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Mapping your HostGator domain to Placester [Codeless]

Gia Latif Updated by Gia Latif

This article will show the guides when mapping your HostGator domain to your Placester website.

Mapping is the process of replacing your existing Placester domain with a custom one you have purchased from a third party provider. Placester always recommends that you map your domain rather than forward it.To find out more about the difference between mapping and forwarding click here.

In order to take care of mapping your HostGator domain to your Placester site, you will need to change both your A-Record (IP address) and CNAME (hosting platform) to Placester specific settings. The article on this page will walk you through this process.

Having HostGator map your Domain

If you are going to have HostGator take care of Domain Mapping for you.  You will want to provide them with the following settings for pointing your site to Placester.

  1. Forwarding: OFF
  2.  Nameservers: Set to DEFAULT
  3. A-Record: 184.169.141.142
  4. CNAME: domains.myrealestateplatform.com   

After this is done move down to the bottom of the document and follow the instructions for your Placester site.

Mapping your HostGator domain in your cPanel Account

If your domain is registered at HostGator, the DNS settings can only be accessed through your cPanel login rather than your billing login. 

HostGator provides you with a specific link to access your cPanel You'll need to log in through that link.

The link will look similar to this: https://gator1234.hostgator.com:4321/ The numbers will be specific to your account and domain. The cPanel link will bring you to this login screen:

If you're having trouble logging in or cannot find your cPanel information, contact HostGator at 1.866.96.GATOR or create a ticket through their support section. 

Advanced DNS Zone Editor

Once logged in, you'll see all of your cPanel options. Scroll down to the Domains section and click on the Advanced DNS Zone Editor.

Don't see Advanced DNS Zone Editor as an option? It might not be part of the services you're subscribing for. Contact HostGator at (866) 964-2867 or create a ticket through their support section to gain access to these settings.

Zone File Records

The Advanced DNS Zone Editor brings you to your current Zone File Records. There might be a long list of records set, but the only ones that need to be changed are the A-Record with the name yourdomain.com and the CNAME with the name www.yourdomain.com (the A-Record to edit does not include the www and the CNAME does).

Step 1: Change the A-Record

Next to the A-Record with the name yourdomain.com (no www), click Edit.

This opens up the editing panel for the A-Record. Make sure the following info is entered:

  • Name: yourdomain.com (no www)
  • TTL: 14400
  • Type: A
  • Address: 184.169.141.142

To save, click Edit Record.

Step 2: Change the CNAME 

Next to the CNAME with the name www.yourdomain.com, click Edit.

This opens up the editing panel for the CNAME. Make sure the following info is entered:

  • Name: www.yourdomain.com
  • TTL: 14400
  • Type: CNAME
  • CNAME: domains.myrealestateplatform.com

This is all that needs to be done within HostGator. When the changes are complete, log into Placester.com to complete the final step.

Go to Placester.com

Custom Domain

On your Dashboard > Vertical ellipses button > Custom domain

 

 

This will bring you to the Custom Domain slide out. Select Custom domain to proceed.

Custom Domain  Slide Out

Within the custom domain slide out, add the custom domain that you're looking to use. Use only lowercase letters, and be sure to include “www” when adding in your URL. Example: www.placester.com. Click Save.

 

HostGator Support

If you run into any trouble, we recommend speaking with HostGator directly, as it is their product. You can reach them at (866) 964-2867. or create a ticket through their online support center.

Troubleshooting

If you've made all of these changes and are finding that your site still isn't loading, here are some potential causes: 

1. Caching: You have a cached copy of the site on your browser. Try clearing your cache, using a new browser or testing the site on a mobile device.

2. Propagation: DNS adjustments take longer to propagate with certain domain registrars. We like to test and make sure everything has propagated using www.WhatsMyDNS.com.

3. Errors in Site Settings > Custom Domain: make sure that you included the www before the custom domain and you didn't use any capital letters. Otherwise, the site will not load.

Pro Tip: DNS Tools

Here are some DNS tools that we recommend: 

- Use WhoIs.com to find out where a domain is registered and the status of a domain

- Use WhatsMyDNS.net to check the current DNS records of a domain

Need More Help?

For questions, concerns, or feedback, please chat with our team: https://app.placester.com/chat

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Nameservers vs DNS Settings

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