How to Point Your Domain to Zibster Using A Records
Overview
If you purchased your domain through a third-party provider, you can connect it to your Zibster website while continuing to manage your DNS through that provider.
This setup uses two A records and one CNAME record to point your domain to Zibster. Your website can still use your custom domain normally, but your DNS will remain hosted and managed outside of Zibster.
This guide walks you through the required DNS records, what to review before making changes, and what to expect when using third-party DNS with your Zibster website.
Prerequisites
Before you begin:
- Make sure you have access to the provider where your domain's DNS records are managed.
- Complete your Zibster website layout and design before requesting the domain connection.
- Review your existing DNS records if your domain is used for branded email or other third-party services.
- Make sure you are comfortable managing DNS records or have access to your domain provider, IT provider, or web professional for assistance.
Your DNS may be managed by your domain registrar or another service, such as GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare, or a similar DNS provider.
During the domain connection process, access to the Website Builder may be temporarily paused for 24 to 48 hours while your domain points to Zibster and SSL is configured.
Important Things to Know Before You Start
Using A records allows you to keep your DNS managed through a third-party provider instead of moving DNS management to Zibster.
This is a supported setup and is a good option if you prefer to keep control of your DNS with your current provider.
However, because Zibster does not manage the DNS in this type of setup, all future DNS changes must be made through your third-party DNS provider.
This includes changes related to:
- Website DNS records
- Branded email
- SPF, DKIM, and DMARC
- Domain verification
- Marketing platforms
- Third-party applications
- Other DNS-based services
If a DNS issue occurs, you will need to work with your DNS provider to troubleshoot or update the records. Zibster Support can confirm which DNS records are required for your Zibster website, but we cannot access or manage DNS hosted with a third-party provider.
STEP ONE
Submit a domain setup request for the domain you want to connect to Zibster.
The Zibster Support Team must prepare your account for the custom domain before you update your DNS records.
After your request is reviewed, the Zibster Support Team will configure your account to use the custom domain. You will receive confirmation when your account is ready for the DNS records to be updated.
Do not update your DNS records before receiving confirmation from Zibster. Your custom domain must be configured on your Zibster account first.
STEP TWO
Log into the provider where your domain's DNS records are managed.
Locate the DNS management area for the domain you are connecting to Zibster.
Add or update the following DNS records:
| Type | Host | Value | TTL |
| A | @ | 18.235.135.157 | Lowest possible |
| A | * | 18.235.135.157 | Lowest possible |
| CNAME | www | @ | Lowest possible |
The @ host represents your root domain, such as yourdomain.com.
The * host is a wildcard record that helps route undefined subdomains to your Zibster website.
The www CNAME points the www version of your domain to the root domain.
TTL stands for Time To Live. This controls how long DNS servers may store a record before checking for an updated version. When available, select the lowest TTL your DNS provider offers, such as 300 seconds or 5 minutes.
Some DNS providers use different labels for the root domain. Instead of @, your provider may require your full domain name or a blank Host field.
If you are unsure how to enter these records, contact your DNS provider for assistance.
STEP THREE
Review your existing website-related DNS records before saving your changes.
If @, *, or www currently points to another website provider, update or replace those website-related records with the Zibster records listed in STEP TWO.
Make sure the final website configuration includes:
- The @ A record pointing to 18.235.135.157
- The * A record pointing to 18.235.135.157
- The www CNAME pointing to @
Conflicting website records may prevent your domain from pointing to Zibster correctly or may cause your previous website to continue loading.
Do not remove unrelated DNS records unless you know they are no longer needed.
If you are unsure which existing records should be changed, contact your DNS provider before making changes.
STEP FOUR
Make sure your email and other third-party DNS records remain in place.
If your domain uses branded email, do not remove the DNS records required by your email provider.
These may include:
- MX records
- SPF records
- DKIM records
- DMARC records
- Email verification records
Your domain may also contain records used by marketing platforms, analytics tools, domain verification services, or other business applications.
Only update the website-related DNS records required to connect your domain to Zibster.
Removing unrelated DNS records may interrupt email or other services connected to your domain.
Because your DNS remains hosted with a third-party provider, any future changes to these records will also need to be completed through that provider.
FINAL STEP
Save your DNS changes and allow the domain connection to update.
DNS changes may take up to 24 to 48 hours to fully propagate across the internet. During this time, different networks may temporarily see different versions of your DNS information.
As the DNS records update, your custom domain will begin routing to your Zibster website.
SSL can be configured once the domain is correctly pointing to Zibster. Access to the Website Builder will also be restored after the domain connection process is completed.
When the setup is complete, your custom domain should load your Zibster website securely.
Additional Options and Helpful Notes
Managing DNS Through a Third-Party Provider
If you use the A record setup in this guide, your DNS will remain managed by your current provider.
This means any future DNS records or changes will need to be added, edited, or removed through that provider rather than through your Zibster account.
Zibster Support can provide the DNS records required for your Zibster website and can help confirm whether your domain is pointing to Zibster. However, Zibster Support cannot log into, edit, or troubleshoot the DNS settings inside a third-party provider's account.
If a record needs to be added or corrected, your DNS provider will need to assist you with making that change.
Using Zibster Name Servers Instead
You can also choose to point your domain name servers to Zibster.
When your name servers point to Zibster, DNS records can be managed through your Zibster account instead of through a third-party provider.
If you prefer to keep DNS management with your current provider, the A record setup in this guide is completely supported.
See How to Point Your Existing Domain to Zibster Using Name Servers if you want to use Zibster-managed DNS instead.
Using Cloudflare or Another DNS Service
If your DNS is managed through Cloudflare or another service that provides proxy, firewall, or CDN features, those settings may affect how your Zibster website loads.
These settings can affect:
-
SSL
-
Redirects
-
Website loading
-
Tracking tools
-
Domain verification
Because these settings are controlled by the third-party DNS provider, troubleshooting will need to be completed with that provider.
Working With a Domain Provider or IT Professional
If someone else manages your DNS, you can provide them with the following records:
|
Type |
Host |
Value |
|
A |
@ |
18.235.135.157 |
|
A |
* |
18.235.135.157 |
|
CNAME |
www |
@ |
They can use this information to update the website-related records while keeping your existing email and third-party DNS records in place.
Additional Options and Helpful Notes
Managing DNS Through a Third-Party Provider
If you use the A record setup in this guide, your DNS will remain managed by your current provider.
This means any future DNS records or changes will need to be added, edited, or removed through that provider rather than through your Zibster account.
Zibster Support can provide the DNS records required for your Zibster website and can help confirm whether your domain is pointing to Zibster. However, Zibster Support cannot log into, edit, or troubleshoot the DNS settings inside a third-party provider's account.
If a record needs to be added or corrected, your DNS provider will need to assist you with making that change.
Using Zibster Name Servers Instead
You can also choose to point your domain name servers to Zibster.
When your name servers point to Zibster, DNS records can be managed through your Zibster account instead of through a third-party provider.
If you prefer to keep DNS management with your current provider, the A record setup in this guide is completely supported.
See How to Point Your Existing Domain to Zibster Using Name Servers if you want to use Zibster-managed DNS instead.
Using Cloudflare or Another DNS Service
If your DNS is managed through Cloudflare or another service that provides proxy, firewall, or CDN features, those settings may affect how your Zibster website loads.
These settings can affect:
-
SSL
-
Redirects
-
Website loading
-
Tracking tools
-
Domain verification
Because these settings are controlled by the third-party DNS provider, troubleshooting will need to be completed with that provider.
Working With a Domain Provider or IT Professional
If someone else manages your DNS, you can provide them with the following records:
|
Type |
Host |
Value |
|
A |
@ |
18.235.135.157 |
|
A |
* |
18.235.135.157 |
|
CNAME |
www |
@ |
They can use this information to update the website-related records while keeping your existing email and third-party DNS records in place.
Troubleshooting and FAQs
My domain is not loading my Zibster website yet.
DNS changes may take up to 24 to 48 hours to fully propagate.
If it has been less than 48 hours since the records were updated, your domain may still be propagating.
Confirm with your DNS provider that:
-
The @ A record points to 18.235.135.157
-
The * A record points to 18.235.135.157
-
The www CNAME points to @
If one or more records are incorrect or missing, your DNS provider will need to help you update them.
My domain is still loading my old website.
Check the website-related DNS records for @, *, and www with your DNS provider.
If one of these records still points to your previous website provider, it will need to be updated to the Zibster configuration listed in this guide.
DNS propagation may also cause your previous website to appear temporarily after the records have been changed.
My website is not loading securely.
SSL setup may take additional time after your domain begins pointing to Zibster.
First confirm with your DNS provider that the required A records and CNAME are correct.
If the domain is correctly pointing to Zibster and SSL is still not active after DNS propagation is complete, contact Zibster Support.
My DNS provider does not use @ for the root domain.
DNS providers may use different terminology for the root domain.
Your provider may require:
-
@
-
Your full domain name
-
A blank Host field
Contact your DNS provider to confirm which option should be used.
My DNS provider will not accept @ as the CNAME value for www.
Some DNS providers handle root-domain references differently.
Contact your DNS provider and ask how to configure the www CNAME so it points to your root domain.
Do I need the wildcard * A record?
Yes. When using this Zibster A record setup, the * A record should point to 18.235.135.157 unless Zibster Support provides different instructions.
My email stopped working after I changed my DNS records.
Check with your DNS or email provider to confirm that your MX, SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and other email-related records are still in place.
Because your DNS is managed outside of Zibster, your DNS provider will need to troubleshoot and update those records.
Can Zibster Support update my DNS records for me?
No. When your DNS is hosted with a third-party provider, Zibster Support does not have access to that provider's DNS management system.
Zibster Support can provide the records required to connect your website and can help confirm whether your domain is pointing to Zibster. Any DNS changes or troubleshooting inside the third-party provider must be completed with that provider.
Should I use A records or Zibster name servers?
Both options can be used to connect your domain to Zibster.
Use A records if you want to continue managing DNS through your current domain or DNS provider.
Use Zibster name servers if you prefer to manage your DNS through Zibster.
The main difference is where your DNS records are managed and who can make future DNS changes.
Need Help?
If you need help pointing your domain to Zibster, reviewing your DNS records, or determining which domain connection method is right for you, contact the Zibster Support Team.
Zibster Support Hours: Monday–Friday, 9am–6pm EST
Phone: 844.353.3412
Channels: Phone, Live Chat, Support Ticket
