Connect Your IONOS Domain Seamlessly to Squarespace

Connect Your IONOS Domain to Squarespace

TL;DR:

• Check Squarespace's third-party domain requirements before you start
• Consider transferring your domain instead of connecting (it's usually easier)
• Start the setup in Squarespace's Domains panel
• Complete the approval in your IONOS account
• Allow up to 72 hours for everything to work properly
• Use IONOS default nameservers if you run into connection problems

Before you connect your IONOS domain to Squarespace, take a moment to review the third-party domain requirements. If you can transfer the domain instead of connecting it, that's often the simpler route.

Step 1: Start the Connection in Squarespace

Here's how to begin:

1. Go to the Domains panel in your Squarespace account
2. Click "Use a domain I own"
3. Type your domain name in the field and click the arrow
4. Click "Connect Domain"

If you see an error message saying the domain is already connected to another site, you'll need to disconnect it first. Find the site it's currently connected to and remove it before trying again.

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Next, choose "IONOS" from the dropdown menu and click "Connect Domain". Click "Continue" to move forward.

Step 2: Approve the Connection in IONOS

A login window will pop up asking for your IONOS credentials. Once you're logged in:

1. Click "Connect" to approve the connection
2. Watch out for any warnings about records being deactivated

Some domains will show a warning that existing records might be deactivated. This happens when your domain was previously connected to other services. If you're not sure what this means for your setup, contact IONOS support before proceeding.

Step 3: Wait for the Connection to Complete

The connection process takes between 24 and 72 hours. During this time:

• Check the progress in Squarespace's DNS Settings
• Refresh the records to see updates in "Current Data"
• Look for green labels as the connection establishes
• Your domain status will change to "Connected" in the Domains panel when it's ready

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If the connection fails, try these steps:

• Make sure you're using IONOS' default nameservers
• Log out of your IONOS account completely, then log back in
• Try disconnecting and reconnecting the domain manually

FAQs

What should I do if my domain is already connected to another Squarespace site?
Find the site in your Squarespace domains panel and disconnect the domain from there. Then you can connect it to your new site.

Why does it take up to 72 hours for my domain to work after connecting?
DNS changes need to propagate across networks worldwide. This process can take up to 72 hours to complete everywhere.

What steps should I take if I get a failure message from IONOS?
Check that you're using IONOS' default nameservers, log out and back into your account, or try reconnecting the domain manually.

Jargon Buster

DNS Settings – The settings that tell your domain where to point on the internet

Nameservers – Servers that translate your domain name into an IP address so visitors can reach your site

Propagation – The time it takes for DNS changes to spread across all networks worldwide

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Wrap-up

Connecting your IONOS domain to Squarespace is straightforward once you know the steps. The key is being patient while DNS changes propagate across the internet. If you hit any snags, IONOS support can help you sort things out.

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