How To Change Domain Name Squarespace ?

Changing your domain name on Squarespace may seem complicated at first, but with the right approach, it’s manageable and can be done without losing your SEO value or website functionality. Whether you’re rebranding, switching to a more memorable domain, or correcting a mistake, this guide will walk you through the entire process step by step.

Why You Might Want to Change Your Domain Name

Before diving into the steps, it’s important to understand why changing a domain name can be necessary:

1. Rebranding – If your brand name has changed, a matching domain helps maintain consistency.
2. Simplifying for Users – Shorter, easy-to-remember domains improve user experience.
3. SEO Optimization – A keyword-rich domain can help search engines understand your niche.
4. Correcting Mistakes – Typos or incorrect extensions (e.g., .net instead of .com) can be fixed.

Things to Consider Before Changing Your Squarespace Domain

Changing your domain is not just a click-and-go task. Consider the following:

• SEO Impact: Changing domains can temporarily affect your search rankings. You need proper redirects to maintain SEO value.
• Email Accounts: If you use domain-based emails, ensure you set them up with the new domain.
• Backups: Always export your website content or create a backup before making major changes.
• Domain Availability: Ensure your new domain is available and registered before proceeding.

1: Purchase or Prepare Your New Domain

You have two options:

1. Buy a New Domain on Squarespace
   • Log in to your Squarespace account.
   • Go to Settings > Domains > Get a Domain.
   • Search for your desired domain, purchase it, and confirm ownership.
2. Use an External Domain
   • If you purchased your domain from GoDaddy, Namecheap, or another registrar, ensure it’s unlocked and you have access to update DNS settings.

2: Add the New Domain to Your Squarespace Website

Once you have the new domain:

1. Go to Settings > Domains.
2. Click Use a Domain I Own if it’s external, or your newly purchased Squarespace domain should appear automatically.
3. Follow the prompts to connect it. Squarespace will guide you through DNS configuration if needed.

3: Set the New Domain as Primary

After adding your new domain:

1. In Settings > Domains, locate your new domain.
2. Click Make Primary.
3. Confirm the change. Squarespace will automatically redirect your old domain to the new one.

Tip: Keep the old domain active for at least a few months to ensure all traffic and search engines are properly redirected.

4: Update SEO and Redirects

1. Enable 301 Redirects: Squarespace automatically sets up 301 redirects from your old domain to the new one, which tells search engines that the site has permanently moved.
2. Update Internal Links: Check pages, blog posts, and navigation to ensure links point to the new domain.
3. Update External Links and Profiles: Social media, Google My Business, email signatures, and backlinks should point to the new domain.
4. Update Google Search Console and Analytics:
   • Add the new domain to Google Search Console.
   • Use the Change of Address tool to notify Google of your new domain.
   • Update Google Analytics with the new domain for accurate tracking.

5: Test Everything

Before announcing the change:

• Visit your new domain and check all pages, forms, and media.
• Test redirects by entering old URLs to ensure they go to the correct new pages.
• Check that SSL (https) is active on your new domain to secure your site.

6: Announce the Change

Communicating your new domain to your audience prevents confusion:

• Update social media profiles, email newsletters, and other platforms.
• Consider publishing a blog post or announcement explaining the change.
• Inform your customers about any changes to email addresses or login information.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Switching Domains Without Redirects – This can lead to a huge loss in traffic and SEO rankings.
2. Not Updating Google Tools – Search Console and Analytics must reflect the new domain.
3. Neglecting External Links – Broken backlinks can reduce authority and traffic.
4. Changing Domains During Peak Traffic – Timing can impact visitor experience and performance.

FAQs About Changing Domains on Squarespace

Q1: Can I change my Squarespace domain without losing SEO?
Yes, by setting up 301 redirects and updating Google Search Console, you can maintain most of your SEO equity.

Q2: How long does it take for the new domain to become active?
If purchased on Squarespace, activation is almost instant. For external domains, DNS propagation may take 24–48 hours.

Q3: Can I keep my old domain?
Yes, keeping the old domain and redirecting it to the new one helps capture any residual traffic.

Conclusion

Changing your domain name on Squarespace is straightforward if done correctly. By following these steps—purchasing or connecting a new domain, making it primary, setting up redirects, updating SEO, and testing thoroughly—you can rebrand or optimize your website without losing traffic or search engine rankings.

Squarespace makes the process user-friendly, but proper planning ensures a smooth transition and long-term SEO success.