GitHub Pages Custom Domain with Squarespace Domain Not Propagating: A Step-by-Step Guide to Resolution

Are you stuck with a GitHub Pages custom domain that’s not propagating with your Squarespace domain? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Many developers and site owners have faced this frustrating issue. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take you by the hand and walk you through the troubleshooting process to get your custom domain up and running smoothly.

Understanding the Problem

Before we dive into the solutions, let’s understand what’s happening behind the scenes. When you set up a custom domain on GitHub Pages, it uses CNAME records to point to GitHub’s servers. Squarespace, on the other hand, uses its own DNS management system to manage domain settings. The issue arises when these two systems don’t communicate properly, resulting in propagation delays or failures.

Common Causes of Propagation Issues

• Incorrect CNAME record configuration
• DNS caching issues
• Propagation delays
• Squarespace DNS management conflicts
• GitHub Pages configuration errors

Step 1: Verify Your Domain on GitHub Pages

Let’s start by ensuring your domain is properly verified on GitHub Pages. Follow these steps:

1. Log in to your GitHub account and go to your repository.
2. Navigate to Settings > Pages.
3. Click on the Custom domain tab.
4. Enter your custom domain in the Custom domain field.
5. Click Save.
6. GitHub will provide you with a CNAME record and a TXT record. Note them down.

Step 2: Configure CNAME Record on Squarespace

Now, let’s configure the CNAME record on Squarespace:

1. Log in to your Squarespace account and go to your site.
2. Navigate to Settings > Domain > DNS Manager.
3. Click on the Add a record button.
4. Select CNAME as the record type.
5. Enter the Host field with the alias provided by GitHub (e.g., ghpages-username.github.io).
6. Enter the Points to field with the GitHub Pages domain (e.g., username.github.io).
7. Click Save.

Step 3: Configure TXT Record on Squarespace (Optional)

If you’re using GitHub Pages’ built-in SSL certificate, you’ll need to configure the TXT record:

1. Repeat steps 1-3 from Step 2.
2. Select TXT as the record type.
3. Enter the Host field with the alias provided by GitHub (e.g., ghpages-username.github.io).
4. Enter the Value field with the TXT record value provided by GitHub.
5. Click Save.

Step 4: Verify Propagation

It’s time to verify if the changes have propagated correctly:

Use online tools like DNS Lookup or What’s My DNS? to check the CNAME and TXT record propagation. You can also use the dig command in your terminal:

dig yourcustomdomain.com CNAME
dig yourcustomdomain.com TXT

Troubleshooting Tips

DNS Caching Issues

If you’re experiencing DNS caching issues, try the following:

• Clear your browser’s DNS cache.
• Use a different DNS service or public DNS resolvers like Google Public DNS (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1).
• Check if your ISP is caching DNS records.

Squarespace DNS Management Conflicts

If you’re experiencing conflicts with Squarespace’s DNS management, try:

• Disabling Squarespace’s DNS management for your custom domain.
• Using a third-party DNS service like Cloudflare or AWS Route 53.

GitHub Pages Configuration Errors

If you’re experiencing configuration errors on GitHub Pages, try:

• Verifying your GitHub Pages configuration and CNAME records.
• Ensuring your custom domain is correctly set up on GitHub Pages.
• Checking for any typos or mistakes in the CNAME record configuration.

Conclusion

By following these steps and troubleshooting tips, you should be able to resolve the GitHub Pages custom domain propagation issue with your Squarespace domain. Remember to be patient, as DNS propagation can take some time. If you’re still facing issues, don’t hesitate to reach out to GitHub Pages or Squarespace support for further assistance.

Troubleshooting Checklist
Verify domain on GitHub Pages Configure CNAME record on Squarespace Configure TXT record on Squarespace (optional) Verify propagation using online tools or terminal commands Troubleshoot DNS caching issues Troubleshoot Squarespace DNS management conflicts Troubleshoot GitHub Pages configuration errors

We hope this guide has helped you resolve the GitHub Pages custom domain propagation issue with your Squarespace domain. Happy coding and publishing!

Frequently Asked Question

Got stuck with your GitHub Pages custom domain not propagating with your Squarespace domain? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Here are some frequently asked questions to help you troubleshoot the issue: