What is a domain name and how do I use one with Squarespace?

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What is a domain name and how do I use one with Squarespace?

Last updated September 21, 2026 20:43

Understand domain names, hosting options, and how to use a custom domain with Squarespace.

A domain name is the web address people type to find your site, like squarespace.com. Behind the scenes, the Domain Name System (DNS) translates these names into the numerical IP addresses computers use to find websites.

Video on domains and how to manage them with Squarespace

Watch this one-minute video to learn more about the benefits of owning a custom domain name, how to manage them with Squarespace, and how to access your domains dashboard.

Are domain hosting and web hosting the same thing?

No. Though closely related, they're separate services. Learn more about the differences between web hosting and domain hosting.

Register domains through Squarespace

Registering domains through Squarespace is the fastest way to get new custom domains. Squarespace-managed domains automatically include a secure SSL connection at no added cost.

You can also add free subdomains, which can help you manage a large-scale project separately from your site’s main content. For example, if your business runs multiple campaigns that each need their own landing page, each campaign can have its own subdomain.

I already have a domain, can I use it with Squarespace?

Yes. If you purchased a domain from another provider, you can either transfer it to Squarespace or connect it. In most cases, we recommend transferring, which helps you manage all aspects of your site in one place.

Transfer a domain to Squarespace

When you transfer a domain to Squarespace, you manage the domain and its billing here, with or without a Squarespace site. After transferring, your domain automatically includes a free SSL certificate and 24/7 security monitoring.

Connect a domain to Squarespace

If you can’t transfer your domain, connect it to your Squarespace site instead. Connecting a domain to your Squarespace site keeps your domain with your current host and points it to your site (if you have one). Learn more about the differences between transferring and connecting domains.

Use your domain with a Squarespace site

If you have a Squarespace site, you can replace your built-in Squarespace domain (yourdomain.squarespace.com) with a custom domain. Custom domains give your site a professional look, strengthen your brand, and make it less of a hassle for visitors to find you.

If you have a parked domain and a site in the same Squarespace account that you’d like to connect, upgrade the site to a paid plan and move or connect the domain to it. After you move or connect a domain, it can take up to 48 hours to start directing to your site.

Available top-level domains (TLDs)

A TLD is the last part of a domain name, like .com or .pizza. We offer both generic TLDs, which aren't associated with a specific region, and country-code TLDs (ccTLDs), which belong to a specific country or geographic area. Visit our full list of 400+ TLDs to see what's available and review the requirements for each ccTLD.

If you're interested in a TLD that isn't on the list, you can register it with a third-party provider and connect it to a Squarespace site instead.

Use our domain name search page to review pricing and availability.

Manage your domains

From your domains dashboard, you can set a primary domain, manage billing, transfer ownership, and more:

• Change domain ownership
• Manage a parked domain
• Manage domain permissions
• Manage multiple domains
• Manage your domain's billing information
• Move a domain between sites
• Set a primary domain
• Squarespace domains FAQ

Whois privacy protection

To help keep personal contact information safe, all eligible Squarespace-managed domains receive automatic Whois privacy protection for free. If you connect a third-party domain instead, check with your provider to confirm whether Whois privacy is included.

Custom email addresses

Through our partnership with Google Workspace and Essential Email by Titan you can create an email address for any custom domain you use for your site.

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What is a domain name and how do I use one with Squarespace?