What’s a DNS?
The Domain Name System or DNS is a system that stores information about host names and domain names in a kind of distributed database on networks, such as the Internet. It can be also known as a computer program running on a web server, translating domain names into IP addresses.
What basically you need to know is that DNS is the answer when you want to link your domain to your web hosting.
When will I need to transfer my DNS?
You will need to change your DNS registration when you are switching your web hosting services.
How do I change the DNS to HostMonster?
Assuming that your domain is registered with GoDaddy, here’s what you need to do.
Check out the hosting account information in the email you got from HostMonster. You should be able to find information on the ‘name servers’ of your account. Normally it will be something like ns1.hostmonster.com and ns2.hostmonster.com.
Memorize that number and go to Godaddy.
Login to your account onec your are in and find your way to ‘Manage Domains’ > ‘Domain Control Center’ > ‘Name servers’.
On the prompt out, you’ll see three selections for your default name servers setting. Default Hosting Nameservers is for those who host their website on GoDaddy, Default Parked Nameservers is for those who parked their domain with GoDaddy, and what you want, is to select the Custom Nameserver here.
The proceduer will lead you to a series of input box, where you will be inputing the nameservers (ns1.hostmonster and ns2.hostmonster in our example) that you memorized earlier.
Once you are done, click ‘Go’ to save the changes made and you are done. The change of nameserver might take an hour or two to be completely effective so do not panic when you are not seeing your website showing up properly. In case you are hosting the website somewhere else previously, I would suggest you to hold the account live for a few days before you shut everything off and switch to HostMonster.
