Remove the www from Your Squarespace Domain
TL;DR:
- Remove the "www" prefix in your Squarespace Domains panel with a simple toggle
- Changes take 24-48 hours to fully process across the internet
- Both versions of your domain (with and without "www") will still work
- This setting only applies to domains pointing to Squarespace sites
Removing the "www" prefix from your Squarespace domain gives you a cleaner web address. Instead of "www.yoursite.com", visitors will see "yoursite.com" in their browser.
Here's how to make the change:
Access Your Domains Panel
Log into your Squarespace dashboard and head to the Domains panel. This is where you'll find all your domain settings.
Turn Off the www Prefix
Look for the toggle labelled "Use 'www' prefix" and click it to switch it off. That's it – the change is made on your end.
Wait for the Changes to Take Effect
The change needs to propagate across the internet's domain system. This typically takes 24-48 hours to complete. During this time, your domain will gradually transition to display without the "www" prefix.
The good news is that both versions of your domain remain functional throughout this process. Whether someone types "www.yoursite.com" or "yoursite.com", they'll reach your site without any issues.
FAQs
How long should I wait for the domain changes to take effect?
Usually 24-48 hours for the changes to fully process across all internet servers.
Can I remove the www from any domain?
Only from domains that are pointing to a Squarespace site. If your domain points elsewhere, you'll need to make this change through your domain provider.
What happens if someone types my domain with www after I've removed it?
Both versions will work. Squarespace automatically redirects one to the other, so your visitors won't encounter any broken links.
Jargon Buster
Domain – Your website's address that people type into their browser
Naked Domain – A domain without the "www" prefix (like "yoursite.com")
Toggle – A simple on/off switch in your settings
Address Bar – The field at the top of a web browser where URLs appear
Wrap-up
Removing the "www" prefix is a quick way to clean up your domain appearance. The process is straightforward through Squarespace's Domains panel, though you'll need to wait a day or two for the changes to fully roll out. Your site remains accessible throughout the transition, so there's no risk of losing visitors during the changeover.
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