Nameserver connect vs. DNS connect

Nameserver connect vs. DNS connect

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Last updated March 26, 2026 18:45

Compare the two ways to connect a domain you registered with a third-party provider to your Squarespace site.

If you registered a domain with a company outside Squarespace, you can connect it to your Squarespace site or transfer it. We recommend transferring. When you transfer, you can get help for both your site and your domain from our Customer Support team. If your domain isn't eligible to transfer, or you want to keep it with your current host, you can connect your domain instead.

There are two ways to connect a third-party domain to Squarespace: nameserver connect and DNS connect. This guide explains the two processes and when to use each one.

Tip: If you're ready to start connecting your domain, visit our provider-specific DNS connection guides. If your provider isn't on that list, follow our general steps for DNS connect.

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Should I use nameserver connect or DNS connect?

If you have a GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Network Solutions domain, use nameserver connect, unless your domain:

Has custom DNS records
Has multiple subdomains
Has DNSSEC enabled
Has complex domain registration setup, like glue records or domain forwarding
Has security, traffic, or other services that require you to use their nameservers, like Cloudflare or AWS
Doesn't show the nameserver connect option in your domains panel

If your domain is hosted by another provider or any of the list above applies to your domain, use DNS connect.

If your Domains panel shows the nameserver connect option and you have the records listed above in place, opt out of nameserver connect. Then use the provider-specific guide to connect your domain using DNS settings.

Tip: If you've used DNS connect in the past, leave your domain settings as-is. Connecting a new domain using nameservers won't break your other domain connections.

Use the following information to compare the two domain connection setup options.

Difference between nameservers and DNS settings

Both connection processes bring visitors to your site, but they use different methods to do so. When your domain connects to Squarespace via nameserver connect, your domain's DNS records are stored at Squarespace. When your domain connects to Squarespace via DNS connect, your domain's DNS settings are stored with its third-party provider.

Setup processes

The domain connection setup for nameserver connect is a guided process. After initiating the connection from your Domains panel, you'll add two nameserver records to your domain provider's DNS settings.

The setup for DNS connect is a manual setup process. The DNS settings panel in your Squarespace site lists two CNAME records and four A records. You'll log into your domain provider's account and add the records to your domain's DNS settings.

How do I edit my DNS records after connecting?

After connecting your domain to your site, how you edit your DNS records depends on which process you used:

Nameserver connect - After connecting, Squarespace defaults are automatically added to point your domain to your Squarespace site. When you're ready to edit your records, select the domain you want to edit in your domains dashboard, then click Edit in the DNS settings section. To learn more, visit Adding DNS records to your domain.
DNS connect - Log into your domain provider account and follow their instructions to edit your records.

If you connected your domain via nameservers, here's where to edit your DNS settings:

Keep in mind, after connecting via nameserver connect, you can only add A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, SRV, and TXT records to your domain. If you need to add other types of records, consider transferring your domain to Squarespace.

Opt out of nameserver connect

If you have features like a custom email address or ad blockers attached to your domain using custom DNS records, they can break if you use nameserver connect. The nameserver connection process removes all CNAME records and some A records.

To ensure your features don't experience downtime, opt out of nameserver connect and use DNS connect instead to ensure all your custom DNS records carry over along with your domain.

To opt out of nameserver connect:

Open the Domains panel.
Click Use a Domain I Own.
Enter the full domain name you’re connecting in the Enter domain field, then click the arrow.
Click Connect domain.
In the “Let's Connect Your Domain” pop-up message, select No, use DNS records.
Click Connect domain.
Select your domain provider from the dropdown menu.
In the pop-up window, sign into your domain provider’s account.
Click Connect.
In the “Connection in progress” pop-up message on your site, click Continue.

How did I connect my domain?

If your domain is already connected, you can determine whether your connection is using DNS connect or nameserver connect in your domains dashboard:

DNS connect - Click your domain, if the only option is to view your DNS settings, it’s connected using DNS records. If your domain is connected via DNS connect, clicking on your domain will not show the option to edit your DNS settings. You'll edit your DNS records on your domain provider’s end.
Nameserver connect - Click your domain, if in the Other tools section it shows the option to edit your DNS settings, it’s connected using nameservers.

More help

This guide covers the basic features and limitations specific to nameserver connect and DNS connect. To learn more about the technical details of nameservers, visit Making changes to nameservers or visit Domains basics for more resources on connecting and managing your domain.

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Nameserver connect vs. DNS connect