Squarespace Review

About Squarespace

Squarespace Domains is a domain registration service that allows individuals, entrepreneurs, and businesses to search for, register, transfer, and manage domain names from one platform.

Squarespace offers more than 400 top-level domains, including familiar extensions such as .com, .net, .org, .io, .co, .xyz, .me, .tech, .shop, and .store. Customers can register a domain independently, meaning they do not need to purchase a Squarespace website plan to use the domain service.

A major focus of Squarespace Domains is simplicity. Features such as WHOIS privacy, SSL, Premium DNS, email forwarding, domain forwarding, and security tools are included rather than offered as separate add-ons in many cases. This can make the total cost easier to understand when comparing domain registrars.

Domain Search and Registration

Squarespace provides a simple domain search experience for users who already have a name in mind or need help generating ideas.

The registration process begins by entering a desired domain into the search tool. Users can then review availability across different domain extensions and select one or more options. Squarespace also offers an AI-powered domain name generator for users who need help brainstorming a suitable web address.

Once a domain is selected, users complete the registration process and can manage their domains from the same Squarespace account.

Squarespace also recommends registering alternative versions or common misspellings of a domain when appropriate. This can help businesses protect their brand and make it easier for visitors to reach the correct website.

400+ Domain Extensions

Squarespace gives customers access to more than 400 domain extensions.

Popular options include:

• .com
• .net
• .org
• .io
• .co
• .xyz
• .me
• .tech
• .site
• .shop
• .store

This range gives businesses and individuals more flexibility when a preferred .com address is unavailable or when a specialized extension better fits the brand.

For example, an online retailer may prefer a .shop or .store address, while a technology company may consider .io or .tech.

Squarespace’s search tool displays available alternatives, helping users compare different extensions before selecting the domain that works best for their needs.

Domain Pricing

Squarespace emphasizes transparent domain pricing.

According to Squarespace, the displayed domain price is designed to include relevant features, tools, taxes, and fees so customers can better understand the total cost at checkout.

The exact registration price varies depending on the domain extension selected. Premium domains and certain specialized extensions can cost more than standard domain names.

One advantage of Squarespace’s pricing model is that several useful domain features are included rather than sold separately. These include eligible WHOIS privacy, SSL, Premium DNS, email forwarding, spam-free parking pages, domain forwarding, and account security features.

Users should still review renewal pricing before purchasing because domain registrations require ongoing renewal to maintain ownership.

Free Domain With an Annual Squarespace Plan

Customers who choose an eligible annual Squarespace website plan can register their first domain free for the first year.

This can be useful for new businesses or individuals who need both a domain and a website.

Instead of purchasing the domain separately, customers can begin building their website while managing the domain and site under one Squarespace account.

After the first year, the domain renews at its applicable standard rate, so users should check the renewal cost when selecting their domain.

It is important to note that purchasing a Squarespace website plan is not required to use Squarespace Domains. Customers can register a domain and connect it to another website platform, hosting provider, email service, or application.

WHOIS Privacy

Squarespace includes WHOIS privacy with all eligible domains at no additional cost.

Domain registration records can contain contact information associated with the domain owner. WHOIS privacy helps conceal eligible personal details from public domain lookup records.

Including this feature can be especially useful for individual website owners, freelancers, and small businesses that do not want their personal registration information easily accessible online.

Because privacy is included with eligible Squarespace domains rather than charged as a separate upgrade, users can receive additional protection without adding another recurring service to their domain costs.

Domain Security

Security is one of the stronger parts of Squarespace’s domain offering.

Squarespace states that its domains include built-in security and privacy protection. Domains can benefit from DNSSEC powered by CloudDNS, SSL certificates, two-factor authentication options, and domain activity monitoring.

SSL Certificates

Squarespace includes SSL certificates with its domains. These certificates help encrypt connections between visitors and websites.

For websites hosted through Squarespace, SSL certificates are automatically renewed, reducing the need for customers to manually manage certificates.

DNSSEC

DNSSEC helps protect domain users against certain attacks that attempt to redirect visitors to fraudulent destinations.

Squarespace says DNSSEC is provided through CloudDNS as part of its security infrastructure.

Two-Factor Authentication

Users can also enable two-factor authentication for additional account security.

This adds another verification step when accessing important account and domain settings.

Squarespace also provides a domain activity log that records changes made by domain owners and managers, giving users greater visibility into domain activity.

Premium DNS

Premium DNS is included with Squarespace domains.

DNS controls how a domain directs visitors to the correct website, application, or online service. Reliable DNS management is important because it affects how visitors reach a website.

Squarespace includes DNS functionality within the domain service, making it possible to connect domains to Squarespace websites or other hosting services without purchasing a separate DNS product.

This can be useful for customers who want greater flexibility while still managing their domain through Squarespace.

Domain Forwarding

Squarespace includes free domain and URL forwarding.

Domain forwarding allows users to send visitors from one domain to another online destination. For example, a business could register several variations of its brand name and direct all of them to its primary website.

Squarespace also lets users forward a domain to destinations such as a Bio Site, social profile, landing page, or another website.

This makes a domain useful even when a full website has not yet been created.

Users can also connect their custom domain directly to a Squarespace website if they decide to use the company’s site-building platform.

Email Forwarding and Professional Email

Email forwarding is included with Squarespace domains.

This lets customers create an address associated with their domain and forward incoming messages to another existing inbox.

For users who want a complete professional email inbox, Squarespace also integrates with Google Workspace.

A business could therefore create an address such as:

hello@yourbusiness.com

Squarespace explains that users can purchase professional email through its Google Workspace partnership. Customers who already use another email provider can configure the necessary DNS records through their Squarespace domain settings instead.

This gives users flexibility to choose between basic forwarding and a full professional email solution.

Domain Transfers

Squarespace allows users to transfer eligible domains from another registrar into their Squarespace account.

This can be helpful for users who already own several domains but want to consolidate them under one provider.

Once transferred, the domain can be managed alongside other Squarespace services while retaining the ability to connect it to an external website, hosting provider, email service, or application.

Squarespace promotes domain transfers as a way to centralize management while maintaining flexibility over where the domain is ultimately used.

For users who previously had domains with Google Domains, Squarespace also emphasizes a familiar, streamlined domain-management experience following the migration of Google Domains registrations to Squarespace.

Build a Website With Your Domain

While Squarespace Domains can be used independently, the service integrates naturally with Squarespace’s website-building platform.

Users can purchase a domain and connect it directly to a Squarespace website without needing to manually coordinate multiple providers.

Squarespace website plans include website hosting and storage, while eligible annual plans may include the first domain free for one year.

This can simplify setup for users who want to create a portfolio, business website, online store, or service-based website.

However, users are not locked into the Squarespace website builder. Squarespace states that domains can also be linked to another web host, email provider, or custom application.

Pay Links

One distinctive feature offered through Squarespace Domains is Pay Links.

Pay Links allow users to create custom payment links connected to their domain without requiring a full website.

This can be useful for freelancers, independent professionals, creators, and small businesses that want to collect payments before investing in a complete website.

Users can share the payment link directly with customers through messages, social media, or other digital channels.

For businesses that eventually need a larger online presence, the same domain can later be connected to a full Squarespace website or online store.

Ease of Use

Squarespace Domains is designed around a streamlined registration and management experience.

Users can search for a domain, compare available extensions, register their preferred option, and manage the domain from one account.

The inclusion of security, privacy, DNS, forwarding, and email-forwarding features also reduces the number of separate services users may need to configure.

Squarespace’s domain service can work particularly well for beginners who want fewer technical steps, while still giving experienced users the ability to connect their domain to external website hosts or applications.

The domain can also be registered before a website is ready. Squarespace provides a simple, ad-free holding page until users decide where they want the domain to point.

Who Is Squarespace Domains Best For?

Squarespace Domains can be especially suitable for:

• Small businesses registering a new domain
• Freelancers and creators building a professional brand
• Existing Squarespace website users
• Users who want WHOIS privacy included
• Businesses that value transparent domain pricing
• Customers who need domain and URL forwarding
• Users who want flexibility to connect a domain to another host

Because Squarespace Domains does not require customers to use the Squarespace website builder, it can also work for users who simply want a registrar with built-in security and privacy features.

Customer Support

Squarespace provides 24/7 customer support as part of its domain offering.

Support is available for users who need assistance with domain registration, DNS settings, domain connections, transfers, email configuration, and other domain-management tasks.

Customers also have access to Squarespace’s Help Center and other self-service resources.

Having domain registration and website services under one provider can make troubleshooting easier for users who build their website with Squarespace, while customers using external hosts can still receive assistance with their domain settings.

Final Verdict

Squarespace Domains combines straightforward domain registration with an unusually broad set of included features.

Customers can choose from more than 400 domain extensions, while eligible registrations include WHOIS privacy, SSL, Premium DNS, email forwarding, domain forwarding, security tools, and 24/7 support. Unlike platforms that require users to purchase a website plan, Squarespace allows customers to register and manage domains independently and connect them to another web host or application if desired.

Its biggest advantage is simplicity. Many features that competing registrars may treat as separate upgrades are integrated into the Squarespace domain experience.

The service is particularly well suited to individuals and small businesses that value transparent pricing, included privacy protection, and flexibility. Users who later decide to build a Squarespace website can also connect the domain directly and may receive their first domain free for one year with an eligible annual website plan.

For customers looking for a domain registrar that combines strong built-in security, privacy, forwarding tools, and website integration, Squarespace Domains provides a comprehensive and easy-to-manage option.