Transfer a domain from Squarespace to Cloudflare

Keeping your domains organised is essential for anyone in the online space. I dont own a lot of domains, but enough to be worried about keeping then organised. A key part to any organised system is to keep everything in one place, rather then spattered around amongst various DNS Providers.

After, experimenting with a few different domain providers, Such as

• Google domains
• Webcentral - formally netregistry
• Namecheap
• Cloudflare

I decided cloudflare was my domain name provider of choice. And slowly i have been migrating all my domains to Cloudflare.

Now that Google domains has been sold to Squarespace. It’s time to transfer everything over from squarespace to cloudflare. Why? Because i just dont like page builders like squarespace. Im a coder and a purest. If it’s a .com.au domain we don’t have this luxury to transfer or register domains with cloudflare. For .com there are many good reasons to register domains with cloudflare.

Why register or transfer domains to cloudflare?

Transferring or registering your domains with Cloudflare offers several advantages that enhance both the security and cost-effectiveness of your online presence:

1. Transparent, At-Cost Pricing

Cloudflare Registrar charges only the wholesale prices set by domain registries and ICANN, without any additional markups. This approach ensures you pay the lowest possible price for domain registration and renewals, eliminating unexpected fees or price hikes. Cloudflare

2. Enhanced Security Features

Cloudflare prioritizes domain security by providing:

Automatic Domain Locking: Prevents unauthorized domain transfers by locking your domain by default.

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Adds an extra layer of security to your account, safeguarding against unauthorized access.

Free DNSSEC Activation: Secures your domain’s DNS records with cryptographic signatures, protecting against DNS spoofing and ensuring data integrity. Cloudflare

3. WHOIS Privacy Protection

Cloudflare offers WHOIS privacy protection at no additional cost, shielding your personal contact information from public databases and reducing the risk of spam or targeted attacks. Cloudflare

4. Seamless Integration with Cloudflare Services

By managing your domain through Cloudflare, you can easily integrate with their suite of performance and security services, including:

Content Delivery Network (CDN): Enhances website load times by caching content closer to your users.

DDoS Protection: Safeguards your site against distributed denial-of-service attacks.

Web Application Firewall (WAF): Provides an additional layer of security by filtering out malicious traffic.

This integration streamlines the management of your domain and associated services, offering a unified platform for your website’s needs.

5. Commitment to Fair Practices

Cloudflare’s mission to build a better Internet is reflected in their commitment to fair pricing and robust security measures, ensuring that domain owners receive value without unnecessary costs or compromises on security. Cloudflare Blog

By choosing Cloudflare as your domain registrar, you benefit from a transparent pricing model, enhanced security features, and seamless integration with a range of performance and security services, all designed to provide a reliable and cost-effective solution for managing your domains.

Transferring a Domain Away from Squarespace

Transferring your domain from Squarespace to Cloudflare involves several steps to ensure a smooth transition. Here’s a comprehensive guide to assist you:

1. Verify Eligibility

Domain Age: Ensure your domain has been registered for at least 60 days. ICANN regulations prohibit transfers within the first 60 days of registration or a previous transfer.

Contact Information: Confirm that your WHOIS registrant details haven’t been updated in the last 60 days, as recent changes can restrict transfers.

2. Prepare Your Domain on Squarespace

• Go to domains https://account.squarespace.com/domains

• Unlock the Domain: Log in to your Squarespace account, navigate to the domain settings, and disable the domain lock to allow transfers.

• Obtain the Authorization Code: Request the transfer authorization code (also known as an EPP or auth code) from Squarespace. This code is essential for initiating the transfer with Cloudflare.

3. Set Up Cloudflare Account

Create an Account: If you don’t have one, sign up for a Cloudflare account.

Add Your Domain: In your Cloudflare dashboard, add the domain you intend to transfer.

• Hit the add site button on the top right.
• Cloudflare will present some more advanced plans to you but there is also a free option below the plans.

Cloudflare will scan and import your existing DNS records.

4. Update DNS Settings

Review DNS Records: Ensure all necessary DNS records are correctly imported into Cloudflare. This step is crucial to prevent downtime during the transfer.

Change Nameservers: Update your domain’s nameservers to the ones provided by Cloudflare. This change is typically made in your current registrar’s dashboard. Cloudflare Developers

5. Initiate the Transfer to Cloudflare

Start the Transfer: In the Cloudflare dashboard, navigate to the “Transfer Domains” section, enter your domain name, and provide the authorization code obtained from Squarespace.

Confirm and Pay: Review the transfer details, confirm the process, and pay any applicable transfer fees. Transferring a domain usually extends its registration by one year.

6. Approve the Transfer

Monitor Emails: Both Squarespace and Cloudflare may send emails to confirm the transfer. Follow any instructions provided to expedite the process. Note that some registrars may take up to five days to complete the transfer if no action is taken. Cloudflare Developers

7. Finalize the Transfer

Verify Completion: Once the transfer is complete, your domain will be managed by Cloudflare.

Check DNS Settings: Ensure all DNS settings are correct and that your website is functioning as expected.

Additional Considerations

Transfer Duration: The transfer process can take up to five days, depending on the registrars involved.

Email Services: If you use email services associated with your domain, ensure that MX records and other related DNS settings are correctly configured in Cloudflare to prevent email disruptions.

By following these steps, you can successfully transfer your domain from Squarespace to Cloudflare, enhancing your website’s performance and security.