How to Connect GoDaddy, Freenom, and Domain Names to Web Hosting

When you purchase domain names from registrars like GoDaddy, Freenom, or , they are just identifiers for your website. They don't inherently link to web hosting services. To make your domain accessible, you need to manage your domain name system (DNS) and add your custom domain to your web hosting account.

Understanding the Basics

Domain names and web hosting are two important components of any online presence. A domain name is your website's address, and web hosting is the service that stores and serves the content of your website. When you buy a domain name, it needs to be properly configured to point to your web hosting service.

The Role of DNS

Domain Name System (DNS) plays a crucial role in making your domain accessible. It translates human-readable domain names (like ) into IP addresses (which computers use to communicate with each other). When you purchase a domain from a registrar, you typically get a simple A record that points your domain to an IP address. However, this IP address might not be static and can change, which is where a DNS provider like Cloudflare comes in.

Steps to Connect Your Domain to Web Hosting

To connect your GoDaddy, Freenom, or domain to your web hosting, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Find Your Web Host - Choose a reliable web hosting service provider. Providers like AWS EC2, DigitalOcean, or Bluehost offer robust web hosting services. Step 2: Get the IP Address or Server Name - Your web host will provide you with an IP address or a server name that your domain needs to point to. Step 3: Configure DNS Records - Use a DNS provider like Cloudflare or your domain registrar's DNS management tool to set up your domain's DNS records. Step 4: Add Your Domain to Web Hosting - Log in to your web hosting account and follow the provider's instructions to add your custom domain URL. This might involve changing the nameservers in your domain's registrar settings or adding specific DNS records.

Technical Steps

Here are the detailed technical steps to connect your domain to web hosting:

Get Your Web Host's IP Address - Contact your web hosting provider to find out the IP address or server name that your domain needs to point to. Log into Cloudflare or Your Domain Registrar's Panel - Open the DNS management interface for your domain. Update A Records - Add an A record for your domain that points to the IP address provided by your web hosting service. Update Nameservers (if necessary) - If your web host requires you to use their nameservers, update the nameservers in your domain registrar's settings to the nameservers provided by the web host. Confirm DNS Propagation - Wait for the DNS changes to propagate across the internet. This can take up to 48 hours, but is typically much faster. Add Your Domain to Web Hosting - Once your domain is pointing to the correct IP address, log into your web hosting dashboard and add your domain.

Troubleshooting Tips

If your domain is not resolving correctly:

Check if the DNS changes have propagated by using a DNS propagation checker tool like What'sMyDNS.

Verify the A records or nameservers in your DNS settings.

Ensure that your web hosting service is configured to handle HTTP to HTTPS redirects (if your domain uses SSL).

Check for any errors or failed DNS propagation attempts in your domain registrar's support site.

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