Squarespace 101: Most Common Web Design Questions

As a boutique restaurant brand agency, Squarespace is the platform of choice for the majority of our clients because it makes ongoing website updates simple and manageable. Although a few parts can still feel confusing, especially when faced with domain logistics, hosting, DNS records, and the task of finally “going live.” 

So, we wanted to break down some of the questions we hear most often from our website design clients:

1. Who should own my Squarespace account?

We recommend that you, the client, own your Squarespace account. This keeps your website, billing, and account information in your hands. Box Eight can be added as a contributor so we can build and maintain your site without owning the account ourselves.

2. What’s the difference between my website, my domain, and hosting?

Think of your domain as your address or the URL people type in to find your business, like yourrestaurant.com. Hosting is where your website lives, while your CMS (Content Management System) is the platform you use to manage the website’s content, such as text, images, pages, and blog posts.

With Squarespace, the CMS and hosting are typically part of the same platform, but your domain can remain registered with a separate provider. In some setups, hosting can also be managed separately. The important thing to know is that these are three distinct pieces that work together to make your website accessible online.

3. Can I keep my domain with my current provider?

Absolutely. Your domain does not need to be registered through Squarespace. You can keep it with your existing domain provider and simply connect it to your new Squarespace website.

4. Can I edit my website myself after it launches?

Yes! One of the benefits of Squarespace is that you can make many content updates yourself without needing to know how to code. You can update things like text, images, hours, menus, and blog posts as your business evolves.

5. How do I make changes to my website?

As part of your website launch, Box Eight provides two hours of post-launch training to walk you through the Squarespace backend and show you how to make common updates.

We’ll also provide Loom videos you can reference whenever you need a refresher. And, of course, if you need help with a larger update or something outside your comfort zone, you can always reach out to us.

6. Do I need to pay for a Squarespace account to get my website live?

Yes. Squarespace requires a paid subscription to publish your website on your custom domain. The specific plan you need will depend on your website's features and functionality. Your Squarespace subscription is separate from the design and development work Box Eight provides.

7. What happens to my existing website when we launch the new one?

Your existing website stays live while we build and prepare your new site. Once the new site is ready, we'll connect your domain to Squarespace and make the switch. There may be a short period during DNS propagation when different visitors see different versions of the site, but we'll keep an eye on the transition to make sure everything is working properly. 

Then, once your new site is officially live, your old website will no longer be visible or accessible through that live web address.

8. What is DNS, and why do I need to update it?

DNS stands for Domain Name System. In simple terms, DNS tells your domain where your website lives. When you're launching a new Squarespace site, we need to update specific DNS records so your domain points visitors to the new website.

You don't need to be a DNS expert. We'll guide you through what needs to be updated.

9. How long does it take to connect my domain and get my new website live?

Once the necessary DNS records are updated, the connection can happen quickly, but DNS changes can take up to 24–72 hours to fully propagate across the internet.

During that window, you may temporarily see your old website, a Squarespace placeholder, or a domain verification message. This is normal and doesn't necessarily mean something has gone wrong.

10. Will my email stop working when my domain moves to Squarespace?

Not necessarily. Your website and your email are separate services, and we'll make sure your email-related DNS records remain intact when connecting your domain to Squarespace.

If you're setting up a new email address for your business, that's a separate process. Services like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 can be connected to your domain, and the appropriate DNS records will need to be configured so your new email address works properly.

11. How do I set up online payments through my website?

If your website needs to accept payments, Squarespace can integrate with payment platforms such as Stripe and PayPal. You'll create or connect your payment account, configure your payment settings, and then connect the appropriate products, services, or checkout functionality within Squarespace.

The exact setup will depend on what you're selling and how you want customers to pay.

Need more support?

Your website shouldn't feel like something you have to figure out alone. Whether you need help making an update, connecting a domain, or troubleshooting something after launch, Box Eight is always happy to point you in the right direction.

As a boutique hospitality brand agency focused on brand strategy, brand design & development, and beyond, Box Eight can help you shape and share a cohesive brand and website so your hospitality business has a polished digital presence.

If you want more information on Squarespace FAQs, check out the Squarespace Help Center.

‍