Once you have a domain name, assigning it to your Bluehost account makes it active and ties it to your hosting plan. This guide covers the full process, from prerequisites to what to do after the assignment is complete.
Before You Start
Bluehost can assign a domain in two ways: by pointing the domain’s nameservers to Bluehost, or by updating its A record to point to your Bluehost server IP. Either method works, but nameserver updates are more straightforward for most users since they delegate all DNS management to Bluehost.
If your domain is registered elsewhere (such as GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Google Domains) and you need to update the nameservers first, see our guide on how to change nameservers on Bluehost. Bluehost’s nameservers are ns1.bluehost.com and ns2.bluehost.com. Once those are set and propagating, you can proceed with the steps below.
Primary Domain vs Addon Domain
It helps to know which type of domain assignment you are doing before you start:
- Primary domain – The main domain tied to your hosting account. Every Bluehost account has one.
- Addon domain – An additional domain on the same account, each capable of hosting a separate website.
- Parked domain – A domain that points to the same site as your primary domain, typically used for domain variations or brand protection.
The steps below cover assigning an addon domain. If you need to change your primary domain, see the guide on how to change your primary domain on Bluehost.
Steps to Assign a Domain to Your Bluehost Account
Step 1 – Log In to Bluehost
Go to bluehost.com and log in with your email address and password. This takes you to your Bluehost dashboard.
Step 2 – Open the Domains Section
In the left-hand menu (Bluerock dashboard) or the top navigation (Legacy dashboard), click Domains. This opens the domain management area where you can view, add, and modify domains on your account.
Step 3 – Click Assign
From the Domains submenu, select Assign. Enter the domain name you want to add and choose your verification method:
- Nameserver – The domain’s nameservers must already point to Bluehost (ns1.bluehost.com and ns2.bluehost.com).
- A Record – The domain’s A record must point to your Bluehost server’s IP address.
- HTML page – Upload a small verification file to prove domain ownership.
- EPP code – Used in certain domain transfer scenarios.
Select the method that matches how you have set up your domain. If you updated the nameservers to Bluehost’s nameservers, choose Nameserver.
Step 4 – Confirm and Add the Domain
After selecting the verification method, click Add Domain. Bluehost will verify the domain and add it to your account. Once complete, the domain will appear in the Domains tab.
Step 5 – Post-Assignment Setup
Once the domain is assigned, set up the following depending on how you plan to use it:
- Install WordPress: Go to My Sites > Create Site and point the new WordPress installation to the assigned domain.
- Check DNS propagation: If you recently updated nameservers, allow up to 48 hours for the change to propagate globally. Most updates complete within a few hours.
- Set up email: Create email accounts for the new domain through the Email section in cPanel.
- Activate SSL: Bluehost provides free SSL through Let’s Encrypt. You can activate it from the Security section of your dashboard after the domain is pointing correctly.
How Long Does Domain Assignment Take?
The assignment itself takes only a minute or two inside the Bluehost dashboard. The delay is in DNS propagation. If your domain nameservers were already pointing to Bluehost before you started the assignment, the domain will be active almost immediately. If you just updated the nameservers, expect up to 48 hours before the change is fully live globally, though most regions update within a few hours.
Final Word: Assigning a Domain to Bluehost
Assigning a domain to your Bluehost account only takes a few minutes once the DNS is configured correctly. The most common source of delay is waiting for nameserver changes to propagate. If you run into any issues during the process, Bluehost support is available via live chat around the clock. If you are moving a WordPress site from another host at the same time, check whether you qualify for Bluehost’s free migration service before manually uploading your files.
