Connecting a custom domain is one of the most critical steps in establishing your online presence. It moves your business from a generic address like mybusiness.website-builder.com to a professional, branded identity like mybusiness.com.au, which is essential for building trust with Australian customers and improving your local search rankings.
In this guide, we will walk you through the technical process of pointing your domain name to your website host using DNS records. While it might seem technical, following these steps will ensure your site is secure, professional, and ready for business.
Prerequisites: What You’ll Need
Before you begin, make sure you have the following ready:- Your Domain Registrar Login: (e.g., GoDaddy, VentraIP, NetRegistry, or Crazy Domains).
- Your Website Hosting Details: This is usually provided by your website builder (Wix, Squarespace, Shopify) or your WordPress host (SiteGround, Bluehost).
- Your ABN (Australian Business Number): If you are registering or managing a
.com.audomain, ensure your ownership details are up to date as per auDA regulations. - Access to your DNS Settings: This is typically found in the 'Manage Domain' or 'DNS Management' section of your registrar.
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Step 1: Identify Your Host’s DNS Requirements
Before you touch your domain settings, you need to know what records your website host requires. Log into your website builder (e.g., Shopify or Wix) and navigate to the 'Domains' or 'Settings' section. What you should see: A list of 'DNS Records' or 'Nameservers' provided by the host. Usually, this consists of an A Record (an IP address like23.227.38.65) and a CNAME Record (a web address like shops.myshopify.com). Write these down or keep the tab open.
Step 2: Log Into Your Domain Registrar
Open a new browser tab and log into the account where you purchased your domain name. Many Australian businesses use VentraIP or Crazy Domains. What you should see: Your dashboard or 'My Products' page listing your active domains. Click on the domain you want to connect.Step 3: Locate the DNS Management Area
Every registrar layout is slightly different, but you are looking for a button or tab labelled "DNS Management", "Manage DNS", or "Zone Editor".Pro Tip: If you see an option for 'Nameservers', leave it alone for now unless your host specifically told you to change them. Most modern connections use 'A Records' and 'CNAMEs'.
Step 4: Update the 'A Record'
The 'A Record' (Address Record) points your domain to a specific server IP address.- Find the existing record where the 'Type' is A and the 'Host' or 'Name' is @.
- Click 'Edit'.
- Replace the current IP address with the one provided by your website host in Step 1.
- Set the 'TTL' (Time to Live) to the default (usually 3600 or 1 hour).
- Click 'Save'.
Step 5: Update the 'CNAME Record'
The CNAME (Canonical Name) ensures that when someone typeswww.yourbusiness.com.au, they reach your site.
- Look for a record where the 'Type' is CNAME and the 'Host' or 'Name' is www.
- Click 'Edit'.
- Point this to the address provided by your host (e.g.,
www.mywebsite.comor a specific host string). - Click 'Save'.
Step 6: Delete Conflict Records
Sometimes, registrars include 'Parking Pages' or old records by default. If you see multiple 'A Records' for the @ host, delete the ones that don't match your new host's instructions. Having two A records pointing to different places will cause your website to load intermittently or not at all.Step 7: Verify the Connection in Your Website Host
Go back to your website builder's dashboard (the tab from Step 1). Look for a button that says "Verify Connection" or "Connect Domain". What you should see: A message saying "Checking connection..." or "Propagation in progress." Don't panic if it says "Not Connected" immediately; DNS changes take time to travel across the internet.Step 8: Wait for Propagation
This is the hardest part: waiting. While many Australian registrars update within minutes, it can officially take up to 48 hours for the new DNS settings to propagate globally.Step 9: Set Your Primary Domain
Once the connection is verified, ensure your website builder is set to use the custom domain as the Primary Domain. This ensures that even if someone visits the old 'temporary' URL, they are automatically redirected to your professional domain.Step 10: Check Your SSL Certificate
In 2024, a secure website is mandatory. Most hosts like Shopify or Squarespace will automatically issue an SSL certificate (the little padlock icon) once the domain is connected. What you should see: In your browser address bar, your URL should start withhttps://. If it says "Not Secure," wait a few hours for the certificate to generate.
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Common Mistakes to Avoid
- The Double A-Record: Never have two 'A' records for the @ symbol unless specifically instructed by a developer. This confuses browsers.
- Typos: A single wrong digit in an IP address will take your site offline. Always copy and paste.
Troubleshooting
- My site works on mobile but not on my office Wi-Fi: This is usually due to 'DNS Caching'. Your router remembers the old location of the site. Try clearing your browser cache or checking the site on a different network.
- I'm getting a "Privacy Error": This usually means your SSL certificate is still being processed. Give it 24 hours. If it persists, contact your host.
- My email stopped working: You likely changed the 'Nameservers' or deleted your 'MX Records'. You will need to re-add your email provider's MX records to your new DNS manager.
Next Steps
Now that your domain is connected, your next focus should be on Local SEO. Ensuring your Google Business Profile matches your new custom domain is vital for being found by Brisbane locals.If you find the technical side of DNS management a bit daunting, or if you're worried about breaking your business email during the transition, we can help. Our team at Local Marketing Group handles the technical heavy lifting for hundreds of Australian small businesses.
Need a hand getting your site live? Contact us today and let’s get your professional presence sorted.