How to Change Your Domain on Squarespace (Built-In and Custom)

Changing your domain on Squarespace can mean two quite different things: renaming the free web address every site comes with, or switching which custom domain your site uses as its main address. Both live in the same Domains panel, and both take a minute, but they work very differently. Here's how to do each, the rules for site IDs, and what happens to your search rankings.

Which domain do you want to change?

Domain type	Looks like	What you can change
Built-in domain	yoursiteid.squarespace.com	The site ID at the front
Custom domain	yourbusiness.com	Which one is your primary domain

Squarespace explains that every site comes with a built-in domain, and that when you add a custom domain, visitors see that instead.

Change your built-in Squarespace domain

1. Open the Domains panel.
2. Under Built-In Domain, click the domain.
3. Enter a new Site ID.
4. Click Save.

If the site ID is taken, you'll see an error and need to try another. Squarespace sends you an email titled Your Updated Squarespace URL for your records.

The rules for a new site ID

• Between 3 and 30 characters.
• Letters, numbers and hyphens only.
• It can't end with a hyphen.
• It must begin with a letter.

Squarespace creates your first site ID from two random words, so it's often something odd. Changing it to your business name looks far more professional when you share a preview link.

Set a different primary custom domain

1. Open the Domains panel.
2. Click the three dots next to the domain you want as your main address.
3. Click Set as primary domain.
4. Choose the domain or subdomain from the dropdown.
5. Click Set.

For a domain registered elsewhere, click it under Domains managed by a third-party, then choose Set as primary domain under Actions. Squarespace notes the domain must be connected correctly first, which can take up to 48 hours.

How the primary domain works

Squarespace says the first custom domain you add is automatically your primary, and stays that way until you choose another. Only one domain can be primary, and all your other custom domains redirect to it with a 301 redirect, so visitors always see your main address. Setting a new primary automatically removes primary status from the old one.

The search detail people don't realise

Here's the bit worth knowing. Squarespace explains that search engines only show your primary custom domain, and that your built-in squarespace.com domain doesn't redirect to your custom domain. If your built-in address ever appears in Google results, Squarespace suggests using Google Search Console to request a reindex. It also notes the built-in domain can't be your primary.

Changing your business name or brand?

• Register or connect the new domain first.
• Set it as your primary domain so the old one redirects to it.
• Keep the old domain active so links to it keep working.
• Update your email signature, social profiles and listings.
• Tell your customers and email list about the change.

Squarespace's redirect from secondary domains only points to the root of your site, not to individual pages, so keeping the same page addresses after a rebrand makes a big difference. My guide to using your domain name as a marketing tool covers choosing a strong name, and my website migration tips explain how to protect your rankings through a change.

Find your built-in domain quickly

If you're not sure what your built-in address is, log in to your site and look at your browser's address bar. Squarespace says it always shows your built-in domain while you're logged in, even if you have a custom domain, and that you should copy everything before /config. You'll need it if you ever contact support, so it's worth saving somewhere.

Why visitors don't see your built-in address

Once you've connected a custom domain, that's the address your visitors see. Squarespace notes that the built-in address still appears when you're logged in, for security, and that people who know how Squarespace works may spot it in your login screen or page code. That's normal and nothing to worry about. What matters is that your custom domain is set as primary, because that's the one customers type in, share and remember.

Choosing a good new domain

• Keep it short and easy to spell when you say it out loud.
• Avoid hyphens and numbers if you can, since they're easy to get wrong.
• Make it match your business or personal brand.
• Check it isn't too close to a competitor's name.

Your domain is often the first thing people see of your business, on business cards, social profiles and email. It's worth taking a little time to get it right, because changing it later means updating everything that points to it.

My verdict

Open the Domains panel. To rename your free squarespace.com address, click the built-in domain, enter a new site ID that follows the rules, and save. To switch your main address, set a different custom domain as primary. Keep old domains connected so they redirect, and only your primary custom domain will show in search.

Frequently asked questions

How do I change my Squarespace domain name?

Open the Domains panel. Click your built-in domain to change the site ID, or set another custom domain as primary.

What are the rules for a Squarespace site ID?

Between 3 and 30 characters, letters, numbers and hyphens only, starting with a letter and not ending in a hyphen.

Can my squarespace.com address be my primary domain?

No. Only custom domains can be set as the primary domain.

What happens to my other domains when I change the primary?

They redirect to the primary domain with a 301 redirect.

How long does a third-party domain take to connect to Squarespace?

Squarespace says connection and propagation can take up to 48 hours.