Description: This guide explains how to point your domain to your VPS using HTTP with Apache. Learn how to configure A records and set up a simple virtual host without HTTPS—ideal for testing or internal projects.
How to Point a Domain to Your VPS Using Apache (HTTP Only)
If you're setting up a basic website or project and don’t need HTTPS (yet), this guide walks you through connecting your domain to a VPS and serving it with Apache over plain HTTP.
🔹 Step 1: Get Your VPS IP Address
After spinning up a VPS (on DigitalOcean, AWS, etc.), log into your dashboard.
Example IP Address: 203.0.113.42
Keep this IP handy—you’ll need it in your domain DNS settings.
🔹 Step 2: Log Into Your Domain Registrar
If you registered your domain with Namecheap:
- Log in at https://namecheap.com
- Go to Domain List > Select your domain > Click Manage
- Open the Advanced DNS tab
🔹 Step 3: Point Domain to Your VPS with A Records
In the Host Records section, add or edit:
HostTypeValueTTL@A203.0.113.42AutomaticwwwA203.0.113.42Automatic
@ is for exampledomain.comwww ensures that www.exampledomain.com works too
For GoDaddy, Google Domains, or others, look under "DNS Records" or "DNS Management."
🔹 Step 4: Wait for DNS Propagation
Once saved, your changes will propagate across the web.
- Typical time: 15 min to 4 hours
- Maximum: Up to 48 hours
Check progress using:
🔹 Step 5: Apache Virtual Host Configuration (HTTP Only)
Assuming you're using Ubuntu and Apache is installed:
5.1: Create Web Directory
bash
sudo mkdir -p /var/www/exampledomain.com
sudo chown -R $USER:$USER /var/www/exampledomain.com
Add an index file:
bash
echo "<h1>Hello from Apache over HTTP!</h1>" | sudo tee /var/www/exampledomain.com/index.html
5.2: Create the Virtual Host File
bash
sudo nano /etc/apache2/sites-available/exampledomain.com.conf
Paste this config:
apache
<VirtualHost *:80>
ServerAdmin webmaster@exampledomain.com
ServerName exampledomain.com
ServerAlias www.exampledomain.com
DocumentRoot /var/www/exampledomain.com
ErrorLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/error.log
CustomLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/access.log combined
</VirtualHost>
5.3: Enable Site and Reload Apache
bash
sudo a2ensite exampledomain.com.conf
sudo systemctl reload apache2
If needed, disable the default config:
bash
sudo a2dissite 000-default.conf
sudo systemctl reload apache2
✅ Test It Out
Visit http://exampledomain.com in your browser — you should see your “Hello” page served over HTTP.
Common Errors (HTTP Edition)
ProblemLikely FixDomain not loadingDNS still propagatingApache not respondingApache service not running403 ForbiddenWrong permissions on /var/www directory404 Not FoundNo index.html in document rootwww. version failsMissing A record or ServerAlias
✅ Conclusion
That’s it—you’ve pointed your domain to your VPS and served it via Apache over HTTP.
This setup is ideal for development, testing, intranet tools, or environments where HTTPS isn’t required. Want to add SSL later? You can always run certbot for a free upgrade to HTTPS.