Once you have a domain and a place to host your website, you connect them. There are two common ways, and your host will tell you which it prefers.
Before you start
- Sign in to your website host or builder and find its “custom domain” or “connect domain” settings. It will show you the exact values to use.
- Sign in to wherever your domain’s DNS is managed, usually your registrar.
- Make a note of any existing DNS records, especially MX records if you already use email on the domain.
Option 1: Add DNS records
This is the most common method, and it leaves your email settings untouched.
- Your host gives you one or more values, typically an A record with an IP address for the bare domain (
yourname.org) and a CNAME record forwww. - In your DNS settings, add or edit those records exactly as shown.
- Remove any old A or CNAME records for the same names that point elsewhere, so they do not conflict.
- Save, then return to your host and confirm the connection.
Option 2: Change nameservers
Some hosts ask you to point your domain’s nameservers to them. This hands all of your DNS to the host, which then manages your records.
- Copy the nameserver addresses from your host.
- At your registrar, replace the existing nameservers with the new ones.
- Recreate any records you still need, especially email records, at the new host before switching, or your email may stop working.
Turn on HTTPS
Most modern hosts issue a free security certificate automatically once the domain is connected. Make sure your site loads with https:// and the padlock icon. If it does not after a day, check your host’s SSL settings.
Check that it worked
Visit your domain and the www version in a private browser window. DNS changes can take from a few minutes to a day or two to reach everyone. If the old site still appears, wait, then check your records for typing errors.
Need a hand?
Courthology members can send us the values your host provided and we will make the change.