Changing Name Servers – Why, When and Where We Do It
Changing Name Servers (or DNS - Domain Name Servers) may sound complicated at first but let me reassure you it really is not. It's a very simple procedure that you may, or may not, have to do - depending on where you bought your domain name and hosting account. DNS is merely a link between the two - one has to know where the other is for your website to be seen online. And it only takes minutes to do!
Ok if you're ready - let's begin!
• A domain name is bought from a company called a Registrar.
• A Hosting account is bought from a hosting company.
• You must have both - and can buy both from the same company or from different companies, depending on your preference which is usually down to cost.
• Either way is perfectly ok!
This is what happens when someone types in your domain name
• The Registrar needs to know where to locate your website - where to send your visitor to.
• Therefore they need to know where the Hosting company is located.
• If you have bought both from the same company - then you don't need to change your Name Servers because your Registrar already knows where your hosting is.
• If, however, you have bought them from different companies - then you do have to change your Name Servers.
• This links one to the other. If you don't make the link all you will see is an error message.
• But please don't worry - it really is very easy to do.
Now to change the Name Servers
• Go to your Registrar, where you bought your domain name, e.g. GoDaddy.
• Log into your account.
• Go to Domain Manager (Note: this may vary depending on which registrar you signed up with - but it will say something similar like Domains or Manage My Domain).
• The next screen shows all the domain names you have bought - or you may just have one at the moment.
• Now find the domain name that you want to change the Name Servers on and click on it.
• Do that now!
• Don't worry too much about the information that shows up on this page - what we're interested in here are the icons along the top - the one that says Nameservers.
• Click on Nameservers.
• You are now on the Set Nameservers page. Well done!
• Note Nameservers 1 and 2 are already filled in. Delete both now!
• All you have to do now is copy and paste in the Nameservers given to you by your Hosting company.
• And now you're thinking - was I given Nameservers by my Hosting company!
You were indeed! But please don't feel overwhelmed - we're actually almost done!
Let's continue
• Now - you need to locate the email that your Hosting company sent when you signed up. This email is very important - keep it safe! Find that email now!
• In this email you will see a heading something like Nameservers or Your Name Servers.
• You will see 2 nameservers listed in this email.
• Now copy and paste each nameserver into the Nameserver boxes 1 and 2 (copy them exactly as they are, ensuring you don't leave any of it out). Excellent!
• Now click on the OK button. It will probably take a few minutes for the changes to take place. Be patient!
• You have now told your Registrar where your Hosting company is so they know where to find your website.
• Just a quick reminder - you only need to change Nameservers when you buy your domain name from one company and you buy your hosting account from another.
• If you've bought both from the same company you don't need to do anything.
And Viola! You're all done!
NOTE: The author gives their permission to reprint this article, free of charge - providing that the article remains unchanged, and that the author's resource box is included in the reprint.
Ok if you're ready - let's begin!
• A domain name is bought from a company called a Registrar.
• A Hosting account is bought from a hosting company.
• You must have both - and can buy both from the same company or from different companies, depending on your preference which is usually down to cost.
• Either way is perfectly ok!
This is what happens when someone types in your domain name
• The Registrar needs to know where to locate your website - where to send your visitor to.
• Therefore they need to know where the Hosting company is located.
• If you have bought both from the same company - then you don't need to change your Name Servers because your Registrar already knows where your hosting is.
• If, however, you have bought them from different companies - then you do have to change your Name Servers.
• This links one to the other. If you don't make the link all you will see is an error message.
• But please don't worry - it really is very easy to do.
Now to change the Name Servers
• Go to your Registrar, where you bought your domain name, e.g. GoDaddy.
• Log into your account.
• Go to Domain Manager (Note: this may vary depending on which registrar you signed up with - but it will say something similar like Domains or Manage My Domain).
• The next screen shows all the domain names you have bought - or you may just have one at the moment.
• Now find the domain name that you want to change the Name Servers on and click on it.
• Do that now!
• Don't worry too much about the information that shows up on this page - what we're interested in here are the icons along the top - the one that says Nameservers.
• Click on Nameservers.
• You are now on the Set Nameservers page. Well done!
• Note Nameservers 1 and 2 are already filled in. Delete both now!
• All you have to do now is copy and paste in the Nameservers given to you by your Hosting company.
• And now you're thinking - was I given Nameservers by my Hosting company!
You were indeed! But please don't feel overwhelmed - we're actually almost done!
Let's continue
• Now - you need to locate the email that your Hosting company sent when you signed up. This email is very important - keep it safe! Find that email now!
• In this email you will see a heading something like Nameservers or Your Name Servers.
• You will see 2 nameservers listed in this email.
• Now copy and paste each nameserver into the Nameserver boxes 1 and 2 (copy them exactly as they are, ensuring you don't leave any of it out). Excellent!
• Now click on the OK button. It will probably take a few minutes for the changes to take place. Be patient!
• You have now told your Registrar where your Hosting company is so they know where to find your website.
• Just a quick reminder - you only need to change Nameservers when you buy your domain name from one company and you buy your hosting account from another.
• If you've bought both from the same company you don't need to do anything.
And Viola! You're all done!
NOTE: The author gives their permission to reprint this article, free of charge - providing that the article remains unchanged, and that the author's resource box is included in the reprint.
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