How to Connect Your Domain to Squarespace
If your domain is registered with HostGator but your website is built on Squarespace, you'll need to update your domain's DNS records so that visitors who enter your domain name are directed to your Squarespace site. This involves adding two CNAME records and four A records to your domain through your Customer Portal.
Here are the topics discussed in this article:
Before You Begin
- Have your Squarespace site ready to connect, and know your unique verification code (found in your Squarespace site's DNS Settings panel under Settings > Domains > [your domain] > DNS Settings).
- Changes to DNS records can take time to take effect, so plan this outside of a critical business window if possible.
- If your domain currently has existing A or CNAME records for the root domain (@) or www, you'll be replacing them, not adding duplicates.
Step 1: Get DNS Records From Squarespace
Squarespace requires the following DNS records:
A records (all four point the root domain to Squarespace):
| Host | Type | Value |
|---|---|---|
| @ | A | 198.185.159.144 |
| @ | A | 198.185.159.145 |
| @ | A | 198.49.23.144 |
| @ | A | 198.49.23.145 |
CNAME records:
| Host | Type | Points |
|---|---|---|
| *[your unique verification code] | CNAME | verify.squarespace.com |
| www | CNAME | ext-cust.squarespace.com |
* The host value for your verification CNAME is unique to your account and is generated in your Squarespace DNS Settings panel.
Step 2: Add the Records to Customer Portal
- Log in to your Customer Portal.
- Click Domain in the navigation menu on the left.
- Select the domain you want to update. (If you have only one domain, you may be redirected automatically.)
- Click the DNS tab.
- Click + Add Record.
- You can choose to add DNS records individually or in bulk (Single record or Multiple records).
- In the pop-up window, select A from the Type dropdown, then enter the A record values provided by Squarespace. (See table above.)
.
- Click Add to save the new A record. Repeat this process for the remaining three A records.
- Next, select CNAME from the Type dropdown, then enter the CNAME values provided by Squarespace. (See table above.)
- Click Add to save the new CNAME record. Repeat this step for the second CNAME record.
Now that you've added the DNS records pointing to Squarespace, review your existing DNS records and remove any conflicting A records or CNAME records that point elsewhere. This helps prevent routing issues and ensures your domain resolves correctly to your Squarespace site.
Step 3: Wait for Propagation
DNS propagation can take a few hours, although Squarespace recommends allowing up to 48 hours in some cases. In most instances, your domain will begin resolving to your Squarespace site well before that timeframe ends.
Step 4: Confirm the Connection with Squarespace
Navigate back to your Squarespace site's DNS Settings panel and check the domain status. Squarespace will show the domain as verified and connected once it detects the correct DNS records.