Almost every online business or website owner places great value and control in their domain. They can manage it however they want—create email addresses with that domain, transfer their domain from one provider to another, and more.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of transferring your domain from Squarespace to Web.com. We’ll make sure to guide you every step of the way and make the transition as smooth as possible.
With Web.com, you will enjoy enhanced security, more reliable customer service, much more affordable costs, and a better user experience.
What is a domain transfer?
A domain transfer is the process of moving a domain name from one domain registrar (the company who manages a domain) to another. When you transfer a domain, you’re essentially changing the company that’s responsible for managing your domain name.
During the transfer, the domain’s DNS settings and registration details are migrated to the new provider. You can then access various services and features offered by the new registrar.
Reasons why you might transfer your domain away from Squarespace
The different factors that may influence your domain transfer are:
- Pricing. Compare the pricing plans of your current and potential new registrar. Make sure that you’re getting your money’s worth and ensure that there are no hidden fees.
- Customer support. In times of domain management crises, you should have a reliable, prompt, and knowledgeable customer support to provide you with assistance.
- Features, products, and services. Consider user-friendly domain management tools, security options, and scalable services such as email hosting or website building. These scalable services will come in handy if you ever want to expand your business.
- Performance. The speed and reliability of the DNS (Domain Name System) services can affect your site’s uptime and loading times. Transferring to another registrar with a better DNS infrastructure might improve your website’s performance.
- Consolidation. If you have multiple domains registered with different companies, transferring them to a single registrar can make it easier for you to manage them and reduce administrative overhead costs.
No matter what the reason may be, seamless user experience and better domain name management are the most crucial reasons for a domain transfer. By moving your domain to Web.com, you can take advantage of enhanced features, improved customer support, and streamlined domain management tools. This leads to a more efficient and user-friendly online presence.
Domain transfer vs Domain change of ownership
Additionally, it’s important to recognize the difference between a domain transfer and domain change of ownership.
Domain transfer refers to the transfer of a domain’s management to a new provider.
Domain change of ownership refers to the transfer of the domain’s legal ownership from entity to another.
Understanding the differences between these two is crucial because there are misconceptions around them. Domain transfer doesn’t automatically mean transfer of ownership. It just means you still own the domain, but you’ll be managing it from a different provider.
Overview of the domain transfer process
As you read further in this article, you’ll find a step-by-step guide on how to move your website’s domain name from Squarespace to Web.com.
Check if your domain is eligible for transfer: Not all domain names can be moved, so it’s crucial to see if yours qualifies. Usually, your domain needs to be:
- At least 60 days old.
- Has not been transferred in the last 60 days.
- Not in a locked status.
Transferring your domain from Squarespace
Part 1: Initiate the domain transfer from Squarespace to Web.com
- Sign in to your Squarespace account.
- Check the administrative email account to confirm if you have access to the domain owner’s email account. This ensures you can access the important transfer emails that will be sent to that account.
- On your dashboard, click Domains.

- Click the domain that you want to transfer.

- Clicking on the domain will open up a new navigational screen on the right side of your screen. Click on Manage Domain Settings

- In the domain’s settings page, make sure to turn WhoIs Privacy and Lock Domain to OFF then click the three dots in the top right of the screen and select SEND TRANSFER AUTHENTICATION CODE.

You will receive an email with the authentication code. It may take up to 24 hours to receive the code.
Part 2: Begin the Transfer with Web.com
1. Go to the Web.com Domain Transfer page.
2. In the blank field, type in your domain name, and then click CONTINUE.

Step 3: In the checkout page, you have the option to add additional years of registration. Once done, click CONTINUE TO CHECKOUT.

4. Confirm your account information, then click SUBMIT PAYMENT.

5. Check for the authorization emails from Squarespace. Typically, they send the email to the admin email address linked to your domain name.
6. Log in to your Web.com Account Manager, and then enter your authorization code. This will initiate the transfer process between your Squarespace and Web.com.

How to manage the transition period
Initiating a domain transfer might limit some actions with regards to your domain name during the transfer period. Before proceeding, it’s important to do the following:
Update DNS settings and name servers, if necessary
Once the domain transfer is complete, it will propagate the records associated to the domain name based on where the name servers are pointing to in the registry’s database. Let’s say you have a domain name that uses Squarespace’s name servers: initiating a domain transfer without changing the Squarespace name servers to Web.com’s would result in website and email downtime.
It’s best to update the name servers and DNS settings first before initiating a domain transfer for a frictionless transition.
Head over to our help section if you want to learn more about updating your DNS settings with Web.com.
Test website functionality after the transfer
After the transfer, test your website’s functionality, including all webpages, forms, and interactive elements. Don’t forget to test the contact forms, eCommerce functionality, and any third-party integrations on your website after the transfer.
Testing ensures that everything is working properly, and your website is fully operational. Address any issues immediately to shorten website downtime and guarantee a positive user experience.
Transfer your domain name to Web.com today
Domain transfers usually happen when you prefer to look for providers who can offer better perks than what your current provider offers. Although it’s not an easy process, this guide can help you ensure a seamless transition to maintain your website’s functionality during the transition.
For a frictionless domain transfer from Squarespace to Web.com, see our domain transfer services. Simply enter your domain on our page and proceed whether you want add-ons or not. On top of our domain transfer services, we also have related products, such as hosting, business email, marketing services, and more.