How to Point a Domain Name to a New Name Server

Changing web hosts is one thing, but hosting a domain name from another web hosting company is another thing; reason why it is essential to know how to point a domain name to a new namer server. Not only is this technique a great way to get web hosting with your domain name, it prevents you having to buy a domain transfer because if your domain name servers points to your new web host, not your domain registrar’s, it is practically the same as transfering your domain over to your primary web host without the costs. OK, how to point a domain name to a new name server.

This is going to be a relatively short tutorial as it is quite simple really. It is just a matter of seconds before your domain name changes name servers, but what makes name server changes so devious, is not the changing it self, but rather the waiting that is involved in the process.

How to Point a Domain Name to a New Name Server

1. Simply log onto the account that has the domain name that you want to change name servers.

2. Go to Dashboard>>My Domains>>Edit Domain Name

3. Now, you should see an option regarding name servers. Usually, the default name servers are those of the regular domain registrar’s already. Your objective is to try and replace the name servers with your new web host’s name servers instead. If you don’t know your web host’s nameservers, simply request what they are and they should tell you. Now copy and paste. A name server should go along the lines of NS1.Webhost.COM and NS2.Webhost.COM. For example, our web host’s name servers are called NS1.FIVEBEAN.COM and NS2.FIVEBEAN.COM.

4. Once you know your name servers, now simply change them and hit save. Ideally a web host should have 2 or more name severs. It is required to list at least 2 or more name servers from your new web host as a precaution. Once you have typed in your new name servers, simply hit save and your good to go. It is just a simple process of copying and pasting.

5. Now you wait.  It is time to wait for the new domain name to prognate all over the Internet and notify services that your domain name servers have changed. This can take between 1-2 days depending on how lucky you are. During this time frame, you are ideally not to do fuss with anything just as a precaution. You would know when the prognation has finished when you do a who.is search on your domain name. If it begins to show your new name servers, it is almost finished. I’d wait a couple of hours before touching it just to be safe. 2-3 hours later… Prognation done!

Two great sources to check for name server changes: HostTracker and Who.is

After this step, your finished. Nothing beats the feeling of a successful domain name server change. Over a course of a week, about every database should already have updated their information on your domain regarding the change. Now, you can do whatever you want with your domain name with the benefit of not having to use the expenses on a domain transfer. Changing a domain’s name server was easy, am I right?