Update DNS records to keep your website with your current hosting provider

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If you manage your domain's Microsoft records at your DNS hosting provider, you don't have to worry about the steps in this topic. Your website stays where it is and people can still get to it.

If Microsoft manages your DNS records, to route traffic to an existing public website hosted outside of Microsoft, after you add your domain to Microsoft, do the following:

Update DNS records in the Microsoft 365 admin center

  1. In the admin center, go to the Settings > Domains page.

  2. On the Domains page, select the domain and then choose DNS Records.

  3. Select + Add record and enter the following:

    • For type enter: A (Address)

    • For Host name or Alias, type the following: @

    • For IP Address, type the static IP address for your website where it's currently hosted (for example, 172.16.140.1).

    This must be a static IP address for the website, not a dynamic IP address. Check with site where your website is hosted to make sure you can get a static IP address for your public website.

  4. Select Save.

In addition, you can create a CNAME record to help customers find your website.

  1. Select + Add record and enter the following:

    • For type enter: CNAME (Alias)

    • For Host name or Alias, type the following: www

    • For Points to address, type the fully qualified domain name (FQDN) for your website (for example, contoso.com).

  2. Select Save.

Finally, do the following:

Update your domain's NS records to point to Microsoft.

When the NS records have been updated to point to Microsoft, your domain is all set up. Email will be routed to Microsoft, and traffic to your website address will continue to go to your current website host.