Engineering
Admin  

How to Configure Hosting for a Website with a New or Existing Domain

Setting up hosting for your website is an essential step in bringing your online presence to life. Whether you are using a new domain or an existing domain, this guide will walk you through the process step by step.

Step 1: Choose a Web Hosting Provider

Before configuring hosting, you need a reliable web hosting provider. Popular choices include:

  • Shared Hosting (e.g., Hostinger, Bluehost, Hostarmada ) – Ideal for beginners.
  • VPS Hosting (e.g., DigitalOcean, Linode) – For better performance and scalability.
  • Cloud Hosting (e.g., AWS, Google Cloud, Azure) – Best for large-scale applications.
  • Managed WordPress Hosting (e.g., Kinsta, WP Engine) – Optimized for WordPress sites.

Sign up for a plan that fits your needs.

Step 2: Register a New Domain or Use an Existing One

Option 1: Register a New Domain

If you don’t have a domain yet, you can register one via:

  • Hosting providers (e.g., Namecheap, GoDaddy, Google Domains)
  • Directly through your hosting provider if they offer domain registration.

Option 2: Use an Existing Domain

If you already own a domain, you’ll need to update its DNS settings to point to your new hosting provider.

Step 3: Connect Your Domain to Your Hosting Provider

Regardless of whether you have a new or existing domain, you need to link it to your hosting service.

For New Domains:

  • Your hosting provider will automatically link the domain when purchased together.
  • If registered separately, update the Name Servers (NS records) to match your hosting provider’s details.

For Existing Domains:

  1. Get the Nameservers from your hosting provider (e.g., ns1.examplehost.com, ns2.examplehost.com).
  2. Log into your domain registrar (e.g., Namecheap, GoDaddy).
  3. Update the Nameservers to point to your hosting provider.
  4. Save changes (DNS propagation may take up to 24 hours).

Step 4: Upload Your Website Files

Now, you need to upload your website files to the hosting server.

  • Via cPanel File Manager: Log in to your hosting account → Go to File Manager → Upload your website files in the public_html directory.
  • Using FTP (File Transfer Protocol): Use tools like FileZilla to upload files to your server.
  • For WordPress Users: Install WordPress via one-click installers (Softaculous, Fantastico).
  • For Cloud Hosting: Use SSH and deploy files manually using Git or FTP.

Step 5: Set Up SSL for Secure Access

An SSL certificate is necessary to secure your website with HTTPS.

  • Many hosting providers offer free SSL certificates (e.g., Let’s Encrypt).
  • Enable SSL via cPanel → Security → SSL/TLS Manager.
  • If using Cloudflare, enable Flexible SSL from the dashboard.

Step 6: Configure DNS and Email Settings

After setting up your hosting and domain, configure:

  • A Records & CNAME Records: Ensure your domain points to the correct server.
  • MX Records: If using email (e.g., Google Workspace, Zoho Mail), update MX records for email delivery.

Step 7: Test and Launch Your Website

Once everything is set up:

  1. Check DNS Propagation using tools like whatsmydns.net.
  2. Access your website via the browser (https://yourdomain.com).
  3. Fix broken links or missing assets.
  4. Monitor performance using Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix.

Admin

Leave A Comment