How to Transfer a Domain to Squarespace

Many website users want to enter the world of Squarespace but may think it’s too late since they already have an existing website or domain. That is a myth and you can easily transfer your existing domain to a Squarespace website. If you have an existing domain that you purchased through a third party provider, then this is how you can transfer it to Squarespace and start managing it on the platform. 

Before you start the process to transfer your domain to Squarespace, you want to make sure that your domain is unlocked. A locked domain would not be able to properly transfer over to Squarespace. You can unlock your domain by following the instructions of the third party provider you are currently using for your domain. If your domain ends with .co.uk, .de, and .uk, then it is already unlocked and you do not need to unlock it. 

Before we move on to Squarespace, don’t forget to get the EPP code or transfer key from your current third party domain provider! You’ll need this as an authorization code for Squarespace. 
Now it’s time to go on Squarespace and start the transfer process! You want to go to Settings > Domains > Use A Domain I Own.

Here you will input the domain that you want to transfer over and you will click on the right arrow. Squarespace will give you the option to Transfer Domain or Connect Domain. Transfer Domain is recommended, since it allows you to manage all your websites and domains in one place instead of managing them on different platforms. If you choose Connect Domain, then you will link, or connect to your Squarespace website, but would still have to manage the domain on the original third party platform. For this tutorial, you’ll click on Transfer Domain and this is where your EEP code or transfer key will come in hand! You will insert it in the Authorization Code section and Save and Continue.

The next step is registering your domain and reviewing the pricing and payment for your domain. It is free to transfer your domain to Squarespace, but you’ll have to pay the price for the one year extension of your domain registration. Once everything is filled out and you have reviewed pricing, then you’ll click on Confirm and Purchase.

Now it’s time to go back to Settings > Domains to check on the status of your domain transfer. Your domain will now be listed under Domains and you should see “Transfer pending” under the domain you just added .You can click on the domain to see the status of the domain and to see if there are any issues with the transfer. If there are any issues, then you will see an error message and will be able to see what the issue might be. The most common issues are domains being locked or incorrect authorization codes (EEP code or transfer key).

The last step is to wait for the transfer to complete! Depending on your third party provider this process may be a few minutes or up to 15 days. If it’s taking longer than that, then it’s recommended to talk to your third party provider to see why there is a delay. Once your domain transfer is completed, then you are all set! You’ll be able to seamlessly manage all your domains on the Squarespace platform.