Transfer Your Domain to Square
Note: Using a custom domain name requires an upgrade on your Square Online site.
Transferring your third-party domain name to Square allows you to manage both your domain and website from your Square account.
Note: When it comes to third-party domains, you can either simply connect them to your site with Square, and leave the hosting and billing with the third party, or, you can completely transfer the domain hosting and billing to Square. Another way to think of the difference is that connecting third-party domains leaves the website and domain in two completely different accounts. For example, your website could be hosted at Square, but your domain could be hosted elsewhere. Transferring, on the other hand, means that your website and domain are in the same account. In this case, Square could host both your website and the domain.
| Prefer managing your website and third-party domain separately? Try connecting your domain. |
Start the Transfer Process
To transfer in your domain to Square:
From your Square Online Overview page, go to Website > Domains.
Select Connect domain.
Under Use a domain I own elsewhere, type in the domain name you want to transfer and select Verify.
Select transfer your domain and follow the step-by-step instructions.
Most domain transfers will take approximately 7-10 days to complete. We recommend you connect your third-party domain to your Square Online site first before you transfer, as this greatly helps minimise any potential down time for your site while the domain is transferring. Learn more about how to connect your domain to Square Online.
Note: At this time, we can only accept ‘.com’, ‘.net’ and ‘.org’ domains for transfer.
Your domain’s current host
There are a few more steps you’ll need to complete to transfer your domain, some of which must be done through your domain’s current host. After extending your domain name, follow the steps provided to:
Make sure WHOIS privacy protection is disabled.
Disable the registrar lock.
Double-check that your contact email address is correct and you have access to it.
Get your domain’s authorisation (EPP/transfer) code from the current registrar and enter it to authorise the transfer process.
You’ll also need to decide where to connect the domain name. You can choose to connect it to a Square Online site in your account, or leave the domain set up the way it is if you don’t want to use it with a Square Online site.
Confirmation emails
Once you’ve finished these steps, you’ll receive some important emails from your current host and from Square that need to be followed up on, including what’s known as a ‘Form of Authorisation’. Be sure to read and follow the instructions in these emails to keep the transfer process smooth.
Transfer time frame
Once done, wait for the transfer to finish processing. Your domain will remain active during the process and you can even check the progress from your Square Online Overview page. We’ll also send you an email to let you know when the transfer is finished (which is usually within 7-10 days).
Cancel the Transfer Process
To cancel your domain name transfer to Square:
From your Square Online Overview page, go to Website > Domains.
Under your transferring domain, select See status.
Select Cancel Transfer.
Transfer Your Domain Away from Square
Learn how to transfer your domain away from Square to a new host.