If you bought your domain through GoDaddy and your website is hosted somewhere else, you do not need to move everything over just to get the site live. You can keep your domain registration at GoDaddy and use GoDaddy DNS to point that domain to your hosting provider.
This is usually a simple setup. In most cases, all you need is the server IP address from your hosting provider and access to your domain’s DNS settings. If you do not want to hand over your GoDaddy username and password to a developer or web designer, there is also a built-in delegate access option that lets someone manage the domain settings without logging in as you.
What you need before updating GoDaddy DNS
Before making changes in GoDaddy DNS, make sure you have:
- Your GoDaddy account login
- The domain name you want to connect
- The server IP address where the website is hosted
If you are not sure what the server IP is, you will need to get that from the hosting provider or the person who set up the website.
What a domain and server IP actually do
Your domain is your business URL. It is the web address people type in to find you online.
The server IP is the location of the hosting server where your website files live. When you update GoDaddy DNS, you are essentially telling your domain where to go when someone enters that URL.
In this setup, GoDaddy is still managing the domain. The website itself is simply hosted somewhere else.
The easiest way to point GoDaddy DNS to your hosting
If you are keeping DNS management inside GoDaddy, the standard method is to add or update an A record.
Step 1: Sign in to your GoDaddy account
Log in and go to your domain list, which is usually found under your products. Choose the domain you want to connect to your website.
Step 2: Open the DNS settings
Inside the domain area, you should see tabs or options such as:
- Overview
- DNS
- Products
- Activity Log
Click DNS.
That is where you will manage the records for your domain inside GoDaddy DNS.
Step 3: Stay in DNS records
Once you are in the DNS section, you will usually see options like:
- DNS Records
- Forwarding
- Name Servers
- Premium DNS
- Hosts
For this setup, go to DNS Records.
You are not switching nameservers in this process. You are keeping DNS managed by GoDaddy and simply pointing the domain to an external hosting server.
Step 4: Add a new A record
Choose the option to add a new record. Then enter the following:
- Type: A
- Host: @
- Value: your hosting server’s IP address
- TTL: leave the default, such as 30 minutes
The @ symbol means the root domain, which is the main version of your domain.
For example, the value field would be an IP address provided by your host, something in the format of numbers separated by dots.
Step 5: Save the record
Click Save.
Once saved, GoDaddy DNS will direct that domain to the server where your new website is hosted.
What this DNS change is doing
This part is important because a lot of people assume they need to transfer the domain or move DNS management somewhere else. You usually do not.
By adding an A record in GoDaddy DNS, you are simply connecting:
- Your domain at GoDaddy
- Your website on an external host
That means GoDaddy remains your registrar, while your website can live on a completely different server.
When you would use nameservers instead
There is another route, and that is changing your nameservers. That would be used if you wanted DNS to be managed somewhere other than GoDaddy.
In this setup, that is not necessary.
If you are happy keeping everything inside GoDaddy DNS, just use the DNS records section and add the A record. That is the cleaner option when all you need to do is point the domain to hosting outside GoDaddy.
If you do not want to share your GoDaddy login
A lot of business owners do not want to give out their full GoDaddy username and password, and that makes sense. If a developer, agency, or web designer needs to update GoDaddy DNS for you, delegate access is the better option.
How to find delegate access in GoDaddy
- Log in to your GoDaddy account
- Click your profile or account icon
- Open Account Settings
- Find Delegate Access in the left-hand menu
- Click Invite to Access
From there, enter the email address of the person who needs access.
It is best if that email is already tied to a GoDaddy account, because that makes the process smoother and avoids the extra step of creating one.
What delegate access lets someone do
With delegate access, you can allow someone to manage your domain or products without giving them your direct login credentials.
That way, they can update GoDaddy DNS and handle the connection for your website, while you stay in control of the account.
Quick recap of the recommended setup
If your website is hosted outside of GoDaddy and your domain is registered with GoDaddy, here is the basic path:
- Get the server IP from your hosting provider
- Open your domain inside GoDaddy
- Go to the DNS section
- Open DNS Records
- Add an A record using @ as the host
- Paste in the server IP as the value
- Save the record
If someone else is handling setup, use Delegate Access instead of sending them your login.
Final thoughts on GoDaddy DNS and external hosting
Connecting a domain to a new website does not have to be complicated. As long as you have the correct IP address and you know where to edit GoDaddy DNS, the process is pretty straightforward.
The key thing to remember is this: you do not need to move your domain just because your website is hosted elsewhere. In many cases, all you need is one A record update inside GoDaddy DNS.
And if you want help from a developer without handing over your account credentials, delegate access is there for exactly that reason.
