Table of Contents

Mapping your HostGator domain to Placester [Codeless]

Katherine Ramirez Updated by Katherine Ramirez

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 portal. Click on sign in then from the drop-down menu, click Portal.

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 the Domains section and you will see all of your domains if you own multiple

Click on your domain name to be redirected to the overview page below. It's where you can click nameserver and DNS records, which is important when mapping a domain name.

Nameservers must be set to default.

Once you secured the Nameservers, you can continue with the DNS and proceed to the next step.

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:

  • refers to: @
  • TTL: 14400
  • Type: A
  • Address: 184.169.141.142

To save, click Edit button.

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:

  • refers to: www
  • TTL: 14400
  • Type: CNAME
  • CNAME: domains.myrealestateplatform.com

This is all that needs to be done within HostGator. When the changes are complete, log in to 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 the 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 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

How did we do?

Nameservers vs DNS Settings

Mapping your Register.com domain to Placester [Codeless]
#

Let experts do it for you

Visit our creative services marketplace to get on-demand help, on-time and on-budget.

Browse all Services
#

Are you looking for something different?

Didn't find an answer to your questions? Our support team is ready to help you.

Contact Support