Point your domain at your server (A records)
Before a domain can show your site, it has to point at your server’s IP address. That’s the job of an A record.
The one record you need
| Type | Name | Value |
|---|---|---|
| A | @ (the root domain) | your server’s IP |
| A | www | your server’s IP |
@ means the bare domain (yourdomain.com); www covers www.yourdomain.com.
Point both at the same IP.
Where to set it
Two options:
- At your domain registrar (where you bought the domain) — edit the DNS records there. Simplest if you only have a couple of sites.
- In OrbixPanel’s DNS, if you’ve delegated the domain to your server. OrbixPanel runs its own authoritative DNS (BIND), so you manage all records in the panel. You delegate by setting your domain’s nameservers to your server at the registrar.
Check it worked
dig +short yourdomain.comIt should print your server’s IP. If it’s blank or shows the old value, DNS hasn’t propagated yet — this takes 5–30 minutes (occasionally longer). Lower your record’s TTL beforehand if you know a change is coming.
Then request SSL
Once the domain resolves to your server, request free SSL so it loads over HTTPS. If SSL won’t issue, it’s almost always a DNS or port-80 issue — SSL won’t issue.
Related records
- Email? You’ll also need MX records.
- Subdomains? See CNAMEs & subdomains.
Running OrbixPanel? Manage all your DNS in the panel with self-hosted BIND. OrbixPanel.com → — the free, self-hosted, AI-powered hosting control panel.