Google Domains

Important: Google Domains was acquired by Squarespace in 2023 and no longer operates as an independent service. All domains migrated to Squarespace's infrastructure by 2024 and are now managed at domains.squarespace.com. For step-by-step instructions using the current Squarespace interface, see the Squarespace Domains + Webflow integration guide.

If you registered your domain through Google Domains before the 2023 acquisition, your domain is still yours. It just lives somewhere new. Access it at domains.squarespace.com using your existing Google account credentials or a migrated Squarespace account. The interface changed after the acquisition, so DNS management panels and navigation differ from the original Google Domains layout.

This guide provides historical context about Google Domains and covers the general domain connection principles that apply across any registrar, including Squarespace. The technical steps, configuring DNS records or initiating a transfer, are the same regardless of which registrar holds your domain.

How to connect your domain to Webflow

What was Google Domains? Google Domains was a domain registration service launched by Google around 2015 that let users purchase and manage custom domains in one place. In June 2023, Squarespace acquired Google Domains, and by 2024, all customer accounts and domains had migrated to Squarespace's infrastructure. The service at domains.google.com is no longer operational.

Whether you're pointing a former Google Domains domain or any other custom domain at Webflow, the connection options are the same. You can keep your domain registered at Squarespace and point DNS records to Webflow's hosting infrastructure, or you can transfer the domain registration to Webflow to manage both in one place. Neither method affects which Webflow site you publish to that domain.

Connecting a custom domain to Webflow supports two approaches:

• DNS configuration keeps domain registration at Squarespace (formerly Google Domains) and points it to Webflow through A and CNAME records — no transfer required.  
• Domain transfer moves domain registration from Squarespace to Webflow, consolidating domain and hosting management in one dashboard.

Most sites use DNS configuration to preserve existing registrar relationships and avoid transfer downtime. Domain transfer suits teams that prefer managing both domain registration and hosting through a single platform.

Configure DNS records

DNS configuration keeps your domain registered at Squarespace (formerly Google Domains) while routing web traffic to Webflow through DNS records. You configure A records for your root domain and a CNAME record for the www subdomain with values provided in your Webflow dashboard.

Before modifying any DNS records, note your current email configuration. MX records control email delivery separately from website hosting — if you delete or overwrite them while adding Webflow's A and CNAME records, you'll lose email access. If you use Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, or another email provider, confirm the correct MX record values with your provider before making changes.

To connect your domain via DNS:

1. Log into domains.squarespace.com and navigate to your domain's DNS settings  
2. In Webflow, go to Project Settings > Domains and add your custom domain to retrieve the required DNS values  
3. In Squarespace's DNS panel, add the A records for your root domain using the IP values from Webflow  
4. Add a CNAME record for the www subdomain pointing to the target Webflow provides  
5. Preserve any existing MX records for email, then save your changes

Always copy DNS values directly from your Webflow dashboard. IP addresses and CNAME targets in third-party tutorials may be outdated and cause connection failures.

DNS changes propagate globally within 24–48 hours, though some locations can take up to 72 hours. Test in an incognito window to avoid browser cache masking propagation status.

When to use DNS configuration:

• You want to keep domain registration at Squarespace alongside other domains  
• Your domain is within the 60-day ICANN transfer restriction window from initial registration  
• You manage multiple domains at Squarespace and want registration centralized  
• You're testing Webflow hosting before committing to a transfer

Transfer your domain to Webflow

Domain transfer moves registration from Squarespace to Webflow entirely, so domain renewal, DNS management, and hosting all live in one dashboard. After the transfer completes, Webflow manages DNS configuration automatically.

Transfers follow ICANN standards: your domain must be at least 60 days old from initial registration, and the process typically takes 5–7 days from authorization to completion. Your site remains accessible throughout the transfer period — DNS records continue resolving to existing hosting until you configure new settings in Webflow.

To transfer your domain:

1. Log in to domains.squarespace.com and unlock your domain for transfer  
2. Request the authorization (EPP) code from Squarespace's transfer settings  
3. In Webflow, go to Project Settings > Domains and initiate a domain transfer using that code  
4. Confirm the transfer request via the email Squarespace sends to your registrant address  
5. Once the transfer completes, Webflow will prompt you to configure DNS to point at your site

Some domain extensions — particularly country-code TLDs like .us or .uk — have additional transfer restrictions beyond the 60-day rule. Check Squarespace's transfer documentation and Webflow's custom domain help for extension-specific requirements before initiating.

When to use a domain transfer:

• You want to manage domain registration and Webflow hosting in a single platform  
• Your domain is 60+ days old and eligible for transfer  
• You prefer consolidated billing for domain and hosting charges  
• You don't rely on registrar-specific features at Squarespace

What you can build with a custom domain on Webflow

Connecting a custom domain to Webflow makes any site you publish accessible at a domain you own. The connection method via DNS configuration or transfer does not affect site functionality or Webflow features.

• Portfolio sites: Host a portfolio at yourname.com with custom layouts, case study pages, and contact forms built in Webflow.  
• Marketing and landing pages: Deploy campaign pages at yourcompany.com/launch with lead capture forms and analytics integration. DNS configuration routes traffic regardless of page structure.  
• Business websites: Publish service pages, location information, and booking forms at yourcompany.com. Custom domains support multi-page sites with any URL structure Webflow generates.  
• Blog and content sites: Connect a custom domain to a Webflow CMS-driven site and publish blog posts at yoursite.com/blog with custom post templates and category filtering.