A Step-by-Step Guide to Transfer Domain From Bluehost To Squarespace 2024

Anastasia July 20, 2024 SquareSpace

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Introduction

Transferring your domain from your current host Bluehost to your new host Squarespace can seem like a daunting task. However, with some preparation and by following the right steps, the process does not have to be difficult.

In this guide, we will provide a step-by-step walkthrough on how to transfer your domain from Bluehost to Squarespace in 2024. We will cover things you need to do before starting the transfer, the actual domain transfer process, and what to do after the transfer is complete. By the end, you should have a smooth domain migration with minimal downtime for your website.

Prerequisites

Before starting the domain transfer process, there are a few things you need to do:

Check domain expiration date – Log in to your Bluehost account and check when your domain is due for renewal. It is recommended not to transfer an expired domain as it can lead to losing ownership. Renew it if needed before transferring.
Unlock domain on Bluehost – Go to the Domains section in your Bluehost account and unlock your domain for transfer. This allows changing the registrar away from Bluehost.
Point domain to Squarespace – Temporarily forward your domain to your Squarespace account site. This will ensure visitors are directed there during the transfer.
Backup website files and database – Download a full website backup from Bluehost before transferring your domain. This safeguards your site.

Step-by-Step Domain Transfer Process

Once the prerequisites are fully handled, follow these key steps to transfer domains:

Step 1: Add Domain in Squarespace

Log in to your Squarespace account and go to the Domains section.
Click on Add a Domain and enter your current domain name transferring from Bluehost.
Select domain transfer as the method and enter the domain’s authorization code from Bluehost.
Click on Verify Transfer to check and add the domain.

The authorization or EPP code can be found in your Bluehost domain settings. This allows Squarespace permission to become the new registrar and transfer the domain over from Bluehost.

Step 2: Approve Transfer in Bluehost

Go back to your Bluehost account domains section once Squarespace starts the domain transfer process.
You will receive a transfer approval email from Bluehost to authorize changing the registrar.
Follow the link in the email and login to your Bluehost account when prompted.
Find and click the option to Approve Domain Transfer to Squarespace.

Approving in your Bluehost validates relinquishing control as the registrar and hands it over to Squarespace for future domain management and renewals.

Step 3: Wait for Transfer to Complete

It can take anywhere between 5 to 10 days after initial approval for domain transfers to fully propagate through registry systems.

Your website on the current domain will remain available through the forwarded address to Squarespace during this period.
Once the transfer shows as completed in Squarespace, you can permanently point your domain’s nameservers to Squarespace instead of forwarding.
Log back into your Squarespace account, go to Domain Settings and set custom nameservers assigned there.
This will now display your Squarespace website on the domain directly.

Be patient as registry changes take effect globally during the waiting period for everything to be updated.

Post Domain Transfer Follow-Ups

After your domain finishes transferring to Squarespace, there are still a few things left to handle:

Update domain registrant info – Check that your domain in Squarespace shows your registered name, address etc accurately going forward.
Install SSL certificate – As the new host, Squarespace will issue an SSL certificate to enable HTTPS access for your domain on their servers.
Change DNS records – Migrate existing DNS records like MX, A, CNAMEs to Squarespace nameservers for continued email and other services without disruption.
Update registrar and contacts – Change your domain registrar to Squarespace instead of Bluehost in WHOIS records and anywhere else relevant like domain contacts.
Cancel auto-renewal on Bluehost – Log back into your Bluehost account and disable auto-renewal for the transferred-out domain to avoid being incorrectly charged in the future.

Following these post domain transfer steps will ensure a smooth transition with your domain now being fully managed by Squarespace effectively.

Troubleshooting Issues

During or after the domain migration process from Bluehost to Squarespace, you may encounter some common issues:

Domain transfer getting stuck – DNS propagation delays can cause transfers to stall. Try again in 24 hours or contact support at both Bluehost and Squarespace.
Website not displaying properly – An incomplete transfer can sometimes lead to DNS resolution problems. Check nameservers are correctly assigned at your domain registry to Squarespace.
Emails not working – Mail servers may need updates to reflect that Squarespace is now providing email services going forward. Again confirm MX records.

If any major problems crop up, don’t hesitate to reach out to customer support at either Bluehost or Squarespace for assistance in getting them resolved promptly.

Conclusion

Transferring your domain registration from Bluehost to your new host at Squarespace follows a straightforward sequence of steps covered above.

The most important things to remember are keeping your domain unlocked, backing up site data before transferring, properly approving domain ownership changes in Bluehost, monitoring as the transfer processes through registry systems, and handling critical post-transfer follow-ups at Squarespace.

Some temporary downtime or dns resolution issues during propagation can occur, so be sure you have forwarded traffic to minimize any disruption for site visitors. With that taken care of, your domain should migrate over within 5-10 days successfully.

So there you have it – a comprehensive step-by-step guide to seamlessly transfer domain registration from Bluehost to Squarespace in 2024! Let us know if you have any other questions.