How Do I Get Email for My Domain on Squarespace?

Why You Need a Custom Domain Email

Using a free email address like [email protected] for business communication makes your brand look unprofessional. A custom domain email ([email protected]) builds trust with customers, improves email deliverability, and reinforces your brand with every message you send.

Studies consistently show that customers are more likely to trust and purchase from businesses using domain-matched email addresses. It signals legitimacy and permanence - two things that matter when someone is deciding whether to give you their money or personal information.

Option 1: Google Workspace Through Squarespace

Squarespace has a direct integration with Google Workspace (formerly G Suite). This is the easiest setup path because Squarespace handles the DNS configuration and billing automatically.

What You Get

Custom email at your domain ([email protected]). Full Gmail interface for sending and receiving. Google Calendar, Drive, Docs, and Meet included. 30 GB of storage per user. Mobile apps for iOS and Android. Google's spam filtering and security infrastructure.

How to Set It Up

Step 1: In your Squarespace dashboard, go to Settings > Google Workspace (or look for the Email section). Click Get Started.

Step 2: Choose your plan. Google Workspace offers Business Starter, Standard, and Plus tiers. Starter covers most small business needs.

Step 3: Create your first email address (e.g., [email protected], [email protected], or your name).

Step 4: Squarespace automatically configures your domain's MX records - no manual DNS editing needed. This is the biggest advantage of using the integrated setup.

Step 5: Log in to Gmail with your new address. Set up your signature, profile picture, and preferences. Download the Gmail app on your phone for mobile access.

Billing

Google Workspace billing goes through your Squarespace account. You see one bill for your website and email. This simplifies accounting. You can add additional email users (team members) at any time, each at the per-user monthly rate.

Option 2: Third-Party Email Provider

If you prefer a different email provider - Microsoft 365, Zoho Mail, ProtonMail, Fastmail, or any other - you can connect it to your Squarespace domain by configuring MX records.

How MX Records Work

MX (Mail Exchange) records tell the internet where to deliver email for your domain. When someone sends an email to [email protected], their email server checks your domain's MX records to find out which email server handles delivery. By pointing your MX records to your chosen email provider, all email for your domain routes to that provider.

How to Set It Up

Step 1: Sign up for your chosen email provider and create your email account. The provider will give you MX record values to configure.

Step 2: In Squarespace, go to Settings > Domains > click your domain > DNS Settings.

Step 3: Add the MX records provided by your email service. Each record has a priority number and a server address. Enter them exactly as provided.

Step 4: Some providers also require TXT records for verification and SPF/DKIM records for email authentication. Add these in the same DNS settings panel.

Step 5: Wait for DNS propagation (usually 1-24 hours). Test by sending an email to your new address from a different account.

Option 3: Email Forwarding (Free, Basic)

If you just need to receive email at a custom domain address without a full email hosting setup, some domain registrars offer free email forwarding. This forwards messages sent to [email protected] to your existing Gmail or other personal email.

Squarespace does not offer built-in email forwarding, but if your domain is registered elsewhere and connected to Squarespace, you may be able to use the registrar's forwarding feature. The limitation: you can receive at your custom address but replies come from your personal address unless you configure "Send as" in your email client.

Which Option Should You Choose?

Google Workspace via Squarespace: Best for most users. Simplest setup, automatic DNS configuration, familiar Gmail interface, includes productivity tools. Ideal if you want everything managed in one place.

Microsoft 365: Best if your team already uses Outlook, Word, Excel, and Teams. The integration with Microsoft's productivity suite is unmatched if that is your existing workflow.

Zoho Mail: Best for budget-conscious users. Offers a free tier for up to 5 users with basic features. Good for very small businesses or solo operators.

ProtonMail: Best for privacy-focused businesses. End-to-end encryption, based in Switzerland, no data mining. Higher cost but maximum privacy. For understanding how your domain connects to these services, our guide on domain ownership on Squarespace covers what Squarespace controls vs what you control.

Email Setup Best Practices

Set up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records. These DNS records authenticate your email, preventing it from being marked as spam. Your email provider will give you the specific values to add in Squarespace's DNS settings.

Create standard addresses. Set up info@, hello@, or contact@ for general inquiries. Add support@ if you handle customer service. These are the addresses visitors expect to find.

Set up a professional signature. Include your name, title, phone number, and website URL. Keep it clean - avoid images and excessive formatting that trigger spam filters.

Test deliverability. After setup, send test emails to Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo accounts. Check that messages arrive in the inbox, not spam. Use a tool like Mail Tester to verify your email configuration. For branding consistency across your online presence, our guide to site creation and branding on Squarespace covers aligning your email, domain, and website identity.

What Happens to Email If You Leave Squarespace?

Since Squarespace does not host email, your email service is independent of your website. If you move your site to another platform, your email continues working as long as you maintain the MX records pointing to your email provider. If you transfer your domain away from Squarespace, update the MX records at the new registrar. If you use Google Workspace through Squarespace, you can transfer the subscription to Google directly. For domain transfer details, our guide on domain transfer eligibility covers the process.

Set Up Your Custom Domain Email

Squarespace does not host email, but setting up a custom address takes minutes. Use Google Workspace through Squarespace for the simplest setup, or connect any third-party provider via MX records. Either way, a professional domain email builds trust and makes your business look legitimate from the first point of contact.