Pointing a Squarespace domain

Connect your domain or subdomain to a site hosted by a third-party provider, like Big Cartel or Zoho.

Last updated January 15, 2025

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.

Tip

Pointing your domain is an advanced step that you might not need. Usually, there are simpler ways to use a domain with another site.

Before you begin

Point to a non-Squarespace site

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

Tip

This guide outlines the basic steps for pointing your Squarespace domain. The site you're pointing to may need more records than what's listed here. Review your site host's information regarding domains, or contact their help team to ensure you have the necessary records.

Step 1 - Log into Squarespace to point the domain to a URL

To point 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 your domains dashboard, then click the domain that you’d like to point.
  2. Click DNS, then DNS settings.
  3. 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.
  4. Scroll down to Custom Records.
  5. Click Add Record.
  6. From the Type dropdown menu, select CNAME.
  7. In the Host field, enter www
  8. In the Data field, enter the URL from your provider.
  9. Click Save to complete the process.

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

Squarespace_domain_custom_record_adding_CNAME.jpg

Step 2 - Complete the connection by pointing the domain to an IP address

To point 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 your domains dashboard, then click the domain that you’d like to point.
  2. Click DNS, then DNS settings.
  3. 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.
  4. Scroll down to Custom Records.
  5. Click Add.
  6. From the Type dropdown menu, select A.
  7. In the Host field, enter @
  8. In the Data field, enter the IP address from your provider.
  9. Click Save to complete the process. It can take 24 to 72 hours for the changes to start working properly.

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

Squarespace_domain_adding_A_record_to_point_domain.jpg

Note

It's not possible to point multiple domains in bulk. To point multiple domains to a non-Squarespace site, follow our steps to point your domain to a non-Squarespace site for each domain. After your domains connect to your site, follow our steps to choose one domain to be the primary domain.

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 your domains dashboard, then click the root domain.
  2. Click DNS, then DNS settings.
  3. Scroll down to Custom Records.
  4. Click Add.
  5. From the Type dropdown menu, select CNAME if you're using a URL or A if you're using an IP address.
  6. In the Host field, enter your subdomain. For example, if the full subdomain you want is “blog.yourdomain.com,” you’d enter blog.
  7. In the Data field, enter the URL (for CNAME) or IP address (for A record) from your provider.
  8. Click Save to complete the process. It can take 24 to 72 hours for the changes to start working properly.
  9. 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:

Squarespace_subdomain_using_a_CNAME_to_point_to_a_URL_the_host_is_blog_and_the_data_is_the_URL.jpg

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

Pointing_a_Squarespace_subdomain_to_an_IP_address_using_an_A_record.jpg

Point to a different Squarespace site

Instead of pointing the domain, we recommend moving the domain 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. 

To link your domain to a Squarespace site while keeping the billing and permission settings of the domain remain separate from your website, connect the domain instead.

Point a subdomain to a different Squarespace site

When pointing a Squarespace-hosted subdomain to a Squarespace site, we'll handle the subdomain like a third-party domain if:

  • You're creating a subdomain for a Squarespace domain that's attached to one Squarespace site, then pointing that subdomain to another Squarespace site
  • You're connecting the subdomain of a parked domain to a Squarespace site

Handling the subdomain like a third-party domain means you’ll use DNS records to link the subdomain to your desired website.

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. Open your domains dashboard, then click the root domain.
  2. Click DNS.
  3. Scroll down to Custom Records and click Add.
  4. From the Type dropdown menu, select CNAME.
  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 ext-sq.squarespace.com
  7. Click Save.
  8. Go to the website where the subdomain will point. In the Domains panel, click Use a Domain I Own.
  9. Enter the full subdomain. For example, blog.yourdomain.com. Click the arrow to continue.
  10. Click Connect domain.
  11. Click Connect domain again to confirm. In the "Connection in progress" pop-up message, click Continue.
  12. In the DNS settings panel that appears, copy the unique code from the Host column.
  13. Return to the first site’s DNS settings panel. Scroll down to Custom Records and click Add to create a new record.
  14. From the Type dropdown menu, select CNAME.
  15. In the Host field, paste the unique code.
  16. In the Data field, enter verify.squarespace.com
  17. Click Save to add the record. It can take 24 to 72 hours for the changes to start working properly.

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, ClickFunnels, SiteGround, SmugMug, Systeme.io or Zoho site

If you're pointing your Squarespace domain to a Big Cartel, ClickFunnels, SiteGround, SmugMug, Systeme.io or Zoho site, it requires you to add a CNAME record and a forwarding rule to your domain's DNS settings.

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 subdomain instructions above.

To direct a Squarespace domain to Big Cartel, SiteGround, SmugMug, Systeme.io or Zoho Sites follow the steps below.

Add the CNAME record

To add a CNAME record:

  1. Open your domains dashboard, then click the domain that you’d like to point. If you have multiple Squarespace-managed domains, you'll manage their DNS records separately.
  2. Click DNS, then DNS settings.
  3. Click the red trash can next to Squarespace Defaults.
  4. In the pop-up window, click Delete.
  5. Scroll down to Custom Records and click Add to create the following CNAME record:
    • Type: Select CNAME from the dropdown menu
    • Host: www
    • Data: Enter the URL from your provider
    • Priority: leave at the default setting
  6. Click Save to create the CNAME. It can take 24 to 72 hours for the changes to start working properly.

Add the domain forwarding rule

To add the domain forwarding rule:

  1. Open your domains dashboard, then click the domain that you’d like to point.
  2. Click Website.
  3. Scroll down to Domain Forwarding Rules, and click Add rule.
  4. Enter @ in the Forward from field.
  5. Enter the full URL of the domain you’d like to forward to in the Forward to field. For example, if your root domain is yourdomain.com, enter www.yourdomain.com.
  6. Under Advanced settings, select if this move will be a Temporary Redirect (302) or a Permanent Redirect (301).
  7. Under Forwarding over SSL, it's recommended to keep SSL On selected. 
  8. Under Path forwarding, select Maintain paths to maintain the URL paths from your original domain. Select Remove paths to have all URLs forward to the new address.
  9. Click Save to complete the process. It can take 24 to 72 hours for the changes to start working properly.

Troubleshooting

Error message: DNS Conflict Alert

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.

Error message: Organization must be at least 4 characters

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.

The domain or subdomain isn't pointing to the other site after more than 72 hours

This can happen if your domain is using both custom nameservers and DNSSEC protection. 

To resolve this issue:

  1. Disable DNSSEC.
  2. Reset your nameservers to Squarespace nameservers.
  3. Enable DNSSEC.
  4. Follow our steps to point the domain or subdomain to another site.

 

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