This guide continues from Deploying a Blog Powered by Hugo to Netlify and will walk you through setting up a custom domain purchased from GoDaddy on Netlify.

Step 1: Purchase a Domain on GoDaddy

  1. Create a GoDaddy Account

    • Go to GoDaddy’s website.
    • Click on “Sign In” at the top right corner or “Create an Account” if you don’t have one.
    • Follow the prompts to set up your account.

  2. Search for Your Desired Domain

    • Once logged in, use the search bar to find the domain name you want (e.g: rishabdhar.in).
    • GoDaddy will show you the availability of the domain. If it’s taken, you’ll get suggestions for alternative names or extensions.

  3. Select Your Domain

    • Choose the domain you like from the search results. Click “Add to Cart”.
    • GoDaddy will offer additional services like privacy protection, email, and hosting. You can add these if needed or skip them.

  4. Proceed to Checkout

    • Click on the cart icon and then “Continue to Cart”.
    • Review your order and click “Continue to Checkout”.
    • Enter your payment information and complete the purchase.

  5. Verify Domain Ownership

    • After purchase, you’ll receive a confirmation email from GoDaddy. Follow the instructions to verify your email address and domain ownership.

Step 2: Configure Domain Settings on GoDaddy

  1. Access Domain Settings

    • Log in to your GoDaddy account.
    • Go to “My Products” and locate the domain you just purchased.
    • Click on “DNS” next to your domain name.

  2. Set Up Nameservers

    • Configure Nameservers: If you plan to use Netlify’s nameservers you would change them as follows:

      • In the “DNS Management” section, find the “Nameservers” area.
      • Select “Change” and choose “Custom”.
      • Enter the nameservers provided by Netlify.
      • Save your changes.

    • Configure DNS Records:

      • A Records: If you’re using Netlify’s IP addresses, you might need to add or update A records. Netlify’s documentation provides the current IP addresses.
      • CNAME Record: For subdomains or if you prefer to use a CNAME, create a CNAME record pointing to your-site-name.netlify.app.

Step 3: Set Up Your Domain on Netlify

  1. Log In to Netlify

  2. Add a New Site

    • On the Netlify dashboard, click on “Add new site” and then select “Add custom domain”.

  3. Enter Your Domain Name

    • Enter the domain name you purchased from GoDaddy into the field provided and click “Verify”.

  4. Configure DNS Settings

    • Netlify will provide DNS records that you need to set up on GoDaddy. This typically includes:
      • A Records: Point to Netlify’s IP addresses.
      • CNAME Record: For subdomains, point to your-site-name.netlify.app.

  5. Verify Domain Connection

    • After updating DNS records on GoDaddy, go back to Netlify and click “Check DNS configuration”.
    • Netlify will verify that your domain is correctly set up. This process might take a few minutes to propagate.

  6. Finalize the Setup

    • Once Netlify verifies the configuration, your custom domain will be linked to your site.
    • You can then set it as your primary domain or configure redirects as needed.

Step 4: Test Your Domain

  1. Check DNS Propagation

    • Use tools like WhatsMyDNS to check if DNS changes have propagated globally.

  2. Visit Your Domain

    • Enter your domain name in a browser to ensure it correctly points to your Netlify site.

  3. Secure Your Domain

    • Netlify provides free SSL certificates for custom domains. Ensure SSL is enabled in Netlify’s dashboard to secure your site.

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