Step 9 – Connect Your Domain Name to Your New Website

12 Part Series for a Small Business Website

In order to make your new website accessible to the general public, you need to connect the domain name you purchased to your hosted server. This blog post will walk you through the necessary steps.

Understanding Domain Names and Servers

When you access a website, your computer uses a Domain Name Server (DNS) to translate the domain name (like Amazon.com) into its associated IP address. Think of DNS as the internet’s phone book, matching domain names to their respective IP addresses.

Steps to Connect Your Domain Name

Step 1: Log In to Your Registrar’s Website

  • Visit your domain registrar’s website (e.g., GoDaddy.com).
  • Log in to your account using the credentials you used when you purchased your domain name.

Step 2: Find Your Domain

  • Navigate to your account dashboard and locate the section where your domains are listed.
  • Select the domain name you wish to connect to your new website.

Step 3: Access Nameserver Settings

  • Find the “nameserver settings” for your domain. This may also be labeled as “DNS settings” or “access DNS.”
  • Open the settings to view and edit your nameserver entries.

Step 4: Update Nameserver Information

Your hosting service provider (e.g., Amazon AWS, Bluehost, etc.) should provide you with their nameserver details.

  • Replace the existing nameservers provided by your registrar with the ones given by your hosting service provider.
  • Save your changes.

Step 5: Wait for DNS Propagation

After updating your DNS settings, it can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 72 hours for the changes to propagate across all DNS servers worldwide. Patience is key here; the changes are not immediate.

Example

If hosted on Amazon AWS, you would:

  1. Log in to your domain registrar (e.g., GoDaddy).
  2. Select your domain (e.g., mybusiness.com).
  3. Access DNS settings.
  4. Replace nameservers with:
    ns1.amazondns.com
    ns2.amazondns.com
  5. Save changes and wait for propagation.

Once the DNS propagation is complete, your domain name will be connected to your new website, making it accessible to anyone on the internet. If you encounter any issues or need further assistance, your hosting service provider can offer additional guidance.

Connecting your domain name to your new website is a straightforward process that ensures your site is online and accessible to your audience. Follow these steps, and you’ll be up and running in no time!

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