How to Buy & Connect a Domain with Squarespace
Buying a domain is one of the first steps when building a website. Your domain is your online address—the URL people type to reach your site—oftentimes tied to your email address, and it’s a big part of your brand identity. Squarespace makes it easy to purchase, connect, and manage your domain all in one place, which is especially helpful if you want to simplify your accounts and keep everything tied to your website platform. We recommend purchasing your domain through Squarespace—or transferring it there if you’ve bought it elsewhere—to keep everything clean and easy.
Read this post before you buy your domain! Most people will go to GoDaddy for their domain, but then they have to figure out how to connect it to Squarespace. If you buy the domain from Squarespace from the beginning, you can connect it to your new site easily using the steps below.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the steps for buying a domain through Squarespace, connecting it to your website, and best practices for choosing the right domain name. We’ll also touch on domain extensions, compare Squarespace to other popular domain registrars, and answer frequently asked questions to help you make an informed decision when you go to purchase your new domain.
Why Buy a Domain Through Squarespace?
Squarespace acquired Google Domains in 2023, which means all Google Domains customers were migrated to Squarespace’s platform. With this acquisition, Squarespace is now a comprehensive solution for both website building and domain registration.
Purchasing your domain through Squarespace has several benefits:
Seamless integration: Domains purchased through Squarespace automatically connect to your Squarespace website. You don’t need to worry about manual DNS settings or domain mapping. (Don’t know what those terms mean? Purchase your domain through Squarespace and you won’t have to!)
All-in-one management: You can manage your domain, hosting, SSL certificates, and site content from a single dashboard.
Automatic renewals and billing: Squarespace handles renewal reminders and billing in one place. This reduces the risk of your domain expiring accidentally and allows you to have all your website-related billing in one account.
Enhanced support: Squarespace’s chat support connects you with a real person quickly. If your question requires a specialist, they’ll usually follow up via email within 24–48 hours.
While it’s technically possible to buy a domain from other registrars and connect it to Squarespace, doing so introduces additional steps and potential troubleshooting. That’s why, in most cases, we recommend purchasing your domain directly through Squarespace.
How to Buy a Domain on Squarespace
Buying a domain is straightforward and can usually be completed in a few minutes. Here’s how:
Go to your Squarespace dashboard and toggle from Dashboard → Domains → Get a Domain.
If you don’t already have a Squarespace account, go to squarespace.com → Get Started to create one and access your dashboard.
Search for your desired domain name using the Start your search here bar. Squarespace will show available domains and suggested alternatives if your first choice is taken.
Select the domain you want and add any additional similar domains. If you are going with howtobuyadomain.com, you may also want to purchase .net, .co, .org, etc., to prevent competitors from buying a domain with a different extension in the future (if funds allow).
Click Checkout and select your desired term length (1–10 years). Purchase the domain using your preferred payment method. Once purchased, the domain will live in your Domains area and can then be connected to the site of your choice.
(Note: Confirm with Squarespace whether the first year is free or waived if you buy the domain alongside a website plan.)
How to Connect Your Squarespace Domain to Your Site
Once you purchase your domain through Squarespace, it will now live inside your Squarespace account and ecosystem, making it very easy to connect to your website. Follow these simple steps:
Go to your Squarespace dashboard → Domains → Get a Domain.
Choose a domain. Some of you may have multiple domains (with different extensions or for future businesses).
Click Website → Connect existing website → choose a website → Next → Confirm.
Optional – If you purchased multiple domains with various names or extensions, follow the same process. Once connected, select a primary domain by toggling Dashboard → Website → Settings → Domains & Email → Domains → three dots → Set as Primary Domain.
Best Practices for Choosing a Domain Name
A good domain name is short, memorable, and easy to type.
Note: stnsvn.com does NOT follow best practices. It’s not easy to type. The domain we would have preferred, stationseven.com, was taken when we started our business, so we went with a trendy “no vowels” name. In hindsight, we would have chosen something easier to type and say out loud. We are actually exploring a new domain and considering the various new extensions available today.
Tips for a good domain:
Keep it short: Avoid overly long names or multiple hyphens.
Make it brandable: Use your business name or something unique aligned with your brand.
Avoid numbers or unusual spellings: These can confuse users.
Consider SEO: Including a relevant keyword can help, but don’t overdo it—branding is often more important than keyword stuffing.
Understanding Domain Extensions (TLDs)
Domain extensions, or top-level domains (TLDs), are the “.com,” “.net,” “.org,” and similar parts of a domain.
.com: Most popular and widely recognized. Ideal for businesses and personal brands.
.co: Short and trendy, but some users may accidentally type “.com.”
.org: Often used by nonprofits or community organizations.
.net: Commonly associated with tech companies.
Specialty TLDs: Squarespace also offers creative options like .design, .studio, .shop, etc. Good for branding but may be less familiar to users.
💡 Tip: For most businesses, a .com domain is still the safest choice for credibility and memorability. Specialty TLDs can work if they fit your brand voice and your audience is likely to remember them.
Connecting an Existing Domain to Squarespace
If you already own a domain from another registrar, you can connect it to Squarespace, but it requires extra steps:
Update DNS settings or name servers according to Squarespace’s instructions.
Ensure SSL certificates are properly set up so your site remains secure (some registrars may handle this automatically).
Test your site thoroughly after connecting to ensure everything resolves correctly.
For beginners or those who want the simplest experience, buying a domain through Squarespace is usually the easiest approach. We plan to write a future blog post on connecting domains from GoDaddy or Name.com, but a quick Google search now will give plenty of guides.
Squarespace vs. Other Registrars
Squarespace domains are priced competitively with other popular registrars, and the small price difference is often outweighed by the convenience of having everything managed in one place.
Here’s a quick comparison using a standard .com domain (based on non-discounted renewal pricing):
Squarespace: $20/year
GoDaddy: $21.99/year
Name.com: $19.99/year
While the cost difference is minimal, the experience is not. Squarespace domains connect to your site automatically through built-in tools, eliminating the need to adjust DNS records or troubleshoot third-party settings. In contrast, domains purchased through GoDaddy or Name.com require a few extra steps to link to your Squarespace site.
If you’re already using Squarespace to build your website, it’s usually easiest (and cleanest) to keep your domain there too.
Final Thoughts
Buying and connecting your domain through Squarespace is one of the simplest ways to get started online. With everything managed in one place, you can focus on building your website and growing your brand instead of troubleshooting DNS settings or juggling multiple accounts.
A well-chosen domain helps establish credibility, strengthens your brand, and sets you up for long-term success. Whether launching your first website or migrating from another platform, Squarespace provides a user-friendly, integrated approach that makes managing your domain and site easy. We are so grateful that Squarespace acquired Google Domains and highly recommend buying your domain through Squarespace (or transferring it over).
Feel free to explore our Squarespace templates and web design services for help taking that recently purchased domain and turning it into a new website!
FAQ
Can I buy multiple domains through Squarespace?
Yes, you can register multiple domains and manage them all from your Squarespace dashboard.
Can I transfer my existing domain to Squarespace?
Yes, Squarespace supports domain transfers. Make sure your domain is unlocked and you have the transfer code from your current registrar. Follow this Squarespace guide for transferring your domain.
How do I choose the right TLD for my business?
Generally, .com is the most recognized and trusted. Specialty TLDs can be fun for branding, but consider how memorable and credible they will be for your audience.
Can I set up custom email with my Squarespace domain?
Yes, Squarespace offers Google Workspace integration so you can create an email that matches your domain, like hello@yourbusiness.com. You can do this by going to Dashboard > choose your website > Settings > Domains & Email > Google Workspace.
Do I need a domain to launch my Squarespace site?
You can launch on a temporary Squarespace URL, but having your own domain looks more professional and helps with branding and SEO.