Connect External Domains to Squarespace
TL;DR:
- Update your domain's DNS settings to point to Squarespace's servers
- Change the A Record to 198.185.159.144 and CNAME to ext-cust.squarespace.com
- DNS changes take up to 72 hours to fully propagate
- Verify the connection through your Squarespace domain settings
- Squarespace support can help if you run into problems
Connecting an external domain to your Squarespace site means updating your domain's DNS settings so it points to Squarespace's servers instead of wherever it was pointing before.
Getting Your Domain Ready
First, you'll need access to your domain registrar's control panel. This is where you bought your domain originally (places like GoDaddy, Namecheap, or 123-reg). Look for a section called DNS settings, DNS management, or something similar.
The exact location varies between providers, but it's usually in the main dashboard or under a "Manage" section for your domain.
Making the DNS Changes
You need to update two specific records:
A Record: Change this to point to Squarespace's IP address: 198.185.159.144
CNAME Record: Set the www version to point to: ext-cust.squarespace.com
Some domain providers show these settings differently, but you're looking for fields where you can enter these exact values. If you see multiple A records, replace them all with the single Squarespace IP address.
Connecting in Squarespace
Once you've made the DNS changes, head to your Squarespace account:
- Go to Settings > Domains
- Click "Use a Domain I Own"
- Enter your domain name
- Follow the verification steps
Squarespace will check if your DNS settings are correct. If they're not quite right, you'll get specific instructions about what needs fixing.
Waiting for Everything to Work
DNS changes don't happen instantly. The new settings need to propagate across the internet, which can take anywhere from a few minutes to 72 hours.
During this time, some people might see your old site while others see the new Squarespace version. This is normal and sorts itself out once propagation is complete.
You can check if it's working by visiting your domain in a private/incognito browser window.
Common Problems
The most frequent issue is typos in the DNS records. Double-check that IP address and make sure there are no extra spaces or characters.
Some domain providers automatically add your domain name to CNAME records, so you might need to enter just "ext-cust.squarespace" instead of the full address.
If your domain was pointing to another website before, make sure you've updated all the relevant records, not just added new ones.
FAQs
Can I buy a domain directly through Squarespace instead?
Yes, and it's often simpler since everything connects automatically. You can purchase domains directly from your Squarespace settings.
What if my domain doesn't connect after 72 hours?
Check your DNS settings again for typos, then contact Squarespace support. They can see exactly what's happening with your domain connection.
Will I lose my email if I change DNS settings?
If your email is hosted with your domain provider, you'll need to set up MX records to keep it working. Check with your email provider for the specific settings.
Can I connect multiple domains to the same Squarespace site?
Yes, you can connect additional domains and set them to redirect to your main domain.
Jargon Buster
DNS Settings: The address book of the internet that tells browsers where to find your website when someone types in your domain name.
A Record: Points your domain to a specific IP address (the numerical address of Squarespace's servers).
CNAME Record: Creates an alias, so www.yourdomain.com points to the same place as yourdomain.com.
DNS Propagation: The time it takes for DNS changes to spread across all the servers worldwide that help direct internet traffic.
Wrap-up
Connecting an external domain is straightforward once you know which settings to change. The hardest part is usually finding the right section in your domain provider's control panel, but the actual changes are just copying and pasting a couple of addresses.
If you get stuck, Squarespace's help docs have provider-specific guides for most major domain registrars, and their support team can walk you through the process.
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