{"id":2193,"date":"2023-08-30T08:20:00","date_gmt":"2023-08-30T06:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mcloud9.com\/blog\/?p=2193"},"modified":"2023-09-16T00:37:13","modified_gmt":"2023-09-15T22:37:13","slug":"domain-pointing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mcloud9.com\/blog\/domain-pointing\/","title":{"rendered":"Domain Pointing &#8211; An Easy Way to Link Domains to a Web Host"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Welcome to our guide on domain pointing &#8211; the simple way to link <a href=\"\/blog\/what-is-a-website-domain-name\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"\/blog\/what-is-a-website-domain-name\">domains<\/a> to a <a href=\"\/blog\/what-is-web-hosting\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"\/blog\/what-is-web-hosting\">web host<\/a>. In this comprehensive article, we&#8217;ll explore the concept of domain pointing, shed light on the Domain Name Server (DNS), discuss <a href=\"\/blog\/dns-propagation\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"\/blog\/dns-propagation\">DNS propagation<\/a>, and provide a step-by-step tutorial on pointing your domain to a new host. Join us on this informative journey to empower your web development endeavours!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Table of Contents<\/h2><nav><ul><li><a href=\"#what-is-domain-pointing\">What Is Domain Pointing?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#understanding-domain-name-server-dns\">Understanding Domain Name Server (DNS)<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#dns-propagation-updating-name-server-records\">DNS Propagation &#8211; Updating Name Server Records<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#how-to-point-a-domain-name-to-a-new-host\">How To Point a Domain Name to a New Host<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#domain-registrar-considerations\">Domain Registrar Considerations<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#faq-for-domain-pointing\">FAQ for Domain Pointing<\/a><ul><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#in-conclusion\">In Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is-domain-pointing\">What Is Domain Pointing?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Domain pointing, also referred to as domain forwarding, allows you to direct a <a href=\"\/blog\/what-is-a-website-domain-name\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"\/blog\/what-is-a-website-domain-name\">registered domain<\/a> to a specific <a href=\"\/blog\/what-is-web-hosting\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"\/blog\/what-is-web-hosting\">web host<\/a>. By connecting your domain, you ensure that visitors who enter your URL in a browser are directed to your website hosted by a preferred provider like <a href=\"\/web-hosting\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"\/web-hosting\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MCloud9<\/a>. This process gives you full control over where your domain name leads, making it a vital step in establishing your online presence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"understanding-domain-name-server-dns\">Understanding Domain Name Server (DNS)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To grasp the concept of domain pointing, it&#8217;s essential to understand the role of <a href=\"\/blog\/what-is-dns-domain-name-system\">DNS<\/a>. DNS acts as the Internet&#8217;s equivalent of an address book, translating human-readable domain names into <a href=\"\/blog\/what-is-an-ip-address-internet-protocols\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"\/blog\/what-is-an-ip-address-internet-protocols\">IP addresses<\/a> that computers understand. By pointing your domain, you update the DNS information, ensuring that requests for your domain are accurately routed to the desired web server.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"dns-propagation-updating-name-server-records\">DNS Propagation &#8211; Updating Name Server Records<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once you&#8217;ve updated your domain&#8217;s DNS records, the process of <a href=\"\/blog\/dns-propagation\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"\/blog\/dns-propagation\">DNS propagation<\/a> takes place. DNS propagation refers to the time it takes for the updated DNS information to spread across various DNS servers worldwide. During this period, different internet service providers update their caches with the new DNS records. DNS propagation can take up to <a href=\"https:\/\/ns1.com\/resources\/dns-propagation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">72 hours<\/a>, although it usually completes within a few hours. Learn more about DNS propagation and how to check the propagation progress in article &#8216;<a href=\"\/blog\/dns-propagation\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"\/blog\/dns-propagation\">Breaking Down DNS Propagation and DNS Propagation Checkers<\/a>&#8216;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-to-point-a-domain-name-to-a-new-host\">How To Point a Domain Name to a New Host<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now, let&#8217;s explore the step-by-step process of connecting your domain to a new web host:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Select your desired <a href=\"\/blog\/what-is-web-hosting\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"\/blog\/what-is-web-hosting\">hosting provider<\/a>, such as MCloud9, and obtain the necessary name server addresses.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Access your <a href=\"\/blog\/what-is-a-domain-registrar\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"\/blog\/what-is-a-domain-registrar\">domain registrar&#8217;s<\/a> client dashboard and locate the DNS settings or nameserver configuration for your domain.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Replace the existing nameservers with those provided by your new hosting provider.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Save the changes and allow time for <a href=\"\/blog\/dns-propagation\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"\/blog\/dns-propagation\">DNS propagation<\/a> to occur.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Once the propagation is complete, visitors will be directed to your new web server.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"domain-registrar-considerations\">Domain Registrar Considerations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When pointing your domain, it&#8217;s crucial to consider your <a href=\"\/blog\/what-is-a-domain-registrar\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"\/blog\/what-is-a-domain-registrar\">domain registrar&#8217;s<\/a> capabilities. Ensure that your registrar allows modifications to DNS settings and enables you to<a href=\"https:\/\/myportal.mcloud9.com\/knowledgebase\/20\/ChangingorUpdating-Your-Domainandsharp039s-Nameservers.html\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/myportal.mcloud9.com\/knowledgebase\/20\/ChangingorUpdating-Your-Domainandsharp039s-Nameservers.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> update nameserver records<\/a>. If your domain and website are currently managed by different service providers, consult your domain registrar&#8217;s support documentation or contact their customer service for assistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"faq-for-domain-pointing\">FAQ for Domain Pointing<\/h2>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<div class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<div id=\"faq-question-1689772153323\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">What is Domain Pointing?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Domain Pointing is an easy way to link a <a href=\"\/blog\/what-is-a-website-domain-name\">domain<\/a> to a web host. This allows visitors to visit your website using the domain you want, even if it doesn\u2019t point to your hosting server.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1689772157823\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">How do I point my existing domain to a new web host?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>To point an existing domain with a different <a href=\"\/blog\/what-is-web-hosting\">web host<\/a>, you\u2019ll need to update the name servers associated with that domain. Log into your control panel and you will see instructions on how to do this. You can also contact your <a href=\"\/blog\/what-is-a-domain-registrar\">domain registration company<\/a> for help.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1689772166177\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">What happens if my domain doesn\u2019t point to the correct server?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>If your domain doesn&#8217;t point correctly, visitors can\u2019t reach it. Make sure that all of the information associated with your domain is up-to-date and accurate so that it points to the correct hosting server.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1689772174033\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">How do I point a domain to my WordPress site?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Pointing to your <a href=\"\/blog\/what-is-wordpress-a-beginners-guide\">WordPress site<\/a> involves linking your existing domain with the new host. You will need to log into your client control panel and update the nameservers associated with that domain. Once this is done, you should be able to access WordPress from that <a href=\"\/blog\/what-is-a-url-an-easy-guide\">URL<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1689772188037\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Is it helpful to register a domain with my current hosting company?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>It\u2019s helpful if the same company is managing both of these services for you. That way, they can handle all of the details related to pointing your nameservers and updating any information with your <a href=\"\/blog\/what-is-a-domain-registrar\">domain registrar<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1689772194110\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">What do I do if I want to use an existing domain with another hosting company?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>If you want to use an existing domain with another <a href=\"\/blog\/what-is-web-hosting\">web hosting company<\/a>, then you will need to update the nameservers associated with that domain in order for it to be connected correctly.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"in-conclusion\">In Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In conclusion, domain pointing is a straightforward process that establishes a connection between your <a href=\"\/blog\/how-to-register-a-co-za-domain-name\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"\/blog\/how-to-register-a-co-za-domain-name\">registered domain<\/a> and a web host. By comprehending DNS functionality, updating nameserver records, and allowing for DNS propagation, you can seamlessly connect your domain to a new host. Remember to choose a reputable hosting company, such as <a href=\"\/web-hosting\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"\/web-hosting\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MCloud9<\/a>, to ensure a smooth and reliable online presence. Voila! You now possess the knowledge to connect your domain and embark on your web development journey. Happy hosting!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome to our guide on domain pointing &#8211; the simple way to link domains to a web host. In this comprehensive article, we&#8217;ll explore the concept of domain pointing, shed light on the Domain Name Server (DNS), discuss DNS propagation, and provide a step-by-step tutorial on pointing your domain to a new host. Join us [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":2219,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[22,47],"tags":[105,103],"class_list":["post-2193","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-domains","category-web-hosting","tag-dns","tag-ip"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mcloud9.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2193","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mcloud9.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mcloud9.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mcloud9.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mcloud9.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2193"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.mcloud9.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2193\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2912,"href":"https:\/\/www.mcloud9.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2193\/revisions\/2912"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mcloud9.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2219"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mcloud9.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2193"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mcloud9.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2193"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mcloud9.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2193"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}