How DNS Works Step by Step
You bought your domain and you have a platform ready to go. Now you need to connect the two and you're staring at a DNS settings page wondering where to start.
This guide walks you through exactly how to connect your domain DNS across the three most common scenarios: connecting to a standard hosting provider, connecting to WordPress, and connecting to GoHighLevel. Follow the section that applies to you.
This is how-to DNS explained, step by step in plain English; with no technical background required.
What You Need To Start
Regardless of which platform you're connecting to, make sure you have the following ready before you begin:
Access to your domain registrar - this is where you purchased your domain (GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare, Google Domains, etc.). You'll need to log in and navigate to the DNS settings for your domain.
Where is my DNS setting?
Access to your hosting platform or CRM - GoHighLevel, WordPress, or your hosting provider's dashboard.
The DNS records your platform provides - these are usually A Records, CNAME Records, or TXT Records. Your platform will give you the exact values to enter. Do not guess these — copy them directly from your platform.
Connecting Your Domain to a Standard Hosting Provider
This applies if you purchased hosting separately from your domain (e.g. your domain is on GoDaddy and your hosting is on SiteGround, Hostinger, or Bluehost).
Step 1: Get your hosting provider's nameservers
Log into your hosting account. Navigate to your hosting dashboard and look for a section called Nameservers, DNS Settings, or Account Details. You'll see two nameserver addresses that look something like:
- ns1.yourhostingprovider.com
- ns2.yourhostingprovider.com
Copy both of these exactly.
Step 2: Log into your domain registrar
Log into the account where you purchased your domain. Find your domain in the list and look for DNS Management, Nameserver Settings, or Manage DNS.
Step 3: Update your nameservers
Replace the existing nameservers with the ones provided by your hosting provider. Save the changes.
Step 4: Wait for DNS propagation
DNS changes can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours to take effect globally. This is called DNS propagation. During this time your site may be intermittently accessible. This is normal. Do not make additional changes while propagation is in progress.
Step 5: Verify the connection
Once propagation is complete, type your domain into a browser. Your hosting provider's default page or your website should load. You can also use a tool like whatsmydns.net to check propagation status across different regions.
Connecting Your Domain to WordPress
This applies if you're setting up a WordPress site, either through a hosting provider or through GoHighLevel's WordPress hosting.
Step 1: Identify the DNS records your WordPress host requires
Log into your WordPress hosting dashboard. Navigate to the domain or DNS settings section. Your host will provide you with specific records, typically:
- An A Record pointing your root domain @ or blank) to a specific IP address
- A CNAME Record pointing www to your domain or a provided hostname
- A TXT Record for SSL verification (required before your site loads securely over HTTPS)
Copy all of these values exactly as shown.
Step 2: Log into your domain registrar
Navigate to DNS Management or DNS Records for your domain.
Step 3: Add the DNS records
For each record your WordPress host requires:
- Select the record type (A, CNAME, or TXT)
- Enter the Host or Name value (e.g. @ for root, www for the www subdomain)
- Enter the Value or Points To field with the IP address or hostname provided
- Set TTL to 600 or the lowest value available for faster propagation
- Save each record before adding the next
Step 4: Verify SSL and DNS in your WordPress dashboard
Return to your WordPress hosting dashboard. Look for a Verify DNS Records or Check Connection button. Click it. If DNS has propagated correctly, the system will confirm the connection and begin issuing your SSL certificate automatically.
Step 5: Wait for SSL to activate
SSL certificates typically activate within one hour of DNS verification, though full propagation can take up to 48 hours. Once active, your site will load securely at https://yourdomain.com.
Common issue - conflicting records: If you previously had another service connected to the same domain, you may have old A records or CNAME records pointing elsewhere. Delete any conflicting records for the same hostname before adding new ones. Two records for the same host will cause verification to fail.
Connecting Your Domain to GoHighLevel
This applies if you're using GoHighLevel for your website, funnels, or landing pages and want your custom domain to point there.
Step 1: Add your domain inside GoHighLevel
Log into your GoHighLevel account. Navigate to Settings > Domains. Click Add Domain or Connect a Domain. Enter your domain or subdomain (e.g. yourdomain.com or go.yourdomain.com). Click Continue.
Step 2: Choose your connection method
GoHighLevel offers two options to connect your DNS
- Domain Connect (automatic): If your domain is registered with GoDaddy, Google Domains, or Cloudflare, GoHighLevel can connect automatically. Select this option, log into your registrar when prompted, authorize the connection, and GoHighLevel will add the required DNS records on your behalf.
- Manual (all other registrars): If your registrar isn't supported, select Add Records Manually. GoHighLevel will display the exact DNS records you need to add. Keep this screen open and proceed to your registrar.
Step 3: Add DNS records at your registrar (manual method)
Log into your domain registrar and navigate to DNS settings. Add the records GoHighLevel provides:
- For a root domain yourdomain.com): Add an A Record with Host set to @ and the Value set to GoHighLevel's provided IP address
- For a subdomain go.yourdomain.com): Add a CNAME Record with Host set to go and the Value set to GoHighLevel's provided target (e.g. sites.ludicrous.cloud)
Important: Do not add both an A record and a CNAME for the same hostname. Choose one based on whether you're connecting a root domain or a subdomain.
Cloudflare users: If your domain DNS is managed through Cloudflare, make sure the proxy status for the records you add is set to DNS Only — not Proxied. Proxied status will cause GoHighLevel verification to fail.
Step 4: Verify in GoHighLevel
Return to GoHighLevel's Domains settings and click Verify Domain. If DNS has propagated, the status will update to connected. GoHighLevel will then automatically provision an SSL certificate for your domain.
Step 5: Assign your domain to a funnel, website, or page
Once verified, go to the funnel or website you want to publish. In its settings, select your newly connected domain from the Domain dropdown. Save. Your funnel or website is now live at your custom domain.
How to Troubleshoot DNS Connection Issues
Domain still showing "Pending" after 24 hours
Double-check that the DNS records were saved correctly at your registrar. A single typo in the host or value field will prevent verification. Delete the record and re-add it carefully.
SSL not activating
SSL requires DNS to be fully verified first. If DNS is confirmed but SSL hasn't activated after a few hours, try clicking the verify button again in your platform's dashboard.
Site loading for some visitors but not others
This is normal during DNS propagation. Different internet service providers update their cached DNS records at different speeds. Wait the full 48 hours before troubleshooting further.
"Record already exists" error
You have a conflicting record for the same hostname. Delete the old record before adding the new one.
DNS Propagation
Every DNS change you make takes time to apply globally. The single most common mistake new business owners make is changing DNS settings multiple times in quick succession because nothing appears to be working. Each change resets the propagation timer. Make your changes once, verify they're correct, and wait.
If you've followed the steps above and your domain still isn't connecting after 48 hours, the issue is almost always a typo in the host or value field, a conflicting record, or (for GoHighLevel users) a Cloudflare proxy setting that needs to be switched to DNS Only.
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