After purchasing a domain name, what to do next?
If you have just purchased a domain name, the next steps are simple: decide what the domain should do (website, email, or both), connect it to the right provider using nameservers or DNS records, and then verify SSL, email delivery, and DNS propagation.
This guide gives you a practical checklist and helps you avoid common mistakes like broken DNS, email going to spam, or SSL not issuing.
Quick checklist (do these in order)
- Confirm domain ownership and contact email (so you can receive verification and renewal notices).
- Decide your setup: website only, email only, website plus email, redirect to another site, or parking.
- Choose where DNS will be managed: your registrar, your hosting provider, or Cloudflare.
- Connect the domain to your website host using nameservers or A/AAAA/CNAME records.
- Set up professional email (MX, SPF, DKIM, DMARC).
- Enable SSL (HTTPS) and verify the site loads securely.
- Test everything: website, email sending and receiving, and DNS propagation.
Step 1: Decide what your domain should do
A domain is just an address. It does nothing until you connect it to a service.
| What you want | What you need | DNS records you usually configure |
|---|---|---|
| Website (WordPress or custom) | Web hosting | A/AAAA (or CNAME), plus optional www CNAME |
| Business email (example@yourdomain.com) | Email provider | MX, SPF, DKIM, DMARC |
| Website + business email | Hosting and email provider (can be different) | Mix of web and email records |
| Redirect to another website | Forwarding feature or web server redirect | Depends on method (often A/CNAME + redirect) |
| Park the domain for later | Nothing right now | Optional parking nameservers |
Step 2: Choose where to manage DNS (registrar vs hosting vs Cloudflare)
DNS is where you control what your domain points to. You can manage DNS in one place only.
- Registrar DNS: simplest for small setups, especially if you only need a few records.
- Hosting provider DNS: convenient if your hosting includes built-in DNS and AutoSSL.
- Cloudflare DNS: useful for caching, WAF, and performance features, but you must configure it correctly to avoid SSL or validation issues.
If your domain is with Middlehost and you want the simplest “it just works” setup, point the domain to Middlehost using nameservers, then manage website and DNS from one place.
Step 3: Connect your domain to hosting (two common ways)
There are two safe ways to connect a domain to hosting. Use whichever your provider recommends.
| Method | What you change | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nameservers | NS at the registrar (or client area) | All-in-one hosting + DNS management | DNS zone is controlled by the nameserver provider. |
| DNS records | A/AAAA/CNAME in your current DNS manager | Keeping DNS at registrar or Cloudflare | You must keep web and email records correct in the same DNS zone. |
Using Middlehost nameservers
If you want Middlehost to manage DNS for your domain, update your nameservers. Follow this step-by-step guide:
Keeping DNS somewhere else (A record / CNAME)
If you prefer to keep DNS at your registrar or Cloudflare, your hosting provider will give you an IP address or target hostname to point to. In most cases:
- Root domain (`example.com`): A record to server IP.
- www (`www.example.com`): CNAME to `example.com` or to a provider target.
Tip: do not mix DNS across multiple providers. If your nameservers are set to Cloudflare, changing A records in the registrar panel will do nothing.
Step 4: Set up business email (and keep it out of spam)
If you plan to use email on your domain, configure email DNS records before you start sending important mail. This reduces spam issues and delivery failures.
- MX: tells the internet where to deliver incoming mail.
- SPF: lists which servers are allowed to send on behalf of your domain.
- DKIM: adds a cryptographic signature so recipients can verify authenticity.
- DMARC: tells providers what to do if SPF/DKIM fail and gives you reporting.
If you need email hosting, explore a professional email service (so you do not rely on random free inboxes for your business):
If your website is WordPress and you need outbound SMTP (password resets, contact forms), see:
Configure SMTP mails on WordPress
Step 5: Enable SSL (HTTPS) and verify it is working
SSL is required for security, browser trust, and modern SEO. If your domain points to Middlehost servers, free SSL is usually installed automatically after DNS is correctly pointing to the hosting.
See:
Important: SSL issuance can be delayed until DNS has propagated and the domain resolves to the correct server.
Step 6: Install your website (WordPress or site files)
Once the domain points to hosting, you can install WordPress or upload your site. For many users, the next step is logging into WordPress and completing the basics (theme, pages, security plugin, caching).
Step 7: Performance and security basics (do not skip)
Even a new site can be slow or insecure if it is misconfigured. A good hosting stack (CPU/RAM limits, NVMe storage, LiteSpeed, LSCache) plus clean WordPress setup is the difference between a fast site and a painful one.
- Performance: caching (LSCache), optimized images, fewer plugins, and good hosting resource limits (CPU/RAM, inodes).
- Security: strong passwords, updates, least privilege, and SSL.
If your WordPress site is already slow, this guide helps you troubleshoot the most common causes:
Identify and fix performance issues on WordPress
When choosing hosting, avoid providers that use cracked licenses or unreliable stacks. It often leads to security issues, unstable performance, and surprise downtime later. If you are comparing options, start here:
Step 8: Verify DNS propagation and run quick tests
After DNS changes, propagation can take time. During this window you might see the old website, a blank page, or inconsistent results between devices.
- Website test: `https://yourdomain.com` and `https://www.yourdomain.com` load and show the expected site.
- SSL test: browser shows a secure lock, no certificate warning.
- Email test: send from your domain to Gmail and reply back, confirm it arrives and does not land in spam.
FAQs
How long does DNS propagation take after I change nameservers or DNS records?
DNS propagation usually takes a few minutes to a few hours, but it can take up to 24 hours depending on record TTL and resolver caching. During propagation, different networks may see different results. If SSL is not issuing yet, wait until the domain consistently points to the correct server.
Can I use my domain without buying hosting right away?
Yes. You can park the domain, set up a temporary landing page, or use it only for email while you prepare the website later. Just keep the domain renewed and ensure you can access your registrar account. If you plan to send email, set up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC early.
Should I connect my domain using nameservers or an A record?
Use nameservers when you want one provider to manage DNS and the website together, which is often simplest for beginners. Use A/CNAME records when you want to keep DNS at a registrar or Cloudflare. Do not split DNS across providers because only the active nameserver set controls your records.
Why is my email going to spam after buying a new domain?
New domains often have no reputation yet, and missing email authentication records can make it worse. Add correct SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, and avoid sending bulk mail early. Use a reputable email service and keep your sending consistent. If you are using WordPress forms, configure SMTP properly.
When will my free SSL certificate be installed?
SSL installation usually happens after your domain points to the correct hosting server and DNS has propagated. AutoSSL systems validate domain ownership by checking that the site resolves and responds correctly. If you are using Cloudflare, SSL behavior depends on your Cloudflare SSL mode and proxy settings.