How to Disconnect a Third-Party Domain from Squarespace
TL;DR:
- Log into Squarespace and go to the Domains panel to start the disconnection
- Set a new primary domain first if you're disconnecting your main one
- Click the domain you want to disconnect and confirm the action
- Manually edit DNS records afterwards unless your domain is with GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Network Solutions
- Your Google Workspace service stays active even after disconnecting the domain
When You Need to Disconnect a Domain
Sometimes you need to move a domain away from Squarespace. Maybe you're switching platforms, or the domain needs to point somewhere else. The process is straightforward, but there are a few things to sort out first.
If you're disconnecting your primary domain (the main one your site uses), you'll need to set a different domain as primary before you can disconnect it. Squarespace won't let you disconnect a primary domain without a replacement.
Step-by-Step Disconnection Process
Change Your Primary Domain First
If the domain you want to disconnect is currently your primary domain, you need to switch this first:
- In your Squarespace account, go to Settings, then Domains
- Find another connected domain and click on it
- Select "Use as Primary Domain"
- Save the changes
Disconnect the Domain
Now you can disconnect the domain:
- Still in the Domains panel, click on the domain you want to disconnect
- Scroll down and click "Disconnect Domain"
- Confirm your choice in the popup window
That's it from the Squarespace side. The domain is now disconnected.
Sorting Out Your DNS Records
Here's where it gets a bit technical. After disconnecting, your domain might still point to Squarespace servers, which means visitors will see an error page.
If your domain is with GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Network Solutions, these providers automatically handle the DNS changes when you disconnect. You don't need to do anything else.
For all other domain providers, you need to manually update your DNS records:
- Log into your domain provider's control panel
- Find the DNS management section (might be called DNS Settings, DNS Records, or Zone File)
- Look for any A records or CNAME records pointing to Squarespace
- Delete these records or change them to point to your new hosting
If you're not sure what DNS records to change, check with your domain provider's support team. They can walk you through it.
What About Email and Other Services?
If you're using Google Workspace with this domain, disconnecting from Squarespace won't affect your email service. Google Workspace runs independently of your website hosting.
However, if you've set up email forwarding through Squarespace, that will stop working once you disconnect the domain.
FAQs
Can I reconnect the domain to Squarespace later?
Yes, you can reconnect a domain at any time by going back to the Domains panel and adding it again as a third-party domain.
What happens if I don't update my DNS records?
Your domain will keep pointing to Squarespace servers, so visitors will see an error page instead of your new website.
Will disconnecting affect my Squarespace site?
Only if you disconnect your primary domain without setting a new one first. Your site will still work with any other connected domains.
How long does it take for DNS changes to work?
DNS changes usually take effect within a few hours, but can take up to 48 hours to fully propagate across the internet.
Jargon Buster
DNS Records – Settings that tell the internet where your domain should point. Think of them as a forwarding address for your domain name.
Primary Domain – The main domain name that your Squarespace site uses. You can have multiple domains connected, but only one can be primary.
Third-Party Domain – A domain you bought from another company (like GoDaddy) but connected to your Squarespace site.
A Record – A type of DNS record that points your domain to a specific IP address.
CNAME Record – A type of DNS record that points your domain to another domain name.
Wrap-up
Disconnecting a domain from Squarespace is mostly clicking a few buttons, but the DNS side can trip people up. The key thing is making sure your domain points to the right place afterwards, otherwise your visitors will hit an error page.
If you're not comfortable editing DNS records yourself, most domain providers have decent support teams who can help you out. It's worth getting right the first time rather than leaving your visitors confused.
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