If you already have an active hosting account and want to use a domain with it, you will need to connect that domain to the correct hosting account. This usually involves adding the domain in your hosting control panel and then pointing the domain to your hosting through nameservers or DNS records.
Before you begin
Make sure:
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Your hosting account is active
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You own or control the domain you want to connect
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You have access to the domain registrar or DNS provider
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You can access cPanel for the hosting account
Steps to connect a domain to your hosting account
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Log in to your SMWS client area.
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Open your hosting service.
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Click Login to cPanel.
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Add the domain to your hosting account if it has not already been added.
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Find the correct folder or document root for that domain.
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Log in to the account where your domain is registered.
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Update the domain’s nameservers or DNS records to point to your SMWS hosting.
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Save the changes and allow time for propagation.
Two parts of the setup
Connecting a domain usually includes both of these steps:
Part 1: Add the domain to hosting
This tells your hosting account to accept and serve the domain.
Part 2: Point the domain to hosting
This tells the domain where to go by updating nameservers or DNS records.
Both parts must usually be completed for the domain to work correctly.
What to check after setup
Once the domain has been connected:
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Make sure the domain is listed in your hosting account
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Confirm website files are in the correct folder
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Check that the domain points to the correct hosting server
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Allow time for DNS propagation
Common issues
If the domain does not work after setup, common causes include:
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The domain was not added to the hosting account
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DNS was not updated correctly
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Files were uploaded to the wrong folder
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DNS propagation is still in progress
Notes
Adding a domain inside hosting does not automatically point the domain to the server. You must also update the domain settings where the domain is registered.
Need help?
If you want help connecting a domain to your existing hosting account, contact support and include the domain name and hosting service so we can help you faster.
