How do I connect a domain I already own to a website builder?

You can usually keep your domain registered where it is and point it to your website builder by updating its DNS settings. The exact records vary by builder, so get them from the builder’s own setup instructions rather than copying generic values.

1. Publish or set up your site in the website builder, then open its Domains or Custom domain settings.
2. Choose Connect a domain I own (or similar) and enter your domain, such as example.com.
3. The builder will show the DNS records you need—often A records for the root domain and a CNAME record for www.
4. Sign in to the company where you bought or manage the domain. Open its DNS or Manage DNS settings, then add or update the records exactly as the builder specifies.
5. Keep email records intact. In particular, don’t delete MX records; they’re commonly used for domain email. If the builder asks you to change nameservers, check first whether that could affect email or other DNS services.
6. Return to the builder and verify the connection. It can take up to 24–48 hours for changes to take effect, though timing varies. (support.squarespace.com)

Connecting usually leaves the domain registered with its current provider. Transferring moves domain management and billing to another provider; it’s optional. For instance, Wix supports connecting by nameservers or DNS pointing, while Shopify’s manual setup involves changing DNS records at the current provider. (support.wix.com)

If you tell me which website builder and domain provider you use, I can give you the exact steps.

There are two main ways to do this: change your domain's nameservers so the builder controls DNS, or add specific DNS records and keep DNS at your current registrar. The exact steps depend on the builder, so start with your builder's own domain-connection page.

Before you start

• Confirm you have login access to your registrar (the company where you bought the domain). If you're unsure who that is, a WHOIS lookup will show it. You'll need access to your current domain registrar before you connect or transfer a domain.
• Check whether your builder requires a paid plan. For Wix, you must first upgrade your site to connect or transfer a domain.
• Back up your current DNS records. If you have email or other services on the domain, you'll want to keep those records intact. Pointing via DNS is ideal if you need to manage other DNS records, like third-party email, alongside your builder configuration.

Option 1: Nameservers (usually easiest)
In your builder's domain settings, look for the option to connect an existing domain. It will give you nameserver addresses. Then, in your registrar's control panel, replace the existing nameservers with those. The builder then manages all DNS records. With Wix, for example, Wix hosts your DNS records, while your domain remains registered with its current host. Keep in mind that once nameservers move, any email or other records you previously set at the registrar may need to be recreated in the builder's DNS panel.

Option 2: DNS records (keeps DNS where it is)
The builder gives you specific records to add, typically an A record for the root domain and a CNAME for www. For example, Shopify uses an A record on the root domain and a CNAME for www, and you enter those values at your registrar. Your existing A records for both the root and www may need to be updated or replaced, not just added alongside.

Builder-specific notes

• Wix: You can connect a domain you already own without transferring it, or transfer it to Wix if you'd rather manage registration there too. Use the connect option in your site's domain settings.
• Squarespace: Start the connection from inside Squarespace's settings. Squarespace's documentation says your domain must be using Squarespace nameservers, so if you use custom nameservers, switch them first. For third-party domains, follow your provider's documentation for DNS changes.
• Other builders: Look for "connect existing domain" or "custom domain" in the settings and follow their DNS instructions.

After you make changes
DNS changes can take time to spread. One builder's documentation says DNS update may take up to 72 hours to work. Some builders also ask you to verify ownership first, usually by adding a TXT record. Squarespace, for instance, asks you to add a unique code to a TXT record.

If you get stuck, check your builder's support article for your exact platform, since the record values and menu names change over time.

Connecting a domain you already own to a website builder is a standard process that involves pointing your domain's "address" to your new website's location.

While the exact steps vary slightly by provider, the process generally follows the same workflow.

1. Initiate the Connection in Your Website Builder

First, tell your website builder that you want to use your existing domain.

• Log in to your website builder’s dashboard.
• Navigate to Settings, Domains, or Site Settings.
• Select the option to "Use a domain I own" or "Connect a domain".
• Enter your domain name. The builder will usually provide you with specific DNS records (typically A Records and CNAME Records) that you will need to add at your domain registrar.

2. Update DNS Settings at Your Registrar

Next, you must log in to the company where you bought your domain (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap, Name.com) to update the DNS settings.

• Find the DNS Management or Advanced DNS section for your domain.
• Add/Update the records provided by your website builder:
  • A Record: Usually points your "bare" domain (e.g., yourdomain.com) to an IP address provided by your builder.
  • CNAME Record: Usually points the www version of your domain (e.g., www.yourdomain.com) to the hostname provided by your builder.
• Important: If you have existing email services (like Google Workspace or Outlook) attached to your domain, be careful not to delete your MX records or other email-related settings. Using the "Record Method" (A and CNAME) instead of changing "Nameservers" is generally safer because it keeps your email and other services intact.

3. Wait for Propagation

Once you save these changes, they do not take effect instantly. This is called DNS propagation.

• It can take anywhere from a few minutes to 24–48 hours for the changes to update across the internet.
• During this time, your website might be intermittently unavailable or show the old version.

Summary Checklist

Pro Tip: If you ever get stuck, most website builders have excellent "how-to" articles specifically for connecting domains from popular registrars (like "How to connect a Namecheap domain to Wix"). Searching for that specific combination is often the fastest way to get step-by-step screenshots.

The exact steps vary by website builder, but the general process is:

1. Add your domain in the website builder. Look for Domains, Custom domain, or Connect a domain you own. The builder will show the DNS settings it requires.
2. Sign in to your domain registrar—the company where you bought the domain—and open its DNS or domain settings.
3. Choose how to connect it:
   • Change nameservers: The builder manages your DNS. This is often the simpler option, but you may need to recreate existing DNS records in the builder.
   • Update DNS records: Keep DNS managed at your registrar and add or change the specific records the builder provides, commonly A and CNAME records. This can be preferable if you already use domain email or other DNS services. Wix, for example, describes both approaches and notes that pointing keeps DNS hosted with the registrar. ¹
4. Save the changes, then return to the builder and use its verification or connection check.
5. Wait for DNS changes to spread. It can take up to 48 hours for a connection to appear worldwide, though it may happen sooner. ²

Before changing nameservers or deleting records, save a copy of your current DNS settings—especially email-related records such as MX records. Use the exact values shown in your builder’s instructions; they differ by provider. Google Sites, for instance, provides its own setup flow and may require domain verification. ³

Sources: ¹ Wix: Pointing vs. name servers ² Wix: Connecting a domain you own ³ Google Sites: Use a custom domain