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Transferring Your Dotster Domain to Squarespace

Learn to transfer your Dotster domain to Squarespace in clear, simple steps. Moving your domain from Dotster to Squarespace puts everything in one place.

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Transferring Your Dotster Domain to Squarespace
Last Edited Time
Jun 25, 2025 09:35 PM
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Transfer your Dotster domain to Squarespace by unlocking it, obtaining an authorization code, and following the steps in Squarespace. The process takes 5-7 days, keeps your website active, and includes an extra year of registration.
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Transferring Your Dotster Domain to Squarespace

Why Transfer Your Domain?

Moving your domain from Dotster to Squarespace puts everything in one place. You'll have your website, domain, and billing all managed through Squarespace, which makes life much simpler.

Before You Start

You'll need access to:
  • Your Dotster account login details
  • The email address registered with your domain
  • Your Squarespace account
  • A payment method for the transfer fee
The transfer includes an extra year of domain registration, so you're not just paying to move it.

Step 1: Prepare Your Domain at Dotster

Log into your Dotster account and go to 'My Domains'. Find your domain and click 'Manage'.

Check Your Contact Details

Click the 'Contact Information' tab, then 'Administrative'. Make sure all your details are correct and up to date. If anything needs changing, click 'Edit Contact Info', update it, and save.
This is important because you'll get important emails during the transfer process.

Unlock Your Domain

Go to the 'Transfers' section in the menu. You'll see two toggles:
  • Turn off 'Domain Lock'
  • Turn off 'Domain Privacy'
Both need to be disabled for the transfer to work.

Get Your Authorization Code

Still on the Transfer page, click 'Email Auth Code'. Dotster will send the code to your registered email address. You'll need this code for Squarespace, so keep it handy.

Step 2: Start the Transfer in Squarespace

Log into your Squarespace account and open the Domains panel.
Click 'Use a domain I own', type in your domain name, and select 'Transfer Domain'.
Paste in the authorization code you got from Dotster and click continue.

Step 3: Confirm Your Details

Squarespace will show you the registration information. Double-check everything is correct. If you need to update anything, do it now and save.
Add your payment details when prompted. The transfer fee varies depending on your domain extension (.com, .co.uk, etc.).
Review everything one more time, then confirm the transfer.

Step 4: Wait and Monitor

You'll get a confirmation email from Squarespace saying they've started the transfer process.
Check your Domains panel regularly for updates. If there are any problems, Squarespace will show error messages explaining what needs fixing.
Common issues include:
  • Domain still locked at Dotster
  • Wrong authorization code
  • Contact information doesn't match

What About DNS Settings?

Your website will keep working during the transfer. Squarespace copies your existing DNS records automatically.
However, avoid making changes to DNS settings or adding new services (like Google Workspace) until the transfer is completely finished. This prevents any disruptions.

Timeline and Troubleshooting

The transfer usually takes 5-7 days, but can take up to two weeks. You'll get an email from Squarespace when it's complete.
If something goes wrong, you'll get an email explaining the problem and how to fix it. Most issues are simple to resolve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the transfer cost extra? Yes, but the fee includes an additional year of domain registration. You're essentially renewing your domain as part of the transfer.
Will my website go down during the transfer? No, your website will continue working normally throughout the process.
Can I cancel the transfer if I change my mind? Yes, you can usually cancel within the first few days. Contact Squarespace support if you need to do this.
What if I don't have access to the email address registered with my domain? You'll need to update this at Dotster before starting the transfer, as you'll receive important verification emails.

Quick Definitions

Authorization Code: A unique password that proves you own the domain and can transfer it.
DNS Records: Settings that tell the internet where to find your website, email, and other services.
Domain Lock: A security feature that prevents unauthorized transfers. You need to disable this before transferring.

Final Thoughts

This process is straightforward once you know the steps. The key is being patient and not rushing through the preparation at Dotster.
If you run into problems, both Dotster and Squarespace have support teams who can help. Most transfer issues are simple fixes that support can walk you through.
Once the transfer is complete, you'll have everything in one place and can manage your domain directly through Squarespace's clean interface.

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