A secure website is essential for building trust with your visitors, protecting sensitive information, and even boosting your search engine rankings. Seeing the dreaded “Not Secure” warning in your browser’s address bar can be alarming. If you’re asking yourself “Why is my Squarespace site not secure?”, “Why does my Squarespace site say not secure?”, “Why does my Squarespace website say not secure?”, “Why does my website say not secure Squarespace?”, or “Why is my Squarespace website not secure?”, this guide is for you! We’ll walk you through common causes and solutions to help you secure your Squarespace site.
Table of Contents
- Understanding SSL and Its Importance
- Common Causes of “Not Secure” Errors on Squarespace
- Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Understanding SSL and Its Importance
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is a technology that encrypts the connection between your website and a visitor’s browser. This encryption ensures that any data transmitted – like login credentials, personal information, or payment details – remains private and protected from hackers.
You can easily identify a secure website by these visual cues in your browser’s address bar:
- Padlock Icon: A closed padlock icon appears next to the website address.
- HTTPS: The website URL starts with “https://” instead of “http://”. The “s” stands for “secure.”
Having an SSL certificate on your Squarespace website offers several key advantages:
- Enhanced Security: SSL encrypts sensitive data, making it extremely difficult for hackers to intercept information during transmission.
- Improved SEO: Google and other search engines favor secure websites, so having SSL can positively impact your search rankings.
- Increased Trust and Credibility: Visitors are more likely to trust and engage with a website that displays clear signs of security. This is especially crucial for e-commerce businesses or any website that handles personal data.
Common Causes of “Not Secure” Errors on Squarespace
While Squarespace automatically provides SSL certificates for all websites on its platform, you might still encounter the “Not Secure” warning if your Squarespace site says not secure. This could be due to the following reasons:
1. SSL Certificate Issues:
- Inactive Certificate: Your SSL certificate may still be processing. It can take up to 72 hours for Squarespace to fully activate an SSL certificate after it’s been issued.
- Insecure Setting: The SSL setting on your Squarespace website might be mistakenly set to “Insecure” instead of “Secure.”
2. Domain Name System (DNS) Record Problems:
- Incorrect or Missing DNS Records: Properly configured DNS records are essential for SSL to function. Squarespace relies on A records and CNAME records to direct traffic to your site securely. These records may be inaccurate or missing entirely, particularly if you’ve recently connected or transferred your domain.
- Outdated Records: If you’ve had your Squarespace website for a while, your DNS records might be outdated and require updating.
- “www” Prefix Setting: The “www” prefix setting in your domain management can sometimes cause conflicts with SSL, especially if your domain is managed by Squarespace.
3. Domain Transfer in Progress:
- Domain transfers, which involve moving your domain from one registrar to another, can take up to 7 days to complete. During this transfer period, your website’s SSL configuration may be disrupted, leading to the “Not Secure” error.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide
If you find your Squarespace website not secure, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to troubleshoot and resolve “Not Secure” errors:
Step 1: Check Your SSL Settings in Squarespace
- Log in to your Squarespace account and go to the website you want to secure.
- In the Home Menu, navigate to Settings > Advanced > SSL.
- Make sure the SSL Certificate status is set to Active. If it says Processing, wait for up to 72 hours as it may still be activating.
- Ensure that the Security Preference is set to Secure. Avoid the “Insecure” setting.
- Enable HSTS Secure, which forces browsers to always use HTTPS when connecting to your website.
Step 2: Verify and Correct DNS Records
- Go to Settings > Domains.
- Click on the domain name you want to check.
- “www” Prefix: If you see a checkmark next to “www” prefix and your domain is managed by Squarespace, uncheck it. This simplifies domain management and can prevent potential conflicts with SSL.
- Record Status: Look at the status indicators next to your DNS records. They should all be green, meaning they are connected correctly. A red indicator signals an issue with that specific record.
- Common Issues: If you encounter a red indicator, the most common problem is an A record that isn’t pointing to the correct Squarespace IP address. You’ll need to consult Squarespace’s documentation or contact your domain provider to get the correct IP address and update the record.
- Contact Domain Provider: If you see red indicators and aren’t sure how to fix them, contact your domain provider for assistance. They can guide you on correcting the DNS settings for your specific domain.
Step 3: Patience and Contacting Support
- Allow for Processing Time: Remember that SSL activation can take up to 72 hours. Be patient and check back after this period to see if the error is resolved.
- Contact Squarespace Support: If you’ve waited more than 72 hours and your Squarespace site still says not secure, contact Squarespace support. They have access to more detailed information about your account and domain setup and can help identify and resolve any underlying issues that might be causing the “Not Secure” warning.
Step 4: Additional Considerations
- Domain Transfers: If you are in the process of transferring your domain, avoid setting up or troubleshooting SSL until the transfer is complete. Domain transfers can interrupt the SSL setup process and lead to the “Not Secure” error.
- Professional Help: For complex website configurations, e-commerce sites, or if you feel uncomfortable making these changes yourself, consider hiring a Squarespace expert or web developer to handle DNS and SSL settings for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does Squarespace automatically provide SSL certificates?
Yes, Squarespace provides free SSL certificates for all websites on its platform. - How long does it take for SSL to activate?
It can take up to 72 hours for your SSL certificate to fully activate after you connect your domain to Squarespace. - Can I still use my website while SSL is processing?
Yes, your website will remain accessible, but it may display the “Not Secure” warning until the SSL certificate is active. - Why is my domain showing red in the DNS settings?
A red status indicator next to a DNS record means there is a problem with that record. It could be missing, incorrect, or not pointing to the correct Squarespace servers. - Should I disable SSL if I can’t fix the “Not Secure” error?
No, it’s strongly recommended to keep SSL enabled. Having a secure connection is crucial for website security and user trust. If you can’t resolve the error yourself, reach out to Squarespace support for assistance.
Conclusion
If you’ve been searching “why is my squarespace site not secure”, “why does my squarespace site say not secure”, “why does my website say not secure squarespace”, or “why is my squarespace website not secure”, and landed here, know that a secure website is a non-negotiable in today’s digital landscape. Thankfully, Squarespace makes SSL implementation fairly straightforward. By following the troubleshooting steps in this guide, you can address the “Not Secure” warning and ensure your Squarespace site is properly protected, earning trust from your visitors and improving your overall online presence. Remember that Squarespace support is always available to guide you through any persistent issues.