Built-in domains

Every Squarespace site and parking page comes with a built-in domain (also known as a Squarespace URL) that looks like this:

yoursiteid.squarespace.com

We automatically create your site ID (the first part of the built-in domain) using two randomly generated words, and sometimes a random string of characters. Before May 14, 2018, your site ID automatically included your name. You can change your site ID at any time.

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Where your built-in domain appears

You'll always see your built-in domain in your browser address bar when you're logged in, even if you have a custom domain. When you register, transfer, or connect a custom domain to your site, visitors accessing your site with that custom domain will see it in their browser address bars instead of your built-in domain.

However, even after adding a custom domain, visitors who are familiar with how Squarespace works can still see your built-in domain on your site’s login screen or in its source code.

Built-in domain vs. custom domain

Your built-in domain is the unique URL that we automatically assign to you. It always ends in .squarespace.com.

A custom domain is an address you choose for your site, like yourdomain.com. If you use a custom domain, it displays to visitors instead of your built-in domain. If you don’t already have a custom domain, you can register one through Squarespace.

Note: Your built-in domain won't redirect to your custom domain. If you have a custom domain, but a visitor accesses your site from your built-in domain, the built-in domain will display in the browser bar.

Find your built-in domain

If you contact us for help, we might ask for your built-in domain to help troubleshoot your site. If you're logged into your site, you can copy and paste it from the browser address bar. Copy every part of the URL before "/config."

Change your built-in domain

Before changing your domain name, keep the following limitations in mind:

• A built-in domain can have between 3 and 30 characters. Keep in mind that shorter domain names are easier to remember.
• A built-in domain can only have letters, numbers, and hyphens, but it can't end in a hyphen. You can't add symbols like $ and *.
• All built-in domains must begin with a letter.
• It's not possible to change the built-domain on a parking page.

To edit your site ID and built-in domain:

• Computer
• Mobile

1. In the Home Menu, click Settings, and then click Domains.
2. Under Built-In Domain, click the domain.
3. Enter a new Site ID. This becomes the first part of your built-in domain before the .squarespace.com.
4. Click Rename. If this Site ID is taken, you'll see an error message.

5. Your built-in domain will change.
6. You’ll receive an email with the subject "Your Updated Squarespace URL" for your records.

1. In the Settings panel, tap Domains.
2. Under Built-In Domain, tap the domain.
3. Enter a new Site ID. This becomes the first part of your built-in domain before the .squarespace.com.
4. Tap Rename. If this Site ID is taken, you'll see an error message.
5. Your built-in domain will change.
6. You’ll receive an email with the subject "Your Updated Squarespace URL" for your records.