How I Transferred My Domain and Set Up a Custom Redirect in Squarespace

The link I needed to keep

Introduction

Recently, I needed to transfer my domain donparker.co.uk from Names.co.uk to Squarespace and set up a redirect so that visitors to donparker.co.uk/Institutionone would be sent to donparkerstudios.com/Institutionone. It took some troubleshooting, but I got it working. Here’s how I did it.

Step 1: Transferring My Domain to Squarespace

To move my domain from Names.co.uk to Squarespace, I followed these steps:

Unlock the Domain on Names.co.uk

1. Logged into Names.co.uk and accessed Domain Management.

2. Checked if the domain was locked (it needs to be unlocked for a transfer).

3. Disabled any privacy protection that could interfere with the transfer.

Get the IPS Tag for Squarespace

Unlike generic domain transfers that use authorization codes, .UK domains require an IPS Tag update.

1. I contacted Squarespace Support to get their IPS Tag (TUCOWS-CA).

2. I updated the IPS Tag in Names.co.uk's Domain Transfer section.

Complete the Transfer in Squarespace

1. In Squarespace, I went to Settings → Domains → Connect a Third-Party Domain and initiated the transfer.

2. I confirmed the domain transfer and waited 24-48 hours for it to complete.

Step 2: Setting Up a Redirect in Squarespace

Once my domain was transferred, I needed to redirect donparker.co.uk/Institutionone to donparkerstudios.com/Institutionone.

Using URL Mappings in Squarespace

Squarespace allows URL redirection using URL Mappings. Here’s how I set it up:

1. Logged into Squarespace and went to Settings → Advanced → Developer Tools → URL Mappings.

2. Added the following line in the URL Mappings field:

   rust

   CopyEdit

   /Institutionone -> https://donparkerstudios.com/Institutionone 301

3. Clicked Save to apply the redirect.

Troubleshooting Issues

Initially, I ran into an error where the redirect wasn’t working. Here’s what I did to fix it:

• Ensured the original page didn’t exist on donparker.co.uk (redirects won’t work if the original page is still active).

• Cleared my browser cache and tested in Incognito Mode.

• Checked my DNS settings to ensure the domain was correctly pointing to Squarespace.

• Waited for DNS propagation, which can take up to 48 hours.

Final Thoughts

Moving a domain and setting up redirects in Squarespace is a straightforward process, but it requires careful steps to avoid errors. If you’re planning to do something similar, make sure to:

• Transfer your domain correctly by updating the IPS tag.

• Delete or disable any conflicting pages before setting up a redirect.

• Use the correct URL format in Squarespace’s URL Mappings.

• Be patient while DNS changes take effect.

I hope this guide helps anyone facing a similar challenge! If you have questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out.