Changing nameservers: Manage DNS control for your domain
If you want to connect a domain registered with CURIAWEB to an external service, changing the nameservers may be required. This can be the case, for example, if your domain should be managed by an external shop system, a website platform, another hosting provider or your own server.
Nameservers determine which DNS zone is responsible for your domain. In simple terms, they define where the DNS settings for your domain are managed. These settings include records such as A records, CNAME records, MX records for email services and TXT records for verification and security functions. When you change the nameservers, you transfer the technical DNS management of your domain to the specified nameservers.
Briefly explained: What does DNS control mean?
DNS control means which nameservers are responsible for the DNS settings of your domain. Whoever manages the authoritative DNS zone determines where the domain points, which mail server is used and which technical DNS records are active.
When does changing nameservers make sense?
A nameserver change is especially useful when an external provider should take over the complete DNS management for your domain. Many website builders, shop systems, SaaS services and specialised hosting platforms provide their own nameservers. In that case, the provider will often ask you to enter these nameservers at your domain registrar.
Even if your domain remains registered with CURIAWEB, a nameserver change may be necessary if the website or technical infrastructure is operated elsewhere. The domain remains registered with CURIAWEB, while DNS control is handled through the external nameservers you enter.
Important: Only change nameservers if you know which DNS management should be responsible in future. Incorrect nameservers can cause your website, email or other services to stop working properly.
Nameservers or individual DNS records: What is the difference?
There are generally two ways to connect a domain to a service. You either change individual DNS records within the existing DNS zone, or you change the nameservers and move the entire DNS management to another provider.
If only a website should point to another IP address, a single A record or CNAME record may be sufficient. However, if an external provider explicitly specifies its own nameservers, you are not just changing one record; you are changing the complete DNS authority. From that point on, DNS records usually need to be managed at the provider whose nameservers are entered.
How to change nameservers in the CURIAWEB Client Area
Nameserver management is available directly in the CURIAWEB Client Area through the domain management section. Keep the nameserver addresses provided by the external provider ready. Typically, these consist of two or more nameserver addresses.
Overview of the steps:
- Log in to the CURIAWEB Client Area.
- Go to “Domains” and then to “My Domains”.
- Select the desired domain or open the management options using the small arrow next to “Tools”.
- In the domain management area, click “Nameservers”.
- Select “Use custom nameservers”.
- Enter the nameserver addresses provided by your external provider.
- Save the changes.
Make sure the entries are spelled correctly. Even small typing errors can prevent the domain from resolving properly. Only use the nameserver addresses provided by the responsible provider.
What happens after saving?
After saving, the new nameservers are assigned to your domain. However, the change is not always visible worldwide immediately. DNS changes need some time to spread across DNS resolvers and networks. This process is commonly called DNS propagation.
In many cases, changes become visible after some time, but it can take up to 24 hours until the new nameservers are reliably used worldwide. During this transition period, some visitors may already see the new configuration, while others may still receive the previous DNS resolution.
Note: During DNS propagation, website and email services may temporarily behave differently. If possible, avoid making nameserver changes immediately before important launches, campaigns or email migrations.
Consider the impact on email services
A nameserver change affects not only the website but the entire DNS zone of the domain. This also includes email-related records such as MX records, SPF, DKIM or DMARC, if these are used for your domain. If these records are not set up correctly at the new DNS provider, sending or receiving emails may be affected.
Before changing nameservers, check whether all required DNS records already exist at the new provider or need to be created there. This is especially important if you want to continue using email services through CURIAWEB or through a separate mail provider while the website points to an external service.
The domain remains registered, only DNS management changes
Changing nameservers does not automatically mean that your domain is transferred to another provider. The domain can remain registered with CURIAWEB while DNS management is handled through external nameservers. Registration and DNS management are technically separate areas.
This is useful if you want to manage your domain centrally with CURIAWEB but use an external service for the website, shop or technical infrastructure. In this case, the domain remains visible in your CURIAWEB Client Area, while the active DNS configuration is maintained at the responsible nameserver provider.
Check carefully before making the change
Before changing nameservers, carefully review the information from the external provider. If needed, note the previous nameservers and existing DNS settings so that changes can be traced later. If you are unsure whether a full nameserver change is necessary or whether individual DNS records would be sufficient, clarify this before making the change.
Careful preparation helps prevent outages and makes troubleshooting easier. Especially for actively used domains with a live website and email communication, changes should be planned and carried out in a controlled way.
What should you do if problems occur?
If your domain does not work as expected after a nameserver change, first check whether the nameservers were entered correctly and completely. Also check with the new DNS provider whether the required DNS records for the website and email are present.
Keep the possible delay caused by DNS propagation in mind. If the change was made only recently, not all networks may be using the new configuration yet. If the problem continues, contact CURIAWEB Support or the provider whose nameservers you entered. The important point is where the DNS zone is currently managed.
Summary
Nameservers define which DNS management is responsible for your domain. In the CURIAWEB Client Area, you can change them under “Domains” > “My Domains” in the domain management section. Select “Use custom nameservers”, enter the addresses provided by the external provider and save the change. Please note that worldwide propagation can take up to 24 hours and that email services may also be affected by a nameserver change.
