Changing the nameservers for your domain name is an essential step if you want to point your domain to a new hosting provider. This tutorial will guide you through the process for some of the most popular domain registrars worldwide.

What Are Nameservers?

Nameservers are part of the Domain Name System (DNS) and act like a directory that helps browsers locate your website on the internet. If you change your hosting provider or set up a new DNS, you’ll need to update your domain’s nameservers.

General Steps to Change Nameservers

1. Log in to Your Domain Registrar Account: Start by logging into the account where you registered your domain name.
2. Locate the DNS Settings: Find the section of your account that allows you to manage DNS settings or nameservers. This might be under “Domains,” “DNS Management,” or “Nameserver Settings.”
3. Enter New Nameservers: Replace the current nameservers with the ones provided by your new hosting provider.
4. Save Changes: Save your changes and allow some time for them to propagate, which can take up to 48 hours.

Below are specific instructions for some of the most popular domain registrars:

GoDaddy

1. Log in to Your Account: Go to GoDaddy.com and log in.
2. Access Your Domains: Click on your username in the upper right corner and select “My Products”.
3. Manage DNS: Find the domain you want to change and click “DNS” next to it.
4. Change Nameservers: Scroll down to the “Nameservers” section and click “Change”.
5. Enter New Nameservers: Choose “Enter my own nameservers (advanced)” and input the new nameservers. Click “Save”.

Namecheap

1. Log in to Your Account: Go to Namecheap.com and log in.
2. Domain List: Navigate to the “Domain List” from the left sidebar.
3. Manage Domain: Click the “Manage” button next to the domain you want to update.
4. Nameserver Settings: Find the “Nameservers” section, select “Custom DNS” from the dropdown menu.
5. Enter New Nameservers: Enter the new nameservers and click the checkmark to save.

Google Domains

1. Log in to Your Account: Go to domains.google and log in.
2. Manage Domain: Click on the domain name you want to manage.
3. DNS Settings: In the left navigation pane, select “DNS”.
4. Custom Name Servers: Scroll to the “Custom name servers” section and click “Use custom name servers”.
5. Enter New Nameservers: Enter the new nameservers and click “Save”.

Bluehost

1. Log in to Your Account: Go to Bluehost.com and log in.
2. Domains Tab: Click the “Domains” tab from the top menu.
3. Manage Domain: Click “Manage” next to the domain you want to update.
4. Nameservers: Go to the “Nameservers” tab.
5. Enter New Nameservers: Choose “Use Custom Nameservers” and enter the new nameservers. Click “Save Nameserver Settings”.

HostGator

1. Log in to Your Account: Go to HostGator.com and log in.
2. Manage Domains: Click on the “Domains” tab from the left sidebar.
3. Edit Nameservers: Find the domain and click on it to bring up the domain settings. Look for “Nameservers”.
4. Enter New Nameservers: Select “Change” and input the new nameservers. Click “Save”.

1&1 IONOS

1. Log in to Your Account: Go to Ionos.com and log in.
2. Domains & SSL: Click on “Domains & SSL” from the dashboard.
3. Manage Domain: Find the domain you want to update and click the gear icon next to it, then choose “DNS”.
4. Change Nameservers: Scroll down to “Nameserver Settings” and click “Edit nameserver”.
5. Enter New Nameservers: Enter the new nameservers and click “Save”.

Final Notes

• Propagation Time: Changes to nameservers can take up to 48 hours to propagate globally.
• Double-Check: Ensure you have entered the nameservers correctly to avoid any downtime for your website.
• Support: If you encounter any issues, contact your domain registrar’s support for assistance.

By following these steps, you should be able to successfully change the nameservers for your domain name across various popular registrars. If your registrar is not listed here, the process will be similar; refer to their support documentation for specific instructions.