to Squarespace: Go to your Squarespace account and log in.
2. Settings: Navigate to the "Settings" menu.
3. Domains: Click on "Domains" and then "Use a domain I own."
4. Enter Domain Name: Type in the domain name that you purchased and click on "Continue."
5. DNS Settings Instructions: Squarespace will provide you with DNS settings instructions. These generally include:
   • CNAME Record: Point "www" to ext-cust.squarespace.com.
   • A Records: Point the root domain (@) to Squarespace IP addresses:
     • 198.185.159.144
     • 198.185.159.145
     • 198.49.23.144
     • 198.49.23.145
6. Log in to Your Domain Registrar: Log in to your domain registrar’s control panel.
7. Update DNS Settings: Navigate to the DNS settings or Domain Management area. Insert the provided CNAME and A Records.
8. Verify Domain in Squarespace: Return to Squarespace and click on the "Verify Domain" button. It may take some time (up to 72 hours) for DNS changes to propagate.

Considerations and Limitations

• Propagation Time: DNS changes may take up to 72 hours to propagate fully. During this period, your site may oscillate between the old and new domains.
• SSL Certificates: Squarespace automatically issues SSL certificates for your custom domain. Ensure your DNS settings have propagated to enable SSL.

Additional Steps for SEO and Redirects

Once your custom domain is set up and working, consider setting up 301 redirects to ensure any old links pointing to your squarespace.com URL redirect properly to your new custom domain. This step is particularly important for SEO and maintaining inbound traffic.

1. Create 301 Redirects: Navigate to Settings → Advanced → URL Mappings and create mappings from your old URLs to your new ones.
2. Update Internal Links: Make sure to update any internal links on your website to the new custom domain.

By following these steps, you can successfully remove "squarespace" from your URL, providing a more polished and professional online presence.