How do I link my domain name to my website?

Domain, DNS, hosting: what is what?

• Domain name: the address, for example, yourcompany.nl. You rent it annually from a registrar or through your web developer.
• DNS: the address book of your domain. It indicates where your website is located and where your mail comes in. Each line is called a record.
• Hosting: the server where your website runs.

Linking means: putting in the address book (the DNS) that your website is on our hosting.

Option 1: transfer the domain to Lef

The easiest way is to transfer the domain to us. Then you don’t have to do anything with the DNS yourself, and we have everything in one place. You usually need a transfer code (also known as a token or authorization code), which you request from your current provider. Do you want this? contact us. We will tell you exactly what we need and ensure that your website and email continue to work during the transfer.

Option 2: adjust the DNS records

Do you want to keep the domain where it is? Then you only adjust the records for your website with your current provider. You log in to that provider and look for DNS management or DNS settings.

A record and www

The A record without a name (sometimes @) determines where yourcompany.nl goes. Additionally, there is usually a record for www (an A record or a CNAME). Both must point to your new website. You will receive the correct values from us: they differ per hosting, so always use the values we send you and not an example from the internet.

Be careful with your MX records (email)

The MX records determine where your email comes in. They have nothing to do with your website. Keep them as they are unless you are also moving your mail. If you accidentally change or delete them, no mail will come in. The same applies to other records related to your mail, such as TXT records for SPF or DKIM.

How long does it take?

A DNS change is not visible everywhere at the same time. It often works within a few hours, but it can take up to a day before everyone sees your new website. During that time, some see the old website and others see the new one. That is normal. After the linking, we will take care of the SSL certificate, so that your website also works via https:// (see what an SSL certificate does).

Do you also want to arrange your mail differently or have an extra address? Then read request an extra email address or the overview everything about email, domain, and hosting.

Is it not working?

• You still see the old website after a day. Clear your browser cache or try it on your phone via 4G. Still the old one? Check the A record and the www record.
• yourcompany.nl works, but www.yourcompany.nl does not (or vice versa). One of the two records is missing or still points to the old location.
• You are not receiving any mail anymore. Check immediately if the MX records still match your screenshot from before the change and revert them.
• The browser shows “Not secure” after the linking. The certificate still needs to be created. Let us know.
• You don’t know which provider your domain is with. Look up your domain in the whois of SIDN (for .nl), or ask us.

Can’t figure it out? Contact us or call 06 35 66 47 73. We are happy to help.