If you purchased a domain from Namecheap, you can use it for your Squarespace 5 site by following a process called domain mapping. This process includes changing a few settings in your Namecheap account, which will tell the domain where to point.
To follow this guide, you should already have an active domain with Namecheap. Once you connect your domain by following the steps in this guide, you must leave it registered with Namecheap to keep it connected to your Squarespace 5 site.
Tip: Before you begin, review our requirements for connecting a third-party domain.
Step 1 - Log into Namecheap
- Go to www.namecheap.com and log in to your account.
- In the left sidebar, click Domain List.
- Find the domain you're connecting to Squarespace, then click Manage.
- Click Advanced DNS at the top of the page.
Step 2 - Add the CNAME Record
In the Advanced DNS section for your Namecheap domain, click Add New Record.
- In the Type column, use the drop-down menu to select CNAME Record.
- In the Value column, enter ext5-cust.squarespace.com
- Leave the TTL column set to Automatic.
- Click Save All Changes.
Step 3 - Add the A Records
After adding your CNAME, add four A Records for the non-www version of your domain. Click Add New Record in the Advanced DNS section for your Namecheap domain.
- In the Type column, use the drop-down menu to select A Record.
- In the Host column, enter @
- In the Value column, enter 198.185.159.160
- Leave the TTL column set to Automatic.
- Click Save All Changes.
Repeat this process three more times using the following values:
- 198.185.159.161
- 198.49.23.160
- 198.49.23.161
Step 4 - Link your domain
After setting up your CNAME and A Record settings with Namecheap, link the domain to your site.
- Log into your Squarespace 5 site.
- Open the Website Management bar and click Custom Domain under Structure.
- Click Link Domain.
- Enter your custom domain
- Click Add.
If all records are entered correctly, your domain will connect to your site within 24 hours. At times, it can take up to 72 hours to connect. We have more information about this on our Squarespace 7 help site.
While you wait, you can check your domain’s progress across the Internet by using Whatsmydns.net. Until it connects, you'll see one of these two warnings:
When your Namecheap domain is correctly linked, it will appear in the Domains list.
Step 5 - Set domain display preferences (optional)
When you link a domain to your site, both the www domain version (e.g. www.yourdomain.com) and non-www domain version (e.g. domain.com) are automatically included.
Click the Toggle WWW link next to the domain to display the version you prefer.
