How to point your domain to WordPress hosting

Nameservers or A record: which one do you need?

A domain is only a name. DNS tells browsers which server holds your site. You can steer it in two ways.

With nameservers, you hand the whole DNS zone to your host. The host then controls every record. With an A record, your DNS stays where it is and you add a record that points the domain to your host's IP address.

• Nameservers: simplest, but you must recreate any email records on the new side.
• A record: safer if business email already works on the domain.
• If you are unsure, copy your current DNS records into a note first.

WordPress.com or self-hosted WordPress

These are two different products. WordPress.com hosts the site for you, and you connect your domain from its Domains screen. Self-hosted WordPress means you install the software on a hosting company's server, and your host gives you the nameservers or IP address.

On WordPress.com, the nameserver method uses ns1.wordpress.com, ns2.wordpress.com and ns3.wordpress.com. Keep only these three and remove the old ones. If you need to keep other services such as custom email, WordPress.com also lets you update your DNS records instead.

For self-hosted sites, open your hosting welcome email or control panel. It will list the exact values to use. Do not guess them.

Change nameservers or add the record

Start where you manage your domain's DNS. If you bought a .pk or .com.pk name through us, we register it in your own name, so you stay in control of your account. If you are unsure where DNS lives, ask us on WhatsApp before you change anything.

For nameservers, replace the old entries with the new ones and save. For an A record, edit the record for your root domain so it points to the IP your host gave you. Your host may also ask for a www record. Follow the exact type and value it gives you.

If your name is still on order, see /order/ first. To check a new name, use /domains/.

• Back up the current records before you edit.
• Remove old nameservers completely when switching.
• Save, then check the connection status in your host's dashboard if it has one.

How long does the change take?

DNS changes do not land everywhere at once. WordPress.com says a domain connection can take up to 72 hours to work fully. During that time your domain may still show the old site.

Different networks update at different times. A free online DNS propagation checker can show how far the change has spread.

Avoid making repeated changes while you wait. Check once or twice a day instead.

Update the site URL inside WordPress

On self-hosted WordPress, pointing the domain is only half the job. WordPress also stores its own address. In Settings > General you will see WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL). The first is where the core files live. The second is what visitors type to reach you.

Both should start with https:// and have no slash at the end. Change them carefully. A wrong value can lock you out of the dashboard. If that happens, WordPress documentation describes fixing the values by setting WP_HOME and WP_SITEURL in wp-config.php.

If you moved an old site, never edit the guid column in the database.

SSL and what to check afterwards

SSL gives you the padlock and the https address. On WordPress.com, once the domain shows as Active, a free certificate is issued automatically. It usually takes a few minutes but can take up to 24 hours.

On self-hosted plans, ask your host how to turn on SSL. Many offer a free certificate in the control panel.

When it works, test the root name and the www version, then your contact form and key pages. For naming rules, see /domain-name-rules/. For other setup help, see /guides/.

Common questions