I’ve Purchased a Domain Name—Now What?

Congratulations on securing your domain name! A domain is your unique address on the internet, and we’re here to guide you through the next steps to get started.

1. Connect Your Domain to a Website

Now that you have your domain, you’ll want to connect it to a website.

Option 1: Using a Paceweb Hosting Plan

If you’ve purchased hosting from us:

1. Log in to your cPanel via the client area.
2. Navigate to the Domains section and link your domain.
3. Set up your website by:
   • Uploading website files using File Manager or FTP.
   • Installing WordPress using Softaculous for easy site creation.

Option 2: Using External Hosting

If you’re hosting your website elsewhere:

1. Update your domain’s DNS settings:
   • Use the nameservers provided by your hosting provider.
   • Example: ns1.examplehost.com, ns2.examplehost.com.
2. Allow up to 48 hours for DNS changes to take effect globally.

2. Set Up a Professional Email Address

A professional email address (e.g., yourname@yourdomain.com) is great for business or personal use.

Steps to Create Your Email

1. Log in to your cPanel.
2. Go to the Email Accounts section.
3. Create a new email account (e.g., info@yourdomain.com) with a secure password.
4. Configure your email client (e.g., Outlook, Gmail) using the IMAP/SMTP details provided in cPanel.

3. Secure Your Website with SSL

An SSL certificate is vital for securing your website and enabling the padlock icon in browsers.

• If hosting with Paceweb, SSL is included for free in all hosting plans.
• Enable SSL via cPanel:
  1. Navigate to the SSL/TLS section.
  2. Select your domain and apply the SSL certificate.
• If hosting externally, check with your provider for SSL options.

4. Build or Upload Your Website

It’s time to get your website online.

Option 1: Build with WordPress

1. Install WordPress using Softaculous in your cPanel.
2. Choose a theme and start customising your website.

Option 2: Upload Your Website Files

1. Use an FTP client (e.g., FileZilla) or the cPanel File Manager.
2. Upload your files to the public_html folder.

5. Customise Your DNS Settings

Advanced users can customise DNS settings to enhance functionality:

• Subdomains: Create subdomains like blog.yourdomain.com for specific sections.
• Email Records: Add MX records to connect your domain to an external email service like Google Workspace.
• Custom Services: Use A or CNAME records for integrations with other platforms.

6. Keep Your Domain Active

• Auto-Renewal: Ensure auto-renewal is enabled in your client area to avoid losing your domain.
• WHOIS Privacy Protection: Protect your personal information from being publicly visible (included with Paceweb domains).