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# How do I access my site while waiting for the domain transfer?

When you've just signed up for web hosting with a domain name transfer, it's normal for your domain name not to be configured yet to point to your server, since it's still pointing to your previous host. In addition, our shared hosting plans use IP addresses **shared** between multiple users. This means that **you cannot access your site by simply typing the server's IP address into your browser**.

But don't worry! Here are two methods for accessing your site **before** your domain name is transferred:

### Solution 1: Add a temporary preprod.hodi.cloud domain
We provide a temporary subdomain in the form `votresite.preprod.hodi.cloud` that you can use to view and test your site immediately.

* [Log in to your cPanel](https://help.hodi.host/en/article/how-do-i-access-cpanel-en4rsm/).
* In the "**Domains**" section, choose "**Domains**".
* Click the "**Create a New Domain**" button.
* Choose a name ending in `preprod.hodi.cloud`.
* Check the "**Share document root**" box.
* Confirm.

> **Warning:** CMSs such as **WordPress** or **PrestaShop** may save the site's URL in their database. If you access your site via this temporary URL, some resources may not display correctly, or you may be automatically redirected to the original domain name. Refer to your CMS's official documentation to temporarily change the site URL, then switch back to your main domain name once DNS propagation is complete.

### Solution 2: Edit your computer's hosts file
This method lets you manually map your domain name to the server's IP address, only on **your computer**.

#### Example entry to add to your hosts file:
123.123.123.123 mapetiteentreprise.re www.mapetiteentreprise.re(replace `123.123.123.123` with your server's IP address and `mapetiteentreprise.re` with your domain name)

#### On Windows

* Click the **Start** button and type *Notepad* in the search bar.
* Right-click "Notepad" and choose **"Run as administrator"** (required to save the file).
* In Notepad, click **File > Open**.
* Navigate to the folder: `C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc`
* In the bottom right of the open dialog, change "**Text Documents (*.txt)**" to "**All Files**".
* Select the `hosts` file and open it.
* Add the line containing the IP and your domain name to the end of the file.
* Save and close Notepad.
* To flush the DNS cache, open an administrator command prompt and type: `ipconfig /flushdns`Flush the DNS cache
If this doesn't work, or if you have trouble following the procedure, we invite you to contact your usual IT support, or try the first solution. Hodi's technical support cannot provide support for your operating system.

#### On macOS

* Open **Terminal** (via Spotlight or in Applications > Utilities).
* Type the following command to edit the hosts file: `sudo nano /etc/hosts` (you'll need to enter your administrator password - nothing will appear on screen, not even asterisks, that's normal - then press Enter).
* Use the keyboard arrows to scroll down to the end of the file, then add the line containing the IP and your domain name.
* Press **Ctrl + O** to save, then **Enter** to confirm. Then **Ctrl + X** to exit.
* To flush the DNS cache, type: `sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder`
If this doesn't work, or if you have trouble following the procedure, we invite you to contact your usual IT support, or try the first solution. Hodi's technical support cannot provide support for your operating system.