
How to Link Your 1&1 IONOS Domain to Squarespace Manually: Step-by-Step Guide
DNS Settings Guide for Linking 1&1 IONOS Domain to Squarespace
Before starting, ensure you have access to both your Squarespace and IONOS accounts. This process takes 24-72 hours to complete.
Step 1: Configure Squarespace Settings
- Go to Domains panel in Squarespace
- Click "Use a Domain I Own"
- Enter your domain name
- Click "Link Domain"
- Select "Other" from dropdown
- Click "Continue"
- Keep the DNS Settings panel open for reference
Step 2: Access IONOS DNS Settings
- Log in to your IONOS account
- Locate your domain
- Click "Actions" then "DNS"
Step 3: Remove Existing Records
- Set filter to "Show all records"
- Delete all AAAA and A-records
- Leave mail/email records intact
Step 4: Add First CNAME Record
- Click "Add Record" → "CNAME"
- Enter:
- Hostname: [unique code from Squarespace]
- Points to: verify.squarespace.com
- TTL: 1 hour
- Save changes
Step 5: Add Second CNAME Record
- Click "Add Record" → "CNAME"
- Enter:
- Hostname: www
- Points to: ext-cust.squarespace.com
- TTL: 1 hour
- Save changes
Step 6: Add A-Records
Add four A-records with the following settings:
- Hostname: @
- TTL: 1 hour
- Points to (add one record for each):
- 198.185.159.144
- 198.185.159.145
- 198.49.23.144
- 198.49.23.145
Important: Disable the extra www record for each A-record.
Step 7: Verify Connection
- Return to Squarespace DNS Settings
- Click "Refresh Records"
- Wait for green labels to appear
- Domain status should show as "Linked" within 72 hours
Troubleshooting
If you see "Unable to verify domain ownership":
- Use DNS checking tool in DNS Settings panel
- Verify all CNAME and A-Records
- Contact IONOS support if issues persist
Note: Errors are normal during the first 72 hours after setup. Wait for the full propagation period before troubleshooting.
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