Connecting Your Domain to a Host Using Connect

Connect is a tool built into your Hover control panel that links your domain name to a website builder or online store platform, such as Squarespace, Shopify, or Etsy, in just a few clicks. Instead of setting up technical settings yourself, Connect adds everything your host needs automatically. This article explains how Connect works, walks you through connecting your domain to a supported host, and shows you how to disconnect it later if you ever need to.

How Connect Fits Into Setting Up Your Website

When you build a website with an outside platform, that platform needs to know your domain belongs to it. Normally, this means signing in to your domain's DNS settings and manually adding the specific records your host requires. DNS (short for Domain Name System) is the internet's address book — it's what tells the internet which server should answer when someone types in your domain. Connect takes care of this address-book update for you: pick your host from a list, follow a few short prompts, and Hover adds the correct records automatically.

Note: Connect currently supports many popular hosting providers and website builders, including Etsy, Pattern by Etsy, Shopify, Squarespace, Tumblr, Format, Exposure, Jimdo, and these additional partners: 22Slides, 500px, about.me, Big Cartel, Buzzsprout, Carbonmade, Contra, Duda, Dunked, Ecwid, Elementor, Fabrik, Facebook, Ghost Pro, Glitch, iCraft, Instagram, Leadpages, Micro.blog, mmm.page, PageCloud, Pagevamp, Pixpa, Responsive Website Builder, Resurva, Sharetribe, Simbla, SoloFolio, STUDIO, Thinkific, Twitch.tv, Universe, Visura, Webydo, Weebly, Write.as, Yclas, Yola, and Zibbet.

Before you begin

• An active Hover domain — you'll need a domain registered with Hover that you want to point to your website or online store.
• Hover's nameservers set on your domain — Connect only works if your domain uses Hover's default nameservers, ns1.hover.com and ns2.hover.com. Nameservers are the servers that tell the internet which company manages your domain's settings.
• An account with your hosting provider — sign up with the service you're connecting to (for example, Shopify or Squarespace) before you start, since you'll need to be signed in there too.
• Two-factor authentication (2FA) ready — have your chosen 2FA method, like an authentication app or security key, on hand so you can sign in to Hover securely.

Step 1: Sign In and Select Your Domain

Start by logging in to your Hover account and choosing the domain you want to connect.

1. Go to your Hover control panel and sign in, verifying your identity with your chosen 2FA method.
2. Click Domains in the top menu. If you manage more than one domain, you'll see them all listed here.
3. Click the domain name you want to connect to your host.

Step 2: Make Sure Your Domain Uses Hover's Nameservers

Connect only works when your domain's nameservers point to Hover.

1. On the domain's overview page, check that the nameservers listed are ns1.hover.com and ns2.hover.com.

Warning: Before changing your nameservers, make sure you're no longer relying on email or any other service tied to your current DNS manager. Switching nameservers moves control of your domain's settings to Hover, which can disrupt any website or email service still linked to your old provider.

Step 3: Open the Connect Tab and Choose Your Provider

1. Click the Connect tab (or More, depending on your view).
2. Under the list of connect partners, find your hosting provider and click Select.

Step 4: Follow Your Provider's Setup Steps

Each hosting provider walks you through its own short set of prompts within Connect.

1. Follow the on-screen directions for your chosen provider.
2. When you've completed the steps, click Connect to finish.

Step 5: Confirm the Connection and Check Your DNS Records

1. Once connected, Hover shows a confirmation message in the Connect tab.
2. Open the DNS tab to see the records Connect added automatically for you.

Note: DNS changes typically take about 30 minutes to take effect, though it can occasionally take longer.

Step 6: Disconnect a Host Connection (Optional)

If you ever need to remove a host connection, you can do so from the same Connect tab.

1. Sign in to your Hover control panel and select the domain you want to disconnect.
2. Click the Connect tab, then click the X next to the existing connection.
3. In the confirmation popup, click Disconnect.

Next steps

• Connect your domain to a specific provider — see the dedicated article for your platform, such as Etsy, Shopify, or Squarespace.
• Troubleshoot a connection that isn't working — see Troubleshooting Domain Connect Issues if your site doesn't load after connecting.
• Learn more about nameservers and DNS — see How Does DNS Work? for a deeper explanation of how these settings work.

Questions? Contact Hover Support.