Using .io Domains with Squarespace
TL;DR:
- .io domains are country-level domains popular with tech companies
- Squarespace starts renewal attempts 15 days before expiration, but domains lock 3 days before if payment fails
- No grace period for registration cancellations and no refunds after purchase
- Whois privacy protection isn't available for .io domains
- .io domains aren't included in free domain offers
- Transferring requires buying a mandatory one-year extension
Registering and Managing .io Domains on Squarespace
.io domains are country code top-level domains (ccTLDs) for the British Indian Ocean Territory, but they've become hugely popular with tech companies. The "io" has that clean, tech-savvy feel that works well for startups and software businesses.
These domains follow different rules compared to standard .com or .co.uk domains, particularly around renewals and expiration.
How .io Domain Renewal Works
Squarespace starts trying to renew your .io domain 15 days before it expires. The system automatically attempts to charge your linked credit card during this window.
Here's the critical bit: if the payment keeps failing and your domain can't be renewed three days before expiration, it locks. Once locked, you can't renew it through the normal process.
What Happens If Your .io Domain Expires
Your options depend on which registrar handles your domain:
Tucows Registrants:
- You get a 40-day grace period after expiration to renew through your dashboard
- If you miss that window, there's a 30-day redemption period where you can still recover the domain (expect extra fees)
Key-Systems Registrants:
- About 30 days grace period for renewal
- After that, contact Squarespace support to check if reactivation is possible
No Take-Backs on Registration
When you register a .io domain, there's no cooling-off period. No cancellation window, no refunds. Once you've clicked confirm, you own it.
Double-check your spelling before hitting that register button. A typo in your domain name isn't something you can easily fix later.
Transferring .io Domains to Squarespace
Moving your .io domain to Squarespace means buying a mandatory one-year extension. This isn't optional – it's how .io transfers work.
The extension gets added to whatever time you have left from your previous registrar, so you're not losing anything. It just means paying upfront for that extra year.
Transfer well before your current registration expires. A lapse in registration can mess with your site's accessibility and hurt your search rankings.
Important Limitations
.io domains aren't included in free domain offers. If you're on a plan that includes a free domain, you'll need to pick a different extension or pay extra for the .io.
No Whois privacy protection. Your registration details (name, address, email) will be publicly visible in the Whois database. This is a limitation of .io domains, not a Squarespace restriction.
FAQs
Can I get a free .io domain with my Squarespace plan?
No, .io domains are excluded from free domain offers. You'll need to pay for registration regardless of your plan.
What if I don't renew my .io domain on time?
Your domain will lock if payment fails three days before expiration. After that, you're looking at grace periods and potential redemption fees that vary by registrar.
Why can't I hide my personal information for my .io domain?
Whois privacy protection isn't available for .io domains through Squarespace. Your registered details will be publicly accessible.
Do I have to buy an extra year when transferring my .io domain?
Yes, transferring any .io domain requires purchasing a one-year extension. This is added to your existing registration time.
Jargon Buster
ccTLD: Country Code Top-Level Domain – web address extensions tied to specific countries like .uk, .us, or .io
Registrar: The company authorized to handle domain name registrations
Grace Period: Time after domain expiration when you can still renew without extra charges
Whois Privacy: Service that hides your personal details from the public domain ownership database
Redemption Period: Final chance to recover an expired domain, usually with additional fees
Wrap-up
.io domains work differently from standard domains, but the rules are straightforward once you know them. The key things to remember are the stricter renewal timeline, the no-refund policy, and the lack of privacy protection.
Keep your payment details up to date and don't leave renewals to the last minute. If you're transferring from another registrar, plan ahead and budget for that mandatory extension year.
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