Guide to Adding DNS Records in Squarespace for Your Domain

Adding DNS Records in Squarespace

TL;DR:

• DNS records tell the internet where to find your website and services
• You can add A, AAAA, ALIAS, and CNAME records through your Squarespace domain dashboard
• Each record type serves a different purpose – A records point to IP addresses, CNAME records connect subdomains
• You need to authenticate your account before making changes
• DNS changes can take up to 24 hours to fully propagate

Before You Start

You'll need to access your domain's dashboard in Squarespace and select the specific domain you want to modify. If you manage multiple domains, you'll need to update DNS records for each one separately.

This guide applies to domains managed through Squarespace's DNS system, either domains purchased through Squarespace or third-party domains connected via nameservers.

Adding A Records

A Records connect your domain name to a specific IP address where your website or service is hosted.

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Here's how to add one:

1. Navigate to Settings > Domains
2. Click on your domain name
3. Go to DNS Settings
4. Scroll down to Custom Records and click 'Add record'
5. Authenticate your account when prompted
6. Select 'A' from the Type dropdown
7. Enter the host record in the Host field (use '@' for the root domain)
8. Add the IP address in the Data field
9. Click 'Save'

The Host field determines which part of your domain the record applies to. Use '@' for your main domain (example.com) or enter a subdomain like 'blog' for blog.example.com.

Adding AAAA Records

AAAA Records work like A Records but for IPv6 addresses instead of the older IPv4 format.

To add an AAAA record:

1. Access DNS Settings and navigate to Custom Records
2. Click 'Add record' and authenticate your account
3. Select 'AAAA' as the record type
4. Input the host record and the IPv6 address
5. Click 'Save'

If you get an error about the IPv6 address format, check that it's not compressed. Tools like dnschecker.org can help verify the correct format.

Adding ALIAS Records

ALIAS Records redirect your entire domain to another domain. This is useful when you want your domain to point to a service that doesn't provide a static IP address.

Steps to add an ALIAS record:

1. Go to DNS Settings for your domain
2. First, turn off DNSSEC (DNS Security Extensions) if it's enabled
3. Under Custom Records, click 'Add record'
4. Authenticate and choose 'ALIAS' as the type
5. Set the Host field to '@' for the root domain
6. Enter the target domain in the Data field
7. Click 'Save'

Note that ALIAS records typically apply to your root domain and may conflict with other record types.

Adding CNAME Records

CNAME Records connect subdomains to another domain name. They're commonly used for services like email, FTP, or third-party integrations.

To add a CNAME record:

1. In DNS Settings, go to Custom Records and click 'Add record'
2. Authenticate your account
3. Select 'CNAME' as the record type
4. Enter the subdomain in the Host field (you cannot use '@' for CNAME records)
5. Add the target URL in the Data field
6. Click 'Save'

CNAME records are essential for connecting subdomains to external services or for domain verification with third-party platforms.

Troubleshooting DNS Issues

DNS changes can take up to 24 hours to propagate fully across the internet. If your changes aren't working immediately, wait a bit before troubleshooting.

Common issues include:

• Record conflicts: Having multiple records of the same type for the same host
• Incorrect formatting: IPv6 addresses or domain names entered incorrectly
• DNSSEC conflicts: Some record types require DNSSEC to be disabled
• Propagation delays: Changes may work in some locations but not others during the propagation period

You can check if your DNS changes are propagating using online tools like whatsmydns.net or dnschecker.org.

TL;DR:

• DNS records tell the internet where to find your website and services
• You can add A, AAAA, ALIAS, and CNAME records through your Squarespace domain dashboard
• Each record type serves a different purpose – A records point to IP addresses, CNAME records connect subdomains
• You need to authenticate your account before making changes
• DNS changes can take up to 24 hours to fully propagate

FAQs

How do I access DNS settings in Squarespace?
Go to Settings > Domains, click on your domain name, then select DNS Settings.

What's the difference between A and CNAME records?
A records point directly to IP addresses, while CNAME records point to other domain names. You can't use CNAME records for your root domain.

Can I manage DNS for third-party domains?
Yes, if you've connected your third-party domain to Squarespace using nameservers, you can manage DNS records through your Squarespace dashboard.

Why aren't my DNS changes working?
DNS changes can take up to 24 hours to propagate. If it's been longer, check for record conflicts or formatting errors.

Do I need to turn off DNSSEC for all record types?
No, only ALIAS records typically require DNSSEC to be disabled. Other record types usually work fine with DNSSEC enabled.

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DNS Records: Instructions that tell internet servers where to find your website and services

A Record: Links a domain name to an IPv4 address (the most common type of IP address)

AAAA Record: Links a domain name to an IPv6 address (newer IP address format)

CNAME Record: Points a subdomain to another domain name instead of an IP address

ALIAS Record: Redirects your entire domain to another domain

DNSSEC: DNS Security Extensions that add an extra layer of security to DNS lookups

Propagation: The time it takes for DNS changes to spread across all internet servers worldwide

Wrap-up

Managing DNS records in Squarespace gives you control over how your domain connects to various services and websites. Each record type serves a specific purpose, whether you're pointing to IP addresses, setting up subdomains, or redirecting traffic.

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Remember that DNS changes take time to propagate, so be patient if your updates don't work immediately. When in doubt, double-check your record formatting and look for any conflicts with existing records.

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