How to Get Rid of .Squarespace in URL: Streamlining Your Domain Setup [2024]

How to Remove .Squarespace from URL: A Step-by-Step Domain Customization Guide

When creating a website on Squarespace, users are initially provided with a built-in domain that includes ".squarespace.com" in the URL. This default domain is functional but may not adequately reflect the professional image many site owners wish to present.

To establish a stronger brand identity, it's advisable to remove ".squarespace" from the URL. This can be achieved by registering a custom domain, either through Squarespace or an external domain provider.

Switching to a custom domain not only enhances the website's credibility in the eyes of visitors but also contributes to better branding and search engine visibility.

Moreover, custom domains are easier to remember and share, which can help in marketing efforts and word-of-mouth referrals.

The transition from a Squarespace subdomain to a custom domain is a straightforward process, and Squarespace provides a set of tools to manage the domain and ensure that the switch does not adversely affect existing traffic.

Key Takeaways

• Removing '.squarespace' from the URL requires registering a custom domain.

• Custom domains improve the site's professional image and are memorable for visitors.

• Squarespace guides users through the domain change to preserve site traffic.

Understanding Squarespace URLs

When creating a Squarespace website, the URL structure is a fundamental component in how content is accessed and how it performs in search engine rankings.

The Structure of a Squarespace URL

A Squarespace URL typically consists of the domain name followed by a series of forward slashes that represent different levels of content within the website.

For instance, a standard URL might look like this: http://www.example.com/about/. Here, example.com is the domain and /about/ represents a specific page on the website.

Key Elements of a Squarespace URL:

• Domain: The unique name that identifies a website on the Internet.

• Protocol: Usually http or https, indicating how data is transferred.

• Path: The part after the domain, directing to specific content on the site.

Initially, Squarespace provides a built-in domain, which includes .squarespace.com at the end of the URL. For example, a new site might have a URL like http://your-site-name.squarespace.com/.

Why Remove the .Squarespace Domain Suffix

There are several reasons to remove the .squarespace.com suffix from the URL:

1. Professionalism: A custom domain without the .squarespace.com suffix appears more professional and is easier to remember.

2. Branding: A custom domain reinforces brand identity and makes the URL uniquely associated with the business or individual.

3. SEO Benefits: Search engines may favor websites with custom domains, potentially improving search engine ranking.

4. Memorability: Custom domains are typically shorter and more memorable, facilitating direct traffic to the website.

To remove the .squarespace.com suffix, users must upgrade to a paid plan and register a custom domain, either through Squarespace or another domain provider.

Once set up, the custom domain replaces the default .squarespace.com URL, thus streamlining the website’s branding and potentially enhancing its SEO profile.

Setting Up a Custom Domain

To remove the default .Squarespace suffix and establish a professional online presence, one needs to set up a custom domain for their Squarespace website.

This involves either registering a new domain name, connecting an existing domain, or setting a custom domain as the primary one for the website.

Registering a New Domain Name

One can purchase and register a new domain directly through Squarespace. The steps include:

1. Log in to the Squarespace account.

2. Navigate to the Settings menu.

3. Select Domains and click on Get a Domain.

4. Search for the desired domain name and choose one that is available.

5. Follow the prompts to purchase and register the domain.

Upon successful registration, the domain will automatically be connected to the website.

Connecting an Existing Domain

If one already owns a domain from another provider, they can connect it to their Squarespace website by:

1. Logging in to the Squarespace account.

2. Going to Settings and selecting Domains.

3. Clicking on Use a Domain I Own.

4. Entering the domain name and selecting the domain provider from the list or using the option for provider not listed.

5. Updating the DNS settings at the domain provider as per Squarespace’s instructions.

One should save all changes and check Squarespace for confirmation that the domain is connected.

Making the Custom Domain Primary

To set a custom domain as the primary one, the user should:

1. Log in to their account.

2. Visit Settings and then Domains.

3. Click on the domain they wish to set as primary.

4. Select the Set as Primary Domain option and save the change.

The chosen domain will become the main address for the website, and the .squarespace.com URL will redirect to the new custom domain.

Implementing Redirections

When a website moves to a new domain or changes its structure, implementing redirections is crucial to guide users and search engines to the correct pages.

Properly configured, these redirections preserve SEO rankings and ensure a smooth transition for site traffic.

Setting Up 301 Redirects

To set up 301 redirects on a Squarespace site, one must access the Settings menu and select Advanced, followed by URL Mappings.

Here, they can enter the old and new URLs in a specific format:

/old-url -> /new-url 301

This line tells the browser that the old URL has permanently moved to the new URL. To redirect an entire domain, they use a wildcard operator:

/old-url/* -> /new-url/* 301

The * acts as a placeholder for any following path. This ensures that any traffic attempting to access old pages is seamlessly directed to the corresponding new pages.

Updating DNS Settings for Redirection

For domain-level redirection, one must update the DNS settings.

This involves modifying the appropriate DNS records to point to the new domain. Users typically perform this step through their domain host’s control panel.

The primary records to change include the A record for the main domain and the CNAME record for subdomains.

These changes tell servers across the internet to direct traffic for the old domain to the new destination.

It's essential that these updates are made carefully to prevent any downtime.

After these changes, it can take up to 48 hours for all users to be redirected as the DNS changes propagate worldwide.

Google will eventually crawl and index the new URLs, recognizing the 301 redirects and transferring the search rankings to the new URLs.

To speed up this process, it's advisable to update the sitemap in Google's Search Console.

Enhancing Your Squarespace Site

To elevate a Squarespace website, one must concentrate on optimizing SEO for broader visibility and refining design elements to bolster user experience.

Optimizing SEO for Better Reach

Keyword Strategy: The foundation of SEO is a well-researched keyword strategy.

Brands should identify core keywords that are relevant to their niche and integrate them seamlessly into page titles, descriptions, and content.

1. Titles and Descriptions: Ensure each page on the Squarespace platform includes a unique title and description featuring primary keywords.

2. Image Alt Text: Add descriptive alt text to images, incorporating keywords to improve image search results.

Mobile Optimization: Google favors mobile-friendly websites.

They should perform routine checks on mobile responsiveness to ensure the user experience is consistent across all devices.

1. Responsive Design Check: Squarespace templates are inherently responsive, but it's vital to verify that all elements display correctly on various screen sizes.

2. Loading Speed: Utilize compression tools for images and review code for unnecessary bloating that could slow down the site.

Improving User Experience and Design

Navigation and Structure: A well-structured website with intuitive navigation enhances both the user experience and the website's SEO performance.

• Clear Menu: Maintain a clean, easy-to-follow menu structure.

• Logical Flow: Organize content in a way that guides visitors logically through the site.

Consistent Branding: Effective branding extends beyond a logo. Ensure consistency in the use of colors, fonts, and styling to reinforce brand identity.

• Visual Cohesion: Apply a uniform color scheme and typography across the platform.

• Brand Voice: Align all written content with the brand's voice for a coherent narrative.

Collecting Feedback: Regularly solicit feedback from users and integrate their insights into the site's design and functionality.

1. Feedback Forms: Embed feedback forms within the website.

2. Analytics Review: Regularly examine analytics for user behavior patterns. Make data-driven adjustments to the site.

Squarespace editors empower site owners to make these enhancements directly within the platform. This facilitates a continuous process of improvement and refinement.