By Devcipator | No-Code and Low-Code Development Agency
If you have built your app on Bubble.io and purchased your domain through Squarespace, connecting the two correctly is the final step before you can launch your app publicly. While the process is straightforward once you understand it, many developers get stuck on DNS settings, SSL errors, or propagation delays.
In this guide, we walk you through the complete custom domain mapping process for Bubble.io using Squarespace as your domain provider. By the end, your app will be live on your own custom domain, fully secured with SSL.
Watch the full video tutorial here: https://youtu.be/MJnz9thgPpM
Why Custom Domain Mapping Matters
Launching your app on a default Bubble.io subdomain works fine for testing and development. But for a production app meant for real users, a custom domain is essential for branding, trust, and professionalism.
A properly mapped custom domain also ensures your app has valid SSL encryption, which is required for security, user trust, and even basic functionality like cookies and payment processing in many cases.
Who Is This Guide For?
This guide is ideal if any of the following apply to you:
You have built an app on Bubble.io and are ready to launch it publicly You purchased your domain through Squarespace You want to connect your custom domain to your Bubble.io app You are currently stuck dealing with DNS or SSL configuration issues
No prior DNS or domain management experience is required. We explain every setting in plain language.
Tools Used in This Guide
Bubble.io Squarespace Domains DNS Records, specifically A records and CNAME records
How Custom Domains Work in Bubble.io
Before making any changes, it helps to understand what is actually happening behind the scenes.
Every Bubble.io app is hosted on Bubble’s servers and is initially accessible through a default subdomain such as yourapp.bubbleapps.io. When you map a custom domain, you are essentially telling the internet that requests to your domain, such as yourapp.com, should be directed to Bubble’s servers instead of staying with your domain registrar.
This is done through DNS records, which act like a directory that tells browsers where to find your app when someone types in your domain name.
Step 1: Adding Your Domain Inside Bubble.io Settings
Open your Bubble.io app and go to Settings, then Domain/Email. Enter your custom domain in the field provided, for example yourapp.com, and save your changes.
Bubble will provide you with the specific DNS records you need to add on the Squarespace side. These typically include an A record for your root domain and a CNAME record for the www version of your domain.
Keep this Bubble settings page open, as you will need to reference these exact values when configuring Squarespace.
Step 2: Understanding Squarespace DNS Settings
Squarespace manages domain DNS settings through its own dashboard, which is slightly different from traditional domain registrars but follows the same underlying principles.
Log in to your Squarespace account and navigate to the Domains section. Select the domain you want to connect to your Bubble.io app and look for the DNS settings or Advanced Settings option.
Here you will see existing DNS records that Squarespace has set up by default. You will need to modify or add specific records to point your domain to Bubble.io instead.
Step 3: Connecting Your Squarespace Domain to Bubble.io
Inside your Squarespace DNS settings, add the following records exactly as provided by Bubble.io in your app settings:
An A record pointing your root domain to Bubble’s IP address A CNAME record pointing the www subdomain to your Bubble app’s default address
Remove any conflicting default records that Squarespace may have already added for the same host, since having duplicate or conflicting records for the same domain or subdomain will cause your setup to fail.
Save your changes once the correct records are in place.
Step 4: Fixing Common Domain Mapping Errors
A few issues come up repeatedly when connecting Squarespace domains to Bubble.io. Here are the most common ones and how to resolve them.
If your domain shows a “not secure” warning, this usually means SSL has not finished provisioning yet. This is expected immediately after setup and typically resolves within a few hours.
If your app does not load at all, double check that you have not left any conflicting A or CNAME records active in Squarespace from before you made your changes.
If only the www version works but the root domain does not, or vice versa, verify that both the A record and the CNAME record have been added correctly and exactly as Bubble specified.
If changes do not seem to be taking effect, remember that DNS propagation is not instant. Give it time before assuming something is misconfigured.
Step 5: SSL Setup and Propagation Time
Once your DNS records are correctly configured, Bubble.io automatically provisions an SSL certificate for your custom domain. This process usually completes within a few hours but can occasionally take longer depending on DNS propagation speed.
Domain propagation, which is the time it takes for DNS changes to update across the internet, can take up to 24 hours in some cases. During this window, your domain may work correctly for some visitors and not for others, depending on their location and DNS caching.
We recommend avoiding any major launch announcements until you have confirmed your domain is fully working and SSL is active everywhere.
Best Practices for Production Bubble Apps
Always test your custom domain thoroughly before announcing your launch publicly.
Keep your Bubble app settings page open in one tab and your Squarespace DNS settings open in another, so you can cross-check values exactly as you configure them.
Avoid making multiple unrelated DNS changes at the same time, as this makes it harder to identify the source of any issues that come up.
Once your domain is live and SSL is confirmed working, update any hardcoded links inside your app that may still reference the default Bubble subdomain.
Watch the Full Video Tutorial
Every step covered in this guide is demonstrated in full detail in our YouTube tutorial:
Bubble.io Domain Mapping Complete Guide | Custom Domain Setup Easily
Watch it here: https://youtu.be/MJnz9thgPpM
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does domain propagation take for a Bubble.io app? Domain propagation can take anywhere from a few minutes to 24 hours, depending on your domain provider and DNS caching across different networks.
Do I need to buy my domain from Bubble.io directly? No. You can purchase your domain from any provider, including Squarespace, and then connect it to your Bubble.io app through DNS configuration.
Why is my Bubble.io app showing an SSL error after connecting my domain? SSL certificates take some time to provision after your DNS records are correctly configured. This is normal and usually resolves within a few hours.
Can I use both the root domain and the www version with Bubble.io? Yes. By adding both the A record for your root domain and the CNAME record for the www subdomain as specified by Bubble.io, both versions of your domain will work correctly.
What should I do if my domain still does not work after 24 hours? Double check that there are no conflicting or duplicate DNS records in your Squarespace settings, and confirm that the values exactly match what Bubble.io provided in your app settings.
Is this process different for other domain providers besides Squarespace? The core concept of adding A records and CNAME records is the same across most domain providers, although the dashboard layout and terminology may differ slightly from Squarespace.