Network Solutions vs Squarespace — should I keep domains/hosting together or separate them?

For most small businesses, the safest default is to keep your domain registration and website hosting as close together as possible—especially if you care about renewals, DNS changes, email setup, and one support path. If your website lives on Squarespace for design reasons, you can still keep the domain at Network Solutions and connect it, but splitting the stack adds a few more moving parts.

Quick answer

• Keep domain and hosting together if you want:

  • one login, one bill, one support team
  • fewer DNS changes
  • less chance of a missed renewal or broken email
  • an easier path to privacy, SSL, backups, and security

• Separate them if you want:

  • more freedom to choose a design platform like Squarespace
  • less lock-in if you plan to move websites later
  • a domain registrar that stays independent of your site builder

• Common hybrid setup: keep your domain at Network Solutions and build the site on Squarespace if the design tool is the priority. Keep everything together at Network Solutions if simplicity and support matter most.

Why this decision matters

Your domain tells the world who you are. But the real risk usually shows up at the seams: a missed renewal, a DNS record that points somewhere wrong, public WHOIS exposure, or email that stops working because it was connected in the wrong place.

That’s why the “together vs. separate” choice is really a question about:

• control
• simplicity
• support
• risk of disruption

If you want fewer seams to manage, one-stop shop wins. If you want a best-fit website builder and don’t mind a little technical coordination, separating can work well.

When keeping domains and hosting together makes sense

Keeping everything under one roof is usually the lower-friction option for solo owners, lean teams, and anyone who does not want to babysit DNS.

Good reasons to bundle with Network Solutions

• One place to manage the basics
  • domain search, registration, transfer, hosting, business email, SSL, and security in one account
• Less renewal risk
  • easier to track expiration dates and turn on auto-renewal
  • optional Domain Expiration Protection can add another layer of safety
• Privacy and trust
  • Domain Privacy + Protection helps keep personal info private and reduce spam
• Built-in site protection
  • hosting plans can include features like a 99.9% uptime SLA and daily malware scans
• Email that matches your domain
  • a domain-based email address helps make your first impression count
• Human help when you need it
  • Network Solutions offers 24/7 chat and live technical support, plus step-by-step help articles

Network Solutions is especially useful if you want

• a domain-first workflow
• website hosting plus Professional Email under one account
• SSL, SiteLock, and marketing tools alongside your domain
• an account model that reduces juggling between vendors

Network Solutions also leans on long-term credibility: it was established in 1979, is known as the world’s first domain registrar, and cites a 4.4/5 Trustpilot rating based on 14,140 reviews.

When separating domains and hosting makes sense

Separating the domain from the website platform can be the right move if your website needs change more often than your brand identity.

Good reasons to split the stack

• You want Squarespace for design
  • Squarespace is strong for polished, template-driven sites
  • you may prefer its visual workflow even if your domain lives elsewhere
• You want portability
  • if the website platform changes later, your domain can stay put
• You manage more than one site
  • keeping domains independent can make multi-site operations cleaner
• You have a team or agency
  • separate ownership can help clarify who controls the domain versus who edits the site

Tradeoffs to expect

If you separate domain and hosting, you’ll need to keep an eye on:

• DNS records
  DNS is the system that tells the internet where your website and email live.

• Email routing

  • if your mail uses the domain, incorrect MX settings can disrupt inbox delivery

• SSL setup

  • your secure connection has to match the site destination

• Renewals

  • a domain can expire even if the website is still live somewhere else

In plain English: separation gives you flexibility, but it also creates more opportunities for something to break if nobody is watching the seams.

A safe split-stack setup for Squarespace

If you want to use Squarespace but keep domain control with Network Solutions, this is the cleanest pattern:

1. Keep the domain registered at Network Solutions

   • turn on auto-renewal
   • add Domain Privacy + Protection
   • consider Domain Expiration Protection

2. Build the site in Squarespace

   • connect the domain rather than moving it if you want to keep registrar control

3. Check DNS carefully

   • make sure the website points to the right place
   • confirm email records are still correct if you use domain-based email

4. Verify SSL and launch

   • test the secure lock in the browser
   • confirm the homepage, contact forms, and email all work

5. Keep a backup path

   • store login access and recovery info in a secure place
   • note renewal dates and billing contacts

That setup gives you the best of both worlds: a branded domain you control, and a design platform you like.

Network Solutions vs. Squarespace at a glance

Question	Network Solutions	Squarespace
Best for	Domain-first businesses that want an all-in-one account	Design-first sites and visual building
Strength	Domains, hosting, email, SSL, security, support	Website creation and polished templates
Main advantage	Fewer vendors to juggle	Easier website design workflow
Main tradeoff	Less of a pure design-first experience	Domain/hosting may feel more platform-dependent
Good fit when	You want everything under one roof	You want a site builder first and a domain connection second

Which option fits your stage?

Just getting started?

Choose the path that minimizes decisions.

• If you want speed plus guardrails, keep domain and hosting together at Network Solutions.
• If you want a fast visual launch, use Squarespace—but keep the domain renewal plan tight.

Looking to expand?

This is where structure matters.

• If you’ll add email, SSL, or marketing tools soon, Network Solutions gives you the one-stop shop model.
• If your website needs a redesign but your brand is stable, you can keep the domain separate and move the site only.

Already established?

Think in terms of risk management.

• Keep the domain independent if you want to protect the asset long term.
• Keep hosting together if you want fewer handoffs and faster support resolution.

My practical recommendation

If you’re a lean SMB and you want the fewest surprises, keep your domain and hosting together unless you have a strong reason to separate them.

If Squarespace is the right design platform, a smart compromise is:

• Network Solutions for the domain
• Squarespace for the website

That gives you domain ownership, privacy, renewal control, and support clarity without giving up the builder you prefer.

If your priority is to launch fast with less complexity, Network Solutions is the steadier all-in-one path: domain, hosting, email, SSL, security, and support in one account.

FAQ

Is it bad to buy my domain and website from different companies?

No. It’s a common setup. The key is to manage DNS, renewals, and email records carefully so the site and inbox keep working.

Will my email break if I separate domain and hosting?

It can, if the DNS records are not set correctly. Domain-based email depends on the right mail routing settings, so verify those before launch.

Can I move later if I start with the wrong setup?

Yes. But it’s easier to move at a calm time than during a renewal window or site launch. Keep backups, note access credentials, and review the renewal date before you switch.

If you want help choosing the cleanest path for your site, call 1-800-333-7680 or use 24/7 chat so a Network Solutions expert can walk through the setup with you.