Getting Your Squarespace Site Live
Learning Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you'll be able to:
- Set up a custom domain in Squarespace 7.1
- Publish your Squarespace website without errors
- Spot and fix common issues that stop sites going live
Introduction
You've built your Squarespace site and now comes the exciting bit – making it live for the world to see. This chapter walks you through everything you need to know about publishing your site, from connecting your domain to hitting that publish button. We'll cover the essential steps and show you how to avoid the pitfalls that catch most beginners out.
Lessons
Setting Up Your Custom Domain
Your domain is your web address – it's how people find you online. Here's how to get it sorted in Squarespace.
Step 1: Log into your Squarespace account and click Settings in the main menu.
Step 2: Select Domains from the left sidebar.
Step 3: Click Use a Domain I Own or Get a New Domain, depending on your situation.
Step 4: If you're buying new, search for your preferred domain name. If you already own one, enter it and follow the connection steps.
Step 5: Complete the setup by following the on-screen prompts.
This is the bit most people miss: Check your email for domain verification messages. You'll need to click the verification link before your domain will work properly.
Publishing Your Site
Once your domain is ready, it's time to make your site public.
Step 1: Go through every page of your site and remove any placeholder text or dummy content.
Step 2: Use the preview function to check how your site looks on desktop, tablet, and mobile.
Step 3: From Settings, click Site Visibility.
Step 4: Change from Private to Public and save your changes.
Step 5: Wait up to 24 hours for your site to appear live across all internet providers.
Here's the quick version: Your site won't go live until you switch it from Private to Public in Site Visibility settings.
Fixing Common Go-Live Problems
Even with Squarespace's straightforward process, things can go wrong. Here's how to sort them out.
Problem 1: Domain not connecting
Check your DNS settings are pointing to Squarespace's servers. If you bought your domain elsewhere, you'll need to update the nameservers to Squarespace's ones.
Problem 2: Site shows as "coming soon"
This means you haven't switched to a paid plan yet. Free trial sites stay private until you upgrade.
Problem 3: Some pages not loading
Check each page is set to "Enabled" in the Pages panel. Disabled pages won't show up on your live site.
Problem 4: Images not appearing
Large image files can cause loading issues. Keep images under 1MB where possible and use JPG format for photos.
Roll your sleeves up: Test your site on different devices and browsers after going live to catch any issues early.
Practice
Set up a practice site using a free Squarespace subdomain (like yourname.squarespace.com). Create a simple one-page site with your name, a photo, and a short bio. Go through the publishing process to get familiar with the steps before doing it with your real site.
FAQs
How long does it take for my Squarespace site to go live?
Usually within a few hours, but it can take up to 24 hours for your site to appear for everyone worldwide.
Can I change my domain after my site is live?
Yes, but it's better to get it right first time. Changing domains later can affect your search rankings and confuse visitors.
What happens if I don't pay my subscription?
Your site will revert to private mode after your trial ends. Visitors will see a "coming soon" page instead of your content.
Why does my site look different live than in the editor?
This sometimes happens with custom CSS or third-party integrations. Always preview your site before publishing.
Jargon Buster
Custom Domain: Your unique web address (like www.yourname.com) instead of using Squarespace's default subdomain.
DNS Settings: The technical settings that tell the internet where to find your website when someone types in your domain.
Site Visibility: The setting that controls whether your site is private (only you can see it) or public (everyone can see it).
Nameservers: The servers that handle requests for your domain and direct visitors to your website.
Wrap-up
You now know how to get your Squarespace site live and visible to the world. The key steps are setting up your domain correctly, switching your site to public, and knowing how to fix the common issues that crop up. Take your time with each step and test everything before announcing your site to others.
Ready to build your own Squarespace site? Get started with our complete courses at https://www.pixelhaze.academy/membership