Linking Your Third-Party Domain: A Simple Guide

Modified on Thu, 2 Nov, 2023 at 2:30 AM

TABLE OF CONTENTS




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
    Third-Party Domain:1
  4. Go to your domain provider page to start adjusting or adding the essential records



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


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:



Log in to your GoDaddy (or domain provider) account, go to “My Products” from the homepage, find your domain and click “DNS”.

 Third-Party Domain: 2






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.
Third-Party Domain:3

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.Third-Party Domain: 4




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”.

Third-Party Domain: 5


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.Third-Party Domain: 6

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.Third-Party Domain: 7

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