How Many Domains Can You Have on Squarespace?
Squarespace allows users to connect multiple domains to their site, but there are some nuances to consider when doing so. Here’s a breakdown of how domain management works on Squarespace and the practical steps to manage them:
Squarespace’s Domain Limits and Policy
- Connecting Domains:
- There is no explicit limit to the number of domains you can connect to a single Squarespace site. This flexibility allows you to link multiple domains, ensuring visitors can reach your site through various URLs.
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You can use both Squarespace domains and external domains purchased from third-party registrars (like GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.).
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Primary Domain:
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You can set one primary domain that will be the main URL visitors see in their browser's address bar. Other connected domains will redirect to this primary domain.
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Managing Multiple Domains:
- When managing multiple domains, Squarespace provides a straightforward interface to set up and prioritize your primary domain.
Practical Steps to Add and Manage Domains
Whether you’re connecting a domain through Squarespace or a third-party provider, here’s how to do it:
- Connecting a Squarespace Domain:
- Go to Home Menu > Settings > Domains.
- Click Get a Domain.
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Search for your preferred domain name, purchase it, and it will be automatically connected to your site.
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Connecting a Third-Party Domain:
- Go to Home Menu > Settings > Domains.
- Click Use a Domain I Own.
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Enter the name of the domain you want to connect and follow the onboarding to either transfer or connect the domain.
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Managing Primary Domain:
- Within the Domains panel, you can see all connected domains.
- Select the domain you want to set as Primary and click Make Primary Domain.
Considerations and Limitations
- Redirects and SEO:
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When you set up multiple domains, make sure to handle redirects properly. Squarespace manages domain redirects automatically, ensuring SEO is not adversely affected by duplicate content issues. Only your primary domain is indexed by search engines, maintaining your SEO value.
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Renewal and Pricing:
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Squarespace domains come with an annual renewal fee. If you use third-party domains, external renewal costs apply. Be mindful of renewal periods to avoid any downtime.
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Subdomains:
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You can also add subdomains under your main domain. For instance, if your primary domain is
example.com
, you can createshop.example.com
orblog.example.com
to better organize sections of your site. -
Website Plans:
- Remember that Squarespace offers varied plans (Personal, Business, Basic Commerce, Advanced Commerce). While domain connection is available on all plans, advanced e-commerce functionalities might require higher-tier plans.
Conclusion
Squarespace provides a versatile platform for managing multiple domains with no hard cap on the number of domains you can connect to a single site. This affords you significant flexibility in branding and domain strategy. However, always focus on proper domain management to optimize redirection, handle SEO considerations, and stay on top of domain renewals. This ensures a seamless online presence and consistent user experience across all entry points to your site.