How to Connect a Domain to Your Web Hosting

Before you begin

Make sure you have access to both your domain registrar and hosting account. Ask your hosting provider which nameservers or DNS records you should use. The correct settings depend on the hosting platform.

Option 1: Change the nameservers

If your hosting provider manages DNS, it may give you nameserver addresses. Enter them in the domain's registrar panel and save the change. This generally moves DNS-zone management to that provider, so recreate any existing records you still need, including email records.

Option 2: Update DNS records

If you want to keep DNS managed where it is, update the records specified by your hosting provider. This often means changing an A record for IPv4 and, if supplied, an AAAA record for IPv6. Some platforms use a CNAME for a subdomain or provide other instructions.

Allow time for changes

DNS resolvers cache records, so updates may not appear everywhere immediately. The time varies based on previous TTL values and resolver behaviour. Avoid making several conflicting changes while waiting.

Test the website and email

Once the records are updated, test the domain with and without www if both should work. Check HTTPS as well as the website itself. If you use email on the domain, confirm that MX and related mail-authentication records remain correct.

Common mistakes

Do not delete all existing DNS records without checking what they do. Changing nameservers can affect email and other services, not just the website. If the site does not load after the expected period, compare the current records with the hosting provider's instructions.