Should I buy my domain through Squarespace?

Buying your domain through Squarespace is the simplest option because it eliminates DNS configuration entirely. Your domain connects to your site automatically, SSL is provisioned immediately, and you manage everything — billing, renewals, DNS — in one dashboard. Squarespace includes a free domain for the first year with annual website plans, which saves you the $12 to $15 a typical .com domain costs.

The downside of buying through Squarespace is lock-in. If you ever want to move your website to a different platform, you will need to transfer your domain out of Squarespace or update your DNS records. This is not difficult, but it adds a step to any future migration. Registrars like Namecheap, Cloudflare Registrar, and Porkbun offer domains at lower renewal prices and give you more control over advanced DNS settings.

For most small business owners, the convenience of buying through Squarespace outweighs the small cost difference. If you are technically comfortable managing DNS records and want to save a few dollars per year on renewals, buy from a third-party registrar and point it to Squarespace. If you want everything in one place with zero configuration, buy through Squarespace and stop thinking about it.