📅 The Timeline
June 2023: Google announces sale to Squarespace
September 2023: Migration begins
2024: Full transition completed
2025: Squarespace Domains is the new reality
What Changed
💰 Pricing Increased
Google Domains was known for transparent, competitive pricing. Squarespace domains generally cost more, especially on renewal.
.com: Was ~$12 → Now ~$20/year
🔧 Interface Changed
Google's clean, minimalist domain management is now Squarespace's design. Some users find it more cluttered.
📧 Email Integration Different
Google Workspace integration was seamless. Squarespace has its own email product and different integration paths.
What Stayed the Same
- ✓ Free WHOIS privacy (still included)
- ✓ Your domains transferred automatically
- ✓ DNS settings preserved
- ✓ Existing renewal rates honored (initially)
- ✓ Standard transfer/unlock process
Should You Transfer Out?
✓ Reasons to Stay
- • Already using Squarespace website builder
- • Don't want transfer hassle
- • Only have 1-2 domains
- • Price difference doesn't matter to you
✗ Reasons to Transfer
- • You have many domains (savings add up)
- • Want at-cost pricing (Cloudflare)
- • Prefer simpler interface
- • Don't use Squarespace for anything else
Better Alternatives in 2025
| Registrar | .com Price | Why Consider |
|---|---|---|
| Cloudflare | $10.44 | At-cost, best price |
| Porkbun | $10.37 | Lowest prices, great UX |
| Namecheap | $16.98 | Good features, established |
| Squarespace | ~$20 | Only if using their builder |
How to Transfer Away
- Log into Squarespace Domains
- Select the domain you want to transfer
- Unlock the domain (may take 24 hours)
- Request authorization code (can take 24 hours)
- Initiate transfer at new registrar
- Approve transfer via email
- Wait 5-7 days for completion
Note: Squarespace's auth code process can be slower than Google Domains was.
Our Recommendation
If you're not actively using Squarespace's website builder, transfer your domains to Cloudflare or Porkbun. The savings add up, especially with multiple domains.
Savings: ~$10/year per domain by transferring to Cloudflare