How to point a domain to a new host (the DNS walkthrough)

Step by step

1. 01

   Lower the TTL 24 hours before the move

   At your registrar's DNS, change every record's TTL to 300 seconds (5 min) the day BEFORE you switch. This makes propagation fast on switch day.

2. 02

   Choose: nameservers or A/CNAME records

   Nameserver swap = the new host runs all your DNS (simpler, but you lose registrar-side DNS). A/CNAME = you keep DNS at the registrar (more flexible, especially if you use Google Workspace for email).

3. 03

   Make the switch

   Nameservers method: paste the new host's 2-4 nameservers, save. A record method: change the @ A record to the new IP, change www CNAME if needed.

4. 04

   Verify globally

   whatsmydns.net → enter your domain → A record. Wait until 80%+ of the global checkpoints show the new IP. Usually 10-60 min with low TTL.

5. 05

   Test the site directly

   Open in incognito + on mobile data (not Wi-Fi — your router caches DNS). Click into key pages, submit a form, check images load.

6. 06

   Restore TTL to 3600

   Once stable, raise the TTL back to 1 hour. Low TTLs increase DNS lookup cost long-term.