Compare the two ways to connect a domain. If it's been a while, the Domains panel shows you if your domain is connected via DNS Connect or Nameserver Connect.

There are two ways to connect a third-party domain to Squarespace. We recommend our new option, Nameserver Connect, if it's available to you. However, you may need to use DNS Connect in specific situations, like if you have custom DNS records. This guide explains the differences between these options. For the steps on how to connect your domain to your Squarespace site, visit Connecting a 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

• Ensure your domain meets our requirements for connecting a third-party domain. 
• You can opt out of using Nameserver Connect if you already have complex DNS records added to your domain or prefer to use DNS Connect instead.

We're rolling out Nameserver Connect in waves to all Squarespace sites. Nameserver Connect is currently only available for GoDaddy, Namecheap and 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

How you edit your third-party domain’s DNS records depends on which domain connection setup you initially 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 will continue 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 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 Network Solutions Domain" pop-up message, select No, use DNS records.
6. Click Connect domain.
7. Select your domain provider from the drop-down 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.