Quick answer
- To connect a domain bought elsewhere to your web host, change the domain’s nameservers to the ones your host gives you.
- Find your host’s nameservers in your hosting dashboard or welcome email, then update them at your domain registrar.
- Changes can take up to 24 to 48 hours to work everywhere, though it’s often faster.
- Alternatively, keep your nameservers and point an A record to your host’s IP address.
Bought your domain in one place and your hosting in another? You need to connect them. The usual way is to update your nameservers. It takes a few minutes, plus some waiting time.
What are nameservers?
Nameservers tell the internet where to find the DNS records for your domain. When you point them to your host, your host controls where your domain goes.
Step 1: Find your host’s nameservers
Look in your hosting dashboard or welcome email. They usually look like ns1.yourhost.com and ns2.yourhost.com.
Step 2: Update them at your registrar
- Log in to the company where you bought your domain.
- Open the domain’s settings and find Nameservers (sometimes under DNS).
- Choose “custom nameservers”.
- Replace the existing entries with your host’s nameservers and save.
Step 3: Add the domain in your hosting account
Add the domain to your hosting plan (as the main domain or an addon domain), then install WordPress if needed.
Step 4: Wait for DNS to update
DNS changes can take up to 24 to 48 hours to spread worldwide, though it’s often much quicker. You can check progress with an online DNS lookup tool.
Alternative: use an A record
If you want to keep your current DNS provider (for example for email), add an A record pointing your domain to your host’s IP address, plus a CNAME for www.
Common problems
- Site not loading: wait longer, then clear your browser cache.
- Email stopped working: you need to recreate MX records at the new DNS provider.
- SSL error: your host issues the free SSL once DNS points to it.
FAQs
Up to 24 to 48 hours, often less.
No. Changing nameservers is enough.
It can, if your email uses DNS records at the old provider. Recreate them at the new one.
Nameservers hand all DNS control to your host; an A record points just the domain to an IP.
In your hosting dashboard or welcome email.
DNS may still be updating. Wait and clear your cache.
