Linking Your Third-Party Domain: A Simple Guide

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Introduction: Understanding Web and Domain Hosting for Your Site

• Connecting Your Third-Party Domain to Your Website

• Adding A and CNAME Records: A Straightforward Guide 
  

  • How to add an “A” record for your root domain?
  • How to add a CNAME record?

With the easy-to-use website builder, we aim to make the process of building and launching your website as seamless as possible. Before diving into the specifics of connecting a third-party domain, it's essential to understand the difference between web hosting and domain hosting, as well as the importance of both for a fully functional website.

Web hosting provides the infrastructure necessary for your site to exist online and be accessible to users. Domain hosting ensures that you have a unique and memorable web address for visitors to find your site.These are two separate services, but you need both for having a fully functional website.

Connecting Your Third-Party Domain to Your Website

To connect a domain purchased from a third-party provider:

1. Enter the domain name in this format: example.com
2. Click Connect
3. Publish the site
   
4. Go to your domain provider page to start adjusting or adding the essential records

The “A” record points your root domain to our servers. For example, if you want to host your website as “example.com”, please follow these steps:

Add or edit your “A” record

Click “Add” to add a new “A” record. 

Please note, that if you already have a root @ record that points to another IP address, you must edit the existing record instead of adding a new one.

Set up and save

Select the type “A”, write the name “@” and add this IP address “35.161.126.63”. Make sure that the “A” record points to the IP address provided by Renderforest and save your changes.

How to add a CNAME record?

The CNAME record connects your domain to your Renderforest site. For example, if you want to have the www version of your website automatically configured, please follow these steps:

Select your domain

Go “My Products” from the homepage, find your domain and click “DNS”.

Add or edit your “CNAME” record

Click “Add” to add a new “CNAME” record․ Please note, that if you already have a “www” record which points to other address, you must edit the existing record instead of adding a new one.

Set up and save

Select the type “CNAME”, write the name “www” and add your website address “example.renderforestsites.com” in the mentioned format, without adding the “HTTP” protocol. Save your changes.