A comprehensive guide to changing nameservers for your website

Changing nameservers is a crucial step in managing your website's domain and ensuring your website's seamless operation, but it can be a daunting task for those unfamiliar with it. From the technical aspects to practical tips, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the intricacies of changing domain nameservers, providing you with the knowledge and confidence to handle this task effectively.

What are nameservers?

Nameservers are a fundamental part of the internet's domain name system (DNS). You can see the DNS as an extensive address book that links domain names to IP addresses. All IP addresses on the internet are connected to a unique domain, just like addresses in the real world are connected to particular houses or buildings. After you type in a domain name in your browser and hit Enter, your computer will connect to the DNS to retrieve the IP address of the website you want to visit. Your browser will then lead you to this website. This article about the technical side of DNS is a great resource if you want to learn more about this.

When someone enters your website's domain into a browser, nameservers direct their request to the correct server where your site is hosted. They act as signposts, ensuring visitors reach the right destination. Each domain has at least two nameservers for redundancy and to prevent downtime if one fails.

Why are nameservers important?

Nameservers play a critical role in how the internet operates, particularly how users access websites. They are responsible for the swift and accurate translation of human-friendly domain names into machine-readable IP addresses, allowing users to find websites easily without having to memorize complex numerical addresses.

Reliable nameservers also improve website accessibility and uptime, which are essential for maintaining a professional online presence. If nameservers are not configured correctly, it can lead to website outages and email delivery issues, negatively impacting user experience and trust.

Lastly, nameservers can also be used to implement advanced DNS features like geo-targeting and load balancing, for example, which further bolster website performance and availability.

The process of changing nameservers

Identifying your current nameservers

Before you can change nameservers, you must first identify the ones currently associated with your domain. You can typically find this information in your domain registrar's control panel. After logging in, look for sections named "Domain Management", "DNS Settings", or "Nameserver Settings". Here, you will see a list of nameservers, usually labeled as NS1, NS2, and so on.

Alternatively, you can use third-party tools like Whois lookup services, which can publicly display the nameserver information for any given domain.

It's wise to document your current nameserver details before making any changes. This ensures you have a record to revert back to in case you encounter issues during the transition to new nameservers.

Selecting your new nameservers

After identifying your current nameservers, the next step is to select the new ones. This selection will often be guided by your new hosting provider or DNS service. They will provide you with a set of nameservers that you need to apply to your domain.

It's important to ensure that these nameservers are reliable and secure and offer the necessary performance for your website's needs. Some hosting providers may also offer additional features with their nameservers, such as enhanced security options or improved speed.

When you have received the nameserver details from your provider, double-check them for accuracy before proceeding. It's crucial that the nameservers' details are entered correctly to avoid any disruption to your website's availability. Additionally, consider the geographical location of the nameservers, as it can affect the response time for your site visitors.

Changing nameservers in a few steps

The exact process of changing nameservers may vary slightly depending on your web hosting provider, but the general process remains consistent. You should look for a section titled "My domains" or something similar and select your domain from the overview. Now, scroll down to the section where you can manage your DNS settings, which will usually be titled something similar to "Manage nameservers" or "Manage DNS". Here, you will be able to enter the nameserver information provided by your new hosting company or DNS host.

Always carefully follow the instructions from your current and new hosting provider and make sure to save your changes. Be aware that, updating your nameservers, it may take up to 48 hours for the changes to propagate worldwide. During this time, your site may experience intermittent downtime. Therefore, it is best to plan the update during a low-traffic period.

Verifying a successful nameserver change

After you have changed your nameservers, it's important to verify that the update was indeed successful. Verification helps ensure that your website is properly connected to the new nameservers and that there are no disruptions to your online presence.

You can begin by using online tools such as DNS Checker or What's My DNS?, which allow you to check if the new nameserver information has propagated across the internet. Simply enter your domain name and these services will show you which nameservers are currently associated with it from various locations around the world.

It's also a good idea to check your website's functionality by visiting the site and testing if it loads without issues. Additionally, you can log back into your domain registrar's control panel to confirm that the nameserver details are updated correctly. If everything is in order, you should see the new nameserver information listed. If there are issues or the changes have not propagated after 48 hours, reach out to your hosting provider for assistance.

Troubleshooting common issues

Nameserver change not reflecting

If you have updated your nameservers and the change is not reflecting, don't worry – this is a common issue. Nameserver updates can take up to 48 hours to propagate fully due to the distributed nature of DNS servers. However, if this period has passed and your website is still not resolving correctly, there are a few steps you can take.

1. Double-check that you entered the correct domain nameserver information. Any typos or errors can cause the process to fail.

2. Confirm the changes with your domain registrar; sometimes updates do not save correctly on their end.

3. Another potential issue could be caching; your ISP's DNS cache might still hold old records, which can be resolved by trying to access your website from a different network or using a tool to clear your local DNS cache.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, contact your domain registrar's support team for further assistance. They can confirm whether the changes have been implemented on their end and help identify any other potential issues that could be causing the delay.

Issues with website functionality post-change

After changing your domain's nameservers, if you encounter issues with website functionality, it's important to approach the problem methodically. Start by ensuring that your domain's DNS records are correctly set up on your new nameservers. Incorrect DNS records can lead to various problems, including email services not working or subdomains failing to resolve.

Check the A record, which connects your domain to the IP address of your hosting server, and the MX records, which are crucial for handling email delivery. If you have moved to a new host, you may need to update these records with the new host's details.

If you're confident that the DNS records are correct, the issue may be with your hosting provider. It's possible the server is not configured to respond to your domain or there might be a caching issue. If you're still having trouble, get in touch with your hosting provider's support team. They can run diagnostics and guide you through any additional steps needed to restore full functionality to your site.

Best practices when changing nameservers

Timing your nameserver change

Timing is everything when it comes to changing nameservers. To minimize any potential disruption to your website, it's best to plan the update during off-peak hours or when your website experiences the least traffic. This often means evenings or weekends, depending on your audience's time zone and browsing habits.

Before proceeding with the change, inform your users in advance, especially if you run an e-commerce site or provide services that require continuous online access. This transparency can help manage expectations and reduce frustration.

Additionally, avoid making the change during important business periods, such as sales events or product launches, when your site must operate flawlessly. Remember to allow up to 48 hours for the changes to fully propagate across domain name servers and the global DNS network. Planning and timing your nameserver change correctly is a proactive step that helps maintain a positive user experience and preserve your online reputation.

Backing up your site before a nameserver change

Before you go ahead with your nameserver change, it's important to have a full backup of your website. This includes your site's database, content, and any associated email accounts. A complete backup acts as a safety net, allowing you to restore your website to its previous state if anything goes wrong during the transition.

The process of backing up can vary depending on the tools and services you use. Most hosting providers offer simple backup solutions that can be initiated from your hosting control panel. Alternatively, you can use a variety of plugins or manual methods to save your files and databases.

It's also wise to test the backup before making nameserver changes to ensure it's complete and functional. Once you've verified the backup, store it in a secure location, such as cloud storage or an external drive.

If you want to learn more about the backup process, take a look at our guide on website backups.