If you plan on having a website, you’ll almost certainly want to register a domain name. A domain name provides the website with a “web address” that people can enter anytime they want to visit your website.
However, simply registering a domain name isn’t enough. You need to link, or “point,” it to your website to make it functional.
This article will walk you through everything you need to know about connecting a domain name to your website.
Why Connecting a Domain Name is Important
A domain name is like an address for your website, making it accessible to people around the world. Without a connected domain name, users will have to use a direct IP address, which is difficult to remember and doesn’t look professional.
Linking a domain allows users to type in a straightforward address, like yourwebsite.com, to access your site directly.
Shouldn’t My Domain Already Be Connected?
If you purchased your domain name and web hosting at the same time through the same company, then it’s likely your domain name is already connected to your website.
When you purchase both the domain name and hosting from the same company, the DNS settings are often configured automatically. The company will typically handle all the necessary DNS configuration for you. This includes setting up the correct A records, CNAME records, and nameservers. As a result, your domain is immediately connected to your website, and there’s no need for you to manually adjust these settings. This is a convenient feature provided by most hosting companies to make the setup process seamless.
In some cases, you might still need to make DNS changes even when using the same company, such as:
- Custom Configurations: If you need custom DNS configurations, like pointing a subdomain to another service (e.g., for email or an external app), you’ll need to modify the DNS records.
- Adding an SSL Certificate: Occasionally, adding SSL certificates might require additional DNS verification, though many providers automate this as well.
- Advanced Services: If you’re using specialized services (like a content delivery network or third-party email service), you may need to update DNS records to point to these external services.
The steps outlined in this article assume that your domain name isn’t already connected to your website.
Key Terms to Understand Before You Start
Before diving into the connection process, here are some important terms to know:
- Domain Registrar: The company where you registered your domain name.
- Web Host: The provider that hosts your website files. This may or may not be the same company that you registered the domain through.
- Nameservers: These are servers that manage the DNS records associated with your domain. They direct traffic from your domain to the correct web server at your web host.
- DNS (Domain Name System): DNS is essentially the phonebook of the internet. It translates domain names into IP addresses, allowing users to connect to your site using a human-readable address.
Step-by-Step Guide to Connect a Domain Name to Your Website
Step 1: Purchase Your Domain Name and Web Hosting
If you haven’t done so already, register a domain name from a domain registrar and hosting services from a web hosting provider. While some companies offer both services, you can also purchase them separately if required or if you prefer.
We offer both here at ZappyHost. You can use our domain search tool to find your perfect domain name and choose a hosting plan from our range of cPanel plans or WordPress plans. We also provide VPS plans in case you need to host a website on your own virtual private server.
As mentioned, if you buy them together from the same company, you might not need to manually connect your domain and website together (the web host will usually do this for you).
The following steps assume that your domain name isn’t already connected to your website.
Step 2: Find Your Web Host’s Nameservers
Assuming your domain name and website aren’t already connected, you can now work your way through these steps.
Once you have your hosting set up, locate the nameservers for your web host. These can often be found in the host’s help documentation or under your account settings in your hosting account. Common nameserver formats look something like this:
- ns1.yourhost.com
- ns2.yourhost.com
Take note of these nameservers (or just leave them open in a browser tab) as they will be needed to point your domain to your web hosting.
Note: If you decide to use a content delivery network (CDN), such as CloudFlare, then you’ll need to use their nameservers instead of your hosting provider’s nameservers. The CDN should provide these nameservers in their control panel, sign up email, etc.
Step 3: Log In to Your Domain Registrar Account
Now, go to your domain registrar’s website and log in to your account. Navigate to the “Domain Management” section or similar, where you can see a list of your purchased domains.
Step 4: Update the Nameservers
- Select Your Domain: Choose the domain name you want to connect to your website.
- Edit Nameserver Settings: Click “Edit” or select an option for entering custom nameservers. The exact wording and options available will depend on the domain registrar, but there should always be an option for editing/changing the nameservers.
- Enter New Nameservers: Replace the existing nameservers with the ones provided by your web host or the CDN.
- Save Changes: After entering the new nameservers, save the changes.
Your domain should now be directed to your hosting provider. However, DNS changes may take up to 48 hours to fully propagate, though it often happens sooner.
Step 5: Configure DNS Settings (If Required)
If your web host or CDN requires specific DNS settings, such as A records or CNAME records, you may need to add/edit these as required.
Configuring DNS settings can be done in either the web host, the CDN, or the domain registrar, but it depends on where your DNS settings are managed.
- If You Changed Nameservers to Your Web Host:
- When you point your domain to your web host by updating the nameservers at the registrar, the DNS settings will generally be managed by your web host.
- In this case, any additional DNS configuration, such as A records or CNAME records, should be done through your web host’s DNS settings.
- If You Changed Nameservers to a CDN:
- When you point your domain to a CDN by updating the nameservers at the registrar, you’ll generally manage your DNS settings via the CDN’s control panel.
- In this case, any additional DNS configuration, such as A records or CNAME records, should be done through your CDN’s DNS settings.
- If You Kept the Default Nameservers of the Domain Registrar:
- If you left the nameservers unchanged at your domain registrar, your registrar will still manage the DNS records.
- You should then configure any additional DNS settings (A record, CNAME, etc.) directly within your domain registrar’s DNS settings.
So with that in mind, to configure your DNS settings, log in to either your web hosting account, CDN, or your domain registrar account (depending on where the nameservers are), and change the settings as required by your web host.
Verifying the Connection
After updating the nameservers and any necessary DNS records, test your domain connection to ensure it’s pointing correctly to your website. Here’s how:
- Wait for Propagation: DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to propagate globally, although they usually update within a few hours.
- Check DNS Propagation: Use online tools like whatsmydns.net to see if your DNS records have propagated.
- Visit Your Website: After propagation, go to your domain name in a browser. If everything is set up correctly, your website should load.
Common Issues and Troubleshooting
Sometimes, things don’t go as planned. Here are some common issues and troubleshooting tips:
- General Error: If you’re getting an error of some kind, it could indicate that the DNS propagation hasn’t completed yet. Wait a few hours and try again. It could also be that you’ve got an error on your website itself (e.g., configuration error, code error, etc).
- Nameserver Errors: If you see an error related to nameservers, double-check that you entered them correctly. A minor typo can prevent the domain from connecting.
- Old Website Appearing: Clear your browser cache, as it may be loading a cached version of an old site. This will also occur when the DNS hasn’t fully propagated. If you use a VPN, you could try loading the website from a different location (if your VPN provides this option). Again, online tools like whatsmydns.net will inform you where the DNS has propagated.
Advanced Tips for Domain Management
Once your domain is connected, here are a few tips to ensure a seamless experience for your visitors:
- Set Up SSL (HTTPS): SSL certificates encrypt data, making your site more secure. Many web hosts offer free SSL certificates. In some cases, you may need to add a TXT entry into your DNS records for verification. In such cases, you can edit the DNS using the steps outlined in this article.
- Use URL Forwarding for Subdomains: If you have other domains, you can forward them to your main website by setting up URL forwarding through your registrar.
- Check Expiration Dates: Domain names require renewal, typically every year. Set a reminder to avoid accidental expiration.
Final Thoughts
Connecting a domain name to your website is a straightforward process, but it does require attention to detail. By following these steps, you can ensure your domain is properly linked, providing a seamless and professional experience for your users.