Connecting your domain to your website can feel intimidating at first, especially when you see terms like A records, CNAME, and TXT records. But once you understand where to click and what information to paste, it’s actually pretty straightforward.

In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through exactly how to add DNS records in Bluehost for a Showit website, including what to do if your domain was previously connected to Squarespace.

How to Add DNS Records in Bluehost for a Showit Website (Step-by-Step Tutorial)

This process may look slightly different depending on your domain provider, but the general setup is usually very similar.

What Are DNS Records?

DNS records tell your domain where your website lives.

When you connect a custom domain to a website platform like Showit, they provide specific DNS values that need to be added to your domain settings.

These records help direct visitors to the correct website when they type in your URL.

The most common DNS records you’ll work with are:

• A Records
• CNAME Records
• TXT Records

Before You Start

You’ll need:

• Access to your Bluehost account
• Your domain connected to Bluehost
• The DNS values provided by the Showit support team

Step 1: Log Into Bluehost and Open DNS Settings

First, log into your Bluehost account.

From there:

1. Go to your Domains section
2. Select the domain you want to connect
3. Click on DNS settings or DNS Management

This is where you’ll add and edit your DNS records.

Step 2: Add the First A Record

The first DNS record Showit provides is typically an A Record.

Inside Bluehost:

1. Click Add Record
2. Choose Single Record
3. Select A Record
4. In the Host field, enter:
   • @
5. In the Points To field, paste the IP address Showit gave you
6. Click Add

You’ll repeat this process for the second A Record as well.

Step 3: Add the Second A Record

Now you’ll add the second A Record provided by Showit.

Again:

1. Click Add Record
2. Select A Record
3. Use:
   • Host: @
4. Paste the second IP address from Showit
5. Save the record

At this point, you should have two A Records added.

Step 4: Add the CNAME Record

Next, you’ll add the CNAME Record.

This record is usually connected to www.

Inside Bluehost:

1. Click Add Record
2. Select CNAME
3. In the Host field, enter:
   • www
4. In the Points To field, paste the value Showit provided
5. Save the record

Important Note if You Previously Used Squarespace

If your domain was previously connected to Squarespace, you may already have a CNAME record attached to www.

This can create a conflict.

In my case, I had to edit the existing CNAME record and point it to the correct Showit value instead.

You may need to:

• Delete the old CNAME record
• Or edit the existing one

Just make sure the www record points to the new Showit value.

Step 5: Add the TXT Record

The last record Showit provided was a TXT Record.

TXT records often contain a long string of letters and numbers used for verification purposes.

To add it:

1. Click Add Record
2. Choose TXT
3. Enter the Host Name provided by Showit
4. Paste the long TXT value into the Points To field
5. Save the record

Once saved, you should see the TXT record listed with your other DNS settings.

Step 6: Remove Old DNS Records (Carefully)

If you previously connected your domain to another platform like Squarespace, you may notice older DNS records still sitting in Bluehost.

In some cases, you can safely remove them.

However, be careful.

If you still use Squarespace for:

• Email
• Domain forwarding
• Other connected services

…then you may still need certain records.

Only delete records if you’re confident they’re no longer being used.

For my client, we were no longer using Squarespace at all, so I deleted the unnecessary records and kept only the four Showit records.

How Long Does DNS Take to Update?

DNS changes can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours to fully propagate.

Usually, you’ll see updates much sooner, but it’s normal if your website doesn’t connect instantly.

Final Thoughts

Adding DNS records can sound technical, but once you understand the basic process, it becomes much less overwhelming.

If you’re connecting a Showit website through Bluehost, the key is simply:

• Copying the exact values Showit provides
• Adding the correct record type
• Removing old conflicting records when necessary

And that’s it.

Want Help DIYing Your Website?

If you’re building your own website, first of all, major props to you.

Before you start designing, there are a few strategic steps that make a huge difference in whether your website actually converts visitors into clients.

I have a free training that walks you through:

• My best website design practices
• What to do before designing your site
• Beginner SEO tips to help your website rank on Google
• How to create a website that actually brings in inquiries

If you want the free training, click HERE!

Are you using Squarespace and need to configure your DNS in NameCheap? WATCH THIS!