Setting Up Your Primary Domain: A Guide for Squarespace Users

Setting Up Your Primary Domain: A Guide for Squarespace Users

By Michael Chen

December 13, 2024 at 05:20 AM

A primary domain serves as your site's main web address and helps establish your brand identity. Here's everything you need to know about setting and managing primary domains.

Primary Domain Basics:

  • All custom domains redirect to the primary domain
  • The primary domain appears in the browser's address bar
  • The first custom domain added automatically becomes primary
  • Only custom domains can be primary, not built-in .squarespace.com domains

Setting a New Primary Domain:

  1. Open the Domains panel
  2. Click "..." next to desired domain
  3. Select "Set as primary domain"
  4. Confirm by clicking "Set"

Important Considerations:

  • Verify ownership of Squarespace domains before setting as primary
  • External domains must be properly connected (takes up to 72 hours)
  • Only one domain can be primary
  • All pages display the primary domain
  • Cannot use different domains for specific pages

Domain Behavior:

  • Secondary domains use 301 redirects to the primary domain
  • Built-in domains are hidden from visitors but visible when logged in
  • Search engines only display the primary custom domain
  • Analytics combine traffic from all active domains

Managing Search Results:

  • Use Google Search Console to specify preferred domain display
  • Request reindexing if built-in domain appears in search results
  • Multiple domains don't appear separately in search results

Common Questions:

  • Additional custom domains don't automatically become primary
  • No need to remove primary status before setting a new primary domain
  • Third-party subdomains can be primary
  • Squarespace subdomains cannot be primary
  • Traffic analytics don't separate visits by domain

These guidelines ensure proper domain management and help maintain a consistent online presence for your brand.

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