Frequently Asked Questions
Domain Search and Registration
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Yes, the search is done via a call to the API directly to Squarespace’s domain registrar, providing real-time availability of domains.
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No, domains can't be held or secured between the search and registration process. It’s unlikely that the exact domain name will be sold elsewhere within minutes. However, if you don’t complete your registration after a domain search, the domain may no longer be available when you search again.
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The registration will be connected to SQSP Registrar via API and will happen in real time. No manual intervention is required.
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The API recommends similar options to their search, including various TLDs (.com,.net,.org, etc.). Additionally, it’s industry best practice to own multiple variations of your domain, pointing to your website (e.g. resellerx.com, reseller-x.com, resellerx.net, reseller-x.co.uk).
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Pre-populating the search bar with a suggested domain name can be a great way to entice a customer to purchase a domain. However, we recommend enabling the user to search for variations as well.
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That’s up to you! We recommend showing a few options since there’s a higher likelihood the customer will find the their best match with several options available.
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Some basic information is required to register domains. This includes first and last name, full physical address, email address, and phone number. Certain TLDs require more information.
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Squarespace provides access to more than 400 domain TLDs to date. You can always decide to filter or block certain TLDs or only offer TLDs of a certain price point. For the current, up-to-date list of TLDs and retail prices, please see https://reseller.squarespace.com/legal/retailprices.
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TLDs are being added to Squarespace all the time. Contact your Business Development contact to explore this option.
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Yes, you may offer a domain as part of a bundle or package for merchandising purposes. Bundled or packaged domains still require a negotiated wholesale price per domain.
Billing & Transactions
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The Reseller partner will collect the price of the domain and own the billing relationship with the customer for as long as the domain subscription exists (and while the partnership is in place). Domains renew annually and the industry standard is to default to auto-renew. If the customer opts out of auto-renew or changes billing information, they’ll have to return to the Reseller partner to complete the renewal.
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At the end of each month, both parties will review the total registered domains via the API, and the Reseller will remit payment to Squarespace for the negotiated wholesale rate per domain sold.
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Upon completion of the transaction with the Reseller, the domain is officially registered. The customer is then directed to Squarespace to login and manage their domain on Squarespace. There, they’ll be encouraged to attach a website. There's no need for the reseller to build or develop any website-attaching mechanism.
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The API recommends similar options to their search, including various TLDs (.com,.net,.org, etc.). Additionally, it’s industry best practice to own multiple variations of your domain, pointing to your website (e.g. resellerx.com, reseller-x.com, resellerx.net, reseller-x.co.uk).
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Yes, the domain can be used and connected to any website service, not just Squarespace.
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In their domain management dashboard within Squarespace, there’s a link to redirect the customer to the Reseller’s billing settings to renew their domain. Industry standard is to set a domain to auto-renew, and we recommend Resellers do this by automatically setting domains to auto-renew and asking customers to disable the setting if they’d prefer to renew manually.