Setting up a domain and nameservers can seem daunting for beginners. Still, it's a crucial step in establishing your online presence. This guide explains the process in easy-to-follow steps, making it suitable for beginners in website creation. You'll learn the importance of nameservers acting as the internet's phone book by translating human-readable domain names into numerical IP addresses.
Additionally, the guide will walk you through choosing a domain name, registering it, selecting a hosting provider, and configuring your nameservers. Whether creating your blog or making a website for your business, this guide will walk you through the essential steps to help you get your website online and running smoothly.
What is a Nameserver?
A Nameserver is like a phone book for the internet. When you type a website's domain name (like www.example.com) into your browser, the Nameserver is responsible for translating that human-readable domain into the unique numerical IP address that points to the actual location of the website on the internet.
Think of it as a translator that helps your computer understand where a website is located based on its name.
Setting a Domain Name to a Hosting Provider
When you want to set up a domain name to host a website, you typically follow these steps:
1. Choose a Domain Name
Decide on a unique and memorable name for your website. This will be your domain name (e.g., www.yourwebsite.com).
2. Register the Domain
Register your chosen domain name with a domain registrar (companies like GoDaddy, Namecheap, or others). You'll need to pay a small fee, giving you the right to use that domain for a specific period (usually a year, but you can renew it).
3. Choose a Hosting Provider
Select a hosting provider where your website's files and data will be stored. Common hosting providers include GoDaddy, Bluehost, or AWS.
West Bay Web uses and recommends A2 Hosting. We trust them with our own hosting and almost always recommend them to our clients. Based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, A2 Hosting offers hosting plans for every budget and every need. Compare hosting plans and choose one that suits your needs and budget.
Be sure to read our article, "Why You Should Never Allow an Agency to Host Your Website"
4. Set up Hosting Account
Sign up for a hosting account and follow the provider's instructions to set up your hosting environment. This may involve creating an account, choosing a hosting plan, and configuring basic settings.
5. Get Nameserver Information
Once your hosting account is set up, the hosting provider will give you Nameserver information. It typically looks like a pair of domain names, such as ns1.example.com and ns2.example.com.
6. Update Domain with Nameserver
Go back to your domain registrar's website where you registered your domain. Look for a section called "DNS settings" or "Nameservers," and enter the Nameserver information provided by your hosting provider.
7. Wait for Propagation
It takes some time for the updated Nameserver information to propagate across the internet. This process can take a few hours to 48 hours. During this time, your website may not be accessible to everyone.
Once the propagation is complete, typing your domain name into a web browser should now lead visitors to your hosted website.
Remember, the exact steps might vary slightly depending on your chosen registrar and hosting provider. Still, these are the general principles involved in setting up a domain to host a website.
Neal Carter, a visionary internet marketing consultant with over 25 years of experience, is recognized for his profound understanding and successful implementation of SEO and web design. Since his start in the field in 1994, he has been at the forefront of online marketing innovations and strategies.
As the Digital Marketing Consultant at West Bay Web, Neal provides comprehensive internet marketing services for small and medium-sized businesses, including SEO, e-commerce, email marketing, and website design. His duties span from conducting SEO audits and strategizing SEO campaigns to performing keyword research and competitor analysis.