From registration to a working site.
THE SEQUENCE
- Register the domain
- Order hosting, or identify the account it will live on
- Set the nameservers at the registrar to those shown in your Client Area
- Wait for the change to take effect
- Confirm the domain resolves to your server
- Run AutoSSL
- Create mailboxes
- Confirm SPF and DKIM under Email Deliverability
WHAT HAPPENS AUTOMATICALLY
When a domain is added to a cPanel account and our nameservers are in use, a zone is created with sensible defaults: A records, MX records, and service hostnames.
You rarely need to add anything.
WHAT TO CHECK
The domain resolves to your server's address www resolves Mail records are present The certificate is valid
WHAT TO ADD
Verification records for any service you use: Search Console, a business profile, a payment gateway.
HOW LONG THE WHOLE THING TAKES
Usually under an hour once nameservers are set. Occasionally longer.
THE MOST COMMON DELAY
Nameservers not actually changed at the registrar, or changed in the wrong place.