Point Domain Name to Your Web Server – Demystifying the Whole Process

Point Domain Name – What it means and what are the steps involved?

Read all about changing the name server information associated with the domain name to the I.P. of the web server and demystify the whole process.

What does it mean to say to point domain name to your web server?

Launching a website requires support of two platforms. One is on the servers of your web host, where the web pages created by you are placed for access through the internet. Second platform is on the server of your domain registrar, who assigns a unique name to your website. The process of co-relating the two servers is called to point domain name to your web server. It is creating a link between the two, so that when your domain name is typed in an internet browser it will, without failing, lead to your website only.

The necessity to point domain name arises when you have separated the above two entities – that is, on the one hand you have registered your domain name from one agency, while on the other you have chosen to host your website from a different one. Since both can’t get linked to each other without your assistance, it obviously becomes a crucial process to point domain name to your web server. You have to do it yourself. Had you chosen some website plan with your web host, like Sitesell.com, that offers a Free Domain Name, then that aspect of pointing domain name would have been taken care of by your web host itself.

Thus, it becomes a pre-condition to have both the web hosting account and a domain name registered, before you can point domain name to your web server.

Also discussed on this page are the following articles:

• Demystifying the “Point Domain Name” Process.
• How to Point a Domain Name to Your Web Server?
• Who are the Best Domain Registrars?

To point domain name might seem like a very technical stuff. Believe me, it is not. In fact it is very simple and easy, and takes only a few minutes of your time. It doesn’t require any technical hand although it requires certain technical information to be fed in. Getting that correct technical information is very important.

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Demystifying the “Point Domain Name” Process.

To demystify the whole process to point domain name to your web server, we will have to briefly introduce certain terms involved. Once again don’t get intimidated by the terminology. The technology is what goes on automatically behind the scenes. Since you have to collect certain data or information about your webhost it becomes necessary to get an overview about it.

What is an IP Address?

IP (Internet Protocol) is a standard for communication by which each device that is linked to internet network, is assigned a unique identifier number, for extending to it, the ability to locate and communicate with each other. The format of an IP address is a 32-bit numeric address written as four numbers separated by periods.

Just like your house has a mailing address that is unique for it and based on which you receive your correct mail or courier, similarly an IP address is the unique number assigned to the device or entity on the internet network so that you receive your correct information or data.

What is DNS?

DNS is the acronym for Domain Name System. This Domain name system translates the number format of your IP address to the word format. This is done because it is relatively easier to remember words than numbers.

For further information also read the article:

Domain Registration FAQs – A Dozen Questions

What is Nameserver?

Nameservers are like telephone directories. It maintains a directory of domain names that match certain IP addresses. The information from all the nameservers across the internet is gathered in a central registry.

A nameserver not only accepts requests from programs on its own server to convert domain names into IP addresses but also from other nameservers.

How do They Work in Unison?

When you type a domain name (or URL address) into your internet browser, it’s first step is to convert the domain name and host name into an IP address so that the browser can request for a webpage from the machine at that IP. To do this the browser communicates with its default nameserver.

The nameserver first checks its own directory to relate an IP address for the requested domain name. If it is able to find it there then immediately that information is returned to the browser. In case it is not able to locate the IP address in its own databank, then the nameserver contacts it root nameserver, which has all the information about other nameservers for various TLDs. Accordingly the required information is located and the correct webpage IP is returned to the browser.

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How to Point Domain Name to Your Web Server?

To point domain name the following steps are involved in the process of setting up Nameserver of your domain name:

• 1 - Get Nameserver information from your Web Host.

• This information can be found from the first mail that you must have received when you first registered with your Web Host. Or this could be displayed on some page at your host’s website. In case of any ambiguity it is better to get this data from their support cell rather than making a wild guess about it.

  This DNS name server information, called the Primary and Secondary Nameserver, looks like:

  -ns1.webhost.com
  -ns2.webhost.com

  Your webhost could provide 2 or more such Nameserver listings, which you should copy and write for feeding this into your Domain Registrar’s Nameserver.

• 2 - Log in to the System of your Domain Name Registrar.

• Log in with your user name and password and access the account manager module in your registrar’s website.

  Depending upon the interface of your registrar setting up Nameservers can be done from either accounts manager or domain manager, or somewhat similar sounding words.

  GoDaddy has “Domain Manager” under “My Products” section.

• 3 - Select the Domain Name you want to set up.

• You may have to click on the checkbox or just click on the domain name to select the one that you wish to set up to point to your web server.

• 4 - Select “Nameserver” or “DNS Manager” button.

• Or click on similar words that allow you to carry out Nameserver modification.

• 5 - Choose to Modify the Nameserver

• On clicking you could be asked to select the kind of action you would like to perform for the chosen domain name. These could be like park your domain name, forward a domain name, or modify the Nameserver. Here we are looking for the last option, which you may click.

  Some registrars might lead you directly to the modification form after the fourth step above.

• 7 - Fill in your Web Host Nameserver Information.

• Feed the form fields with your web host Nameserver data that you have written down with you.

  The information is to be written in accordance with the Primary, Secondary and other Nameservers. The primary DNS carries the word ns1, while the secondary DNS has the word ns2.

  There might be more fields than you have information for. Don’t worry about it. Just fill the number of fields for which your web host has supplied data for. The remaining fields can remain empty. At least two Nameservers have to be filled in.

  Sometimes there might already be some data in the Primary, Secondary or other Nameservers. You can overwrite them because earlier you domain name was pointing elsewhere and now you wish it to point to your desired Web Host.

• 7 - Click “OK” and you are done with.

• You have successfully completed the process to “Point Domain Name” to your Web Server.

  After updating your Nameservers, allow from 4 to 8 hours for other networks to access information for .com and .net domains, and from 24 to 48 hours for other networks to access information for all other domain extensions.

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Who are the Best Domain Registrars?

Want to go shopping to buy domains? How do you know where you will get a fair deal? Do you always go to the cheapest one?

The best domain registrar need not be the cheapest domain registrar. It’s not always the cost of a domain name that makes a registrar a good or an average one. Neither does a good sounding name make a registrar a good one.

There are numerous domain registrars and domain resellers that have flooded the domain registration industry. Obviously they all are there for business and sometimes your interest might not be their upmost priority. In such a scenario it is easy to get duped by certain unscrupulous ones.

Below we offer a list of the best domain registrars:

• 1 - GoDaddy - World’s Largest Domain Registrar
• For price and service features read our: GoDaddy - Review

• 2 - Dotster - Over 10 Years & 1 Million Customers
• For price and service features read our: Dotster - Review

• 3 - Register.com - Get 25% off your entire shopping cart use coupon code : REGISTERSPECIAL25.....applicable through this link only.
• For price and service features read our: Register.com - Review

• 4 - Network Solutions – Over 30 Years of Experience
• For price and service features read our: Network Solutions - Review

• 5 - Moniker - Over 2.44 Million Domain Names Under Their Management
• For price and service features read our: Moniker - Review

• 6 - Netfirms - LOWEST priced 1-year .com anywhere
• For price and service features read our: Netfirms - Review

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What Do You Get When You Purchase SBI!?

SBI! is a proven step-by-step program that includes everything you need to build, manage and market your online business effectively... and all for under $1 per day.

Domain Registration
You choose your domain name. They register it for you (in your name). One click and you're done. Like everything else, the domain name is included in the price. No third party extra charges.

Web Site Hosting
No need for you to pay for hosting. Top-quality Web hosting and e-mail for a full year are included in Site Build It!. Fast, reliable. Unlimited pages. Unlimited images. Unlimited bandwidth.

Name Park It!
There are four good reasons to use this optional feature to park a domain (planned later use, protection of your main domain, redirects, and "accidental traffic"). The $9.95 per-domain fee includes domain-redirects and unlimited subdomain-redirects.

............and much, much more.

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