Squarespace FAQ: Answering Common Questions Around Domain & SEO

Squarespace SEO

Jan 19

Image Source: Unsplash — *Image Source:* *Unsplash*

The simplicity of Squarespace has made it one of the top platforms for small business owners looking to design and create their own websites.

We know and love Squarespace because of this ease of use. Features like built in SEO, pre-built website templates, and drag-and-drop elements make it incredibly intuitive for anyone to build a great site.

However, one area where Squarespace users can often get hung up is in understanding how to secure and host your website and set up a domain. But, if you understand some basics around these technical elements, you may find it’s a lot easier than you think!

We get a lot of questions about Squarespace domains:

What’s the best way to host your site? How do you connect a custom domain? How much does a Squarespace domain cost?

So, in this article, we wanted to answer some of the most common questions Squarespace users have around domains, hosting, and SEO.

Let’s jump in!

Table of Contents in Detail Hide

The Difference between Web Hosting & Domain Hosting

In order to understand how your Squarespace website operates, you first need to understand the difference between web hosting and domain hosting.

Web Hosting

Imagine for a second that your web content (text, images, videos, etc.) is a person. A web host would be that person’s home — a place for them to live and exist. So, for example, if you build a Squarespace website, then Squarespace is your web host. They allow your website to essentially live on their servers.

Domain Hosting

Now, think of domains as the address to your website’s home. Domains help users locate your website. Domains are the www.yourdomain.com for your site.

All Squarespace websites are assigned a domain when they’re created, and it usually looks something like www.yoursite.squarespace.com. However, if you want to remove the .squarespace.com (which we highly suggest) then you can buy custom domains from several online domain sites like GoDaddy or Hover. Those third-party sites then become your domain host.

Once you own the custom domain you want, you can transfer or connect it to Squarespace.

This is what we’ll dive into next:

Transferring vs. Connecting domains

There are two ways to use a custom domain from a third-party for your Squarespace-built website. You can transfer the domain to Squarespace, or you can connect it.

Transferring a Domain

This is Squarespace’s recommended way to use a custom domain for their websites. If you transfer your domain, you can manage and control both your domain and website through Squarespace.

Note: In order to transfer a domain, it must be included on Squarespace’s list of available TLDs.

Squarespace makes transferring a domain super simple. Just visit this site and follow the prompts.

Connecting a Domain

Sometimes, users want to keep their domain name with their current third-party provider, yet still use it for their Squarespace site. This is possible by connecting your domain. Just note: you’ll have to manage your domain and website on each separate platform.

If you choose to go this route, here’s how you’d accomplish it:

In the Home Menu of your Squarespace website, click ‘Settings’, then click ‘Domains’.

Click ‘Use a Domain I Own’.
Enter the full domain name you're connecting in the ‘Domain Name’ field, then click Continue.
Click ‘Connect From Provider’.
Select your domain provider from the drop-down menu
Then click ‘Connect Domain’.

How Much Time Does It Take to Transfer a Domain?

If you’re going to transfer a domain to Squarespace, note that your domain must stay with the original third-party host for 60 days. Then, you can initiate the transfer to Squarespace.

Once you’ve initiated the transfer of your domain, it can take 24 and 72 hours to complete. This standard period of time is known as "propagation time," and includes the time it takes for your changes to update throughout the web.

If you want to check in on the progress of your transfer, you can visit Whatsmydns.net. for a status update!

What is a Built-In Domain & is it Different from a Regular/Custom Domain?

When created, every Squarespace website comes with a built-in domain (also known as a Squarespace URL) that looks like this: yoursiteid.squarespace.com

If you want, you can keep this domain and it will remain as your website address. If you do transfer over a custom domain, users will no longer see your built-in Squarespace domain (unless they look into your source code, which is unlikely).

It’s important to note that once you add a custom domain, that’s’ your website address. Your built-in Squarespace domain will not automatically redirect.

If you want to keep your Squarespace built-in domain but change it from what’s assigned to you, you can do it by following these steps:

In the Home Menu, click ‘Settings’, and then click ‘Domains’.
Under ‘Built-In Domain’, click the domain.

Enter a new Site ID. This becomes the first part of your built-in domain before the .squarespace.com.
Click ‘Rename’. If this Site ID is taken, you'll see an error message.

It is Better to Have a Custom .Com Domain?

The short answer here is yes. Having a custom domain, structured as www.yoursite.com has a lot of benefits:

It’s easier for your customers to find
It helps with SEO
It helps to establish your brand

It makes your content easier to share
And much more

Does Squarespace Support .com.au Domains?

While you cannot transfer a .com.au domain to Squarespace, you can connect it by changing some DNS records and using domain mapping. (See Connecting a Domain above for more on this topic).

How Much does a Squarespace Domain Cost?

Squarespace domains are charged annually with most hovering around $20 for a year. However, prices will vary depending on your domain. In order to see the pricing for the domain you have in mind, visit this Squarespace Domain Name Search site.

Should I Buy a Domain with Squarespace?

Where you buy your domain is completely up to you. Squarespace is a fantastic domain host with a low initial cost and a ton of built-in SEO and security features (which we’ll discuss below).

However, if you have domains from other third-party sites and want to keep them all in the same place, using a site like GoDaddy, BlueHost, NameCheap, or Google Domains is fine.

Do Domains Hosted with Squarespace Offer Security?

Understandably, the most popular questions we’re asked about domains revolve around security. Keeping your website safe and secure is a top priority for any business owner. Luckily, Squarespace makes it easy with a bunch of built-in security for their domains, including:

SSL certificates included
WHOIS privacy included
Spam-free parking page
Easy DNS management

These features are included in the cost of your Squarespace domain and renew at the same rate annually.

How Many Domains Can I Have on Squarespace?

There’s no limit to the number of domains you can have on Squarespace.