After you buy hosting, your domain must be told where your website lives. This is called pointing the domain, and it is usually done by changing the nameservers.
What you need
- Login to the place where your domain is registered.
- The nameservers from your hosting welcome email (usually two, like ns1.example.com and ns2.example.com).
Method 1: Change nameservers
- Log in to your domain registrar's control panel.
- Open the domain and find the Nameservers or DNS section.
- Choose Custom nameservers.
- Delete the old nameservers and enter the ones from your host.
- Save the changes.
If you registered your domain with SyllHost, you can manage this from your client area.
Method 2: Use A records (advanced)
If you want to keep DNS at the registrar (for example because email is hosted elsewhere), create an A record for your domain pointing to your hosting server's IP address, and a CNAME for www. Your hosting email contains the IP address.
Wait for DNS propagation
Changes do not appear everywhere instantly. Read how long DNS propagation takes.
Troubleshooting
- Still shows the old site: clear your browser cache or test on mobile data.
- Site not found: check for typos in the nameservers.
- Not secure warning: issue or wait for SSL. See SSL guide.
- Email stopped: recreate MX records after changing nameservers.
Where to find your nameservers
Your hosting provider sends nameservers in the welcome email, and they are usually shown in the client area next to the service. Nameservers always come in a set of at least two, such as ns1.yourhost.com and ns2.yourhost.com. Copy them exactly, without spaces, and do not mix nameservers from different providers.
Nameservers vs A record: which should you use?
| Nameservers | A record | |
|---|---|---|
| Where DNS is managed | At your host | At your registrar |
| Difficulty | Easiest | Medium |
| Best when | Hosting and email are both with the host | Email or other services are elsewhere |
| Risk | Existing DNS records must be recreated | You must update the IP if the server changes |
Do not forget email
When you change nameservers, all DNS records move with them. If your email was working with MX records at the old DNS, recreate them at the new DNS before switching, otherwise mail may stop. Write down the old records first. The same applies to TXT records used for verification services.
Verify that the change worked
- Wait at least 30 minutes, then test from a phone using mobile data.
- Use an online DNS lookup to see whether the nameservers or A record are updated.
- Visit your domain. You should see your hosting's default page or your website.
- Check
https://, and issue the SSL certificate if needed. See SSL guide.
Frequently made mistakes
- Leaving old nameservers in place alongside the new ones.
- Using the hosting IP as a nameserver.
- Changing nameservers while the domain is locked by a transfer.
- Forgetting to add the domain in cPanel before pointing it.
FAQ
Do I need to transfer my domain to my host?
No. Pointing is enough. A transfer is optional. See how to transfer a domain.
Ready to launch? Compare SyllHost hosting plans, or search for your domain on our domain search page. Questions? Talk to our team.