How to Transfer Ownership of a Squarespace Website
“Okay, I’m going to transfer the ownership of your website to you now.”
This is something I say to almost every client once we’re done building their website.
I start the design of all new Squarespace websites from my own account. This way, my clients are able to take advantage of my Squarespace Circle discounts. But, it’s very important to me that my clients have control over their own websites. So, when we’re done creating their brand new websites, I transfer the site to my clients, and they become the owners.
So, how do you transfer the ownership of a Squarespace Website? Luckily Squarespace makes it really easy!
Step 1: Add a Contributor to Your Website
Before ownership can be transferred, the new owner has to be added onto the website as a contributor.
To add a contributor you simply need to send the new owner an invite from the Squarespace website:
1. From the Home panel click Settings > Permissions
2. Click the Invite Contributor button
3. In the pop up window, enter the contributor's name and email address
4. Switch the toggles to choose the permission type(s) that your contributor will have
5. Click Invite to send your invitation
6. They will now receive an email inviting them to log into their Squarespace account or create a new account
You can find a list of your invited contributors under Invites Sent.
Which permission type should you choose?
You can transfer ownership to any permission type except a basic author. Permission types include Administrator, Billing, Website Editor, Analytics, Comment Moderator, Store Manager and Viewer. Choose Billing to allow the user to buy hosting plans or Google Workspace plans before switching owners. Or choose Administrator to allow them access to everything on the website.
Please Note: You can have only one owner per website. All other permission types allow for multiple users (only two users can be added on the Personal Hosting Plan).
Related Post: Add a Contributor to your Squarespace Website
Step 2: Transfer the Ownership of the Website
Now that the future owner is a contributor to the Squarespace website, you can transfer the ownership to them.
1. From the Home menu click Settings > Permissions
2. In the main Permissions window click Transfer Ownership
3. In the pop-up menu, log in to your account to verify
4. Select the new owner from the drop-down menu
5. Click Continue, then click Confirm.
The Squarespace website is now transferred to its new owner. Any other subscriptions connected to that website such as Google Workspace, Squarespace domains, Acuity Scheduling, or Email Campaigns have also been transferred.
The previous owner is now an Administrator on the website, but can be removed by the owner at any time. Owners can’t be removed by any other contributor.
To remove the previous owner:
1. From the Home menu click Settings > Permissions
2. Click the contributor's name
3. Click ..., then click Remove Contributor
4. Click Remove
Post Transfer Checklist
While some things connected to your website will automatically be transferred with your ownership, other things won’t be. So, here’s are a few things you should check on.
Credit Card on File: Make sure the right card (and name on that card) is on file in your Billing information. Otherwise the wrong person could get billed when hosting renews. Go to Settings > Billing> Payment Information to check.
Domains: You may need to update the contact information for you website’s domain as it won’t be automatically changed for you. To update the info go to Settings > Domains. Then click on the Registration Information button.
You might also want to take this moment to check out the contributors on your site and remove the access for anyone who no longer needs it. And good luck with your new website!
