How to Connect a Domain to Hosting

Creating your own website is an essential step in developing any business or personal project. However, after registering a domain and purchasing hosting, the question arises: how do you connect the hosting to the domain? In this article, we’ll explore two primary methods for linking a domain to hosting and break down each step of the process.

Connecting a Domain to Hosting Using an IP Address

The first method to link a domain and hosting is through the server’s IP address. This approach is suitable if you have a dedicated IP address. Follow these steps:

1. Obtain the IP address of your hosting. This information is usually available in your hosting control panel under the «Server Information» section or included in the welcome email you received upon registration.
2. Log in to your domain registrar’s control panel.
3. Navigate to the DNS records management section.
4. Create a new A record, entering your domain name and the provided IP address.
5. Save your changes and wait for the DNS zones to update, which typically takes a few hours but can take up to 24 hours.

Once completed, your hosting will be connected to the domain via the IP address, and your website will become accessible through its domain name.

Connecting a Domain to Hosting Using DNS Servers

The second method for linking hosting to a domain involves using the DNS servers provided by your hosting provider. Follow these steps:

1. Obtain the DNS server addresses for your hosting. These usually look like ns1.yourhosting.com and ns2.yourhosting.com.
2. Log in to your domain registrar’s control panel.
3. Go to the «DNS Servers» or Name Servers section.
4. Replace the existing DNS servers with the ones provided by your hosting provider.
5. Save the changes.

Where to Find the Hosting’s IP Address or DNS Servers

To locate your hosting’s IP address or DNS server details, log in to your hosting provider’s control panel, such as cPanel or Plesk. This information is typically listed under the «Account Information» or «Server Information» section. Alternatively, you can contact our customer support to request the necessary IP address and DNS server details.

How to Verify a Domain’s Connection to Hosting

After linking your domain to hosting, it’s important to ensure everything is functioning correctly. Here are some methods to verify the connection:

1. Enter your domain name in a browser’s address bar to check if your website loads properly.
2. Use DNS record-checking tools like who.is or digwebinterface.com.
3. Run commands like ping yourdomain.com or nslookup yourdomain.com to see the IP address the domain is pointing to.

Keep in mind that DNS zone updates may take up to 24 hours to take effect.

How to Add a Second Domain or Subdomain to Hosting

If you’d like to add a second domain or create a subdomain, follow these steps:

1. In your hosting control panel, locate the «Add-on Domains» or «Subdomains» section.
2. Add the new domain, specifying its name and the path to the folder on the server.
3. Link the domain to hosting using one of the methods described above.
4. Configure DNS records for the subdomain if required.

Conclusion

Now you know how to connect a domain to hosting using various methods. This process involves a few straightforward steps and doesn’t require deep technical knowledge. If you encounter any issues, don’t hesitate to reach out to your hosting provider’s support team.

FAQ

Why is it necessary to link a domain to hosting?

Linking a domain to hosting is essential to make your website accessible online. Hosting provides the physical server space where your website files are stored, and connecting the domain ties your chosen web address to this storage, allowing users to access your site through its URL.

Can a domain be used without hosting?

Technically, yes, a domain can be registered without hosting. However, it will remain inactive, and no one will be able to visit it. To make the site available on the internet, you need to connect the domain to hosting and upload your website’s files.

What is domain hosting?

Domain hosting is a service provided by hosting companies that allows you to store your website files on their servers. By purchasing hosting, you gain access to disk space and other resources required for your website to function. Hosting ensures your site is available online 24/7.