Manually connecting a GoDaddy domain to your Squarespace site

If automatically connecting your GoDaddy domain failed, follow the steps in this guide to try a manual setup instead.

If you’re connecting your GoDaddy domain for the first time, visit Connecting a GoDaddy domain to your Squarespace site.

Tip: If your domain is eligible, we recommend transferring it instead of connecting it. Learn more about the differences between transferring and connecting or get started with a transfer.

Before you begin

• You need to use GoDaddy's nameservers to successfully connect your domain using the process outlined in this guide. See our steps for resetting to GoDaddy's default nameservers.
• Remove any active DS records on GoDaddy's end, as these will prevent your domain from connecting to Squarespace.
• Remove any DNS Templates that may have been automatically applied to your GoDaddy DNS settings, even if it's a Squarespace DNS Template.
• You can't connect a custom domain to Squarespace if the domain name has the word "Squarespace" or "sqsp" in it.

Step 1 - Re-link your domain

If your GoDaddy domain is still listed in your Domains panel, you’ll first need to unlink it, then re-link it.

1. Open the Domains panel.
2. Click your GoDaddy domain, then click Disconnect domain.
3. Refresh the page, then click Use a domain I own.
4. Enter the full domain name you’re connecting in the Enter domain field, then click the arrow.
5. Click Connect domain.

Note: If you see a message that says "This domain is already connected to another Squarespace site," check your other Squarespace sites to find where the domain is connected. After finding the site, disconnect the domain.

6. In the "Let's Connect Your GoDaddy Domain" panel, select No, use DNS records.
7. Select Other from the domain provider drop-down. You must select Other to begin the manual connection, even if GoDaddy auto-populates in the drop-down menu. 
8. Click Connect domain.
9. In the message that appears, click Continue.
10. The DNS Settings panel will open with the records to create in your GoDaddy account. Keep this panel open for your reference.

Step 2 - Log into GoDaddy

Open a new browser window or tab to access your GoDaddy account:

1. Log into your GoDaddy Domain Control Center.
2. Under Domains, click the domain you're connecting.
3. Scroll to Additional Settings, then click Manage DNS.

You'll now copy the records from the DNS Settings panel of your Squarespace site into your domain's settings.

Note: Don't delete MX records during this process. MX Records connect your email address, and deleting them could interfere with your email service.

Step 3 - Add the first CNAME

In the first line of your Squarespace DNS Settings, a unique code appears directly below the Host column. The unique code is a random string of numbers and letters that must point to verify.squarespace.com. In your GoDaddy domain's DNS panel, you'll add a new record with these values:

Host	Type	Data
Copy and paste the unique code under Host on the first line.	CNAME	verify.squarespace.com

1. Click Add at the bottom of the Records section to create the new record. 
2. From the Type drop-down menu, select CNAME.
3. In the Name field, copy and paste the unique code that appears directly below the Host column in your DNS Settings panel. The unique code is a random string of numbers and letters.
4. In the Data field, enter verify.squarespace.com
5. Leave TTL at the default setting.
6. Click Add record.

Note: If you don't add this CNAME, or if it's entered incorrectly, the domain will unlink from your site after 15 days. If this happens, you can start over to reconnect the domain.

Step 4 - Add the second CNAME

In the second line of your Squarespace DNS Settings, www appears directly below the Host column. This record must point to ext-cust.squarespace.com.

Host	Type	Data
www	CNAME	ext-cust.squarespace.com

1. In your GoDaddy account, click Add at the bottom of the records section.

Note: If you already see a CNAME (Alias) record with a Name of www, click the pencil icon to edit the Data field rather than adding a new record.

2. From the Type drop-down menu, select CNAME.
3. In the Name field, enter www
4. In the Data field, enter ext-cust.squarespace.com
5. Leave TTL at the default setting.
6. Click Add record.

Step 5 - Add the A records

In the last four lines of your Squarespace DNS Settings, you'll see four IP addresses in the Required Data column. Create four A records in your GoDaddy domain's settings matching these values:

Host	Type	Data
@	A	198.185.159.144
@	A	198.185.159.145
@	A	198.49.23.144
@	A	198.49.23.145

1. In your GoDaddy account, click Add at the bottom of the records section.
2. From the Type drop-down menu, select A.
3. In the Name field, enter @
4. In the Data field, enter 198.185.159.144
5. Leave TTL at the default setting.
6. Click Add record.

Repeat this process three more times using the following values in the Data field:

• 198.185.159.145
• 198.49.23.144
• 198.49.23.145

Note: If you have existing A records, edit any with Name @ so that Data matches the values above. If you see other A records in your account that don’t match what’s shown in this guide:

• Name: @ - Delete only if it doesn't match what’s shown in this guide.
• Name: blank - Delete. "Blank" specifies your domain without the www in front.
• Name: Mail or Email - Don’t delete. This connects to your email address. Deleting it could interfere with your email service.

Step 6 - Wait for the connection to complete

Now that you've entered the records, it can take 24 to 72 hours for the connection to start working properly. While you wait:

• You can watch the connection's progress. Return to your Squarespace DNS Settings, click Refresh records, and the Current Data column will show green labels as your domain connects. When the domain is correctly linked, it will appear in the Domains panel with a Connected label.
• It’s normal to see errors in the Domains panel or when visiting your domain for up to 72 hours after completing the steps in this guide. If you see any error messages after 72 hours has passed, see our tips below, or visit Troubleshooting domain connections.

Troubleshoot with the DNS record checker

If we detect that your records weren’t set up properly, your domain will appear in the Domains panel with the message Can’t verify domain ownership. To troubleshoot, use the DNS checker tool in the DNS Settings panel to see the exact CNAME and A records to fix.

Reset GoDaddy’s nameservers (optional)

If you’re still having trouble connecting your domain to Squarespace after entering records manually, you may need to reset your domain’s nameservers.

You’ll need to use GoDaddy’s default nameservers to successfully connect a domain to Squarespace. If you previously used your domain with a different website, they may still be pointed elsewhere.

1. Go to GoDaddy Domain Control Center and log into your account.
2. In the Domains section, click the domain you're connecting.
3. Scroll to Additional Settings, then click Manage DNS.
4. In the Nameservers section, click Change. 
5. Click I'll use GoDaddy nameservers, then click Save or Connect.
6. In the pop-up that appears, check the box agreeing to update your nameservers, then click Continue.

Getting more help

For more help with settings in your GoDaddy account, contact their support team. To help them understand your issue, you can use our sample message. You can also visit their documentation on adding CNAME records and adding A records as you work on the connection.