Squarespace announced that it is acquiring all of Google Domains’ assets, including the transfer of approximately 10 million domains, and the transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2023.
Google and Squarespace have signed an agreement to transfer the assets of Google Domains.
Google Domains will enter a transition period as it ends.
Squarespace’s CEO and founder issued a statement:
“We are exceptionally proud to be chosen to serve customers in the Google Domains business,” said Anthony Casalena, founder and CEO of Squarespace. “Domains are a fundamental part of the web infrastructure and an essential part of any company’s online presence.
We look forward to serving these new customers as we have served millions of people using our domain products and are committed to ensuring a seamless transition.”
The news took pretty much everyone by surprise, I’m sure no one expected this to happen.
wow Acquiring Google Domains from Squarespace was definitely not on my bingo card today. 😱😱😱
— Brian Gardner (@bgardner) June 16, 2023
Effect on Google Workspace clients
Squarespace is a reseller of Google Workspace. Customers who purchased a domain through Workspace will switch to Squarespace billing.
According to the press release:
“Upon closing, Squarespace, a longtime Google Workspace reseller, will become the exclusive domain provider for any customer who purchases a domain along with their Google Workspace subscription directly for a minimum of three years.
Squarespace will also provide billing and support services to Google Workspace customers who have registered for the service through Google Domains.
Customers will continue to have the option to make changes to their domain account at any time.”
Squarespace domain registrations
Squarespace is primarily known as a software-as-a-service (SaaS) website builder that allows individuals and businesses to easily create a web presence.
But they also have one domain registration business too. This acquisition will mean about ten million more customers.
The domain registration business includes a domain management tool like any other domain name registrar that allows you to edit the DNS.
Domains on Squarespace cost between $20 and $70.
The sales agreement stipulates that Squarespace will honor the current Google Domain prices for one year.
Reaction to the news of the acquisition of Google domains
Google domains are a popular choice in the search marketing community and beyond due to their ease of use and low-key interface.
The news was overwhelmingly met with anxiety, fear and sadness.
One person expressed a lack of constant upselling on add-ons like privacy, email accounts, and other services, which is not uncommon at other registrars.
It was a great product for agency owners and one of the best things it had is now going the way of GoDaddy: endless sales.
— Rex Kramer, Danger Seeker® (@RexDangerSeeker) June 16, 2023
Other apparently satisfied Google Domains customers expressed their sadness:
Very angry about it. Dear G domains
— Tee Riddle 🇺🇦 (@TeeRiddle) June 16, 2023
I’m very sad.
— Josh Miller (@josdmiller) June 16, 2023
Natural path to growth for Squarespace
Many other companies offer domain registration services in addition to hosting, marketing and other services. So, in some ways, it’s a natural path for Squarespace.
Read the press release:
Squarespace enters into definitive agreement to acquire Google Domains assets
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