How do I point my domain to a new website if it's registered with Rocketspark?

If you're moving or setting up your website with a new provider but keeping your domain name registered with Rocketspark, you don't need to transfer anything. You'll only need to update your domain's DNS records (the settings that tell the internet where your website and emails live) so they point to your new website instead. Here's how to do that.

⚠ If you have email accounts on this domain, read "What happens to my email" below before you make any changes. Changing the wrong record can stop your emails from arriving.

Before you start

You'll need the new DNS records from your website provider. Most providers give you these when you sign up, usually an A record, a CNAME, or a set of nameservers. Common providers customers move to include Shopify, Squarespace, Wix, and Netlify, but the same process applies whichever provider you're moving to. If you don't have your new records yet, contact your new provider and ask for their "DNS records".

It also helps to recognise Rocketspark's own default records, so you know which ones are safe to delete later. When your domain points at your Rocketspark website, it's using an A record with a Rocketspark server IP address, and a CNAME (usually the "www" record) pointing to a Rocketspark server address such as nz.rocketspark.com, au.rocketspark.com, uk.rocketspark.com, or us.rocketspark.com, depending on which regional server your site is hosted on. You don't need to know or change this yourself, it's just useful to recognise.

Update your DNS records

Step 1: Open your domain's DNS settings

Log in to your Rocketspark Dashboard and go to Domain Names. Select the domain you're moving, then open the DNS Settings tab.

At the top of the tab you'll see Add new DNS record, where you'll add your new provider's records in Step 3. Below that is your current record list.

Step 2: Delete Rocketspark's existing A record and CNAME

Rocketspark's default records for your website will look something like this (your actual values will differ slightly depending on your server region and any subdomains you've set up):

The A record and the "www" CNAME are the two records that point your domain at your Rocketspark website. Find these in your record list and delete them using the bin icon next to each one. Leave everything else alone for now, other CNAMEs (like "flower", "members", or "sale" in the example above) point subdomains such as a members area or a sales page to Rocketspark, and MX/TXT records handle email.

⚠ If you have other CNAME records pointing to a Rocketspark server address (for example, subdomains like a members area or a sales page), decide whether these need to move too before deleting anything. Leaving them pointed at Rocketspark after your main site moves may cause them to stop working.

Step 3: Add your new provider's records

Under Add new DNS record, add the new A record and CNAME your new provider gave you:

1. Choose the record Type from the dropdown (A or CNAME).
2. Enter the Name (leave this blank for your main domain, or enter a subdomain like "www" if that's what your new provider specifies).
3. Enter the Value your new provider gave you (an IP address for an A record, or a domain for a CNAME).
4. Select Add Record.

Repeat this for each record your new provider asked you to add. If you're moving to Shopify, Squarespace, or Wix, see the exact records to use in "Provider-specific DNS records" below.

Step 4: Check your changes took effect

Once you've added the new records, they'll appear in your record list. DNS changes don't apply instantly everywhere, so give it some time (it can take up to 48 hours) before checking your new website is showing up.

Provider-specific DNS records

If you're moving to one of these providers, here are the current records they publish for connecting an existing domain. Add these in Step 3 above.

⚠ Providers update these values from time to time. Before adding anything, check the DNS records shown in your own account with the new provider, or their current help documentation, and use those over the values below if they differ.

Shopify

Shopify only allows one A record and one www CNAME, delete any existing ones before adding these. Shopify doesn't host email, so keep your existing MX records if you're keeping your current email, or add your new email provider's MX records separately. After adding these records, go to your Shopify admin, Settings > Domains > Connect existing domain, and follow the prompts to verify the connection.

Squarespace

Squarespace's process needs an extra first step: start the domain connection inside Squarespace before adding any records, this generates a unique verification code you'll need.

If you can only add one A record, use 198.185.159.144. Squarespace typically takes up to 48 hours to detect the records and connect the domain.

Wix

This method is what Wix calls "pointing", you'll manage these records here in Rocketspark rather than in Wix, since Wix doesn't support changing nameservers for domains connected this way. Double check the exact values on your Wix Domains page, as Wix has published slightly different values for this method in different places, and the ones shown in your own account are the most reliable.

What happens to my email

This is the part that catches people out, so it's worth checking before you save anything.

If your email is hosted somewhere other than Rocketspark (with your current website provider, Google Workspace, or another email provider), and you don't currently have separate MX records set up, your email may currently be relying on Rocketspark's A record as a fallback. If you change that A record without setting up the right MX records for your email provider, your emails can stop arriving. To keep your email working, ask your email provider for their MX records and add those alongside your website's new DNS records, rather than relying on the A record.

If Rocketspark is hosting your email accounts and you're moving them too, you'll need your new email provider's MX records (and usually a TXT record for deliverability). Add these at the same time as your website's DNS changes.

If you're keeping your email with Rocketspark but only moving your website elsewhere, don't change your MX records. Only update the A record and CNAME.

Using nameservers instead

Some providers ask you to point your domain using nameservers rather than individual DNS records. If your new provider has given you nameservers rather than an A record and CNAME, you can use these instead.

On the DNS Settings tab, below your list of DNS records, you'll see two panels:

• Use Rocketspark's basic domain settings, described as using Rocketspark's standard name servers and preset domain template. This is the default, and what your domain is using right now.
• Use your own Nameservers, described as controlling your domain settings with another provider, with an Edit Nameservers button.

Select Edit Nameservers to open the Edit Nameservers window. Enter the nameservers your new provider gave you into the Nameserver fields, then select Save. You don't need to fill in all three fields, only enter the nameservers your provider actually gave you.

⚠ Setting custom nameservers overrides your DNS records. Once you save custom nameservers, the individual A record, CNAME, and MX records on the DNS Settings tab no longer apply on Rocketspark's end, your new provider's nameservers take over completely, including for email. Only use this method if your new provider has specifically given you nameservers to use, and make sure any email records you still need are set up with your new provider first.

If you ever want to switch back to Rocketspark managing your DNS, go back to the DNS Settings tab and select Use basic DNS settings under "Use Rocketspark's basic domain settings" to return to Rocketspark's standard nameservers and template.

Tips and things to watch out for

• Double check the exact values your new provider gives you before adding them. A typo in an A record is the most common reason a website doesn't come up.
• Only delete the records for your website (the A record and "www" CNAME). Leave any MX records or other subdomains' CNAMEs alone unless you mean to change those too.
• If your website and email both stop working after a change, check whether an MX record needs to be added rather than assuming the A record is wrong.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to transfer my domain to point it to a new website? No. If your domain is registered with Rocketspark, it can stay registered with us while pointing to a website hosted anywhere else. You only need to change the DNS records, not the registration.

Will my Rocketspark website still work after I make this change? No. Once your A record and CNAME point to your new provider, your Rocketspark website will no longer be reachable at that domain.

How long does it take for my new website to show up? DNS changes don't apply instantly everywhere, it can take up to 48 hours. 

Can I change this back later? Yes. You can update your DNS records again at any time, including back to Rocketspark's own values if you decide to return.

Where do I find the DNS records for my new provider? Providers like Shopify, Squarespace, and Wix publish their current records in "Provider-specific DNS records" above. For any other provider, or to double check current values, look in their help centre under something like "connect an existing domain".

Should I use DNS records or nameservers? Use whichever your new provider asks for. If they've given you an A record and a CNAME, follow the steps above. If they've given you nameservers instead, use "Using nameservers instead", but not both, since setting nameservers overrides your individual DNS records.

Need more help?

If you're not sure which records to change, or something doesn't look right after saving, flick us a message at support@rocketspark.com. We're happy to help.