Compare the two ways to connect a domain you registered with a company outside Squarespace to your site.

There are two ways to connect a third-party domain to Squarespace. If your domain is already connected, the Domains panel shows if your connection is via DNS Connect or Nameserver Connect.

We recommend using Nameserver Connect, if that option appears when you connect a domain. However, this option isn't available for all third-party domains, and you may need to use DNS Connect in specific situations, like if you have custom DNS records. This guide explains the differences between Nameserver Connect and DNS Connect.

When you're ready to connect your domain to your Squarespace site, visit the guide for your connection method:

• Nameserver Connect - Use the guide for your provider: GoDaddy, Namecheap or Network Solutions.
• DNS Connect - Visit our provider-specific DNS connection guides. If your provider isn't on that list, review our general steps.

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

• Ensure your domain meets our requirements for connecting a third-party domain. 
• Opt out of using Nameserver Connect and use DNS Connect instead if you:
  • Already have complex DNS records added to your domain
  • Enabled DNSSEC on your domain
  • Prefer to use DNS Connect instead
• Most domains connect to a site in 24 hours, but it can sometimes take up to 72 hours. Keep this timing in mind if you have a deadline.

Nameserver Connect availability

We're rolling out Nameserver Connect in waves to all Squarespace sites. Nameserver Connect is currently only available for domains registered at GoDaddy, Namecheap or Network Solutions. If Nameserver Connect doesn't appear in the Domains panel, it's not available on your site yet. If this is the case, add your domain using DNS Connect instead.

Nameserver Connect vs. DNS Connect

The table below compares the two domain connection setup options.

DNS records access for third-party domains

DNS records are instructions you or your domain host add to your domain. The instructions direct messages for a custom email address, verify your domain when sending Email Campaigns, and connect the domain to the site, among other things. Every domain has the capacity to hold DNS records, but not every domain needs all these different DNS records. To review a list of DNS record types, visit Adding custom DNS records to your Squarespace-managed domain.

When you have a third-party domain, your domain provider initially hosts your DNS records. After connecting your domain, how you edit your DNS records depends on which domain connection setup you used to connect your domain to your site.

Nameserver Connect

When you connect a domain using Nameserver Connect, Squarespace hosts your DNS records. This means you can edit your domain’s DNS records in the DNS Settings panel, as seen in the screenshot below.

Note: If you don’t see the option to edit your DNS settings in the Domains panel, it means your domain is connected via DNS Connect.

If you run into issues with your DNS records, you can contact us for help.

DNS Connect

When you setup your domain using DNS Connect, your current provider continues to host your DNS records. This means you can’t edit your DNS records from Squarespace’s end. You’ll instead edit your DNS records from your domain provider’s end. If issues arise with your DNS records, contact your domain provider for help. 

Opt out of Nameserver Connect

If you have features like custom email or ad blockers attached to your domain using custom DNS records, those features can break if you use Nameserver Connect. To ensure your features don't experience downtime, opt out of Nameserver Connect and use DNS Connect instead to ensure your custom DNS records carry over along with your domain.

To opt out of Nameserver Connect:

1. Open the Domains panel.
2. Click Use a domain I own.
3. Enter the full domain name you’re connecting in the Enter domain field, then click the arrow.
4. Click Connect domain.
5. In the "Let's Connect Your Domain" pop-up message, select No, use DNS records.
6. Click Connect domain.
7. Select your domain provider from the dropdown menu, if it’s not already selected.
8. In the pop-up window, sign into your domain provider’s account
9. Click Connect.
10. In the "Connection in progress" pop-up message on your site, click Continue.

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 Nameservers and DNSSEC for Squarespace domains, or visit Domains basics for more resources on connecting and managing your domain.