Domain Handling Advice Please?

[ezeteam]

Here are a few domain handling questions that I'm sure you knowledgeable folk can assist with. (grovel...grovel!!)

I have a BH account that I use to host my business website, but I also provide the occasional small site for clients. However, the clients often already have a live website and a domain registered via A.N.Other domain provider eg 1&1 or 123reg etc.

What I want to achieve is:

1. Set-up a sub-domain first eg. http://clientaddress.mydomain.com
2. Load up the new client website into this new sub-domain... test and get client approval.
3. Instruct the client to switch the domain (www.clientaddress.com) over to the new site.

.... Step 3. is where I need the help !!!

Does the client just set the name servers to ns1.bluehost.com and ns2.bluehost.com ???? .... then what do I need to do at this end to allow the domain to direct to the sub-domain??

If I attempt to set the site up as an "Add-on Domain" cPanel tells me to re-direct the nameservers first..... I can't do this until the client has approved the new website.

Also, in setting the domain name servers, does this affect the Domain MX (email) settings..... I need to leave the email accounts in the clients control!

Thanks for any help on this.... much appreciated.

[felgall]

1. The nameservers on the domain need to change to BlueHost

2. You create the add-on domain

3. You update the MX record to point back to wherever you want.

[ezeteam]

Thanks for the reply Stephen.

I have read your Blog post regarding Seamless Transfer of a Website Domain.... but I still have an issue with the sequence you suggest above.

I cannot set-up the domain as an "Add-on" domain until I have reset the Nameservers.... cPanel checks for Nameserver settings before it will create the Add-on.

But I cannot transfer the domain from a Live Website until the client has tested and is happy with the replacement site.

So I need to set-up the hosting first..... then set the domain name servers....... is this sequence possible with a BH account .....

... if not then it's bye bye BH

[felgall]

When you are moving a live site to an add-on domain at BlueHost you need to ask support to set up the Add-On domain for you so that you don't have to change the nameservers first. They will just require proof of ownership of the domain before they set it up for you.