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Connect a Domain Registered Elsewhere

Connecting a domain registered elsewhere to your website hosting is important for making your website accessible online. This article is intended for users who want to host their websites with Blushost using a domain registered with a different registrar. To successfully connect a domain to hosting, you need to do the following:

  • Connect or point your domain to your Bluehost servers.
  • Add the domain to your Account Manager (as an "external domain").

Note: The addon domain will not work until it is registered and connected to the Bluehost server where your website content is set up and your hosting plan can accommodate more than one domain.

We will cover the following topics:

How to Add a Domain Registered Elsewhere to Account Manager

To connect a domain registered with another provider to your Bluehost hosting account, you first need to add your domain to your Account Manager.

Here are the steps to connect your domain to your Bluehost account.

    1. Log in to your Bluehost Account Manager.
    2. Navigate to the Domains tab on the left-hand menu.

      Connect Domain to Account Manager - Domains tab

    3. Click the ADD a DOMAIN dropdown, then select Connect an external domain.

      Connect Domain Account Manager - Add as External Domain

    4. Type the domain in the field.

      Connect Domain to Account Manager - Type the Domain

    5. Click ADD.

      Connect Domain to Account Manager - Add Domain

    6. Once done, the newly added domain will appear in the All My Domain Names section.

      Connect Domain Account Manager - Domain Added

How to Connect the Domain to Hosting

Follow the steps below after you successfully add your domain to your Account Manager.

    1. Log in to your Bluehost Account Manager.
    2. Navigate to the Domains tab on the left-hand menu.

      Connect Domain to Account Manager - Domains tab

    3. From the Domains section of the Account Manager, select the newly added external domain.

      Select the Domain

    4. Under Connections, click + ADD under the Website section

      Select the Domain

    5. Check the tick box of the hosting service you want to use and click CONNECT.

      Domain Connections - Select the Package

    6. Click CONNECT from the Domain Connections pop-up message.

      Domain Connections Pop up

You will be redirected to the Hosting tab of the selected service. There are 2 ways to completely connect the domain to the hosting package:

  • Connect the domain to an existing website
  • Connect the domain to a New Website

Follow the steps below if you already created a website and just need to connect your domain.

  1. Click the SETTINGS button on the website to which you want to connect the domain.

    Websites - Settings

  2. Select the DOMAINS tab.

    Websites - Domains Tab

  3. Click the ADD DOMAIN button.

    Websites - Domains Tab - Add Domain

  4. Enter the domain name and click CONTINUE.

    Connect Domain - Enter the Domain

  5. You should receive a "successful" message, and the domain should now appear in the Connected Domains section.

    Domain Successfully Added

  6. Look for the newly added domain and click FINISH SETUP.

    Domain - Finish Set Up

  • Follow the steps provided in the Site Settings, then click VERIFY CONNECTION.

    Domains - Site Settings

Follow the steps below if you want to create a new website for the domain.

  1. From the Websites window, click the ADD SITE button.

    Websites - Add Site Button

  2. Select Install WordPress, then click CONTINUE.

    Website - Install WordPress

  3. You can add a Site Title and click CONTINUE, or you can select SKIP FOR NOW.

    WP Install - Site Title

  4. Enter your domain, then click CONTINUE.

    WP Install - Enter Domain

  5. WordPress will start to install. Please wait for the installation to complete before you start creating a website.

     

    WP Installing

Troubleshooting Domain Connection to Bluehost Hosting

When connecting a domain to your Bluehost hosting account, you might encounter several common issues during this process. Take note of these most frequent challenges and their respective remedies:

Delay in DNS Propagation 

  • Issue: After updating DNS settings, changes might not be immediately visible due to DNS propagation. This can take 48 hours.
     
  • Remedy: Patience is key. Check your settings and wait for them to update. You can use lookup tools online to check the DNS status.

Incorrect DNS Settings

  • Issue: Entering incorrect DNS details can prevent your domain from connecting to your hosting.
     
  • Remedy: Verify the DNS settings provided by your hosting company and ensure they've entered them correctly for your domain. If unsure, contact your hosting provider’s support team for assistance.

Domain Not Yet Transferred

  • Issue: If you're transferring your domain to a new registrar, the transfer process might not be complete. This affects the connection to the new host.
     
  • Remedy: Verify the transfer status with your current domain registrar. Ensure all transfer requirements are met, including unlocking the domain and authorization codes.

Expired Domain or Hosting

  • Issue: An expired domain or hosting account can lead to website downtime.
     
  • Remedy: Regularly check the expiration dates of your domain and hosting plan. Enable auto-renewal features or set reminders to renew them manually before they expire.

Firewall or Security Settings

  • Issue: Overly restrictive firewall or security settings at the host can block domain connections.
     
  • Remedy: Review your hosting account’s security settings and adjust them if they're too restrictive. If you’re unsure which settings to change, consult with your hosting provider.

SSL Certificate Errors

  • Issue: After connecting your domain to hosting, an improperly installed SSL certificate can cause security warnings in browsers.
     
  • Remedy: Ensure your SSL certificate is correctly installed and configured for your domain. Many hosting providers offer free SSL certificates and assistance with installation.

Summary

This guide explains how to connect your domain to BRAND hosting by updating your nameservers or DNS settings, whether you registered your domain with BRAND or another provider. We also suggest transferring your domain to your Account Manager for easier management. Learn the differences between domain and hosting, their importance for visibility and SEO, and troubleshoot common issues like DNS delays. Follow our instructions to connect your domain and launch your website successfully.

If you need further assistance, feel free to contact us via Chat or Phone:

  • Chat Support - While on our website, you should see a CHAT bubble in the bottom right-hand corner of the page. Click anywhere on the bubble to begin a chat session.
  • Phone Support -
    • US: 888-401-4678
    • International: +1 801-765-9400

You may also refer to our Knowledge Base articles to help answer common questions and guide you through various setup, configuration, and troubleshooting steps.

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