Connect Your Domain on Squarespace 7.1

Learning Objectives

• Connect a custom domain to your Squarespace 7.1 site
• Configure essential DNS settings correctly
• Navigate Squarespace's domain management tools with confidence

Introduction

Your Squarespace site needs a proper domain to look professional and help people find you online. This chapter walks you through connecting your custom domain to Squarespace 7.1 and sorting out the DNS settings that make everything work. By the end, your site will be live and accessible to visitors.

Lessons

Get Started with Domain Connection

First, you need to tell Squarespace which domain you want to use. Here's how:

Step 1: Log into your Squarespace account and head to Settings.

Step 2: Click on Domains in the left menu.

Step 3: Select "Connect a domain" then choose "Connect from a provider".

Step 4: Enter your domain name and pick your domain host from the list.

Step 5: Follow the prompts to verify you own the domain.

The system will give you specific DNS settings to configure. Write these down or keep the page open – you'll need them for the next step.

Configure Essential DNS Settings

Now comes the technical bit. You need to update your domain's DNS settings to point to Squarespace.

Step 1: Log into your domain provider's control panel (where you bought your domain).

Step 2: Find the DNS settings section. This might be called "DNS Management", "Name Servers", or "DNS Records".

Step 3: Update these records:

• A Record: Point your root domain to 198.185.159.144
• CNAME Record: Point 'www' to ext-cust.squarespace.com
• MX Records: Keep these as they are if you use email with this domain

Step 4: Save your changes.

This is the bit most people mess up – double-check for typos. One wrong character and nothing will work.

Verify Connection and Go Live

Back in Squarespace, you need to confirm everything's working:

Step 1: Return to your Squarespace Domains panel.

Step 2: Look for a green tick or success message next to your domain.

Step 3: Set your domain as the primary domain for your site.

Step 4: Test your site by typing your domain into a browser.

If you see an error message, wait an hour and try again. DNS changes can take time to work properly.

Practice

Try these steps with your own domain:

1. Connect your domain following the steps above
2. Use an online DNS checker (like whatsmydns.net) to see if your changes are working
3. Test your site from a different device or network
4. Check that both your root domain (example.com) and www version (www.example.com) work

FAQs

How long does domain connection take?
Usually 24-72 hours for full propagation, but often works within a few hours.

Where do I find my DNS settings?
In your domain provider's control panel. Look for "DNS", "Name Servers", or "Domain Management".

What if my domain connection fails?
Check your DNS settings for typos first. If that doesn't work, contact your domain provider or Squarespace support.

Can I use email with my domain?
Yes, but don't change your MX records when setting up Squarespace. Keep your existing email settings.

What's the difference between the root domain and www?
The root domain is example.com, while www is www.example.com. Squarespace handles both automatically once connected.

Jargon Buster

DNS: The system that turns domain names into IP addresses so computers can find websites.

A Record: Points your domain to a specific IP address (Squarespace's servers).

CNAME: Points one domain to another domain name rather than an IP address.

MX Record: Tells email where to go when sent to your domain.

Root Domain: Your main domain without any prefixes (example.com).

Wrap-up

Connecting your domain is a crucial step in making your site professional and findable. The DNS settings might seem confusing at first, but follow the steps carefully and you'll be fine. Remember that changes take time to work across the internet, so be patient.

Next, you'll want to check your site's performance and make sure everything loads quickly for visitors.

Roll your sleeves up and get that domain connected – your professional website is nearly ready to launch.

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