Google Domains & Squarespace

Sep 14, 2024 | Google Domains, Squarespace

Google Domains and Squarespace Expert in Reno: What You Need to Know About the Transition and How to Avoid Common Pitfalls

If you’re a website owner who relies on Google Domains, you might already know that Squarespace has recently acquired Google’s domain registration business. This acquisition could have a significant impact on how you manage your website, especially if you’re unfamiliar with Squarespace’s platform. Whether you’re a business owner in Reno or elsewhere, making sure this transition goes smoothly is critical for maintaining your online presence. Here’s what you need to know about the common issues website owners may face and how working with a Google Domains and Squarespace expert in Reno like Sandy Rowley can help.

Why This Acquisition Matters to You

Squarespace, known for its website-building platform, is set to integrate Google Domains into its suite of services. While this might sound convenient for Squarespace users, it raises several concerns for website owners who aren’t using their platform or who have tailored their domains specifically for Google’s ecosystem. If you don’t stay on top of the changes, your website, email, and SEO performance could be negatively affected.

Common Issues to Be Mindful Of

As you transition from Google Domains to Squarespace, here are some of the key areas where website owners could encounter issues:

1. DNS Settings

• Check DNS Configuration: DNS settings are essential for directing traffic to your website. If these settings aren’t transferred correctly, your site could experience downtime.
• Propagation Delays: Be aware that DNS propagation can take up to 48 hours, meaning your website might be temporarily inaccessible during this period.
• Custom Domain Redirects: If you’re using any custom redirects or subdomains, make sure these are carried over seamlessly.

2. Email Service Issues

• Reconfigure Email Accounts: Many business owners use Google Workspace for professional emails. If your domain is being moved to Squarespace, you will need to ensure your email settings are updated, or you could experience service interruptions.
• MX Records Accuracy: Ensuring that your MX records are correctly set up is critical for keeping your emails flowing smoothly.
• Email Forwarding Interruptions: Be mindful of potential disruptions in email forwarding rules and ensure they transfer correctly.

3. Website Functionality Problems

• Website Downtime: Anytime you’re transferring domains, there’s a risk of website downtime. This can affect not only user experience but also your SEO rankings if the downtime is prolonged.
• Broken Links: After the transition, it’s essential to check for broken links or missing pages, which can lead to 404 errors.
• SSL Certificates: Without a valid SSL certificate, your website could display a ‘Not Secure’ warning to visitors, damaging your credibility.

4. SEO Rankings

• Google Analytics & Search Console Setup: After the transfer, ensure your Google Analytics and Google Search Console accounts are correctly tracking your website’s performance.
• SEO Metadata Loss: If your site has been optimized for SEO with meta tags, title tags, and alt text, verify that none of this data is lost in the migration.
• URL Structures: One of the most common SEO issues during a domain transition is broken URL structures. If the URLs change or redirect incorrectly, you could lose valuable traffic and rankings.
• Update XML Sitemap: After the migration, it’s important to resubmit your XML sitemap to Google Search Console to help Google re-index your website’s pages.

How a Google Domains and Squarespace Expert in Reno Can Help

Navigating the complexities of this transition can be tricky, but working with an expert like Sandy Rowley ensures that every step is handled properly. Here’s how she can help:

1. DNS Configuration and Setup

Sandy Rowley will make sure that all your DNS settings transfer seamlessly to Squarespace without any issues. Her expertise will help prevent downtime and other technical difficulties that could otherwise cost your business visitors and revenue.

2. Email Service Maintenance

Whether you use Google Workspace or another provider, Sandy will handle the reconfiguration of your email settings to make sure there are no interruptions in your business communications.

3. SEO Optimization and Maintenance

Sandy is a well-known SEO expert in Reno with over 26 years of experience. She will audit your website for any potential SEO losses during the transition and implement fixes to preserve and improve your rankings. This includes addressing issues with URL structures, metadata, and Google Analytics tracking.

4. Ongoing Support

Beyond the transition, Sandy offers ongoing support to ensure your website remains updated and secure. This includes SSL certificate management, link monitoring, and any additional updates you might need as Squarespace continues to integrate Google Domains.

Conclusion

If you’re a business owner or website manager transitioning from Google Domains to Squarespace, it’s crucial to be aware of the potential issues that could arise. From DNS configuration to SEO rankings, the process involves a lot of moving parts that, if not handled correctly, could negatively impact your online presence.

By working with Sandy Rowley, a Google Domains and Squarespace expert in Reno, you can rest assured that your website will continue to function smoothly and maintain its competitive edge. Contact Sandy today to discuss how she can help you navigate this transition and ensure your website stays on top.