Use Custom Name Servers
Custom name servers (also known as private name servers) allow you to personalize your domain’s DNS settings, giving you greater control, improved branding, and enhanced privacy and security for your website.
This article explains what custom name servers are, why you might use them, and how to create or update them for your domain.
What are Name Servers?
For your website to be easily accessible on the internet, you need domain name servers. These servers act as the root location for your website's name and help direct traffic to it. It is crucial to be aware of the IP address of your name server, just like a store owner should know their physical address.
Knowing your name server becomes important in various situations, such as when you purchase a domain name from a registrar that is different from your web hosting platform. You must point your domain name to the correct location in such cases. Similarly, if you switch to a new web hosting company, you can redirect your domain name to your new hosting provider's name servers. By doing so, you can avoid any traffic disruption and continue using your existing domain name.
Why Use Custom Name Servers?
Not all websites require custom name servers (private name servers), but there are advantages to having one. By using custom name servers, you can improve your branding, easily switch to hosting providers, and have greater control over your DNS, privacy, and security.
- If you purchased your domain from Bluehost, you could manage your domain name servers through your Domain Manager. Remember that any updates to your name servers can take up to 72 hours to propagate.
- If you did NOT purchase your domain from us, you cannot change the name servers here because we don't control the domain. Please contact the domain's registrar (where you bought the domain) and ask how to update the name server. Most domain registrars have a tool that you can use to do this yourself. Simply remove the current name servers and replace them with the name servers from your welcome email.
How Do I Create/Update Custom Name Servers?
To create or update custom name servers, follow these How to Set Up Custom Name Servers for instructions.
Your new DNS settings will start updating as soon as you save. It can take 24–72 hours to fully update everywhere. During this time, email may not work, and your website may show up from the old or new host depending on the visitor’s internet provider.
Summary
This article explains what name servers are, why you might want to use your own, and how to change them. DNS updates can take up to 72 hours and might briefly affect your email or website. If you need help, contact support.
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.