Pointing a Squarespace domain

Point your domain or subdomain to a site hosted by another provider, like Big Cartel or Zoho.

You can use your Squarespace domain’s DNS settings panel to point your domain to a different site. When your visitor enters this domain URL, they’ll find the second site, but with the original URL in the browser address bar. This can be helpful if you no longer need to use your domain for your Squarespace site, but it’s not eligible for transfer.

You can also use these settings to point a Squarespace subdomain. This is useful if you have another element of your brand on a second site, like a store or blog.

This guide explains the steps for pointing a domain or subdomain.

Before you begin

• Pointing your domain is an advanced step that you might not need. Usually, there are simpler ways to use a domain with another site.
• Review the differences between pointing and forwarding to ensure that you’re choosing the right option.
• This guide covers pointing Squarespace domains. To point a domain or subdomain you purchased through a third party, follow your provider’s documentation.
• It's not possible to point a built-in domain.
• To direct a subdomain to the primary domain on the same site, visit Creating a subdomain for your Squarespace domain.

Point to a non-Squarespace site

Use the Custom Records area of your DNS settings panel to point your domain. Before you begin, find either the URL or IP address of the site you're pointing to.

Point to a URL

If you're pointing to a URL, add a CNAME record to your DNS settings.

CNAMEs use subdomains, like "www." Follow these steps to add a CNAME that will point the "www" version of your domain to your site:

1. Open DNS settings for the domain that you’d like to point.
2. In the Squarespace Defaults section, click the red trash can to delete your default records. Your domain can’t point to another site when these defaults are in place. You can always add them again if you need them later.
3. Scroll down to Custom Records.
4. Click Add.
5. From the Type drop-down menu, select CNAME.
6. In the Host field, enter www
7. In the Data field, enter the URL from your provider.
8. Click Save to complete the process.

Here’s an example of how that would look if we’re pointing to Tumblr, who provided the URL “domains.tumblr.com:”

Point to an IP address

If you're pointing to an IP address, add an A record to your DNS settings.

A records can point your domain with a subdomain or without it. Follow these steps to add an A record that points your domain without a subdomain:

1. Open DNS settings for the domain that you’d like to point.
2. In the Squarespace Defaults section, click the red trash can to delete your default records. Your domain can’t point to another site when these defaults are in place. You can always add them again if you need them later.
3. Scroll down to Custom Records.
4. Click Add.
5. From the Type drop-down menu, select A.
6. In the Host field, enter @
7. In the Data field, enter the IP address from your provider.
8. Click Save to complete the process.

Here’s how that would look pointing to Tumblr’s IP address, 72.32.231.8:

Test the connection

After following the steps above, test the connection you created:

1. Open a new private or incognito window.
2. Enter your domain. You should find the third-party site with your Squarespace domain in the browser address bar.
3. If your domain isn’t pointing correctly, contact the site host and ask for the correct URL or IP address for pointing your domain.

Tip: If you’re seeing an error message after pointing your domain, visit Common error messages in Squarespace to troubleshoot the issue.

Point a Squarespace subdomain

To point a subdomain, add a custom record that both creates the subdomain and points it. This method points the subdomain to a different site than the root domain.

Because a subdomain is an extension of an existing root domain, ensure that you start with the site using that root domain. For example, to point the subdomain “blog.mysite.com,” start by logging into the site using the “mysite.com” root domain.

Note: Ensure that the subdomain isn’t linked as a third-party domain in the Domains panel. If you try to point it, you’ll see an error.

1. Open DNS settings for the root domain.
2. Scroll down to Custom Records.
3. Click Add.
4. From the Type drop-down menu, select CNAME if you're using a URL or A if you're using an IP address.
5. In the Host field, enter your subdomain. For example, if the full subdomain you want is “blog.yourdomain.com,” you’d enter blog.
6. In the Data field, enter the URL (for CNAME) or IP address (for A record) from your provider.
7. Click Save to complete the process.
8. Test by entering the subdomain in an incognito window. The third-party site should open with your Squarespace subdomain in the browser address bar.

Using the same example values from Tumblr above, here's how this subdomain would look pointing to Tumblr's URL:

Here's how the subdomain would look pointing to Tumblr's IP address:

Point to a different Squarespace site

Instead of pointing the domain, move it to the other site. You don’t need to create any special records, meaning you’ll go through fewer steps. Moving your domain also moves your domain subscription to the second site, letting you manage all relevant site subscriptions in one place.

Point a subdomain to a different Squarespace site

When you point a subdomain from one Squarespace site to another, Squarespace handles it like a third-party domain. This means you’ll use DNS records to connect it to the second site.

Tip: Instead of pointing a subdomain within Squarespace, you may want to move the root domain and then create a unique subdomain on the second site.

1. Start with the site you’re pointing from. Open DNS settings for the root domain that you’ll add the subdomain to.
2. Scroll down to Custom Records and click Add.
3. From the Type drop-down menu, select CNAME.
4. In the Host field, enter your subdomain. For example, if the full subdomain you want is “blog.yourdomain.com,” you’d enter blog.
5. In the Data field, enter ext-sq.squarespace.com
6. Click Save.
7. Go to the second site where the subdomain will point. In the Domains panel, click Use a Domain I Own.
8. Enter the full subdomain. For example, blog.yourdomain.com. Click the arrow to continue.
9. Click Connect domain.
10. Click Connect domain again to confirm. In the "Connection in progress" pop-up message, click Continue.
11. In the DNS settings panel that appears, copy the unique code from the Host column.
12. Return to the first site’s DNS settings panel. Scroll down to Custom Records and click Add to create a new record.
13. From the Type drop-down menu, select CNAME.
14. In the Host field, paste the unique code.
15. In the Data field, enter verify.squarespace.com
16. Click Save to add the record.
17. Return to the second site. In the Domains panel, make the subdomain the site's primary domain and disable the WWW prefix. These steps ensure that the subdomain appears in the browser bar when viewing the site.
18. Test the connection by entering the subdomain in an incognito window.

Point to a specific page

It's not possible to point a domain or subdomain to a specific page on a site. This is because CNAMEs can't point to a URL containing a /, such as "www.mysite.com/blog." Instead, use a forwarding preset to direct visitors to the page.

Point a domain to a Big Cartel, SiteGround, SmugMug, Systeme.io or Zoho site

If you're pointing your Squarespace domain to a Big Cartel, SiteGround, SmugMug, Systeme.io or Zoho site, it requires manually adding records to your DNS settings panel and not using any presets.

We recommend the method below, even if they list different instructions in their support documentation. For example, Big Cartel recommends using a 301 redirect and SmugMug recommends using a forwarding preset. Because of the way our forwarding records work, neither of these options will properly direct your Squarespace domain.

Note: These instructions are only for pointing your root domain. To point a subdomain to Big Cartel or SmugMug, use the regular subdomain instructions above.

To direct a Squarespace domain to Big Cartel, SiteGround, SmugMug, Systeme.io or Zoho Sites:

1. In the Domains panel, click the domain you're redirecting.
2. Set it as your site's primary domain, if it's not already.
3. Ensure the Use "www" prefix toggle is switched on.
4. Click Edit DNS.
5. In the Squarespace Defaults section, delete your default records. (You can always add them again if you need them later.)
6. Scroll down to Custom Records and click Add to create the following CNAME:
   • Type: Select CNAME from the drop-down menu
   • Host: www
   • Data: Enter the URL from your provider
7. Click Save to create the CNAME.
8. Click Add to create the following A record:
   • Type: Select A from the drop-down menu
   • Host: @
   • Data: 198.185.159.144
9. Click Save to complete the process.
10. Test by entering your domain in an incognito window. You should see the other site with your Squarespace domain in the browser address bar.

Troubleshooting

My domain has a “DNS Conflict Alert” message

This message shows if the subdomain you're trying to point is also linked to your site as a third-party domain, which creates a conflict in your DNS settings. If you’re pointing a subdomain, you don’t need to link it as a new domain. You only need to create it in your root domain’s DNS settings panel.

Follow these steps to fix this:

1. Review your Domains panel. Find your subdomain listed in the Domains managed by third-party section.
2. Follow the steps in Disconnecting a third-party domain to remove the subdomain.
3. In the original domain’s DNS settings panel, delete any custom records you’ve added for the subdomain.
4. Point your subdomain using custom records.

The Registration panel has an “Organization must be at least 4 characters” message

A “character limit” message appears in your domain’s Registration panel if any text entered into your First Name, Last Name, or Organization fields is three characters or less. Ensure these text fields contain at least four characters.