Building a professional website is about more than just great content. Your website's address, the URL, is a crucial part of your brand. Squarespace offers a user-friendly platform, but you might want to customize your URL beyond the default. This guide will walk you through the process of connecting a custom domain and removing any Squarespace branding from your website address.
Why a Custom Domain Matters
Your website’s URL is the first impression visitors have of your brand. A default Squarespace domain, like yourwebsite.squarespace.com, may not look as professional as a custom domain. Owning your domain helps build credibility and ensures that visitors recognize your brand instantly.
Beyond branding, a custom domain also provides technical and marketing advantages. It improves search engine optimization (SEO), helps with email marketing (since you can set up a branded email address), and offers long-term flexibility if you ever migrate to another platform.
Connecting Your Custom Domain
Squarespace allows you to connect a custom domain you already own or purchase one directly through their platform. Either way, linking your custom domain ensures your website URL looks professional and removes "Squarespace" from the address bar.
Steps to Connect a Custom Domain
Before getting started, ensure you have access to your domain registrar account if you’re using an external domain. If you're purchasing through Squarespace, the setup will be more straightforward.
- Log in to your Squarespace account and go to Settings > Domains.
- Choose between purchasing a domain via Squarespace or using a domain you already own.
- If using an external domain, follow the instructions to update your DNS records at your registrar.
- Wait for the connection to propagate, which may take up to 72 hours.
- Once completed, your Squarespace-branded subdomain will be replaced with your custom domain.
Removing Squarespace Branding from Your URL
After successfully connecting your custom domain, your website will no longer show a Squarespace-branded URL. However, if you still see remnants of "Squarespace" in links or search results, it may take some additional steps to fully remove branding.
What to Do If Your Old Squarespace URL Still Appears
Even after switching to a custom domain, you might notice your old Squarespace URL still appears in search results or redirects. Here’s how to fix that:
- Check your website settings: Ensure your new domain is set as the Primary Domain in Squarespace under Settings > Domains.
- Set up 301 redirects: Squarespace automatically redirects old URLs, but verify that your old subdomain correctly redirects to your new domain.
- Update internal links: Check your website content for any links that still point to the old Squarespace subdomain.
- Request search engine indexing: Submit your updated domain to Google Search Console to speed up search engine updates.
Addressing Subdomain Issues
By default, Squarespace assigns a subdomain (e.g., yourwebsite.squarespace.com) when you first create your website. This subdomain is temporary and is meant for preview purposes before connecting a custom domain. If you’re not ready to purchase a domain yet, you can at least make minor improvements by changing your default Squarespace subdomain.
How to Change Your Default Squarespace Subdomain
While you cannot completely remove the ".squarespace.com" portion without a custom domain, you can modify the first part to better reflect your brand:
- Go to Settings > Domains in your Squarespace dashboard.
- Click on your current Squarespace subdomain.
- Edit the first portion of the URL (e.g., from example.squarespace.com to yourbrand.squarespace.com).
- Save changes to update your subdomain.
Removing the Squarespace Logo from Other Places
Even after removing "Squarespace" from your URL, you might still see the Squarespace logo in your website’s footer, favicon, or elsewhere. This can make your website look less personalized. Fortunately, Squarespace allows you to replace these branding elements with your own.
How to Remove the Squarespace Logo
To ensure your branding is consistent, follow these steps:
- Go to Design > Logo & Title in your Squarespace settings.
- Remove any default Squarespace logos and upload your own branding.
- Check your favicon settings to replace the default Squarespace favicon with your custom logo.
Improving Your Website Branding and Domain Structure
Choosing the right domain is an important step in building a strong online presence. A clear, memorable domain enhances your credibility and makes your website easier to find.
Best Practices for Choosing a Custom Domain
When selecting a domain, consider these key factors:
- Keep it short, simple, and easy to spell.
- Avoid numbers, hyphens, and complex words.
- Use a .com extension if possible, as it’s the most recognized.
- Ensure it reflects your brand and business name.
Troubleshooting Domain Issues
If you experience problems while connecting your custom domain, check these common issues and their solutions:
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Domain not displaying correctly | Check your DNS settings and verify they match Squarespace’s instructions. |
| SSL certificate error | Allow up to 72 hours for SSL to activate after connecting your domain. |
| Redirect loop | Ensure your old Squarespace subdomain is correctly set to redirect to your new custom domain. |
Useful Links
Connecting a Third-Party Domain to Your Squarespace Site – Learn how to connect a domain purchased from another provider to your Squarespace website with this step-by-step guide.
Removing "Made with Squarespace" from Your Site – This article provides instructions on how to remove the "Made with Squarespace" badge from your website's footer for a cleaner look.
Using a Squarespace Domain – Find out how to register and manage a domain directly through Squarespace, simplifying the process of setting up your custom URL.
Enhance Your Squarespace with Powerful Plugins!
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Conclusion
Switching to a custom domain is one of the easiest ways to enhance your brand’s credibility. By removing "Squarespace" from your URL and replacing Squarespace branding elements, you create a seamless and professional experience for visitors.
With a properly configured domain, your website will be easier to find, remember, and trust.