Sometimes, you set up your website in a rush. Maybe you picked a domain name that felt “good enough” at the time—because, honestly, you just wanted to get your idea online. That was me. I threw together my Squarespace site with a random domain, thinking I could fix it later. A few weeks in, I realized the domain didn’t represent me anymore. My brand had evolved, but my domain hadn’t. So naturally, I asked the question: can I change my domain name Squarespace?
Turns out, the answer is yes—but with a few rules and caveats you need to know first. So if you’re standing where I once stood, unsure how to switch things up without breaking your whole site, let me walk you through what I’ve learned.
Quick Key Points
- Built-in domains can be edited anytime via Site ID.
- Custom domains can’t be renamed but can be replaced.
- You have 5 days to change newly registered Squarespace domains.
Understanding Domain Types on Squarespace
Before we go into the how-to, let’s talk basics. Squarespace gives every site a default domain—something like yourname.squarespace.com. It’s a built-in domain, mainly used during the early stages or while your site’s still under construction.
Then there’s the custom domain, like www.myawesomebrand.com. You either buy it through Squarespace or connect one from elsewhere. This is the domain your visitors actually see—and it becomes your site’s digital front door.
When I first started, I didn’t realize these two were different. But understanding the distinction helped me plan better when I wanted to change my site name without messing up my content or SEO.
Can I Change My Built-In Domain Name on Squarespace?
Short answer? Yes.
If you’re using a built-in domain, you can change it by editing the Site ID. That’s the part before .squarespace.com. For example, if your current domain is jellydonuts.squarespace.com, and your brand evolves into something sleeker like urbanbites, you can go in and make that change.
Here’s how I did it:
Steps to Change Built-In Domain (Site ID):
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Go to Settings in your Squarespace dashboard |
| 2 | Click Domains |
| 3 | Under “Built-In Domain”, click your current domain |
| 4 | Change the Site ID to your new name |
| 5 | Hit Save and wait for the confirmation email |
It’s super simple. But be careful—this doesn’t change a custom domain. That’s a whole different story.
Changing a Custom Domain on Squarespace
Here’s where it gets real. If you bought a custom domain through Squarespace, you can’t technically rename it. After 5 days, it’s locked in. Yep, you read that right.
But don’t worry—you still have options.
I realized that instead of renaming the domain, what you can do is connect a new domain to your site, set it as the primary, and keep your old one as a backup or redirect. It’s like moving houses—you keep your stuff, but now your address is fresh.
Options for Custom Domain Changes
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Transfer | Move a domain from another provider into Squarespace |
| Connect | Link a domain you already own to your site |
| Buy New | Purchase a new one directly through Squarespace |
Once your new domain is set up, you just need to mark it as your primary domain. This ensures that all visitors and search engines go to the right place.
Can I Keep My Website and Just Change the Domain Name?
Absolutely. When I changed my domain, my biggest worry was, “Will I lose everything I built?”
Good news: your website stays exactly the same—pages, blogs, galleries, everything. It’s just the domain that changes. Think of it like changing your phone number. Your phone still works, you just give people a new way to reach you.
That said, there’s one thing to be mindful of: internal links. If you’ve linked pages using the full domain (like www.oldname.com/blog), you’ll need to go back and update those.
Also, don’t forget to set up redirects from the old domain to the new one. That way, visitors (and Google!) don’t get lost.
How to Change a Page URL or Slug in Squarespace 7.1
Changing your domain is one thing, but what if you just want to tweak the page URLs—like turning /about-us into /our-story?
I did this when my content tone shifted, and I wanted URLs that matched. It’s an easy fix.
Here’s how:
- Open the Pages panel.
- Hover over the page you want to edit.
- Click the ⚙️ Settings icon.
- Scroll to URL Slug.
- Type your new slug and hit Save.
That’s it. But remember: short, clear, and SEO-friendly slugs are your best bet. Avoid weird symbols or random numbers. You want people (and search engines) to understand where they’re going.
Best Practices Before Changing Your Squarespace Domain
Before you hit that big change button, take a breath. Here’s what I learned after doing this the messy way the first time:
- Backup your site content. Even though Squarespace is stable, having an export is just smart.
- Update Google Search Console. If you’re changing domains, re-submit your sitemap.
- Create 301 redirects. This tells Google and users that your old URLs now point to the new ones.
- Keep branding consistent. New domain? Match it with updated logos, headers, and email addresses.
It’s not just a technical change—it’s part of your brand’s story. Own it with intention.
FAQs
Can I change my Squarespace domain name after 5 days?
No, domains purchased through Squarespace can only be canceled or changed within the first 5 days.
Can I change my built-in domain name anytime?
Yes, you can change your Site ID to update your built-in domain whenever you want.
Will changing my domain delete my website?
No, your content stays the same. Only the web address changes.
Can I connect a domain I already own to Squarespace?
Yes, you can connect or transfer an existing domain to your Squarespace site.
Will changing my domain hurt my SEO?
Not if you set up proper 301 redirects and update your sitemap with Google.
Can I remove the built-in Squarespace domain?
No, it remains in the background for internal use but won’t affect your live site if a custom domain is set as primary.
Can I use more than one domain on my site?
Yes, you can connect multiple domains and set one as primary. Others will redirect automatically.
