In this article I will be adding a domain name to my digital ocean droplet. I have just deployed my fullstack react node project to digital ocean. This is a [**Production ready MERN (MongoDB Express React Node) Stack App with Ultimate Authentication**](https://www.udemy.com/course/mern-stack/?referralCode=45A8CEA0876594B35CA5). This app includes Email Activation, Forgot/Reset password, Login with Facebook and Google, Admin Auth Routing, ACL (access control) and profile update feature. The entire process is covered in a video course and it [**live on Udemy Check it out**](https://www.udemy.com/course/mern-stack/?referralCode=45A8CEA0876594B35CA5) if interested!

 ![react node mern stack authentication](https://post-image-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/XRxb9YPZ79hvgtawKEMDg.jpeg)

[_React Node MERN Ultimate Authentication Course in Udemy_](https://www.udemy.com/course/mern-stack/?referralCode=45A8CEA0876594B35CA5)

## Adding a domain name to your digital ocean droplet

We have deployed out app to digital ocean but there is a bit more to do if you want to use it in real world. And that is adding a domain name.

### Why I choose to write articles and not videos

1.  You don't have to pause play repeat hundred times (there will be lot of steps, some will take hours of wait)

2.  Written steps with screenshots are very easy to follow

3.  For every project you have to go through the same steps so written steps will become a good reference

4.  What else ... I am sure there are plenty of benefits but lets not worry about it and start the process of adding domain...

## Buy your favourite domain name from namecheap/godaddy

I just bought a domain [_mern-stack.com_](https://mern-stack.com/) from namecheap.

1.  I recommend [namecheap](https://www.namecheap.com/) because their annual price is cheaper (godaddy is cheap/free? only first year).

2.  They have very good live chat support 2/47.

3.  Easy to use dashboard. I will be using namecheap for this project.

Login to your namecheap dashboard, there you will see your domain name.

![login to namecheap](https://post-image-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/GUKGVuxFP_dDoviGI8U6L.jpeg)

### Login to digital ocean

1.  In your dashboard on top right click on green button that says **Create**

2.  Choose option **Domains/DNS** from the dropdown list

![login to digital ocean](https://post-image-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/oC1oZOh8i10xcmcj3QeqA.jpeg)

### Add a domain

1.  Once clicked, that will take you to **Networking** page

2.  Just below the title Networking, you will see a sub title that says **Add a domain**

3.  You can enter your domain name there and click the button **Add Domain**

![add a domain](https://post-image-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/cqbfZAOag5ow-ORO3D-d6.jpeg)

#### Enter hostname

Now you will see a page where your domain name is on top with sub title that says **Create new record**

#### **Create new record**

1.  The first option **A** is choosen by default

2.  Type HOSTNAME **@** , pick WILL REDIRECT TO choose from dropdown your droplet name (**MERN-AUTH**) with IP

3.  Click **create Record**

![add A record domain](https://post-image-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/pL5J-W8lwbYI1ydY5UXHH.jpeg)

Now you see one **A** record is added in **DNS records**. Not only A record, you will also see three **NS** records there

with the text something like _ns1.digitalocean.com_ _ns2.digitalocean.com_ _ns3.digitalocean.com_

![create new record](https://post-image-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/2YY863dGSlzmj6QPDOT7T.jpeg)

Copy those NS (nameservers) record. and go back to your namecheap dashboard

### Adding nameservers to your domain

In namecheap dashboard, Click on the Manage button on the right side of your domain name

 ![add nameservers](https://post-image-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/bhF3QmYjWSR07Wq57wS0y.jpeg)

Now on Nameservers option you will see **Namecheap Basic DNS** by default

![basic dns](https://post-image-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/VVN0oZ4eJW-OKHgDuB6ik.jpeg)

## Adding custom DNS records

1.  Click on that and pick **Custom DNS**

2.  Add those 3 NS records that you copied from digital ocean _ns1.digitalocean.com_ _ns2.digitalocean.com_ _ns3.digitalocean.com_

3.  Once done **click green tick icon to save**

![adding custom dns](https://post-image-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/-1iTZMbuzl9SHar15nCrR.jpeg)

### Digital ocean droplet is now associated with a domain name

1.  Believe it or not, we are done!

2.  Visit your site now. i will visit [mern-stack.com](https://mern-stack.com/)

![deployed-app](https://post-image-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/m0ltw-KyxgQjd28kFyteK.jpeg)

This project is a [**Production ready MERN (MongoDB Express React Node) Stack App with Ultimate Authentication**](https://www.udemy.com/course/mern-stack/?referralCode=45A8CEA0876594B35CA5). This app includes Email Activation, Forgot/Reset password, Login with Facebook and Google, Admin Auth Routing, ACL (access control) and profile update feature. The entire process is covered in a video course and it [**live on Udemy Check it out**](https://www.udemy.com/course/mern-stack/?referralCode=45A8CEA0876594B35CA5) if interested!

This course has more topics covered than you would think. Here are some of the new lectures added to [this course](https://www.udemy.com/course/mern-stack/?referralCode=45A8CEA0876594B35CA5):

*   Adding a domain name
*   Cloudflare CDN and Free SSL
*   Force HTTP to HTTPS
*   Redirect all www to non-www
*   Updating Google and Facebook login redirect to production domain
*   Redirect Digital Ocean IP to actual domain name

If you come across any issues. Please leave your comments below. Cheers!      

Add domain to Digital Ocean Droplet

Fullstack JavaScript React Node Courses on Udemy