How to Connect a Domain Name to Your Website (Beginner Guide)

So you’ve built a beautiful website, but it’s still living on a random subdomain or tucked away behind a long URL. If you’ve built a website and want to make it feel more professional, the next step is to connect it to a custom domain name like www.yourbusiness.com. In this guide, we’ll explain what a domain is, how it works, where to get one, and how to point it to your website—using clear, simple steps.

What You Need to Get Started

To connect a domain name to your website, you’ll need:

• A completed website (even a one-page site is enough) - get one fast using on of our free website templates

• A registered custom domain name (we’ll cover how to get one)

• Access to your website platform (such as Framer, Webflow, Squarespace, or WordPress)

• Access to your domain registrar account (where you purchased the domain - we'll show you a few)

  
  

The Essentials: Domains, Hosting, and Website Code

Think of building a website like building a house.

• Your website code (HTML, images, design) is the house

• Your web hosting is the land where the house sits

• Your domain name is the street address that points people to the right place

Without a domain name, your website is like a beautiful home with no address—no one knows how to find it.

Where to Buy a Domain Name

You’ll need to register your domain through a domain name registrar. Here are some of the most trusted options and what you should know about each:

Namecheap

search domains on Namecheap

• Pros: Affordable pricing, free privacy protection, simple dashboard

• Cons: Doesn't offer extended features like a CDN or Security

Cloudflare

search domains on Cloudflare

• Pros: Offers domains at cost, excellent speed, and DNS security

• Cons: Slightly more technical interface, not ideal for beginners, fewer domain names available

GoDaddy

search domains on GoDaddy

• Pros: Well-known, wide range of services

• Cons: Upsells are common and 'pushy'; renewal prices are higher than the initial cost

Squarespace Domains

search domains with Squarespace

• Pros: Seamless integration with Squarespace sites, modern interface

• Cons: Slightly more expensive than alternatives, not ideal unless you’re using Squarespace

  
  

How to Search for a Domain

1. Go to a registrar like Namecheap or GoDaddy

2. Use the search bar to type in your desired domain (e.g. greenvalleybuilds.com)

3. Explore available options with .com, .co, .org, or other relevant extensions (We recommend .com or .co)

4. Choose one that is short, easy to remember, and easy to spell (ideally, your company name)

   • Avoid abbreviations unless it's well known (e.g. Florida as FL)

   • Don't use phrases

   • Try to use your company name without INC, LLC, or other organizational acronyms

5. Follow the checkout process to secure your domain

Note: You can usually find a domain for as little as $12-15 a year

How to Connect Your Domain with DNS Records

Once you’ve bought your domain name (like buying a street address), the next step is to link where to deliver visitors. This is done through DNS (Domain Name System) records, which act like the mail forwarding instructions that connect your domain to the real location of your website.

Think of it as setting up a new business in a building instead of just your home address. The building and location change, but where the mail gets sent is the same.

Key DNS Terms to Know

A Record = Your Exact Building Location

An A Record is like telling the post office, “Send all mail for my business at 123 Business Street to the building located at GPS coordinates 37.7749° N, 122.4194° W.”

In internet tech terms:

• Your domain name is the street address (like yourbusiness.com)

• The A Record points that name to your website’s IP address, which is the digital equivalent of a street location

Without this record, your domain exists, but it has no directions on where to take people.

CNAME Record = Your Business Alias or Front Entrance

Now let’s say your business is known locally as “The Build Co.” and people often try to visit www.thebuildco.com. That “www” is a subdomain, like a nickname or alternate doorway.

A CNAME Record (short for Canonical Name) tells the internet, “When someone goes to www.yourbusiness.com, redirect them to the main location at yourbusiness.com or your platform’s hosting URL (like yourname.framer.website).”

So in our analogy:

• CNAME is like telling the delivery driver, “If you see the name ‘The Build Co.,’ that’s the same place as ‘Green Valley Builders, Suite 200.’ Deliver it there.”

Why Both Matter

• The A Record gives your website a physical home (IP address)

• The CNAME Record makes sure subdomains like “www” or “shop” all point to the right place

Together, they ensure that anyone typing in your domain name lands on your live website, no matter how they type it.

Example Setup for a Website Builder:

Steps:

1. Log into your domain registrar account

2. Navigate to DNS or Name Server settings

3. Add or update the required A and CNAME records

4. Save your changes

5. Return to your website platform and verify the connection

   
   

Note: DNS changes may take up to 24 hours to fully update but usually go live much faster.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Don’t add extra records that weren’t provided by your website builder
  ⚠️Warning: GoDaddy, Zen Business, and Squarespace may automatically add CName and A name records without you knowing. You have to delete these if you want to use another website builder like Framer.com or Webflow to host your website.

• Avoid using both old and new hosting providers at the same time

• Make sure you verify your connection through your website platform (they usually have a ‘Verify’ button)

Need Help? We Offer Custom Setup Services

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone. Setting up domains, DNS, and custom connections can be confusing—especially if you’re trying to launch a site fast.

That’s where we come in.

We offer:

• Custom website design, setup and domain connection

• Framer or Webflow template support

• One-on-one walkthroughs or done-for-you services

Ready to launch your website the right way?

Contact us now to get expert help setting up your domain and publishing your site.