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Domains & DNS

Pointing your domain to a new site

How to update your domain's DNS records so it loads your new website — whether by changing nameservers or updating individual DNS records.

domainsdnsintermediategetting-started

When your website moves to a new host or platform, visitors need to be sent to the new location. That means updating your domain's DNS. This guide explains how to do it — and which approach to use.

Quick summary

To point your domain to a new site, you either update the nameservers (handing full DNS control to your new host) or update individual DNS records (usually the A record). After making the change, it takes a few hours to 48 hours to fully propagate. Your site may be briefly unreachable during this window.

Two ways to point a domain

There are two approaches, and which one you use depends on the situation:

ApproachWhen to use it
Change nameserversYour new host wants to manage all your DNS (e.g., Cloudflare, WP Engine, Squarespace)
Update DNS records (A record)You want to keep managing DNS at your current registrar/DNS provider and just update where the site points

See Nameservers vs DNS records for a full explanation of the difference.

Changing nameservers affects email too

If you change your nameservers, all DNS records — including your email (MX records) — need to be set up at the new nameserver provider. If you don't, email will stop working when the change propagates. Always check with us before changing nameservers.

Option A: Changing nameservers

Use this if your host asks you to point the domain to their nameservers (for example, Cloudflare, Squarespace, or WP Engine).

Get the new nameservers. Your host will give you two or more nameserver addresses (e.g., ns1.cloudflare.com and ns2.cloudflare.com).

Log in to your domain registrar. This is where your domain is registered (GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.).

Find the nameserver settings. Look for "Nameservers," "DNS," or "Domain settings."

Replace the existing nameservers with the new ones your host provided. Remove the old ones.

Save the changes.

Set up your DNS records at the new nameserver provider. This includes your website's A record and, critically, your email's MX records.

Wait for propagation. Changes typically take a few hours but can take up to 48 hours to reach all DNS servers worldwide.

Option B: Updating the A record

Use this if you're keeping your nameservers the same and just need to point the domain to a new IP address.

Get the new IP address. Your host will give you the IP address of the new server (e.g., 185.199.108.153).

Log in to wherever your DNS is managed. This might be your registrar or a DNS service like Cloudflare.

Find your domain's DNS records.

Edit the A record for your root domain (often shown as @ or the domain itself). Change the value to the new IP address.

Edit the A record for www as well, if it exists separately.

Save the changes and wait for propagation.

After making the change

During propagation, some visitors may still see the old site while others see the new one — this is normal. Once fully propagated:

  • Test by visiting your domain in an incognito/private browser window.
  • If the site still shows the old version, try clearing your browser cache and DNS cache.
  • If you changed nameservers, verify your email is still working by sending a test message.

Reducing downtime with TTL

Before making DNS changes, experienced users sometimes lower the TTL (Time To Live) on existing records to 300 seconds (5 minutes) — a day or two in advance. This makes the change propagate faster when you do make it. Afterward, you can restore the TTL to a normal value like 3600.

Common questions

Need a hand?

If you're stuck, email support@chykalophia.com and we'll help. Include your website address and a screenshot if you can.

Unlocking a domain & getting the auth code

How to unlock your domain and obtain the EPP/auth code so it can be transferred to a new registrar.

Nameservers vs DNS records

The difference between changing nameservers and editing individual DNS records — and when to use each approach to manage where your domain points.

On this page

Two ways to point a domainOption A: Changing nameserversOption B: Updating the A recordAfter making the changeReducing downtime with TTLCommon questionsRelated guides
Pointing your domain to a new site | Chykalophia Docs