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How to connect your existing domain name to your Squarespace site, or register a new domain through Squarespace.

Your domain name (like yourbusiness.com) is what visitors type to reach your site. This guide explains how to connect it to Squarespace — whether you already own a domain or need to get one.

Quick summary

You can either register a new domain through Squarespace, or connect an existing domain from another registrar (like GoDaddy or Namecheap). New domains are bought from your Squarespace domains dashboard. Existing domains are connected from Settings > Domains. Connecting an existing domain means making changes in your account at your current registrar.

The two options

Register a new domain through Squarespace

Buy and manage the domain from within Squarespace
No DNS changes needed at another company
Renews through Squarespace

Connect an existing domain

You keep your domain at your current registrar
Requires changes at the registrar (DNS records or nameservers)
Chykalophia can usually handle this for you

Registering a new domain through Squarespace

Open your domains dashboard at account.squarespace.com/domains. If you're claiming the free first-year domain offered with annual website plans, open your site's Settings > Domains instead.

Click Get a domain.

Search for your desired domain name. Squarespace will show available options and pricing.

Choose your domain and complete the checkout.

Confirm your contact details. Squarespace emails you a verification link within 24 hours. Click it within 15 days, or the domain will be suspended. (If you've verified a Squarespace domain with the same email address before, this may happen automatically.)

Wait for it to go live. Most new domains are ready within an hour, but it can take up to 48 hours. The domain shows a green label in your domains dashboard once it's ready.

Connecting an existing domain (from another registrar)

This process requires two things: telling Squarespace about your domain, and telling your domain registrar to point to Squarespace.

Squarespace offers two ways to connect:

Nameserver Connect — a guided process where you swap your domain's nameservers for two Squarespace ones. Squarespace recommends this for GoDaddy, Namecheap, and Network Solutions domains. It removes all of your domain's CNAME records and some of its A records, so avoid it if your domain has custom records (such as ones for your email), several subdomains, or DNSSEC turned on, or if it has to use another company's nameservers, such as Cloudflare. Squarespace lets you opt out when you start.
DNS Connect — you add a set of DNS records at your registrar yourself. This works with any registrar that gives you full DNS access. Step 2 below covers this method. For Nameserver Connect, Squarespace's prompts walk you through it.

Step 1: Add the domain in Squarespace

Go to Settings > Domains in your dashboard.

Click Use a Domain I Own.

Enter your domain name (e.g., yourbusiness.com), click the arrow, then click Connect Domain.

Pick your domain provider from the list (or choose Other) and follow the prompts.

Squarespace will show you the DNS records you need to set. Keep this window open — you'll need these values in Step 2.

Step 2: Update DNS records at your registrar

Log in to wherever your domain is registered (GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.) and update the DNS records with the values Squarespace gave you.

For DNS Connect, Squarespace asks you to add:

Two CNAME records — one with a unique code that proves you own the domain, and one for www
Four A records for the root domain (yourdomain.com)

DNS changes take time

After updating DNS records, it can take 24 to 48 hours for the connection to start working. Your site won't load on the custom domain until then, and error messages in Squarespace's DNS settings during that time are normal.

Step 3: Verify in Squarespace

Once DNS has propagated, go back to Settings > Domains in Squarespace. Your domain should show a green Connected label.

Let Chykalophia handle it

Domain connections involve DNS changes that can be tricky. If you're not comfortable doing this, contact us and we'll handle the connection for you. We just need access to your domain registrar account. See Give us access to your domain registrar.

Common questions

What if my domain is at GoDaddy?

GoDaddy is a common registrar. Squarespace recommends Nameserver Connect for most GoDaddy domains: you start in Settings > Domains as above, then replace GoDaddy's nameservers with the two Squarespace gives you. If your domain has custom records (such as email), use DNS Connect instead and add the records in GoDaddy's DNS management area. Squarespace has step-by-step guides for the most popular registrars on their help site.

Can I use my domain and keep my email working?

Yes — but you need to be careful not to accidentally delete your MX records (which handle email) when updating DNS, and to avoid Nameserver Connect if your email relies on custom DNS records. If you're unsure, ask Chykalophia to handle the connection. We'll preserve your email settings.

My domain is connected but the site still shows the Squarespace test URL. Why?

This is usually a DNS propagation delay. Wait up to 48 hours. Also check you're typing your own domain: your built-in address (yoursite.squarespace.com) doesn't redirect to your custom domain. If it still isn't working after 48 hours, check the domain status in Settings > Domains for any error messages and contact Chykalophia.

Need a hand?

If you're stuck, email support@chykalophia.com and we'll help. Include your website address and a screenshot if you can.

Connecting a domain