How to point a domain to a hosting and check if it is pointing correctly

In this article, you will learn how to point a domain to a host by changing the nameservers of the domain. This way, you will be able to move your site to another hosting provider while keeping the old domain name.

Also, we will tell you how to check if your nameservers are correctly pointing to your hosting service. You’ll find that you can use your system console or tools to check if your domain’s nameservers are correctly applied and pointing to the correct server.

Point a domain to a hosting

Let’s say you just moved your site to another hosting provider. However, your domain name remained with the old hosting company and does not direct visitors to your website.

This issue occurs because your domain is not connected to the new web host. You have several options on how to resolve this issue, but in practice, we only recommend using one method.

You can transfer the domain to the new hosting provider. However, the usually includes additional charges since the domain will be renewed for another year.

The second option is to update the domain’s DNS A record with your new IP address. However, since A records are designed to point to static IP addresses, it is recommended that you do not use this method. If the IP changes, your website will stop working until you update the registration.

The last method is to change the nameservers (or nameservers) of the domain. This is the most recommended option, as you can transfer DNS control of your domain to the new hosting provider without switching from .

How to point a domain to a new hosting

Taking into account all the above considerations, we will show you how to change the nameservers of the domain. Please note that we will use as an example, but you can use these steps as a reference to point your domain to any web hosting provider.

1. Get the new values ​​from the nameservers

First things first, find the list of nameservers of your new hosting provider. The information is usually found on the company’s documentation page or in the post-purchase email.

If you still cannot find the information, you should contact your hosting provider.

In , you can find all the information related to DNS in Hosting -> Accounts -> Details.

The list of nameservers often looks like this:

ns1.dns-parking.com ns2.dns-parking.com

Web servers generally provide two or more nameservers. Make a note of all of these addresses because you’ll need to enter them into your domain registrar’s control panel.

2. Apply the new nameservers values

The next step in pointing a domain name to new hosting is to replace the old domain nameservers. Here we’ll explain to you how to do it:

1. Sign in to your domain name registrar. Remember, this is the place where .
2. Look for the option to configure the nameservers of your domain. Each registrar has a different way of doing this. However, in general, you can find the appropriate settings in the menu called domains, domain manager or something similar.
3. Find a section that says nameservers, Name server update, DNS manager or other similar menus.

   You should see several fields, such as the Nameserver #1 (primary nameserver), the Nameserver #2 (secondary nameserver) and maybe even more.

4. Enter the nameservers in the appropriate fields. A nameserver that starts with ns1 must be placed on the field Nameserver #1, ns2 in the Nameserver #2, and so on. If you see Create Secondary Nameservers fields, ignore them.

   Consider these tips if there is a difference between the number of nameservers and the number of available fields:

   • If your hosting provider only gives you two nameservers, but your registrar provides four or more fields, enter the first two and leave the rest empty.
   • If your hosting provider gives you three nameservers, but your registrar only allows you to enter two, use the first two nameservers.

Try to find the page Aid either Frequent questions of the registrar if you still cannot find the menu to configure your nameservers. Alternatively, you can ask customer support to enter the new nameservers for you.

3. Wait for DNS propagation

Once the nameservers are configured, you must wait for the changes to take effect. This period is known as DNS worldwide propagation.

The DNS propagation process when pointing a domain to a host usually takes a few hours, but can also take up to two days. You may want to speed up the process.

Why check domain nameservers?

Now, everything is perfect in the installation, but let’s say that you want to make sure that your nameservers are really pointing to your hosting. There are many reasons why you may want to do this. However, the most common scenario is when you switch to a new hosting provider.

As we explained before, your hosting service provides its own nameservers. For this reason, you must update them every time you transfer your domain.

Domain migration can jeopardize the accessibility of your website if you have incorrect details on the nameservers.

How to check nameservers using WHOIS lookup tools?

Here’s how to check your domain’s nameservers using the WHOIS lookup tools.

1. Find the nameservers of your web host

First of all, access your hosting control panel to find the details of the nameservers, as we explained at the beginning.

2. Use the WHOIS Lookup Tool to Find Current Nameservers

There are many WHOIS lookup tools available online to help you find the nameservers for your domain. In this tutorial, we will use as an example.

1. Type your domain name into the WHOis.net search box and press the icon Search.
2. Your domain details should look similar to these:

However, you cannot use WHOis.net and other universal search tools to check for less common extensions like .X and Z. Here is an alternative procedure:

1. Write “.tld WHOIS lookup» in Google (for example, ).
2. From there, choose your preferred tool. In this example, we will use .
3. Insert the domain of your website and press the button whois lookup.
4. After completing reCAPTCHA, find your domain’s nameservers on the WHOIS lookup page.

3. Compare nameservers

Next, compare the nameservers you got from your hosting provider with those from the WHOIS lookup tool. If you see the same details, then your domain is set up correctly on your hosting account. Otherwise, contact your hosting company for further assistance.

How to check nameservers using system console?

Next, we’ll show you how to use command prompts to verify nameservers on systems. Windows, macOS Y Linux.

Windows

to do it in Windowsthat is how:

1. Press the shortcut command Windows + R on your keyboard. Write cmd and press okay.
2. You should now see a command prompt window where you will perform the remaining actions.
3. Type the following command: nslookup -type=ns yourdomain.com
4. Here we are using one of ‘s test account domains as an example. You should see similar information in your case:

Linux

To verify your nameservers with Linuxfollow these steps:

1. press CTRL + ALT + T to open the command window of your Linux computer.
2. Enter the following command: dig ns yourdomain.com

macOS

With macOSthis is what you should do:

1. Open macOS launch pad. This can be done simply by clicking the F4 key.
2. In the search field, type terminal and press Enter.
3. Enter the following command: dig ns yourdomain.com
4. You can find the names of the servers in the Answer section.

Common problems when checking nameservers

There are some common issues when you need to verify nameservers to point a domain to a host. Here are some examples:

The domain is available for registration

If the results show that your domain is available and not registered anywhere yet, make sure you entered your site’s URL correctly. Try copying it directly from your domain registrar.

In addition, it is also possible that the WHOIS lookup tool you are using is displaying outdated information. This is common if you have entered a newly registered domain. If this is the case, try using another WHOIS lookup tool.

Nameserver values ​​are not displayed

In general, this problem occurs when searching for less common extensions. Make sure the WHOIS lookup tool you use is compatible with your domain extension.

conclusion

After transferring your domain to another web hosting provider, you must point your domain to your new hosting for your site to be accessible. Fortunately, you can easily do this by changing nameservers. Simply get the details of your new nameservers, copy them to the domain’s DNS settings, and wait for the DNS to propagate.

And if you want to verify that nameservers are pointing correctly, you can use both the system console and online WHOIS lookup tools. Your domain nameservers are working properly if the results match the details in your hosting control panel.

If you have any more questions, let us know in the comments section below.

Deyi is a digital marketing enthusiast, with a background in web design, content creation, copywriting, and SEO. She is part of ‘s SEO & Localization team. In her free time, she likes to develop projects, read a book or watch a good movie.