The link between your domain and having a live website is your web server; without it, you’re not online, plain and simple.
With literally thousands of small and large companies offering hosting, it can be dizzying when you first begin doing research (let alone actually setting your host up for blogging!).
Through this post, not only will you learn how to setup a domain with Hostgator.
Why Hostgator?
Hostgator comes at a high recommendation from many bloggers around the globe – especially from me!
A few reasons why Hostgator has become one of the “go-to” web hosting companies are:
- Unlimited disk space
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Simple control panel
- Very affordable pricing
This blog itself is hosted on Hostgator along with various other web projects I’ve made over the years.
Even at its Business Plan, Hostgator is very affordable with anyone looking to get a website or profitable blog online.
Creating an account at Hostgator
Throughout this section, you will learn how to setup your account at Hostgator and get a quick overview of the user panel.
1. Visit Hostgator
2. View the web hosting plans
Hostgator offers a variety of plans which all have different factors which may make each more appealing than the last.
I would highly recommend at least starting with the Baby Plan because it allows you to use unlimited domains; this is great if you want to set up multiple blogs or other websites.
Read the 7 factors when choosing a good hosting company to learn about each of these factors.
3. Choosing a domain
The next page you will be taken to will give you the option to:
- Set up a new domain
- Use an existing domain
- Enter a coupon code
Because we already set up a domain using GoDaddy, we will be placing our domain name into the current box.
4. Create your account
The next step you’re on your own. Not because I’m not going to tell you but because you have to input personal information:
- Name
- Address
- Payment Info
- User name/Password
After you’ve placed your data, make sure you read the terms of service and click “create account”.
5. Keep your information safe
After you’ve ordered your web hosting, you will be given a receipt which you’ll want to keep safe.
I suggest printing out the details and keeping it in a locked safe or any other place you feel comfortable with.
Logging into your Hostgator and looking around
Now that you’ve set up your web hosting, let’s get started by taking a tour of the Hostgator backend panel.
Note: It may take a little bit for your order to process and your account setup.
1. Log into your Hostgator backend
Type in www.yourwebsite.com/cpanel in the address bar of your browser.
Note: Fill in ‘yoursite’ with the domain you’ve registered with
2. You will be greeted with either of this popup or screen:
3. Once you’re in, you’ll be on this screen:
Linking your domain to Hostgator
Okay, so now is the all important part of setting up your domain to your hosting.
1. Visit GoDaddy.com and log into your account
2. Click on ‘Domain Manager’ on the sidebar
3. Click on the domain you’re going to be setting up on your Hostgator account
In your domain manager, you will be given a list of domains that you own – if this is your first time setting up a blog, you will obviously only be presented with one.
4. Click on the ‘Nameservers’ tab at the top (looks like 3 stacked coins).
5. Set your Hostgator nameservers
At this point, go back over to your Hostagor panel, scroll down and located on the sidebar will be a box which lists your nameservers:
Note: Your nameservers will most likely not be the same.
Copy both of these and place them into the Godaddy text fields like so:
After this is complete, you can close your Godaddy account.
You’re ready to rock!
Congratulations, you’ve just linked your domain name to your web host.
*Give yourself a pat on the back*
Have any questions, comments or other suggestions about setting up your domain name? Please share them in the comments below.
Hey Murray,
Nice Post man. Very helpful for beginners. Thanks for sharing this great Post. Great Job murray.
~Dev
.-= Dev @ Make Money Blogging´s last blog ..7 Effective Ways to Get Quality Traffic to Your Blog =-.
I am using Hostgator for almost 4 years and never found their support down. Even some unavoidable problem occurs, i am still very happy with HG.
You will find their support as the best one highlighted, while searching for “Hostgator Review” in google.
Also, i am so happy to see your contents back. Nice theme choice too
Cheers
.-= Robin´s last blog ..iOS4 Available for Download =-.
Great to hear Robin and thanks for the inspiring words
Hostgator has been deemed one of the best host in the planet and almost every other blog that I visit is hosted in Hostgator. I think you have mentioned quite nicely way to connect domains to hostgator accounts. Will help them newbies
.-= Shiva´s last blog ..Clearing up the Comment Links Mystery! =-.
Even though it’s a common subject, I think it’s still important to give a run down of setting it up – especially with pictures. I remember when I first setup my account, was a bit nervous but now everything goes without a hitch
I like how you’re shaping this together. I’m in the process of writing a series on starting a blog too, but we’re going at it from different angles. Definitely going to have to send some link love your way
.-= Jillian´s last blog ..Choosing a Domain Name =-.
Thanks for the consideration Jillian; I’ll have to return the favor
I really love how you have an overall theme of your blog – it’s like an ongoing series/cliffhanger!
Nice post, Murlu. I second Robin’s endorsement of HostGator. I have no issues with downtime and have had excellent support for several years.
.-= Tammi Kibler @ Write More. Write Fast. Write Now.´s last blog ..Article Marketing: Build Authority & Increase Your Influence =-.
I used Hostgator a couple years ago but always had problems with them.
Which is why I switched.
.-= Jason Loucks´s last blog ..Plans for Summer 2010 =-.
Hey Jason,
Thanks for swinging by the blog – I’d like to know what problems arose which caused the switch; perhaps give us some insight into what to look out for.
Great write up.
I just moved host to Hostgator. They are great. My site hasn’t been down since the move, accept when they transferred my database and had some permission issues right after the move. But they fixed it and now its running smoothly.
I about to move all of my sites to this host and I recommend hostgator for anyone using wordpress and has multiple sites to maintain.
.-= element321´s last blog ..Quick Tip: How to Turn Off Auto ReTweets in Hootsuite =-.
Great tutorial, Murlu!
I love HostGator, even though I’ve had a few problems with them (most of which were my fault). Thanks for sharing, I was going to, but really didn’t feel like it
Thanks man,
You explained it very clear. I was in and out in 5 mins.
You rock!
Neil.
I guess I’m not the only one not promoting Hostgator’s domains
. $15 a domain is way too much and I’m sure the price has increased to about $18 now with the global change in .com prices.
In the grand scheme of things the bills for hosting has never been my concern overall because you look at the daily expenses that you wrack up from tiny things such as coffee, food, going out and such. In a single day I usually spend more than my entire month of hosting haha. Although, price does matter when you want to make sure to keep expenses down when you’re first starting with your websites and can add up over hears when you think about it.
hostgator is my fav hosting company..
Thank you Murray
Hello my name is Ritchie i’m a newbie!
I have over 30 years in Network Marketing,
through i have only been online and using
the computer for ten months now. The infor-
mation overload has been brutal.Murray your
method of teaching how to move a domain to
Hostgator was refreshing.Videos have way too
much movement that doesn’t help a Newbie.
Hostgator has the best 24/7 support. Even on
Christmas Day they are only a phone call away!
The chef from Florida
Glad it was able to cut through the info overload
hopefully you can dig through it and get it done without any hiccups – lemme know if you do and I’ll be sure to help.