How to Connect a Domain to Bluehost and Install WordPress (Beginner’s Guide 2025)

Q: Can I use a domain from GoDaddy or Namecheap with Bluehost?

Yes. Simply update your domain’s nameservers to point to ns1.bluehost.com and ns2.bluehost.com. Then assign the domain inside Bluehost.

Want to launch your WordPress website but stuck trying to connect your domain to Bluehost?

You’re not alone.

Many beginners buy a domain name (from Bluehost, Namecheap, GoDaddy, or another registrar), but then struggle with the next crucial step—connecting that domain to their hosting account and installing WordPress correctly.

Here’s the good news:
You don’t need to be a tech expert to get this done. Bluehost makes it incredibly simple to connect your domain and install WordPress—even if this is your very first website.

In this easy-to-follow guide, you’ll learn:

How to point your domain (even if purchased elsewhere) to Bluehost
How to assign that domain inside your Bluehost dashboard
How to install WordPress in one click
What settings you need to go live successfully
And how to troubleshoot if your site doesn’t show up immediately

Whether you’re building a blog, portfolio, or business site, this is the first and most important step in launching your online presence.

Let’s walk through it—from domain to live WordPress site—in less than 30 minutes.

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Table of Contents

Step 1: Know Where Your Domain Is Registered (And Why It Matters)

Before you connect a domain to Bluehost, you need to know where that domain was originally registered. This matters because the process is slightly different depending on whether:

✅ You bought the domain through Bluehost (during hosting signup)
✅ You bought the domain from another provider like GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Google Domains

Let’s break it down:

🟦 If You Bought the Domain with Bluehost

Good news: If you purchased your domain directly from Bluehost while signing up for hosting, you don’t need to update nameservers or make any manual changes. Bluehost automatically links your hosting plan and domain together.

All you need to do next is install WordPress (we’ll cover that in Step 3).

🟨 If You Bought the Domain Elsewhere (GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.)

In this case, your domain and hosting are separate. To connect them, you’ll need to point your domain to Bluehost by updating the nameservers where your domain is registered.

This is a one-time setup that ensures your domain “knows” your website lives on Bluehost’s servers.

💡 Once connected, you’ll be able to assign your domain in Bluehost and install WordPress like any other site.

Step 2: Update Your Domain’s Nameservers to Point to Bluehost

If your domain is registered with a third-party provider (like GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Google Domains), you need to manually point it to Bluehost by updating its nameservers.

Nameservers tell the internet where to find your website—and in this case, you’re telling it:

“Hey, this domain is hosted on Bluehost!”

🔧 Bluehost Nameserver Settings (Use These)

You’ll need to replace your current nameservers with the following:

ns1.bluehost.com  
ns2.bluehost.com

📝 How to Update Nameservers (Example: Namecheap)

Here’s a quick walkthrough if your domain is on Namecheap (steps are similar for GoDaddy, Google Domains, etc.):

Log into your Namecheap account
Go to Domain List and click Manage next to your domain
Scroll to the Nameservers section
Choose Custom DNS from the dropdown
Enter the following:
- ns1.bluehost.com
- ns2.bluehost.com
Click Save

📌 Repeat similar steps on any domain registrar by finding the “DNS settings” or “Nameservers” section in your domain dashboard.

⏳ Wait for DNS Propagation (Up to 24 Hours)

Your changes may take up to 24–48 hours to fully update globally (called DNS propagation). In most cases, it happens within a few hours.

✅ While you wait, you can continue with the next steps—Bluehost will begin recognizing your domain once propagation is underway.

Step 3: Assign the Domain in Bluehost and Prepare for WordPress Install

Once your domain is pointed to Bluehost, the next step is to assign it to your hosting account. This tells Bluehost, “I want to build my site using this domain.”

You’ll do this from the Bluehost dashboard.

🔗 How to Assign Your Domain in Bluehost

Log into your Bluehost account
Go to the Domains tab from the left-hand menu
Click on Assign
In the “Use a Domain That Is Not Already Associated with Your Account” field, type in your domain name (e.g., yourdomain.com)
Bluehost will verify that the domain is pointed to their nameservers
Choose:
- Addon Domain if this is a new site
- Parked Domain if you want the domain to show the same content as your main site
Create a new directory (folder) for the domain (Bluehost will auto-suggest one)
Click Assign this Domain

✅ Your domain is now assigned and ready for WordPress installation!

🧠 What Is an Addon Domain?

An addon domain allows you to host multiple websites under the same Bluehost account. Each addon domain gets its own separate website and WordPress installation.

💡 If this is your main website, just make sure it’s assigned as an addon, not parked.

Step 4: Install WordPress on Your Domain (One-Click Setup)

Now that your domain is assigned, it’s time to bring your website to life with WordPress. Bluehost makes this incredibly easy with its one-click WordPress installer—no technical setup, no software downloads.

Here’s how to do it:

🚀 One-Click WordPress Installation on Bluehost

Log in to your Bluehost dashboard
Click My Sites from the left-hand menu
Click the “Create Site” button
Enter your:
- Site Name (e.g., My Fitness Blog)
- Site Tagline (e.g., Helping You Get Stronger Every Day)
Click Next

🌐 Choose Your Domain

On the next screen, you’ll be asked to:

Select the domain you just connected/assigned
Leave the directory field blank (unless you want to install WordPress in a subfolder)

Click Next to begin the installation.

✅ Bluehost will now automatically:

Create a WordPress database
Install the latest version of WordPress
Set up default themes and settings

Within 1–2 minutes, your WordPress site will be installed and ready to go!

🔐 Save Your Login Details

Bluehost will display:

Your admin URL (e.g., yourdomain.com/wp-admin)
Your username and password for WordPress

👉 Bookmark this URL. This is how you’ll log into your WordPress dashboard to manage your site, publish posts, and customize your theme.

🎉 Your Site Is Now Live!

Visit your domain in a browser, and you’ll see your brand-new WordPress site live on the internet. From here, you can start customizing it, installing themes and plugins, and adding content.

onclusion: You’re Connected, Installed, and Ready to Build on Bluehost

You did it! 🎉 You’ve successfully connected your domain to Bluehost and installed WordPress. That means your website is now live and ready to grow—whether you’re starting a blog, an online store, or a business site.

Let’s recap what you’ve accomplished:

✅ Pointed your domain to Bluehost using nameservers
✅ Assigned the domain within your Bluehost dashboard
✅ Installed WordPress using Bluehost’s one-click installer
✅ Logged into your WordPress admin panel to begin customizing

From here, your next steps are:

Choose and install a WordPress theme
Add essential plugins (SEO, security, backups)
Create your homepage and key pages
Publish your first blog post or product listing
Start building your brand online!

🔥 Ready to Get Started with Bluehost?

If you haven’t signed up yet, grab this exclusive deal:

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✅ Includes:

Free domain for 1 year
Free SSL certificate
Free professional email
One-click WordPress setup
24/7 support for beginners

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FAQs: Domain & WordPress Setup on Bluehost

Can I use a domain from GoDaddy or Namecheap with Bluehost?

Yes. Simply update your domain’s nameservers to point to ns1.bluehost.com and ns2.bluehost.com. Then assign the domain inside Bluehost.

How long does it take for the domain to connect to Bluehost?

DNS propagation can take anywhere from a few minutes to 24–48 hours. Most domains connect within a few hours.

Do I need to install WordPress manually on Bluehost?

No. Bluehost offers one-click WordPress installation with every hosting plan. You can launch your WordPress site in under 5 minutes.

Can I host multiple domains on Bluehost?

Yes. Plans like Choice Plus or Pro allow multiple domains and websites under one account, each with separate WordPress installs.

Is Bluehost good for beginners starting a blog or business site?

Absolutely. Bluehost is officially recommended by WordPress.org and offers free tools, simple setup, and 24/7 support ideal for beginners.