How to test your website before domain delegation

If your domain hasn’t been delegated yet or you want to test how the site works on our servers before updating DNS records, the easiest way is to temporarily map the domain to the server’s IP address in your local hosts file. This trick makes your browser open the site using the specified IP while ignoring real DNS records.

1. Windows

1. Open Notepad as Administrator.
2. Open the file:

C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts

3. Add the following lines at the end of the file:

111.222.333.444    example.com
111.222.333.444    www.example.com

(Replace 111.222.333.444 with your actual server IP address)

4. Save the file and clear your browser cache (Ctrl + Shift + Delete → choose "Cached images and files").

2. Linux / BSD

Open the terminal and run:

sudo nano /etc/hosts

Add the following lines at the end:

111.222.333.444    example.com
111.222.333.444    www.example.com

Save the file (Ctrl + O → Enter → Ctrl + X) and clear your browser cache.

3. macOS

1. Open Terminal.
2. Run the command:

sudo nano /etc/hosts

3. Enter your administrator password.
4. Add the following lines at the end:

111.222.333.444    example.com
111.222.333.444    www.example.com

5. Save and exit: cmd + O → Enter → cmd + X.
6. Flush the DNS cache:

sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

How to verify which IP your browser is using

Google Chrome:

• Press F12 or right-click → Inspect.
• Go to the Network tab.
• Refresh the site and click on any request.
• In the Headers tab, look for Remote Address — this shows the actual IP the browser connected to.

Mozilla Firefox:

• Press F12 or right-click → Inspect Element.
• Go to the Network tab.
• Refresh the site and select any request.
• In the Headers tab, find Remote IP.

Important: After you finish testing, remove the added lines from the hosts file so your browser returns to using real DNS records.