To make your website accessible on the internet, you must connect your domain name to your hosting server. This is typically done by updating the nameservers or DNS records provided by your hosting provider.
1. What Are Nameservers and DNS?
Nameservers are special servers that manage the DNS (Domain Name System) records of your domain. They tell the internet where your website files and emails are hosted.
Example nameservers from a hosting provider:
ns1.dignityserver.com
ns1.dignityserver.com
Once your domain uses these nameservers, all DNS management will happen from your hosting control panel.
2. Connecting a Domain Using Nameservers (Recommended)
This is the simplest and most common method.
Steps
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Log in to your domain registrar account (where you bought the domain).
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Go to Domain Management.
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Find the Nameserver Settings.
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Replace the existing nameservers with the ones provided by your hosting provider.
Example:
ns1.dignityserver.com
ns1.dignityserver.com
DNS Propagation
After updating nameservers, it may take a few minutes up to 24–48 hours for the changes to propagate across the internet.
During this time, your website may appear online for some users while others still see the old settings.
3. Connecting a Domain Using DNS Records
If you want to keep your current nameservers (for example, using a CDN or external DNS provider), you can connect your domain using DNS records.
Add an A Record
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Log in to your domain DNS management panel.
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Add or edit an A Record:
| Type | Name | Value | TTL |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | @ | Your hosting server IP | Auto |
Example:
Name: @
Value: 192.168.1.1
Add WWW Record
You should also add a CNAME record for the www version of your domain.
| Type | Name | Value |
|---|---|---|
| CNAME | www | yourdomain.com |
4. Verify the Connection
After DNS propagation, test your domain:
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Open your browser.
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Visit: https://yourdomain.com
5. Common Issues and Solutions
Domain Not Working
Possible reasons:
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DNS propagation still in progress
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Incorrect nameservers
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Wrong server IP address
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Domain not added to hosting account
Website Showing Default Page
This usually means:
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The domain is connected but no website files are uploaded yet.
6. Best Practices
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Always double-check nameservers before saving.
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Allow time for DNS propagation.
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Keep a record of your hosting nameservers and server IP.
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Use reliable DNS providers for better performance.
