What does DNS mean (and why do we have to change it)?
DNS, or Domain Name System, works like a phone book by translating domain names into IP addresses. When a user types a domain name into their browser, the DNS server translates the request into an IP address, which then identifies the server to reach. So, when we move a site to a different location, we change the IP address of the site, and therefore must change where the DNS points to. Learn more about DNS on our help site.
How do I change my DNS settings?
You will log on to your DNS provider account and change a few settings, which should take just a few minutes at most.
I don't know who my DNS provider is/don't know my login, how do I find that out?
You can find out who your DNS provider is by using a site like https://who.is/. If you are having trouble finding your login, please reach out to us asap. We will be glad to help you do some sleuthing to find out who your DNS provider is and how to log in.
What happens to my site after I change the DNS settings?
DNS setting changes can take anywhere from an hour to up to 48 hours to propagate across the internet (usually more like 1-4 hours or so). During this period, you might see your old site on one computer and your new site on another. Your site may be inaccessible for a short time period. It's a good idea to not make any changes to your site during this time.
Will there be any time when my site is not accessible?
Yes, for a short time following your DNS change. This is normal and should not last long.
How will I know when the DNS change is complete and it's safe to work on my site again?
You will look up your site using this tool: https://www.whatsmydns.net/ to see if your site is located at the new IP address.