How to Connect a Domain, Hosting and Website (Step by Step)
Sam Whitfield
17 followers
Buying a domain and hosting is the easy part. Connecting them correctly is where most people get stuck. This is the whole process, in order.
The three pieces
- The domain is your address, like yourbusiness.com.au.
- The hosting is the computer where your files live.
- The website is the set of files your hosting serves at your domain.
You need all three, and the domain has to point at the hosting.
Step 1: Buy the domain
Register the name at a registrar. You do not need to buy hosting from the same company, though it is simpler if you do.
Step 2: Buy hosting
Choose a plan that matches your traffic. For a new site, shared hosting is usually fine and the cheapest place to start.
Step 3: Point the domain at the hosting
Log in to your registrar and update the domain's nameservers to the ones your host gives you. This tells the internet where your site lives.
- Nameserver changes can take a few hours to spread.
- If you cannot change nameservers, update the A and CNAME records instead.
Step 4: Install your site
Most hosts give you a one-click installer for WordPress or a similar tool. That is the software your website runs on.
Step 5: Add HTTPS
Turn on a free SSL certificate from your host so your site loads over https. Browsers warn visitors when it is missing.
Step 6: Test it
Open your domain in a fresh browser and on your phone. If it loads, you are done.
Common questions
Do I need to buy a domain and hosting together?
No. You can buy them from different companies. Your registrar just has to point the domain at your host using nameservers or DNS records.
How long does it take for a new domain to work?
Usually minutes, but nameserver changes can take up to twenty-four hours to spread around the world. Be patient before assuming something is broken.
What is the difference between a nameserver and a DNS record?
A nameserver hands off your whole domain to your host's DNS. A record points one specific part, like www, at one specific place.
Do I need a separate domain for my website and email?
No. One domain can run both your website and your email. Point the web records at your host and the mail records at your email provider.
