How to add a custom domain with Hostgator?

Learn how to easily add a custom domain to your website using Hostgator's step-by-step guide. Boost your online presence and improve SEO today!

If you don't own a domain yet, don't worry you can purchase it at Hostgator.

1. Name servers

Name servers are the primary records in DNS and act as the server component. It connects the IP address to a domain name on a server. The primary function of the name servers is to translate an IP address to an easily remembered domain name and makes an IP address answer back to a domain name on a server.

For example, the IP address:

http://50.116.120.13

Resolves to the domain:

https://support.hostgator.com

If it weren't for name servers, people would need to use IP addresses to pull up websites rather than a domain name, making web addresses a lot harder to remember.

Nameservers can be found at the Advanced tools section of the Domains tab of the Customer Portal:

1. Log in to your Account.

1. Click the Domains tab located in the left-side navigation menu and choose Advanced Tools section.

1. Click on Manage under Nameservers (DNS) section.

   
   

   

   

   
   

   Here, you can also manage Advanced DNS Records.

   
   

2. Adding New Record

1. A record

   
   

   The A record, also known as Address records, is the other side to name servers. It points a domain or subdomain to a specific IP address (IPv4) on a server. This record controls which specific server will host an online presence, such as email, website, and online apps.

   
   

   For example, the IP address '192.123.45.6' points to the domain name 'example.com' as shown below.

   

   

   
   

2. CNAME record

   
   

   Canonical name records, better known as CNAME records, serve as aliases for domain names of another canonical domain name. This record is used to indicate subdomains that might be listed under or associated with your current domain.

   The most common example is when you have both 'example.com' and 'www.example.com.'

   
   

   
   

   

   

   
   

3. AAAA record

   
   

   The AAAA record is similar and works the same way as the A record. The only difference is it allows you to point a domain name to an IPv6 IP address. Currently, HostGator does not support IPv6 addresses.

   
   

   

   

   
   

3. Configure Domain under Pineapple Builder

Add Domain

Go to Pineapple Builder, click on Website Settings, choose Domain, enter your Custom Domain Url and click Add Domain.

You will then see status info about your current configuration with the new records you will need to add in the next step.

2. Add DNS Records

Add new records under Advanced DNS info at Hostgator to connect your new domain:

• Before starting, remove any conflicting AAAA, A, or CNAME records that have the same Type and Name as your current DNS records.

• Add configuration forCNAME record:

  • Type: CNAME

  • Host: www(this might be different for you)

  • Value: cname.versel-dns.com(this might be different for you)

• Add configuration forA record:

  • Type: A

  • Host: @(this might be different for you)

  • Value: 76.76.21.21(this might be different for you)

3. Check Status

When done, navigate to Pineapple Builder to see updates, it will auto-refresh it. You will receive a successful update when your Configuration is Valid.

Note: It might take from 2 minutes to a couple of hours to see updates. Please double-check your configuration in case its status is still Error.