Redirecting Your Squarespace Domain to Another URL Guide

How to Redirect Your Squarespace Domain

TL;DR:

• Redirect traffic from a Squarespace domain to another URL using domain forwarding
• Set up forwarding rules for root domains, subdomains, or specific pages
• Changes take up to 48 hours to take effect due to DNS propagation
• Choose between temporary (302) or permanent (301) redirects
• Keep SSL encryption enabled to maintain secure connections

Domain forwarding in Squarespace lets you redirect visitors from your Squarespace domain to a different URL. This works well when you're moving to a site that isn't hosted by Squarespace or when you need to redirect to specific pages.

Setting Up Forwarding for Active Domains

Head to your domain management dashboard in Squarespace and follow these steps:

1. Select the domain you want to redirect
2. Go to the 'Website' menu and find 'Domain Forwarding Rules'
3. Add a new rule and authenticate your account if prompted
4. Specify whether you're redirecting a root domain (use @) or a 'www' subdomain
5. Enter the destination URL without "http://" or "https://" at the start
6. Choose between temporary (302) or permanent (301) redirect
7. Keep SSL security enabled and decide if you want path forwarding

The redirect type matters. Use 301 for permanent moves and 302 for temporary redirects. Path forwarding maintains the URL structure after the redirect, which keeps the user experience smooth.

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Redirecting Subdomains and Specific Pages

You can get more specific with your redirects:

For subdomains: Enter the subdomain name (like 'blog') and set your target URL.

For specific pages: Use the exact slugs that match your Squarespace site pages. Getting this wrong will cause redirect errors.

Double-check your redirect type (301 or 302) and keep SSL encryption switched on.

Custom Nameserver Adjustments

If you're using custom nameservers, you'll need to make some changes:

1. Log into your DNS provider
2. Remove any conflicting DNS entries
3. Add the CNAME and A records that Squarespace provides for your forwarding setup

Check your DNS settings regularly to make sure your domain forwards correctly and securely.

FAQs

Why isn't my domain forwarding working straight away?
DNS changes take up to 48 hours to propagate across the internet. Clear your browser cache to help refresh the connection.

Can I edit DNS records while my domain is being forwarded?
No, you can't edit DNS records while forwarding is active. Remove the forwarding first, make your changes, then set up the forwarding again.

How do I forward the 'www' version of my domain?
Add a subdomain forwarding rule in your Squarespace settings. Set 'www' as the subdomain and enter your target URL.

Jargon Buster

Domain Forwarding: Redirecting one domain URL to another automatically

DNS (Domain Name System): The system that connects domain names to IP addresses so browsers can load websites

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer): Security technology that encrypts the connection between a web server and browser

Slug: The readable part of a URL that identifies a specific page on a website

Path Forwarding: Keeps URL paths intact during redirection for better user experience

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Wrap-up

Domain forwarding helps you guide traffic to a new URL while keeping things smooth for your visitors. Whether you're consolidating multiple domains or moving away from Squarespace, the forwarding feature gives you a secure way to manage the transition. Always enable SSL and give DNS records time to propagate for the best results.

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