How to Connect Squarespace Domain to Shopify

You bought a domain through Squarespace. Now you want it on Shopify. Good news: you do not need to transfer it.

Learning how to connect Squarespace domain to Shopify takes about 15 minutes of actual work. The rest is waiting for DNS propagation.

This guide walks you through the entire domain pointing process. You will update A records, CNAME records, and TXT records in your Squarespace DNS panel.

No coding. No technical background required.

By the end, your custom domain loads your Shopify store while registration stays with Squarespace. You keep control of renewals and domain management exactly where they are.

How to Connect Squarespace Domain to Shopify

Connecting a Squarespace domain to Shopify is the process of updating your DNS records so visitors land on your Shopify store instead of Squarespace.

You keep the domain registered with Squarespace. You just point it somewhere else.

Users need this when migrating stores, switching e-commerce platforms, or wanting Shopify checkout while keeping their existing web address.

This guide covers 6 steps. Active setup takes 15-20 minutes; DNS propagation can take up to 48 hours. Beginner-friendly, no coding required.

Prerequisites

Before touching any settings, make sure you have these ready:

• Squarespace account with an active domain registration
• Shopify store on any plan (Basic, Shopify, or Advanced)
• Admin access to both platforms
• Domain unlocked in Squarespace (check Settings > Domains > Domain Lock)

Time needed: 15-20 minutes of clicking around, then waiting.

The 48-hour propagation window is the annoying part. Your site might work in 10 minutes or take the full two days.

If you are still learning how to use Squarespace, spend some time in the domain panel first. Get familiar with where things live.

Step One: How Do You Access Your Domain Settings in Shopify?

Open your Shopify admin dashboard and go to Settings > Domains. Click “Connect existing domain” and type your full domain name (like yourbrand.com).

Shopify generates the DNS records you need. Keep this tab open.

Action

• Path: Shopify Admin > Settings > Domains
• Click “Connect existing domain”
• Enter your domain exactly as registered (no www)
• Result: Shopify displays A record, CNAME record, and TXT record values

Purpose

This tells Shopify to expect traffic from your domain. Without this step, Shopify won’t recognize incoming requests and your SSL certificate setup fails.

Step Two: How Do You Remove Squarespace Default DNS Records?

Log into your Squarespace account. Navigate to Account Dashboard > Domains and select the domain you want to connect.

Click “DNS” to open the DNS management panel.

Look for “Squarespace Defaults” in the records list. Delete it by clicking the trash icon.

Action

• Path: Squarespace Account Dashboard > Domains > [Your Domain] > DNS
• Find the “Squarespace Defaults” record
• Click the red trash icon to remove
• Result: DNS panel shows empty or only your custom records

Purpose

The default records point your domain to Squarespace servers. You cannot add records pointing elsewhere until these are gone.

Skip this and your new records get ignored. Took me a while to figure that out the first time.

If you need to change your domain name on Squarespace later, you will be back in this same panel.

Step Three: How Do You Add the A Record for Shopify?

Still in the Squarespace DNS panel, click “ADD RECORD” to create a new entry.

Select “A” as the record type. This is the A record that points your root domain to Shopify’s IP address.

Action

• Click “ADD RECORD” in Squarespace DNS settings
• Record Type: A
• Host: @ (or leave blank, depending on interface)
• Points to: 23.227.38.65
• TTL: Automatic
• Click “SAVE”

Purpose

The A record tells the Domain Name System where to send visitors who type your root domain (yourbrand.com without www).

That IP address, 23.227.38.65, belongs to Shopify. All Shopify stores use it.

Double-check the numbers. One wrong digit and nothing works.

Step Four: How Do You Add the CNAME Record for the WWW Subdomain?

Back in the Squarespace DNS panel, click “ADD RECORD” again. This time you are creating a CNAME record for the www version of your domain.

Without this, visitors typing www.yourbrand.com get an error page.

Action

• Click “ADD RECORD” in Squarespace DNS settings
• Record Type: CNAME
• Host: www
• Points to: shops.myshopify.com
• TTL: Automatic
• Click “SAVE”

Purpose

The CNAME record handles subdomain routing. It tells DNS servers that www.yourbrand.com should resolve to Shopify’s servers at shops.myshopify.com.

Common mistake: typing “shopify.com” instead of “shops.myshopify.com”. The full string matters.

Step Five: How Do You Add the TXT Record for Domain Verification?

Shopify needs proof you own the domain. The TXT record provides that verification.

Switch back to your Shopify admin tab. Find the verification string Shopify generated for you.

Action

• In Shopify Admin > Settings > Domains, click your pending domain
• Locate the “New value” field and copy the entire text string
• Return to Squarespace DNS panel
• Click “ADD RECORD”, select TXT type
• Host: @ (or leave blank)
• Value: paste the copied string
• Click “SAVE”

Purpose

Domain verification prevents hijacking. Shopify will not complete the connection without confirming ownership through this TXT record.

Step Six: How Do You Verify the Domain Connection in Shopify?

All DNS records are now in place. Time to tell Shopify to check them.

Go back to your Shopify admin and trigger the verification process.

Action

• Path: Shopify Admin > Settings > Domains
• Click “I updated DNS records” or “Verify connection”
• Wait for Shopify to confirm (few minutes to 48 hours)
• Result: Domain status changes to “Connected”

Purpose

Shopify queries the DNS system to confirm your records exist and point to the correct locations. The SSL certificate provisioning starts automatically after successful verification.

Verification

Domain status should show “Connected” in Shopify Admin > Settings > Domains.

Test both versions of your URL:

• yourbrand.com (root domain)
• www.yourbrand.com (www subdomain)

Both should load your Shopify store. Clear your browser cache first to avoid seeing old data.

The HTTPS padlock icon appears after SSL provisioning completes. Usually within 48 hours, often much faster.

If you set up a landing page as your Shopify homepage, check that it loads correctly on the custom domain.

Troubleshooting

Issue: Domain Shows “Verification Pending” After 48 Hours

Check your A record IP address. Must be exactly 23.227.38.65, not a variation.

Confirm CNAME points to shops.myshopify.com. A common typo is “shop.myshopify.com” (missing the s).

Issue: SSL Certificate Not Issued

Look for CAA records in Squarespace DNS panel. These can block certificate issuance.

Delete any CAA records or add one that permits Let’s Encrypt (Shopify’s certificate provider).

Issue: Email Stopped Working After DNS Changes

You probably deleted MX records when removing Squarespace Defaults.

Add your email provider’s MX records back. Shopify does not provide email hosting, so this is separate from your store setup.

Issue: Site Shows Squarespace Content Instead of Shopify

Squarespace Default records still exist. Go back to DNS settings and delete them.

Also verify all your new records saved properly. Squarespace sometimes fails silently.

Alternative Methods

Method A: Pointing Domain (This Guide)

• Time: 15-20 minutes active setup
• Domain management: Stays in Squarespace
• Renewal billing: Through Squarespace
• Best for: Users who want registration and store hosting separate

Method B: Transferring Domain to Shopify

• Time: 5-7 days for full transfer
• Domain management: Moves entirely to Shopify
• Renewal billing: Through Shopify
• Best for: Users who want everything in one dashboard

Choose pointing if you manage multiple domains across platforms. Choose transfer if Shopify is your permanent home.

Transfer requires an EPP authorization code from Squarespace and may involve a transfer fee covering one year of registration.

Related Processes

Once your domain connection works, you might need these next:

• Setting up email forwarding with your connected domain
• Configuring URL redirects from old Squarespace pages
• Adding Google Analytics to track traffic across both platforms during migration
• Updating your favicon in Shopify to match your brand

If you are moving from another platform, the process for connecting a domain to Wix follows similar DNS principles.

For domain transfers in the opposite direction, check guides on transferring domains from GoDaddy to Squarespace.

FAQ on How To Connect Squarespace Domain To Shopify

How long does it take to connect a Squarespace domain to Shopify?

Active setup takes 15-20 minutes. DNS propagation requires up to 48 hours, though most connections work within a few hours. The waiting is the hardest part.

Can I connect my Squarespace domain to Shopify without transferring it?

Yes. Domain pointing keeps registration with Squarespace while directing traffic to Shopify. You update DNS records instead of moving the domain. Renewal billing stays with your original domain registrar.

What DNS records do I need to add for Shopify?

Three records: an A record pointing to 23.227.38.65, a CNAME record pointing www to shops.myshopify.com, and a TXT record for domain verification. All are added in Squarespace’s DNS management panel.

Will my email stop working after connecting my domain to Shopify?

Only if you delete your MX records. Shopify does not provide email hosting. Keep your existing MX records intact or re-add them after removing Squarespace Defaults. Email and store hosting are separate.

How do I know if my domain is connected successfully?

Check Shopify Admin > Settings > Domains. Status shows “Connected” when complete. Test both yourdomain.com and www.yourdomain.com in a browser. The SSL certificate padlock confirms HTTPS is active.

What is the Shopify IP address for the A record?

Use 23.227.38.65 for all Shopify stores. This IP address is universal across the platform. Do not use any other IP you might find online. Older addresses no longer work.

Why is my domain still showing Squarespace content after updating DNS?

Squarespace Default records probably still exist. Delete them from your DNS settings panel. Also clear your browser cache. DNS propagation delays can make old content appear temporarily.

Do I need to unlock my domain in Squarespace first?

For pointing, no. Domain lock prevents transfers, not DNS changes. For full domain transfer to Shopify, yes. Check Settings > Domains > Domain Lock in your Squarespace account if transferring.

Will I get an SSL certificate automatically?

Yes. Shopify provisions a free SSL certificate through Let’s Encrypt after successful domain verification. This happens automatically within 48 hours. No manual setup required on your end.

Can I reverse the connection and point my domain back to Squarespace?

Yes. Delete the Shopify DNS records and restore Squarespace Defaults in your domain settings. The process reverses completely. If you need to edit your Squarespace website again, everything works as before.

Conclusion

You now know how to connect Squarespace domain to Shopify without transferring registration. The entire process comes down to three DNS record updates and some patience.

Your A record points to 23.227.38.65. Your CNAME record points www to shops.myshopify.com. Your TXT record handles domain verification.

That is it. No nameserver changes. No authorization codes. No waiting days for a transfer to complete.

Once propagation finishes, your SSL certificate activates automatically. Both root domain and www subdomain load your Shopify store.

Keep your MX records intact for email. Check domain status in your Shopify admin panel. Test both URL versions after the 48-hour window.

Your Squarespace domain now serves your Shopify store. Platform integration complete.