Should I buy a domain name from Squarespace?

The price you see at checkout is rarely the price you'll pay for long. Domain registration is a recurring cost, and the renewal rate—not the introductory offer—is what determines what your domain actually costs you over the years.

Squarespace's own guidance is candid on this point: renewal prices "can be significantly higher than the initial registration price." Their blog puts typical .com pricing at $10–$20 per year, but that range describes the first purchase, not necessarily the second or the fifth. Even Squarespace acknowledges that what you pay to renew is a separate question from what you pay to register.

This matters more now than it used to. When Google shut down Google Domains, all 10 million+ registered domains were migrated to Squarespace, with the migration completed in July 2024. Those customers had their previous renewal prices honored for only 12 months. After that window, prices were set by the new owner—and a review notes that "Squarespace tends to be pricey, so don't be surprised if prices rise afterwards." Some migrated users have already voiced the concern plainly: "Google Domains was simple and clear. I'm worried Squarespace will add hidden fees."

Squarespace isn't unique here. Independent commentary points out that renewal rates for domains purchased through website builders like Squarespace and Wix are typically higher than at dedicated registrars, and that the all-in-one convenience comes bundled with less flexibility. The pattern is industry-wide: a common example cited in beginner guides is a $5 introductory domain that renews at $15. That's a 200% jump, and it's why checking the renewal rate before you buy is the single most useful habit in domain shopping.

Before committing anywhere, look past the headline price and check:

• The renewal rate, not just the first-year price
• Whether privacy protection costs extra (it can run $0–$15/year)
• Whether the domain is registered in your name or the platform's
• How easily you can transfer it if you ever change platforms

That last item is the one most people skip, and it's the one that matters most. Bundling your domain with your website platform is convenient until you want to leave—then moving services may require transferring the domain, and a domain locked inside one platform is a liability, not an asset. This is why we register every AI Business Sites domain in the client's own name: your domain, your code, and your content belong to you, so the website you build is something you own rather than something you rent.

A domain is the foundation of your online presence. Make sure the foundation is actually yours.

When Google shut down its domain business, someone had to take over 10 million websites' addresses. That someone was Squarespace — and the acquisition reshapes what buying a domain there actually means.

The deal was announced in June 2023, and by July 10, 2024, all Google Domains customers had been migrated to Squarespace, according to a detailed review of the transition. Google Domains had been a top-10 .com registrar since 2015, known for simple pricing and no upsells. Squarespace also committed to remaining the exclusive domain provider for Google Workspace customers for at least three years.

For anyone considering a Squarespace domain today, the pricing picture deserves a close look. Squarespace's own guidance puts typical annual costs at $10–$20 for a .com and $35–$60 for a .io, with a standard first-year setup running $94–$107, per its domain pricing guide. The same guide warns that renewal prices "can be significantly higher than the initial registration price."

That renewal gap is the real story. The Bluehost review notes Squarespace honored Google Domains' pricing for only 12 months after migration, and warns that "Squarespace tends to be pricey, so don't be surprised if prices rise afterwards." Independent commentary from domain industry writer Larry Ludwig backs this up: domains bought through website builders like Squarespace and Wix typically renew higher than at dedicated registrars.

There are trade-offs on both sides:

• Buying through a builder means DNS setup is handled automatically — genuine convenience for non-technical owners.
• Bundling a domain with your website platform limits flexibility; moving services later may require transferring the domain.
• Dedicated registrars compete harder on renewals, with .com rates of $15–$25/year cited as typical for long-term planning.
• Whichever route you choose, buy only from an ICANN-accredited registrar and enable auto-renewal — expired domains get targeted by squatters.

The migration also stirred mixed feelings among former Google Domains users. One quoted in the Bluehost review said, "Google Domains was simple and clear. I'm worried Squarespace will add hidden fees." Others saw upside in Squarespace's design pedigree.

But the deeper question isn't just where to buy a domain — it's whether the domain is truly yours and portable. When your domain is registered in your own name and separable from your website platform, you keep control no matter what happens to the vendor. That's the principle behind how we handle domains at AI Business Sites: the domain is registered in the client's name from day one, and if you ever leave, you take the full site code and data with you. A domain is a long-term asset. Make sure the paperwork reflects that.

Your domain name is the one digital asset your business truly can't afford to lose — yet where you buy it determines whether you actually own it or merely rent access to it. That distinction becomes critical when your domain is bundled with a website builder.

The ownership question gained new urgency after Google Domains was shut down and all 10 million registered domains were migrated to Squarespace, a process completed on July 10, 2024. For millions of business owners, their domain quietly moved from one company's control to another's — a reminder that a domain is only as stable as the registrar holding it.

Renewal pricing is where the real cost reveals itself. Squarespace's own guidance acknowledges that renewal prices can be significantly higher than the initial registration price, and the company honored Google Domains' rates for only 12 months before introducing its own pricing. Independent commentary confirms that domains purchased through website builders carry renewal rates typically higher than dedicated registrars. A domain advertised at $5 can renew at $15 — a 200% increase that most owners discover only when the bill arrives.

Beyond cost, bundling your domain with a website builder creates a flexibility problem. Moving services later may require transferring the domain out of the builder's ecosystem — a process that can be slow, technically fiddly, and sometimes contentious. The convenience of automatic DNS setup at purchase time becomes a lock-in risk at exit time.

Ownership protection also hinges on registrar credibility. Industry guidance strongly recommends buying only from ICANN-accredited registrars, because accreditation guarantees your ownership is recognized and protected. Auto-renewal matters too — domain squatters actively target expired domains, and a lapse of even a few days can cost you the name entirely.

The deeper question for a small business owner isn't just where to buy a domain — it's whether the entire web presence is portable. At AI Business Sites, the domain is registered in the client's name from day one, and if a client leaves, the complete website code is pushed to a GitHub repo in their name alongside a full database export. That's the difference between owning an asset and renting a platform.

Before buying a domain from any website builder, check:

• Whether the registrar is ICANN-accredited and the domain is registered in your legal name
• The renewal rate — not just the first-year promotional price
• What happens to your domain, content, and data if you cancel the service
• Whether the platform offers a clean export path for your website code and files
• How long the transfer process takes if you decide to move registrars later

The convenience of buying a domain where you build your website is real, but ownership and portability are what protect your business over the long term. A domain is the foundation of your online presence — make sure the ground you build on is yours.

When you buy a domain through a website builder, you're making two decisions at once: where your address lives, and how much freedom you keep. The research shows the second question matters far more than the checkout price.

Squarespace became one of the largest domain registrars overnight when it acquired Google Domains, with the entire Google Domains portfolio — more than 10 million registered domains — migrated by July 10, 2024. That makes Squarespace a major player, but it also means millions of domain owners are now customers of a company they didn't choose. The company honored Google Domains' renewal prices for only 12 months after the migration, and a competitor-published review warns that Squarespace tends to be pricey.

Even Squarespace's own guidance admits that renewal prices can be significantly higher than the initial registration price. This isn't unique to Squarespace — industry research shows many registrars offer low introductory rates knowing renewals will jump, with one example of a domain that renews at triple its signup price. Independent commentary notes that domains bought through website builders typically carry higher renewals than dedicated registrars, because the convenience of bundled DNS and hosting comes at a premium.

The real question isn't the first-year price. It's whether you truly own and control your domain and everything connected to it. Cybersecurity experts recommend buying only from ICANN-accredited registrars, because accreditation guarantees your ownership is recognized and protected. Auto-renewal matters too — expired domains are prime targets for squatters.

Before you buy a domain anywhere, check:

• The renewal rate, not just the intro price — that's the cost you'll pay every year
• ICANN accreditation, which protects your ownership rights
• Whether auto-renewal and privacy protection are included or extra
• Whether you can transfer the domain easily if you switch platforms
• What happens to your website, content, and data if you leave the platform

That last point is where most website builders fall short. Buy a domain through a builder and your domain often becomes entangled with the platform's hosting, making it harder to leave. AI Business Sites takes the opposite approach: the domain is registered in the client's name, and if you ever cancel — month-to-month, with 30 days' notice — you receive the complete website code pushed to a GitHub repo in your name plus a full database export. The site runs on standard React/Next.js, so any developer can pick it up.

That's the difference between renting an address and owning your corner of the internet. Squarespace offers convenience and transparent checkout pricing, but the long-term cost and portability questions remain open. A fully managed approach that puts the domain and everything behind it in your name — that's the ownership story worth comparing against.

Choosing the right domain registrar can significantly impact your online presence and business operations. A domain is more than just an address—it's a critical component of your brand and a crucial part of your web infrastructure. Understanding how to manage your domain effectively ensures long-term security and flexibility. Let's explore the practical steps you can take to choose a domain registrar, verify ownership protection, and set up auto-renewal.

When you register a domain, you're entering into a recurring licensing agreement. The initial registration fee is just the beginning; renewal prices and what's included are more critical considerations. According to industry research, renewal prices can be significantly higher than the initial cost. For instance, a .com domain may start at $10 but renew at $20 or more, a fact that can catch many small business owners off guard.

First, ensure your domain registrar is ICANN-accredited. ICANN accreditation guarantees that your ownership is recognized and protected, shielding you from potential risks associated with unaccredited sources. Additionally, enabling auto-renewal is essential to prevent accidental lapses in ownership, which can leave your domain vulnerable to squatters. Make sure to enable privacy protection to shield your public WHOIS record from spam and unwanted solicitations.

When selecting a domain registrar, consider the following key factors:

• ICANN Accreditation: Ensure the registrar is accredited to protect your ownership rights.
• Renewal Pricing: Check the renewal costs, as they can be significantly higher than the initial registration fee.
• Ownership Protection: Verify that the registrar offers robust privacy protection and domain lock features.
• Auto-Renewal Options: Set up auto-renewal to avoid accidental lapses in domain ownership.
• Customer Support: Opt for registrars with reliable customer support to help with any issues that arise.

Opting for a dedicated registrar instead of a website builder can often provide better long-term flexibility and cost savings. For example, GoDaddy offers steep first-year promotional pricing and includes features like DNSSEC, transfer lock, and SSL, which are essential for security and reliability. At AI Business Sites, we understand the importance of domain ownership. When you choose our services, your domain is registered in your name, providing you with complete control and ownership. This ensures that your domain and all associated content are fully portable and yours to manage.

Setting up auto-renewal is a simple but crucial step. Most registrars offer this feature, and it can save you from the hassle of manually renewing your domain each year. Additionally, enabling privacy protection is a wise move. According to Cybernews, privacy protection shields your public WHOIS record from spam and unwanted solicitations, providing an extra layer of security.

Remember, your domain is the foundation of your online presence. Once it's yours, everything else—your website, your email, your brand identity—can be built on top of it. At AI Business Sites, we prioritize your ownership and control. We ensure that your domain is registered in your name, providing you with the flexibility and security you need to grow your business. By choosing a reliable registrar and taking these practical steps, you can safeguard your domain and ensure its long-term success.