BlueHost – How to connect your Domain for Website Hosting & Email

Steps to Connect the Domain with Your System #

1. Open the Domain Panel:
   
   • Navigate to the domain panel by clicking on “Sites” in the left-side menu.
     
   • Once on the page, you’ll see a link to “Connected Domains” at the top. Click that link.
     
2. Add Your Domain:
   
   • Now, click on the ‘Add Domain’ button to add your domain to the system.
     

Select Domain Type #

• The system will allow you to choose between:
  
  • Free Domain: A domain provided by the system.
    
  • Custom Domain: A domain you already own or have purchased elsewhere.
    
• What’s the Difference?
  
  • Free Domain: A subdomain provided by the system.
    
  • Custom Domain: A fully customized domain that you own.
    
• Select Custom Domain and enter your domain name, then click ‘Next’.
  

Select Services #

• By default, the Website Hosting service will be enabled. You can proceed with this.
  
  Email Service Option:
  
  • If you need email services, check the box for Email Service and enter the email address you want to use with the system.
    
  • Enabling email services will not affect your existing email setup.
    
• Click ‘Next’ to continue.
  

Choose a Faster CDN (Optional) #

• The system will offer the option to enable a faster CDN (Content Delivery Network) for better website performance.
  
• If you prefer not to enable it, click ‘No, Thank You’.
  
• If you choose the CDN, there is a $5/month charge.
  

Collect DNS Records #

• The system will provide you with the necessary DNS records to add to your Bluehost account.
  
• Follow the instructions below to add these records:
  

Steps to Add DNS Records to Bluehost Account #

1. Select Domain:
   
   • After logging in, navigate to ‘My Domains’ under the ‘Domains’ section.
     
   • Click on the ‘DNS’ option under the ‘Manage’ dropdown for the respective domain.
     
2. Add a Record:
   
   • Click the ‘Add Record’ button to add the required DNS records.
     
3. Select Record Type:
   
   • Choose the correct record type (either ‘A’ or ‘CNAME’) based on the instructions provided by the system.
     

Sample DNS Records #

• A-type Record:
  
  • Host Record: @
    
  • Points To: 185.93.1.243
    
  • TTL: Set to 1 hour (no other changes needed)
    
  • Click on the ‘Add Record’ button to save.
    
• CNAME-type Record:
  
  • Host Record: em3206
    
  • Points To: u22813504.wl005.sendgrid.net
    
  • TTL: Set to 4 hours