SideBySide Domains
DNS GUIDE

How to Point a Domain to a Host Without Transferring

Keep your domain where it is. Just tell it where to send visitors. Here's how.

🌐 Register Your Domain at Domain.com

🔑 Key Concept

Registration = Who owns the domain (your registrar)
DNS/Pointing = Where the domain sends visitors (can be anywhere)

These are separate. You can keep registration at GoDaddy while pointing to Cloudflare hosting, or vice versa.

Two Methods to Point Your Domain

Method 1: Change Nameservers

Hand over all DNS management to your host.

  • ✓ Simplest approach
  • ✓ Host manages everything
  • ✓ Often required by hosts
  • ✗ All DNS at one place

Best for: Beginners, simple setups

Method 2: Add A/CNAME Records

Keep DNS at registrar, point specific records to host.

  • ✓ More control
  • ✓ Mix services easily
  • ✓ Keep DNS at registrar
  • ✗ More technical

Best for: Advanced users, mixed services

Method 1: Changing Nameservers

This tells the internet: "For everything about this domain, ask these servers."

Step-by-Step

  1. Get nameservers from your host — Usually in their setup guide (e.g., ns1.hostinger.com)
  2. Log into your registrar
  3. Find DNS/Nameserver settings — Usually under "Domain Management"
  4. Select "Custom Nameservers"
  5. Enter both nameservers — Most hosts give you two
  6. Save and wait — 15 minutes to 48 hours for propagation

Common Host Nameservers

  • Hostinger: ns1.dns-parking.com, ns2.dns-parking.com
  • Bluehost: ns1.bluehost.com, ns2.bluehost.com
  • SiteGround: ns1.siteground.net, ns2.siteground.net
  • Cloudflare: Custom per account (e.g., aria.ns.cloudflare.com)
  • Vercel: ns1.vercel-dns.com, ns2.vercel-dns.com

Method 2: Adding A Record and CNAME

This keeps DNS at your registrar but points specific traffic to your host.

Step-by-Step

  1. Get your host's IP address — Found in your hosting dashboard
  2. Log into your registrar
  3. Go to DNS Management
  4. Add an A record:
    • Name/Host: @ (or blank)
    • Type: A
    • Value: Your host's IP (e.g., 192.168.1.1)
  5. Add a CNAME for www:
    • Name/Host: www
    • Type: CNAME
    • Value: yourdomain.com or host's domain
  6. Save and wait for propagation

Which Method Should You Use?

Scenario Recommended Method
Simple website, one host Change Nameservers
Email with one provider, website with another A/CNAME Records
Using Cloudflare for CDN/security Change to Cloudflare NS
Want to use registrar's DNS features A/CNAME Records
Host requires their nameservers Change Nameservers

Benefits of Keeping Registration Separate

✓ Redundancy

If your host goes down, you can quickly point elsewhere without waiting for a transfer.

✓ Security

Separate accounts means compromising one doesn't compromise everything.

✓ Better Prices

Use the cheapest registrar + best host without compromise.

✓ Flexibility

Switch hosts without touching registration. Switch registrars without touching hosting.

Pro Tip: Separate Registration from Hosting

The best practice is to use a dedicated registrar (Cloudflare, Porkbun, Namecheap) for domains and a separate company for hosting. This gives you maximum flexibility and often saves money.

Compare Registrars →