How to Easily Change Domain Nameservers (and Point to a New Host)

Hey there! Are you looking to switch your website to a new host or add a security feature like a web application firewall? One key step you‘ll need to handle is updating your domain‘s nameservers. Don‘t worry though – while it may sound technical, I‘m here to walk you through the process step-by-step!

What are domain nameservers and DNS?

First, let‘s make sure we understand what nameservers are and how they work. Nameservers are essentially the "phone books" of the internet. When you type a domain name like google.com into your browser, your computer contacts a nameserver to translate that friendly name into a numeric IP address, which is the actual location of the website.

This whole system is called the Domain Name System (DNS). It includes several types of records:

• A (Address) records: Point a domain or subdomain to an IPv4 address
• AAAA records: Point a domain or subdomain to an IPv6 address
• CNAME (Canonical Name) records: Map an alias name to another domain name
• MX (Mail Exchanger) records: Route email for the domain
• TXT records: Hold text information like SPF or DKIM details for email authentication

By default, your domain will use the nameservers set by your domain registrar (where you bought the domain). Most registrars partner with or operate their own DNS service. For example, domains registered with GoDaddy use nameservers like ns1.domaincontrol.com.

Why would I need to change my nameservers?

There are a few common reasons you might need to update your domain‘s nameservers:

1. Switching to a new web hosting provider (e.g. moving from Bluehost to SiteGround)
2. Adding a content delivery network (CDN) like Cloudflare to speed up your site
3. Enabling a web application firewall (WAF) service for added security
4. Pointing your domain to a website builder like Wix or Squarespace
5. Migrating to a new server or IP address with your existing host

In each of these cases, you‘ll need to point your domain‘s nameservers to the appropriate service so they can handle routing traffic to your website.

How to change nameservers for popular registrars and hosts

The specific steps to change your nameservers will depend on where you registered your domain and/or where it‘s currently hosted. I‘ll walk through the process for some of the most common services.

Keep in mind, when you change nameservers for your domain, it can take up to 24-48 hours for the update to fully propagate worldwide. Your site may be unavailable intermittently during this period, which is totally normal.

Changing nameservers on Domain.com

1. Log into your Domain.com account and click Manage My Domains.
2. Click on the domain you want to update.
3. In the Nameservers section, click Change.
4. Select Custom Nameservers and enter the nameservers provided by your new host or service.
5. Click Change Nameservers to save.

Changing nameservers on Bluehost

1. Sign into your Bluehost control panel.
2. Click Domains in the left sidebar, then click the Manage button next to the domain.
3. Scroll down to the Nameservers section and click Change.
4. Enter your new nameservers and click Save.

Changing nameservers on GoDaddy

1. Log into your GoDaddy account and click Domains in the top navigation.
2. Select the domain you want to update from the list.
3. Scroll down to the Nameservers section and click Change.
4. Select Custom and enter your new nameservers, then click Save.

Changing nameservers on HostGator

1. Log into your HostGator customer portal.
2. Click Domains in the top menu.
3. Locate the domain and click Manage.
4. Scroll down to the Nameservers section and click Change Nameservers.
5. Enter the new nameservers and click Change Nameservers again to confirm.

Changing nameservers on Namecheap

1. Log into your Namecheap account.
2. Hover over Domain List in the left sidebar and click Manage next to the domain.
3. Under the Nameservers section, select Custom DNS from the dropdown menu.
4. Enter your new nameserver records and click the ✓ icon to save.

Changing nameservers on SiteGround

1. Log into your SiteGround user area.
2. Click Go to cPanel for the domain you‘re updating.
3. Scroll down to the Domains section and click Update nameservers.
4. Choose Use custom nameservers and enter the nameservers from your new service.
5. Click Modify nameservers to save.

Verifying your nameserver update

Once you‘ve updated your nameservers with your registrar, you can use an online DNS checker tool to verify the changes have propagated. Here are a few popular options:

• WhatsMyDNS
• DNS Checker
• MxToolbox

Just enter your domain name and the tool will query nameservers around the world. You want to see all the locations reporting back your new nameserver records. If some are still showing the old records, that‘s okay – just check back in a few hours.

Troubleshooting common issues after changing nameservers

In most cases, updating nameservers is a straightforward process. However, there are a few issues you might encounter:

1. Website not loading – If it‘s been more than 48 hours and your site still isn‘t loading, double check that you entered the nameserver records correctly. Contact your new host or DNS service provider for assistance.

2. Email not working – If you use email through your domain (like info@yourdomain.com), you‘ll need to make sure your MX records are set up correctly. Your new host or DNS service can provide the proper MX records to use.

3. SSL certificate errors – When moving to a new host, you‘ll need to install a new SSL certificate to avoid browser security warnings. Many hosts now provide free SSL certificates through Let‘s Encrypt. Contact your host for instructions on setting up SSL.

Tips for better DNS management

Finally, here are a few tips to streamline your DNS management and avoid potential issues:

• Consider using a premium DNS service like Amazon Route 53, Google Cloud DNS, or Cloudflare. They offer advanced features like geo-routing, high availability, DDoS protection and more.
• Keep your domain registration and DNS hosting separate. That way if you ever need to quickly move your site to a new host, you won‘t be locked out of your DNS settings.
• Use descriptive subdomain names (like blog.yourdomain.com or shop.yourdomain.com) to cleanly organize different sections of your site or separate web services.
• Always keep a backup of your DNS records. Most registrars and DNS services allow you to export your records to a text file.
• Enable two-factor authentication on your registrar and hosting accounts for added security.
• Don‘t forget to renew your domain registration! Set a reminder or enable auto-renew so your domain doesn‘t accidentally expire.

Nameservers and DNS statistics

To give you an idea of the scale and importance of the domain/DNS ecosystem, here are a few interesting statistics:

Sources: Verisign, DomainNameStat, Datanyze, SimilarTech

Wrapping up

I hope this guide has helped clarify what nameservers are, why you might need to change them, and how to do so with your registrar or hosting service. While it may seem like an intimidating technical task at first, with a little knowledge and preparation it‘s totally manageable!

The most important things to remember are 1) get the right nameserver records from your new provider, 2) update them with your registrar or current host, and 3) be patient while the changes propagate online.

If you get stuck or have any doubts, don‘t hesitate to reach out to your web host or DNS provider‘s support team. They deal with this stuff every day and will be more than happy to assist you!

Alright, that‘s all from me. Now you‘re armed with everything you need to become a nameserver-updating pro! Hope to see you around the interwebs.