Linking Your Custom Domain to Hostinger's Horizons App
TL;DR:
- Connecting a custom domain to Hostinger's Horizons app requires updating DNS records at your domain registrar
- DNS propagation takes 24-48 hours, during which your site might be intermittently accessible
- You can use any domain registrar, not just Hostinger domains
- HTTPS should activate automatically once DNS changes take effect
- Multiple domains can point to the same Horizons app
Connecting your custom domain to Hostinger's Horizons app is straightforward once you know where to look. The process involves updating DNS records at your domain registrar and waiting for changes to propagate across the internet.
Getting Your DNS Records from Hostinger
First, you need the specific DNS records for your Horizons app. Log into your Hostinger account and navigate to your Horizons app dashboard. Look for the domain settings section where you'll find the DNS records you need to copy.
These typically include A records pointing to Hostinger's servers and possibly CNAME records. Write these down exactly as shown, including any periods at the end of entries.
Updating DNS at Your Domain Registrar
Head to wherever you bought your domain. This could be Namecheap, GoDaddy, Cloudflare, or any other registrar. Find the DNS management section, which might be called DNS Settings, Name Servers, or DNS Zone.
You'll need to add or replace the existing records with the ones Hostinger provided. Here's what to update:
A Records: Delete any existing A records pointing to @ or your root domain, then add the new ones from Hostinger.
CNAME Records: If Hostinger provided CNAME records for www or other subdomains, add these too.
Keep MX Records: If you have email set up through your domain, don't touch the MX records unless Hostinger specifically tells you to.
Double-check everything before saving. A single typo can break your connection entirely.
DNS Propagation Wait Times
Once you save the changes, DNS propagation begins. This is just the time it takes for servers worldwide to learn about your domain's new destination.
During propagation, your site might work sometimes and not others, depending on which server visitors hit. This is normal and nothing to worry about.
You can check propagation status using tools like whatsmydns.net or dnschecker.org. Enter your domain and look for the A records to match what Hostinger provided.
HTTPS Configuration
HTTPS should activate automatically once your domain is properly connected. Hostinger handles SSL certificates for Horizons apps, so you don't need to install anything manually.
If HTTPS isn't working after propagation completes, check that you're not forcing HTTP anywhere in your app settings. Some setups require you to enable SSL/HTTPS in the dashboard.
Visit your site using https:// in the URL to test. You should see a padlock icon in your browser's address bar when it's working correctly.
Multiple Domain Setup
You can point several domains to the same Horizons app by repeating the DNS process for each one. This works well if you want both the .com and .co.uk versions to show the same content.
Just remember that search engines might see this as duplicate content, so consider setting up redirects from secondary domains to your primary one.
Common Issues and Fixes
Site shows "Domain not found": Your DNS changes haven't propagated yet, or there's an error in the records. Double-check the entries against what Hostinger provided.
Mixed content warnings: This happens when your app loads some resources over HTTP instead of HTTPS. Check any hardcoded links in your content.
Email stops working: You might have accidentally deleted MX records. Restore them from your previous DNS settings.
FAQs
How long does DNS propagation actually take?
Usually 2-6 hours, but can take up to 48 hours in rare cases. Most visitors will see the changes within a few hours.
Can I use a domain from a different registrar?
Yes, you can use any domain from any registrar. You just update the DNS records at wherever you bought the domain.
What happens to my old website during the switch?
It might show intermittently during propagation as DNS updates spread. Plan the switch during low-traffic periods if possible.
Can I connect multiple domains to one Horizons app?
Yes, just repeat the DNS setup process for each domain you want to connect.
Jargon Buster
DNS Records: Settings that tell the internet where to find your website when someone types your domain name.
Propagation: The time it takes for DNS changes to spread across all internet servers worldwide.
A Record: Points your domain directly to an IP address (the server where your site lives).
CNAME Record: Points a subdomain (like www) to another domain or subdomain.
Wrap-up
Getting your domain connected to Horizons is mostly about copying the right information to the right place and waiting for the internet to catch up. The technical bits happen automatically once your DNS is pointing correctly.
If you run into problems, Hostinger's support team can check your DNS setup and spot issues you might have missed. Most connection problems come down to typos in the DNS records or impatience during propagation.
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