How to Connect AWS Lightsail Domains with External Domains

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Here’s a simple guide to help you connect a different domain to your AWS Lightsail instance. Properly setting up your DNS records is key to ensuring your domain points to your server correctly.

If you’re managing DNS through Lightsail:

First, sign in to your Lightsail account. Head to the “Domains & DNS” tab. Select your domain’s DNS zone. To add a new record, click on “Add record.”

For your main domain, like example.com, create an A record:

– Choose “A record” as the record type.
– Leave the subdomain box empty if you’re pointing the apex domain, or add your subdomain name (like “blog” for blog.example.com).
– In the “Resolves to” field, input the static IP address of your Lightsail server.

If you’re setting up a subdomain such as www.example.com, create a CNAME record:

– Select “CNAME” as the record type.
– Type in “www” as the subdomain.
– Point it to your primary domain or another target as needed.

In case you’re using a Lightsail distribution with custom domains, follow these steps:

Log into your Lightsail console, then go to the “Networking” section. Pick your distribution and navigate to the “Custom domains” tab. If you haven’t already, click “Attach certificate” to add an SSL/TLS certificate. Make sure the certificate matches your domain(s).

Once the certificate is attached, wait until the status shows “Enabled.” Then, click “Add domain assignment,” review the details, and confirm with “Add assignment.”

Sometimes, DNS changes take a while to spread across the internet—up to 48 hours. Usually, it happens sooner, but patience is important.

If you find Lightsail DNS options too limited, you might want to use Amazon Route 53. It supports more domains and DNS record types, offering greater flexibility for your setup.

Remember, any DNS updates require some patience because DNS propagation can take a little time. Planning ahead helps ensure your domain points to your Lightsail instance smoothly.