How to point a domain to your server

How to point a domain to your server

What does pointing a domain mean?

Pointing a domain to your server means configuring DNS records so that when someone types your domain in the browser, they are directed to your server's IP address where your website or application is hosted.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, you need to have:

• ✅ The domain registered
• ✅ Your server's IP address (for example: 23.175.40.20)
• ✅ Access to your domain's DNS management panel (where you purchased the domain or where the nameservers are configured)

Method 1: Configure A and AAAA DNS records

Step 1: Access the DNS panel

• Log in to the control panel where you manage your domain (could be the registrar, Cloudflare, cPanel, etc.)
• Look for the DNS or DNS Zone section

Step 2: Add A record

• Click on Add Record or Add
• Select the A type
• Fill in the fields:
  • Name/Host: @ or leave blank (for the main domain) or www (for www.yourdomain.com)
  • Value/IP: Your server's IP (e.g., 23.175.40.20)
  • TTL: Leave the default value (usually 3600 seconds)

Image 1: A record configuration example.

Step 3: Add AAAA record (optional, for IPv6)

If your server has an IPv6 address, you can also add an AAAA record:

• Add a new AAAA type record
• Name/Host: @ or www
• Value: Your server's IPv6 address
• TTL: Default value

Step 4: Save changes

Click Save or Submit. Changes can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours to propagate (usually it's faster, between 15 minutes and 2 hours).

Method 2: Change nameservers

If you prefer baires.host to completely manage DNS, you can change the nameservers:

Step 1: Get the nameservers

Contact us to get baires.host nameservers.

Step 2: Configure nameservers in your registrar

• Log in to your domain registrar's panel
• Look for the Nameservers or DNS Servers section
• Change the current nameservers to the ones we provided
• Save the changes

Note: This method can take up to 48 hours to fully propagate.

Verify that the domain points correctly

Option 1: Use ping command

Open the terminal or command prompt and run:

ping yourdomain.com

You should see your server's IP in the response.

Option 2: Use online tools

You can use tools like:

• whatsmydns.net - View DNS propagation in real time
• dnschecker.org - Check DNS records globally
• mxtoolbox.com - DNS diagnostic tools

Option 3: Verify from browser

• Wait for DNS propagation to complete
• Open your browser and type your domain
• You should see your website or your server's welcome page

Configure subdomain

If you want to point a subdomain (for example: blog.yourdomain.com):

• Add a new A record
• Name/Host: blog (without the dot or domain)
• Value/IP: The same server IP
• Save the changes

Common issues

Domain doesn't resolve after several hours

• Verify that the IP is correct
• Check that DNS records are saved correctly
• Wait up to 48 hours (propagation can be slow in some cases)
• Verify there are no syntax errors in the records

"DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN" error

• The domain is not configured correctly in the nameservers
• Verify that A records are created
• Wait for DNS propagation to complete

Domain points to another IP

• Verify that you saved the changes in the DNS panel
• Clear your computer's DNS cache: ipconfig /flushdns (Windows) or sudo dscacheutil -flushcache (macOS)
• Wait a few minutes and verify again

Tips

• ✅ Always verify your server's IP before configuring
• ✅ Use @ for the main domain and www for the www subdomain
• ✅ Low TTL (300-600 seconds) is useful if you change IPs frequently
• ✅ High TTL (3600+ seconds) improves performance but makes changes slower

Need help?

If you're having trouble configuring your domain or don't know which IP to use, open a ticket from the billing.baires.host panel or contact us for support.

You can also reach us through our social media:

• Instagram: @baires_host
• Discord (active support): https://discord.gg/dzjauatAFN
• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/baires.host