When your author website moves to a new host or platform, your domain has to be told where to send visitors, and that is what DNS does. To point your domain at a new site, you change one of two things at your registrar: the nameservers, or specific DNS records. This guide covers the difference between them, what your host will give you, and why the change is not instant.
Registrar and host are two different things
Your registrar is where you bought the domain, such as GoDaddy or Namecheap. Your host is where the website actually lives. Pointing the domain means updating settings at the registrar so it directs visitors to the host. The two are often different companies, and knowing which login is which is half the job.
Two ways to point a domain
There are two routes, and your host will tell you which it needs. With nameservers, your host gives you nameserver addresses and you replace the registrar’s nameservers with them, which hands all DNS management to the host. This is the simplest route for a full site move. With DNS records, you keep your nameservers and edit individual records: an A record points your root domain to the host’s IP address, and a CNAME points www to your domain or host. Use the records route when you want to move the website but keep other services, like email, where they are.
How to do it
Step 1: Get the target values from your host, either the nameservers or the A record IP and CNAME.
Step 2: Log in to your registrar and open the domain’s DNS or nameserver settings.
Step 3: Enter the values your host gave you, replacing the old ones.
Step 4: Save.
Why it is not instant
DNS changes spread across the internet and can take anywhere from a few minutes to 24 to 48 hours to complete everywhere. During that window, some visitors see the new site and some still see the old one. Plan the switch for a quiet period, and do not panic if it is not immediate.
What to Watch Out For
Changing nameservers can break your email. If your email runs on the same domain, switching nameservers can stop it working unless the new host recreates your mail records. If you use email on the domain, use the A and CNAME route, or recreate the mail records at the new host.
Editing the wrong account. Registrar and host are often separate logins. Make the DNS change at the registrar, unless your host manages your DNS for you.
Expecting instant results. Give it up to 48 hours before assuming something has gone wrong.
What comes next
Once your domain points to your site, you may be granting access to build it. See How to Give Your Designer WordPress Access Without Sharing Your Login. If you are also selling direct, see How to Sell Direct with Shopify and BookVault. The Author Onboarding Bootcamp has the full sequence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between nameservers and A records?
Changing nameservers hands all DNS management to your host and is simplest for a full move. Editing A and CNAME records keeps your nameservers and changes individual pieces, which is better when you want to keep email or other services in place.
Will pointing my domain break my email?
It can, if you switch nameservers and your email runs on the same domain. Either recreate your mail records at the new host, or use the A and CNAME route so your existing mail records stay intact.
How long does a DNS change take?
Anywhere from a few minutes to 24 to 48 hours to propagate everywhere. During that time, visitors may see either the old or the new site.
Do I make the change at my registrar or my host?
At your registrar, which is where you bought the domain, unless your host is managing your DNS for you. Your host provides the values; the registrar is usually where you enter them.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between nameservers and A records?
Changing nameservers hands all DNS management to your host and is simplest for a full move. Editing A and CNAME records keeps your nameservers and changes individual pieces, which is better when you want to keep email or other services in place.
Will pointing my domain break my email?
It can, if you switch nameservers and your email runs on the same domain. Either recreate your mail records at the new host, or use the A and CNAME route so your existing mail records stay intact.
How long does a DNS change take?
Anywhere from a few minutes to 24 to 48 hours to propagate everywhere. During that time, visitors may see either the old or the new site.
Do I make the change at my registrar or my host?
At your registrar, which is where you bought the domain, unless your host is managing your DNS for you. Your host provides the values; the registrar is usually where you enter them.