Manage Your Squarespace Domain
When you have a Squarespace-managed domain, you might need to adjust where it directs your visitors depending on your website's requirements. Here's how to determine the best method to use among moving, connecting, forwarding, and pointing.
Move or Connect Your Domain
Move
Opt for moving your domain if you want a seamless integration with your Squarespace site, where the domain's billing and permission align with your site's management.
- Suitable for: Any Squarespace-managed domain
- Advantages: Unified billing and permissions, eligibility for promotions like free domains or Google Workspace
- Setup: Follow the steps provided by Squarespace for moving domains between sites
Connect
Connecting is ideal if your domain is parked (not actively linked to a website) and you want to keep billing and permissions separate from your main Squarespace account.
- Suitable for: Parked domains within the Squarespace ecosystem
- Advantages: Separate billing, restricted access for team members to the site's management
- Setup: Use Squarespace's guidance on connecting a domain to your site
Pixelhaze Tip: If unsure, moving a domain tends to simplify management by consolidating your subscriptions and administrative settings.
Forward or Point Your Domain
Forward
Use forwarding when you want to redirect your domain to a new site, and it's okay for the URL in the browser to change to the new site's address.
- Requirements: Domain or subdomain name, and the new target URL
- Setup: Instructions are available in the Forwarding section on Squarespace
Point
Pointing keeps your original domain visible in the browser while directing the content from another site.
- Requirements: Domain or subdomain name, and either a CNAME or an IP address for A records
- Setup: Follow Squarespace's steps for pointing a domain
Additional Redirection Options
If your needs aren't met by the standard options, Squarespace also offers ways to change your primary domain, create URL redirects for outdated or changed pages, or even transfer your domain if you're moving away from Squarespace.
TL;DR:
- Move your domain to merge billing and permissions with your Squarespace site
- Connect a parked domain to maintain separate billing and permissions
- Choose forwarding to redirect visitors to a new URL, altering the visible address
- Opt for pointing to redirect without changing the URL seen by visitors
- Additional redirection options include URL redirects, primary domain changes, and subdomain management
FAQs
How do I decide whether to move or connect my domain?
Choose to move if you want unified billing and access controls with your site. Connect if you wish to keep the domain's billing separate and limit access.
Is it possible to point a subdomain to a different page on the same Squarespace site?
No, pointing a subdomain within the same site isn't supported. However, you can set up records to point subdomains to different sites.
What if the standard domain management options don't meet my requirements?
Squarespace offers additional redirection techniques like URL redirects and domain rebranding which might suit your specific needs.
Jargon Buster
- Domain: The web address visitors use to find your site
- Subdomain: A secondary domain tied to a main domain, used to organize sections of your website
- CNAME: An alias for one domain to another, allowing you to manage site's content through another domain
- A Record: Links a domain to an IP address, where the website content is hosted
Wrap-up
Navigating the options for managing your Squarespace domain doesn't need to be complicated. Whether you want to move, connect, point, or forward your domain, there's a solution that aligns with your site's structure and your administrative preferences. Remember, choose the method that simplifies management while meeting your needs for flexibility and control.
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