Setting Up a Custom Domain with Xisto Hosting
So you’ve got your free Xisto hosting account with cPanel, and you want to use your own domain name instead of the free subdomain? Here’s a straightforward guide to get you up and running.
Step 1: Get a Domain Name
Before you start, you need a domain name. You can purchase one from any registrar (like Namecheap, Google Domains, etc.) or use a free domain service. Just make sure you have access to the DNS settings.
Step 2: Configure Nameservers
Log into your domain registrar’s control panel and locate the nameserver settings. You need to point your domain to Xisto’s nameservers. Check your Xisto welcome email or cPanel dashboard for the exact nameserver addresses. Typically they’ll look like ns1.xisto.com and ns2.xisto.com. Replace the existing nameservers with these and save.
Important: DNS changes take time to propagate—usually 24–48 hours. Don’t panic if your site doesn’t load immediately.
Step 3: Add the Domain in cPanel
Once propagation is complete (you can check using online DNS lookup tools), log into your Xisto cPanel. Look for either “Parked Domains” or “Addon Domains”:
- Parked Domain: Points to your main site’s root. Use this if you want multiple domains to show the same content.
- Addon Domain: Creates a separate folder and allows you to host a completely different website under that domain.
Enter your domain (e.g., example.com) and follow the prompts. For addon domains, you’ll also need to set the document root (e.g., public_html/example).
Troubleshooting
If your domain doesn’t work after 48 hours, double-check that the nameservers are correct. If everything seems right, reach out to Xisto support or the community—we’re here to help!
Hope this guide makes your hosting experience smoother. Let me know if you run into any issues.
Topic Overview (Wikipedia):
Video Tutorial:
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