Step-by-Step Guide to Point Your Domain to Squarespace

Pointing your domain to Squarespace involves a few key steps to ensure that your domain name directs visitors to your Squarespace site.

Step 1: Prepare Your Squarespace Account

1. Log in to Squarespace: Open your Squarespace account and navigate to the Domains panel.
2. Connect Your Domain: Click on Use a Domain I Own, enter your domain name, and click the arrow to proceed. Choose your domain provider from the list or select “Other” if it’s not listed, then click Connect Domain.

Step 2: Retrieve DNS Settings

• After initiating the connection, Squarespace will display the necessary DNS records you need to create or modify at your domain registrar. Keep this panel open for reference as you will need the specific CNAME and A records provided by Squarespace.

Step 3: Log into Your Domain Registrar

1. Access DNS Management: Log into your domain registrar account (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap, or HostGator) and locate the DNS management section. This may be labeled as DNS Settings, Manage Domains, or similar.

Step 4: Update CNAME Records

1. Locate Existing CNAME: Find any existing CNAME records for www and edit them.
2. Modify CNAME Record:
   • Set the Host field to www.
   • Set the Points to field to ext-cust.squarespace.com.
   • Save the changes.

Step 5: Create A Records

1. Add A Records: You will likely need to create multiple A records as specified by Squarespace.
   • For each A record:
     • Leave the Host field empty or set it to @.
     • Set the Points to field with the IP addresses provided by Squarespace (e.g., 198.185.159.144, 198.185.159.145, etc.).
     • Save each record after entering the IP address.

Step 6: Verify and Clean Up

• Ensure there are no conflicting records (like old A records pointing elsewhere). Delete any unnecessary or outdated records that could interfere with the new settings.

Step 7: Wait for Propagation

• Changes can take anywhere from a few minutes up to 72 hours to propagate across the internet. During this time, your website may not be immediately accessible via your domain.

Additional Notes

If you prefer Squarespace to manage all DNS settings, you can also opt to change your name servers to those provided by Squarespace, which would allow you to manage DNS directly through Squarespace instead of your registrar.

By following these steps, you should successfully point your domain to your Squarespace site, allowing visitors to access it through your custom domain name.

More Information ℹ

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