If you purchased a domain from Strato and want to keep it registered with them, you can connect it to your site using DNS Connect.

This guide covers how to connect a domain purchased from strato.de, Strato’s German site. You can read this guide in German. Before you begin, review our requirements for connecting a third-party domain.

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. If you decide to transfer your domain, you may find this guide from Strato helpful.

Step 1 - Start the connection in Squarespace

To connect your domain, start in the Domains panel:

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.

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.

5. Select Other from the dropdown menu.
6. Click Connect domain.
7. In the message that appears, click Continue.
8. A new panel will open with the records to create in your Strato account. Keep this panel open for your reference.

Step 2 - Log into Strato

To get started in Strato:

1. Go to www.strato.de, then log into your account.
2. Find the domain you’re connecting to Squarespace, and click Manage domain.
3. Click DNS, then click Domain management.

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 at this point. 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, copy the unique code that 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 Strato account, you’ll add this unique code as a subdomain.

1. On your DNS page in Strato, scroll down to TXT and CNAME Records.
2. In the Type field, enter CNAME.
3. In the Prefix field, paste the unique code from your Squarespace panel.
4. In the Value field, enter verify.squarespace.com.
5. Under STRATO SPF Rule, select No SPF rule.
6. Click Apply settings to save your changes.

Note: If you don't add this record, or if it's entered incorrectly, the domain will unlink from your site after 15 days. If this happens, 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. In your Strato account, you’ll add www as a subdomain in your Strato settings.

1. On your DNS page in Strato, scroll down to TXT and CNAME Records.
2. In the Type field, enter CNAME.
3. In the Prefix field, enter www.
4. In the Value field, enter ext-cust.squarespace.com.
5. Under STRATO SPF Rule, select No SPF rule.
6. Click Apply settings to save your changes.

Step 5 - Add the A record

In the last four lines of your Squarespace DNS Settings, you'll see four IP addresses in the Required Data column. Strato only requires one A record to direct to your Squarespace site. Use the steps below to create an A record in Strato matching the first value:

1. On your DNS page in Strato, click A record.
2. Click Manage.
3. Click Own IP address, then enter 198.185.159.144.
4. Click Apply settings to save your changes.

Note: If you have an existing A record, edit it to match the value above. If you see other A records in your account that don’t match what’s shown in this guide:

• Host: @ - Delete only if it doesn't match what’s shown in this guide.
• Host: blank - Delete. "Blank" specifies your domain without the www in front.
• Host: 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.

Getting more help

For more help with settings in your Strato account, contact their support team. To help them understand your issue, you can use one of our sample messages.