How to Connect a Domain to Hosting: DNS Guide

Nameserver or A record?

A nameserver change changes which service manages the domain's DNS records. It is necessary to prepare all necessary records, including email and verification, in the new DNS service. The A record change preserves the existing DNS management and binds a specific name to an IPv4 address.

If you use a DNS service like Cloudflare or separate corporate email, simply updating the web records may be sufficient. Records in the hosting panel will not affect outside visitors if that panel is not the authoritative DNS server of the domain name.

Main domain and www are separate records

example.com and www.example.com are different DNS names. A/AAAA for main domain; The appropriate A or CNAME record for www can be used. If an old AAAA record remains, visitors using IPv6 may go to a different server.

Decide which address you will use as your main address. Redirect the other permanently on the web server. If the address to be redirected is opened via HTTPS, a valid certificate covering that address is also required.

How do you control change?

Check the records in the authoritative DNS service, then compare the result from different resolvers. Your computer may see the old IP due to local cache. Just clearing the browser cache will not clear all DNS caches.

dig example.com A
dig example.com AAAA
dig www.example.com CNAME
dig example.com MX
dig example.com NS

These commands query; It does not change the DNS record. Replace example.com with your own domain name. Compare the results with the IP and nameserver information provided by your hosting.

DNS is correct but the site does not open

Check that the domain name is defined on the server, that it points to the correct document root, and that the certificate is valid. Incorrect redirect loop or old site address setting of the application can also disrupt access.

If the email was corrupted at the same time, examine the MX and TXT records. Changing the web IP is not the same as moving the email server. Enterprise email DNS directory Explains the controls on the postal side.