How to Connect a Squarespace Domain to Shopify (Step by Step Guide 2026)

Learning how to connect Squarespace domain to Shopify is one of the fastest ways to launch your Shopify store without transferring your domain. In most cases, you only need to update two DNS records while keeping your domain registered with Squarespace.

This guide walks you through every step, explains what each DNS record does, and shows you how to avoid common mistakes like SSL errors, broken redirects, or accidentally disrupting your email.

How to connect Squarespace domain to Shopify using DNS settings — Connect a Squarespace domain to Shopify by updating DNS records, activating SSL, and keeping your domain registered with Squarespace.

In This Guide

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Before You Connect Your Squarespace Domain to Shopify

If you’re wondering how to connect Squarespace domain to Shopify, the process is much easier than transferring your domain because you only need to update your DNS settings.

Before making any changes, make sure you have access to both accounts and understand whether you want to connect your domain or transfer it.

What You’ll Need

A Squarespace account with your domain registered.
A Shopify store.
Administrator access to both accounts.
A few minutes to update DNS settings.

Shopify recommends connecting the domain first before changing DNS records so the platform can verify everything correctly.

Connect vs Transfer: What’s the Difference?

Connect Domain	Transfer Domain
Domain stays registered with Squarespace.	Registration moves to Shopify.
Usually takes minutes to set up.	Can take several days.
Keep managing renewals in Squarespace.	Renewals happen through Shopify.
Best for most users.	Best for businesses moving entirely to Shopify.

For most businesses, connecting is the faster and safer option because it doesn’t interrupt domain ownership.

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How Connecting a Squarespace Domain to Shopify Works

When someone visits your website, the internet looks at your domain’s DNS records to decide where to send visitors.

To point your Squarespace domain to Shopify, you’ll update two key records.

A Record

The A Record tells your root domain, such as yourstore.com, which server to load.

For Shopify, it points to:

23.227.38.65

CNAME Record

The CNAME Record controls the www version of your website.

It should point to:

shops.myshopify.com

DNS Propagation

After saving your changes, they need time to spread across the internet.

Most connections work within a couple of hours, although full propagation can take up to 48 hours.

Step 1: Prepare Your Shopify Store

Log in to your Shopify Admin.
Go to Settings → Domains.
Click Connect Existing Domain.
Enter your Squarespace domain.
Click Next.

Keep this page open because Shopify may provide additional verification instructions later.

Step 2: Open Your Squarespace DNS Settings

Now you’ll update the domain where it’s currently managed.

Open your Squarespace account.
Go to Account Dashboard → Domains.
Select your domain.
Click DNS.

This page contains all your domain records.

Important: Don’t delete your existing MX records if you use business email. Those records control email delivery.

Step 3: Update the Required DNS Records

The most important part of how to connect Squarespace domain to Shopify is entering the correct A Record and CNAME values.

Add or edit these records exactly as shown.

Record Type	Host	Value
A	@	23.227.38.65
CNAME	www	shops.myshopify.com

Editing Existing Records

If a record with the same host already exists, edit it instead of creating a duplicate.

Duplicate records can prevent Shopify from verifying your domain correctly.

Step 4: Verify Your Domain in Shopify

Return to Shopify after updating DNS.

Go back to Settings → Domains.
Click Verify Connection.

Shopify checks whether the DNS records match.

If verification doesn’t work immediately, wait a little longer for DNS propagation.

When Shopify Requests a TXT Record

Some domains require additional verification.

If Shopify asks for a TXT record:

Return to Squarespace DNS.
Add a TXT record using Shopify’s provided value.
Save the record.
Retry verification.

Step 5: Make Your Domain the Primary Domain

After completing how to connect Squarespace domain to Shopify, set your connected domain as the primary domain for the best SEO experience.

After verification succeeds:

Open Settings → Domains.
Select your connected domain.
Choose Set as Primary Domain.

This ensures visitors always land on your preferred website address.

Should You Use www or Non-www?

Either option works for SEO.

The important part is choosing one primary version so Shopify automatically redirects visitors to a single canonical domain.

How Long Does It Take?

Task	Typical Time
Save DNS records	Immediate
Shopify verification	Minutes to hours
SSL activation	Automatic after verification
Full DNS propagation	Up to 48 hours

During propagation, it’s normal to see temporary errors while the internet updates your DNS records.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Most connection issues happen because of DNS conflicts or incomplete propagation.

Problem: SSL Is Still Pending

Cause: Shopify can’t issue a certificate until the DNS records point correctly.

Fix:

Confirm the A Record uses 23.227.38.65.
Confirm the CNAME points to shops.myshopify.com.
Wait for propagation.

Problem: Your Website Still Opens Squarespace

Cause: Old DNS records are still directing traffic.

Fix:

Check for conflicting A or CNAME records.
Remove outdated records that shouldn’t remain.

Problem: CNAME Already Exists

Don’t create another one.

Edit the existing www CNAME so it points to shops.myshopify.com.

Problem: Shopify Can’t Verify the Domain

If verification keeps failing:

Wait longer.
Refresh the Domains page.
Add the TXT verification record if requested.

Problem: DNS Errors After 48 Hours

If errors continue after two days:

Review each DNS record carefully.
Look for duplicate A records.
Check for incorrect host names.

Don’t Break Your Email

This is one of the biggest mistakes people make.

Changing your website’s DNS does not mean changing your email settings.

Keep These Records

MX Records
SPF Records
DKIM Records
Email verification records

Deleting these records can stop Gmail, Outlook, or Microsoft 365 email from working properly.

Can You Keep Squarespace and Shopify Together?

Yes.

Many businesses use both platforms depending on how they want their website to work.

Option 1: Full Shopify Store

Point the entire domain to Shopify.

Best for businesses moving completely into ecommerce.

Option 2: Squarespace Website with Shopify Checkout

Keep your Squarespace website while using Shopify’s Buy Button for products.

This works well for creators, coaches, and service businesses.

Option 3: Use Shopify on a Subdomain

Example:

shop.yourdomain.com

Your main website stays on Squarespace while your store lives on a dedicated shopping subdomain.

SEO Checklist After Connecting Your Domain

Finishing how to connect Squarespace domain to Shopify correctly helps search engines recognize your Shopify store faster.

Connecting your domain is only the first step.

Complete this checklist to protect your rankings.

Set your primary domain.
Verify SSL is active.
Test both www and non-www redirects.
Submit your sitemap to Google Search Console.
Check canonical URLs.
Test important product pages.
Look for 404 errors.

These steps help search engines recognize your Shopify store as the official version of your website.

When You Should Transfer Your Domain Instead

Connecting is usually enough.

However, transferring may be better if:

You’ve completely left Squarespace.
You want one billing system.
You plan to manage everything inside Shopify long term.

Transfers take longer than simple DNS connections, so they’re best reserved for businesses making a permanent move.

Quick Troubleshooting Checklist

Before contacting support, confirm each item below.

A Record points to Shopify.
CNAME points to shops.myshopify.com.
MX records remain untouched.
Domain is verified in Shopify.
SSL is active.
Primary domain is selected.
Both domain versions redirect correctly.

Most connection issues can be solved by reviewing these settings.

Key Takeaways

You don’t need to transfer your Squarespace domain to Shopify. Connecting it is usually enough.
Update only two DNS records in most cases: the A Record and the www CNAME.
Keep your MX, SPF, and DKIM records to avoid disrupting email.
DNS changes usually work within a few hours but can take up to 48 hours.
Set your connected domain as Shopify’s primary domain for the best SEO experience.
Test redirects and SSL before announcing your new store.