Point a domain from Google Domains at your church website

Do this

1. 1Publish your site first. Squarespace applies the record the moment you click Save — your old site can go straight away.
2. 2Sign in at squarespace.com/login. If you only ever had a Google Domains login, click Continue with Google.
3. 3Domains → your domain → DNS → DNS settings. Screenshot this page before you change anything.
4. 4Find Squarespace Defaults. If it is not there, skip ahead to Custom Records. If any row in it is typed MX, stop and tell us — delete nothing.
5. 5Click the red trash can next to Squarespace Defaults. Enter your password or 2FA code, then Continue. Then click Delete.
6. 6Scroll to Custom Records. Click Add record. Enter your password or 2FA code, then Continue. Type A. Name @. IP Address: the address from the domain screen. TTL leave it. Save.
7. 7Click Add record again. Password again if asked. Type CNAME. Name www. Data: the value from the domain screen. TTL leave it. Save.
8. 8Back to the domain screen. It says Live on its own.

4 traps

• Delete Squarespace DefaultsSquarespace pre-creates four A records at @ and a www CNAME. Ours will not save on top of them. Delete that block — do not add a second @.
• domains.google is goneSign in at squarespace.com. If you never had a Squarespace password, click Continue with Google.
• Grey text is not filled inName and the value field open with grey example text. It is a placeholder, not a value. Type over both or the record silently fails to save.
• Custom nameserversNameservers ending googledomains.com are normal after the migration — leave them. But on custom nameservers, records save here and nothing reads them. Check DNS → Domain Nameservers.

Do not touch

MX · TXT · NS. MX is your church email — deleting one stops mail silently. Squarespace Defaults is the one block you delete, and only if every row in it is typed A or CNAME. If it shows an MX, stop and tell us.

Not working

• "…conflicts with an existing record" or "already in use"Squarespace Defaults is still there, or a record with that Name exists. Delete the defaults block. Never add a second @.
• A popup offering Replace recordIt deletes the record it names. Click it only for an A at @ or the www CNAME. If it names an MX, click Cancel and tell us.
• Nothing after 24 hoursCustom nameservers. Check DNS → Domain Nameservers — look only, change nothing.
• One address works, not the otherOne record did not save. Custom Records must list both.
• Worked, then a Squarespace page came backThe domain got connected to a Squarespace site. That wipes CNAME records. Disconnect it, re-add both.
• Email stoppedAn MX record went with the defaults. Tell us, do not keep changing.