How to Point Your Domain to a New Hosting Server (DNS Setup)

Every domain name relies on DNS (Domain Name System) records to tell the internet which server to connect to. When you switch hosting providers, updating these records is the final step that makes your new server “live” to the world.

Two Ways to Point a Domain: Nameservers vs DNS Records

There are two common approaches, and your new host will tell you which one to use:

• Changing nameservers — hands over full DNS control to your new host. Simpler, and the most common method.
• Updating individual DNS records (like the A record) — used when you want to keep DNS management at your current registrar while pointing specific services elsewhere.

Step 1: Get Your New Server Details

Your new hosting provider will give you either a set of nameservers (e.g. ns1.yourhost.com, ns2.yourhost.com) or an IP address to use in an A record. This information is usually included in your welcome email.

Step 2: Log In to Your Domain Registrar

This is the account where you originally registered your domain — it may be a different company than your hosting provider, so check your domain purchase records if you’re not sure.

Step 3: Find the DNS or Nameserver Settings

Inside your registrar account, locate your domain and look for a section labeled DNS Management, Nameservers, or similar.

Step 4: Update the Records

If changing nameservers, simply replace the existing ones with the new ones provided by your host. If updating DNS records directly, edit the A record’s value to your new server’s IP address.

Step 5: Save and Wait for Propagation

Save your changes. DNS propagation — the process of this change spreading across the internet’s servers — typically takes a few hours, but can take up to 24-48 hours in some cases.

Step 6: Verify the Change

Use a free online DNS lookup tool to check whether your domain is now resolving to your new server’s nameservers or IP address.

Common DNS Records

• A record: points a domain name to a server’s IP address.
• CNAME record: points one name to another, often used for www.
• MX record: decides which mail server receives your email. Keep the right MX records when you change DNS.
• TXT record: used for ownership checks and email security settings.

Before and After You Change DNS

• Write down the current records, especially MX and TXT, in case you need to restore them.
• If you change nameservers, make sure your new host already has the same email records.
• Avoid changing things repeatedly while the first change is still propagating.

How to Confirm DNS Has Updated

1. Use a free online DNS lookup tool to see the current A record and nameservers.
2. Open the site on different networks, such as home broadband and mobile data.
3. If you still see old content, clear your local DNS cache or wait a little longer.
4. Send a test email to confirm mail arrives.

Troubleshooting

• “Server not found”: propagation may be incomplete or a record is wrong.
• Default or error page: the domain points to the new server, but the site is not set up there yet.
• Works in some places only: normal during propagation.
• Email not arriving: check the MX records.

FAQ

Will my site go offline during propagation?

Not normally. Some visitors reach the old server and some the new one. As long as both are online, nobody sees an error.

Nameservers or individual records?

Follow your new host’s instructions. Changing nameservers is simplest. Edit individual records only if you need to keep DNS at your current registrar.

A Note on Timing

Because propagation isn’t instant, it’s best to keep your old hosting account active until you’ve confirmed the new one is fully live — this avoids any gap where your site or email might be unreachable.

If this all sounds like more than you want to handle yourself, our team handles DNS changes as part of every free migration we do for new hosting customers. Get in touch and we’ll take care of it for you.