Domain Name | Sofie Estolloso Hofmann Designs International

How to Set Nameservers, How to Change Nameservers

Tuesday, September 28, 2010 @ 6:08 pm by Sofie Hofmann

One of the requirements when you set up a Website and for the Website to be online is to be able to set the nameservers correctly. You need to make sure that the DNS or domain nameservers of your domain name is pointing to your web host.

I already wrote a little bit about this topic on my blog entry, How to Start a Website, but there were no illustrations. This time, I included a few images so you will have a better idea on how to set the nameservers or change the nameservers.

I will again use GoDaddy and DreamHost in this example. As I have mentioned on my past blog entries, aside from being comfortable using GoDaddy and DreamHost, I like the features of GoDaddy as a domain registrar and DreamHost as a web hosting provider.

How to Set Nameservers or How to Change Nameservers

Proceed to GoDaddy or your domain name registrar.

1. Login by supplying your username and password.

How to Set Nameservers, How to Change Nameservers

You will be redirected to “My Account” page where you will see your domain name.

2. Click the domain name, for example, DOMAIN-NAME-WHATEVER.COM.

How to Set Nameservers, How to Change Nameservers

You will be redirected to the “Domain Manager – Domain Details” page.

3. Click Set Nameservers under “Nameservers”.

How to Set Nameservers, How to Change Nameservers

A pop-up window will open with this text:

“If you are hosting your Web site with us (you have a hosting account with us associated with this domain) or you want to Park or Forward your domain, we will automatically set your nameservers for you.”

But if your web host is different from your domain registrar, you need to change the nameservers.

How to Set Nameservers, How to Change Nameservers

Click “I have specific nameservers for my domains” if your web host is different from your domain registrar.

4. Replace the current nameservers, if there are any, with DreamHost nameservers if your web host is DreamHost.

The Dreamhost nameservers are the following:

NS1.DREAMHOST.COM
NS2.DREAMHOST.COM
NS3.DREAMHOST.COM

Enter NS1.DREAMHOST.COM at the space corresponding to Nameserver 1

Enter NS2.DREAMHOST.COM at the space corresponding to Nameserver 2

Enter NS3.DREAMHOST.COM at the space corresponding to Nameserver 3

Nameserver 1 and Nameserver 2 are required and you will see that if there is an asterisk near it. An asterisk normally indicates that something is required.

Click the button “OK” after you supplied the new nameservers.

How to Set Nameservers, How to Change Nameservers

A pop-up window will open with this text:

“Your changes have been submitted. Please allow a few minutes for the changes to take effect.”

5. Click the button “OK”.

How to Set Nameservers, How to Change Nameservers

That’s it!

To check if you set the nameservers successfully, leave the page first, wait for a few minutes, then go back to the page again.

If the new DreamHost nameservers are already listed under the Nameservers, then you were able to set the nameservers successfully.

You will have to wait for 48-72 hours for the DNS to propagate though. Sometimes, it does not really take the DNS to propagate that long but your domain registrar will always tell you to wait for 48-72 hours or maybe less than 48 hours for security purposes.

I am not going to explain to you what is DNS propagation. It is important for you to know though that this process is needed.

You will know if the DNS have propagated once you see that your Website is online.

Most of the time, the web host has a temporary “coming soon” page. If you see that page, then the DNS have propagated.

Disclosure: As an affiliate, if you decide to register a domain name with GoDaddy, and get a web hosting account with DreamHost, I am going to earn from it.

How to Set Up a Website

Monday, September 13, 2010 @ 4:48 pm by Sofie Hofmann

I have written about this topic before, Setting Up a Blog, at Problogit.com but it was not so detailed.

Before I proceed, I would assume that you already registered a domain name with a domain registrar and signed up for a web hosting account with a web hosting provider. If not, I suggest that you read the details first on how to register a domain name and how to get a web host.

I will use DreamHost on how to set up a Website in this example. I am comfortable using DreamHost as I have been its customers for three (3) years now. I like its control panel and the features that it offers.

How to Set Up a Website

Proceed to DreamHost.

Click the first link “Web Panel” at the bottom of the page to log in at the DreamHost Control Panel.

How to Set Up a Website

You will be redirected to the “DreamHost: Login” page.

1. Supply the email address and password that you used when you signed up for a web hosting account with DreamHost at the “DreamHost: Login” page to log in at the web control panel.

Click the button “Login”.

How to Set Up a Website

You will be redirected to the “DreamHost Web Panel > Home : Welcome” page.

You will read the following text:

“Welcome to your DreamHost Control Panel!”

“This is the control center of your DreamHost account. From here you can configure literally any aspect of your account in no time at all!”

2. Click the link “Manage Domains” on the left side under “Toolbox” above the “Main Menu”.

How to Set Up a Website

You will be redirected to the “DreamHost Web Panel > Domain : Manage Domains” page.

You will read the following text:

“Domain Management”

“View and modify the hosting configuration of any of the domains on your DreamHost account.”

3. Click the link “Add New Domain / Sub-Domain”.

How to Set Up a Website

You will be redirected to another “DreamHost Web Panel > Domain : Manage Domains” page.

You will read the following text:

“Fully Hosted”

“Upload your site to our servers and we’ll serve it up!”

You will also read other details like Domain name, Users, Files, and Paths, Web Options, Google Hosted Services among others.

How to Set Up a Website

4. Supply the necessary details at the blank fields at the “DreamHost Web Panel > Domain : Manage Domains” page.

Under “Domain name”…

Domain to host:

Supply your domain name like “domainname.com” without the quotes.

Do you want the www in your URL?

Choose one of the three options, namely, leave the domain name with or without WWW, add WWW and redirect the domain name without WWW to the domain name with WWW, or remove WWW and redirect the domain name with WWW to the domain name without WWW.

Under “Users, Files, and Paths”…

Run this domain under the user:

Use the dropdown and “Create a new user” like “domainusername” without the quotes.

Web directory:

Supply your domain name like “domainname.com” without the quotes at the field corresponding to “/home/username/”.

How to Set Up a Website

Under “Web Options”…

PHP Mode:

Leave the recommended one as it is.

Extra Web Security?

Check the checkbox. Leave the others unchecked.

Under “Google Hosted Services”…

Check both the checkboxes if you would like to use the services of Google. You’ll need to set your domain up with Google separately from this set up here. Just follow the instructions after you click the link to Google. (I might also write about this topic later on.)

You can also leave the checkboxes unchecked. You can set it up later.

Under “Visual Confirmation”…

Please complete the following CAPTCHA:

5. Click the button “Fully host this domain”.

You have done it.

How to Set Up a Website

You will be redirected to the page where you were before, at the “DreamHost Web Panel > Domain : Manage Domains” page.

This time you will read the following text:

“Success!”

“”domainname.com” has been added to our hosting system!”

“Since it takes some time for new DNS information to propagate, it may take up to a few hours for your new domain to start working.”

This is assuming that you already change the DNS at the domain registrar where you registered your domain name. If not, you need to change or set the DNS then at the domain registrar. I wrote a little bit about this at the topic, How to Start a Website, but I might also write a detailed one later on.

The domainname.com must be using the nameservers of DreamHost for it to work.

NS1.DREAMHOST.COM
NS2.DREAMHOST.COM
NS3.DREAMHOST.COM

You can check the domain name “domainname.com” if it has been been added under “All hosted domains on this account”.

Take notes of the FTP user, FTP server and password like the examples below. Write them down.

The FTP user is “domainusername” without the quotes.

The FTP server is “serve.dreamhost.com” without the quotes. The server was provided by the web host. If the DNS has propagated, you can change the FTP server to your domain name like “domainname.com” without the quotes.

The FTP password has been generated for this domain name. If you would like to change the password, you can do so. You will be provided with a link so you can change your password. (I might also write about this topic later on.)

How to Set Up a Website

Finally, to check if you have set up the Website successfully, launch the net2ftp, the web based FTP client of DreamHost.

Click the link “WebFTP” under the domain name “domainname.com” at the “DreamHost Web Panel > Domain : Manage Domains” page like at the image above to launch the net2ftp.

You will be redirected to the “net2ftp – a web based FTP client” page.

Supply the necessary details at the blank fields at the “net2ftp – a web based FTP client” page if the net2ftp Login page looks like the image below.

Username, Password

How to Set Up a Website

Supply the necessary details at the blank fields corresponding the text below if the net2ftp Login page looks like the image below.

FTP server:
Username:
Password:
Initial directory:

How to Set Up a Website

The “Initial directory” is optional, you can leave what has been provided, in this case “/domainname.com” without the quotes which you supplied as the web directory under “Users, Files, and Paths” when you added the domain name. You can also leave it blank.

How to Set Up a Website

If you did not supply anything under the “Initial directory”, you will be redirected to the page like the image below. Click the folder, the domain name “domainname.com” to see the files under that folder.

How to Set Up a Website

If you supplied “/domainname.com” without the quotes at the “Initial directory”, you will be redirected directly to the domain name “domainname.com” folder like the image below.

If you have the same files inside the “domainname.com” folder like at the image, then you were able to set up the Website successfully.

How to Set Up a Website

Finally, to check if the domain name is active, check the page or the domain name at the browser. If you see the page like the page below as you have not created any pages yet, then you did it. You were able to set up the Website successfully.

How to Set Up a Website

That’s it! Congratulations!

Actually, it does not end there. You still need pages for your Website but that is a different topic which I might discuss later on. If you would like to install WordPress, that is also another topic which I will discuss later on.

For the meantime, plan what pages do you need for your Website. For more information about this topic, read this blog entry, Setting Up a Blog, at Problogit.com.

Disclosure: Other than liking the features of DreamHost as a web host, I am also an affiliate of DreamHost. So, if you decide to sign up for a web hosting account with DreamHost using my referral link, I am going to earn from it.

How to Register a Domain Name

Thursday, August 26, 2010 @ 6:55 pm by Sofie Hofmann

Registering a domain name is very simple but I will still show you how to register a domain name. In this example, I will use GoDaddy as the domain registrar. I am therefore disclosing here right away that if you decide to register your domain name with GoDaddy using my referral code, I will earn from it as I am an affiliate of GoDaddy.

I like GoDaddy as the features it offers as a domain registrar are really good. GoDaddy has been in the business as a domain registrar. The price of the domain name is reasonable.

In a way, GoDaddy was even responsible that you can nowadays buy a domain name with .com, .net and .org TLDs (top level domain names) at a lower price per year unlike the original price of $35 per year when these top level domain names were first available in the market.

Registering could be done in three (3) easy steps but because of the other offers you might get confused.

How to Register a Domain Name with GoDaddy

Prepare your credit card if you are paying with your credit card.

Proceed to GoDaddy.

1. Search the domain name by typing the domain name at the space provided below or near “Start your domain search here”.

Leave the .com at the dropdown menu. The top level domain name .com is the most popular TLD unless your Website is about a non-profit organization, then look for a domain name with a .org top level domain name.

Click the orange button “GO”.

How to Register a Domain Name

If the domain name is not available, just keep on searching for a domain name related to your business.

If the domain name is available, you have two options.

Click the orange button “Add” if you would like to purchase more than one (1) domain name.

Click the other orange button “Continue to Registration” if you are purchasing (1) domain name only.

Note: The price indicated at the illustration may change and definitely the currency depending on your location.

How to Register a Domain Name

You will be redirected to the “1. Domain Registration Information” page.

But a pop-up window might appear and tell you to “STOP! Don’t miss your chance to SAVE (whatever percent)!”

Click the orange button “No Thanks” and you will be brought back to the “1. Domain Registration Information” page.

How to Register a Domain Name

2. Supply the necessary details at the “1. Domain Registration Information” page especially if it is marked with red asterisk as it is required.

Do not forget to check the box corresponding to this text “By checking this box you certified that the Company Name specified above is the legal registrant of this domain name” if you put something under the Company Name.

Click the orange button “Next”.

How to Register a Domain Name

You will be redirected to the “2. Your Domain Settings” page.

3. Check the details at the “2. Your Domain Settings” page.

You can change the “Registration Length” to 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, 5 years or even 10 years.

Even if you are not sure, especially if you have a discount coupon or number, it is better to register the domain name for 5 years or 10 years.

You also have the option to edit the Registrant Contact, Technical Contact, Administrative Contact and Technical Contact by clicking “Edit” under the Registration Contact area. You do not have to do that, you can change the details later.

If you read “Hosting these domains elsewhere? Set nameservers”, do that later.

If you read “Includes FREE Auto-Renew Protection. Click here to change to Manual renewal”, do that later.

Click the orange button “Next” if everything is fine.

How to Register a Domain Name

You will be redirected to “3. Your Privacy and Domain Protection” page.

You will be recommended to keep your information private and select a registration type.

If you like privacy but you are purchasing one (1) domain only at the moment, do that later. It is also an additional cost. You have the option to make your details private later for a certain fee.

Click the orange button “Next” again to continue.

How to Register a Domain Name

You will be redirected to “4. Activate Your Domain” page.

There is really nothing to be done at the “4. Activate Your Domain” page.

GoDaddy will just offer you a lot of other things that you can include with your purchase.

You can even buy the domain name at a very low price if you purchase anything from the offers. Read the notices behind the offers like at the “Get your domain for only CHF2.06* with any purchase below”. You can definitely save here but think about it carefully.

You can “Add Email” or “Add Website and Hosting” right away if you like. But I do not like to rush you. You have the option to choose your web hosting provider later. Study the offers of the web hosting providers first. I have not tried GoDaddy but its web hosting features are not bad at all.

Note: The price CHF2.06* indicated here may change and definitely the currency depending on your location.

Click the orange button with cart icon “Next”.

How to Register a Domain Name

You will be redirected to the “Review your Shopping Cart” page.

4. Check the details at the “Review your Shopping Cart” page.

Click “Enter Promo or Source Code” if you have a promo code or source code and supply it at the box under the “Order Summery” box on the right side.

Review if everything is fine.

Click the orange button “Continue to Checkout” which is also under the “Order Summary” box.

How to Register a Domain Name

You will be redirected to “Account Security” page to log in if you are already a customer or “Create a New Account” if you are a new customer.

5. Supply the required and necessary details at the “1. Account Information” and “2. Login Information”.

Review your “1. Account Information”. Take note of the “Account Type”. Is it business, personal or both?

Review your “2. Login Information” especially your “Log In ID”. Remember or write down your “Log In ID” and password. You will need your “Log In ID” and password later on to access your GoDaddy account.

Click the orange button “Continue to Checkout”.

How to Register a Domain Name

You will be redirected to the “Select Your Payment Method” page.

6. Supply the required and necessary details at the “Select Your Payment Method” page.

Select “CREDIT CARD” if you are using your credit card, otherwise select any of the four options.

Supply the necessary details at “3. Enter Your Billing Information” if there is a need.

Review “3. Enter Your Billing Information” details.

You have the option to click the box “use account information” if you like to use the same information that you supplied at the “Registrant Contact”.

Supply the necessary details at “4. Enter Your Credit Card Information”.

You are almost finished now.

Check the box corresponding to the text “I have read and agree to the terms and conditions of the: Universal Terms of Service, Domain Name Registration Agreement” under “Final Step: Accept Terms”.

Click the orange button “PLACE ORDER NOW”.

That’s it.

How to Register a Domain Name

Do not forget though, print your receipt once your order has been placed.

Well then if you have not registered yet, proceed to GoDaddy and register your domain name now.

You might like to read the following related articles. It is very important to know how to choose a good domain name.
Choosing a good Domain Name
Registering a Domain Name