Connect Custom Domain to Hostinger AI Builder
To connect a custom domain to Hostinger AI Builder in Agentic mode, you add the domain in the Hostinger hPanel, point its DNS records to Hostinger, and verify ownership—the whole process takes about 10–15 minutes plus propagation time. Below are the exact steps for both a domain registered with Hostinger and one registered elsewhere.
What You Need Before Starting
Have these ready before you begin, because the process moves quickly once you open hPanel:
- Your domain name (e.g.,
example.com) and access to its DNS settings. - Login credentials for your Hostinger account and the AI Builder project you want to connect.
- If the domain is registered with another company, you need its DNS management panel login (GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare, etc.).
Hostinger AI Builder is the company’s website builder that generates a site from text prompts. “Agentic mode” refers to the builder’s AI agent that can handle more complex tasks—like connecting a domain—with less manual configuration. The domain connection itself uses the same underlying DNS system as a regular website, so the steps are familiar to anyone who has pointed a domain before.
Step 1: Add the Domain in hPanel
Log in to your Hostinger account and open hPanel. In the left sidebar, find Domains and click Add Domain. Type your full domain name (without www) and choose whether you want to register it, transfer it, or just connect an existing one. For a domain you already own elsewhere, select Connect existing domain.
Hostinger will ask you to verify ownership. The easiest way is to add a TXT record to your domain’s DNS—Hostinger gives you the exact value to copy. If your domain is registered with Hostinger, this step is automatic. If it’s elsewhere, you’ll need to log into that registrar and add the TXT record manually. Once added, click Verify in hPanel. Verification usually takes a few minutes but can take up to an hour.
Step 2: Point DNS Records to Hostinger
After verification, you need to point your domain’s DNS to Hostinger’s servers. Hostinger provides two nameserver addresses (e.g., ns1.dns-parking.com and ns2.dns-parking.com) in the hPanel under Domains → DNS. You have two options:
- Change nameservers (recommended for domains registered elsewhere): Replace your current nameservers with Hostinger’s. This automatically sets up all necessary A, CNAME, and MX records.
- Set A records manually: If you can’t change nameservers, add an A record for
@andwwwpointing to Hostinger’s IP address (find it in hPanel under Domains → DNS).
If your domain is already registered with Hostinger, the nameservers are usually already correct, and you can skip this step.
Step 3: Connect the Domain in AI Builder
Open AI Builder and select your project. Go to the Settings or Domains tab (the exact label may vary slightly). Click Connect domain and enter your domain name. The builder will check the DNS records. If they’re correct, it will show a success message and your site will be live at that domain.
If the check fails, wait 15–30 minutes and try again—DNS propagation can be slow. You can also use a tool like dnschecker.org to see if your A record is visible globally. Once the builder confirms the connection, you may need to set the domain as the primary domain in the builder’s settings if you have multiple domains attached.
Step 4: Set Up SSL Certificate
Hostinger automatically issues a free SSL certificate for domains connected to its services. In hPanel, go to Security → SSL and ensure the certificate is active for your domain. If it doesn’t appear automatically, click Install SSL and select your domain. This usually takes a few minutes. After installation, your site will load over HTTPS (the padlock icon in the browser).
If you’re using a domain that was previously connected to another service, clear your browser cache and test https://yourdomain.com and https://www.yourdomain.com—both should redirect to your site. If one doesn’t work, check that your DNS has both A records and that the builder’s domain settings include the www version.
Common Problems and Fixes
Most issues come from DNS misconfiguration or propagation delay. Here’s what to check:
- Domain not found: Wait 24–48 hours if you just changed nameservers. Check that you typed the domain correctly in the builder.
- SSL not working: Make sure the domain is fully connected first, then wait for the certificate to issue. Sometimes you need to reinstall it after a DNS change.
- Site shows a Hostinger placeholder: This means DNS is pointing correctly but the builder hasn’t been connected yet. Go back to Step 3 and re-check.
- Cannot add domain because it’s “already in use”: If the domain is attached to another Hostinger account, you need to remove it there first or contact support.
If you use Cloudflare for DNS, you must set Cloudflare’s nameservers and then add A records in Cloudflare pointing to Hostinger’s IP—do not use Hostinger’s nameservers, because Cloudflare’s proxy won’t work otherwise. Also, ensure the SSL mode in Cloudflare is set to Full (not Flexible) to avoid redirect loops.
Costs and Renewal Considerations
Connecting a custom domain to Hostinger AI Builder is free if you already own the domain. If you don’t, you can register a new one through Hostinger (pricing varies by TLD, typically $10–$20 per year for common extensions like .com). Some Hostinger hosting plans include a free domain for the first year—check your plan details. After that, the domain renews at the standard rate.
There is no extra charge for using your own domain in AI Builder; the builder itself is part of your Hostinger subscription. If you cancel your subscription, your domain will not renew, and you may lose access to the builder’s features, so keep that in mind if you’re on a promotional rate.
How It Compares to Other Builders
Hostinger AI Builder’s domain connection process is similar to Wix or Squarespace—both require adding a domain and pointing DNS. The main difference is that Hostinger gives you full hPanel access, so you can also manage email, subdomains, and advanced DNS records in one place. Unlike some builders that only allow domains purchased through them, Hostinger lets you connect any domain you own, which is more flexible.
One advantage of Hostinger is that the AI Builder’s Agentic mode can automatically configure DNS for you if you’re using Hostinger’s own nameservers—you just verify ownership and it handles the rest. With other registrars, you have to manually copy A records, which is more error-prone.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does DNS propagation take? Usually 15 minutes to 2 hours, but it can take up to 48 hours in rare cases. If your site doesn’t load after 24 hours, check your DNS records with a global checker.
Can I use a subdomain like blog.example.com? Yes, you can connect a subdomain by adding an A record for that subdomain pointing to Hostinger’s IP, then entering the full subdomain in the builder’s connect field.
Do I need to buy a domain from Hostinger? No, you can connect any domain you own. The steps are the same, though you’ll have to manually set DNS if the domain isn’t registered with Hostinger.
What if I already have a website on that domain? Connecting the domain to AI Builder will overwrite the existing site. Back up any content before you change DNS.
Can I connect multiple domains to one AI Builder site? Yes, but only one can be the primary domain. Others will redirect to it unless you set up separate sites.
Why is my SSL certificate not working? Ensure the domain is fully connected and DNS is propagated. Then reinstall the SSL in hPanel. If you use Cloudflare, set SSL mode to Full.
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