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Connecting Your Domain Name to Hosting: Making Your Website Accessible Online

Connecting Your Domain Name to Hosting: Making Your Website Accessible Online

Now that you’ve secured your domain name, it’s time to connect it to your hosting provider. This connection is crucial because hosting is what makes your website accessible on the internet. Think of hosting as the storage space for all your website’s files and data, while your domain name is the address that leads visitors to that space.

Why Connecting Domain and Hosting is Essential

Without a hosting provider, your domain name won’t lead anywhere—it’s just an address with no content behind it. By linking your domain to your hosting account, you ensure that when someone types in your domain name, they’re directed to your website. This step completes the foundation for your online presence.

How to Connect Your Domain to Hosting

  1. Update the DNS (Domain Name System) Settings – After purchasing hosting, your provider will give you “nameservers.” Nameservers are like the phonebook of the internet, connecting your domain to the hosting provider.
    • Go to the domain registrar where you bought your domain.
    • Locate the DNS or nameserver settings, typically found under “Manage Domain” or a similar section.
    • Enter the nameserver information provided by your hosting provider and save the changes.
  2. Wait for Propagation – DNS changes can take anywhere from a few minutes to 24 hours to fully propagate across the internet. This is a normal process, so don’t worry if your site isn’t immediately accessible.
  3. Verify Connection – Once the changes are active, type your domain into the browser. If the connection is successful, you should see your hosting provider’s default page or a basic “Under Construction” message if you haven’t added content yet.

Key Points to Remember

  • Nameservers connect your domain to hosting.
  • DNS Propagation takes time, so be patient.
  • Check Connection to confirm your site is live on the internet.

With your domain now pointing to your hosting provider, your website is ready to start taking shape. Next, we’ll dive into your hosting dashboard with a look at cPanel. Exploring cPanel: Your Website’s Control Center