DNS Management: Understanding How Your Domain Works

DNS is invisible when it works and devastating when it breaks. A misconfigured DNS record can take your website offline, stop your email, or redirect customers to the wrong place. Here is what every business owner should understand.

Essential DNS Records

A Record

Points your domain to an IP address. This is how "yourcompany.com" connects to your web server. The most fundamental DNS record. Get this wrong and your website is offline.

MX Records

Controls where your email is delivered. Points to your email server (Gmail, Microsoft 365, or your hosting provider). MX record changes affect email delivery -- always handle with care.

CNAME Record

Creates aliases. Points subdomains (blog.yourcompany.com, shop.yourcompany.com) to other domains or services. Used for connecting subdomains to hosting, CDNs, or third-party services.

TXT Records

Store text information used for verification and security. SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records (email authentication), domain ownership verification (Google, Facebook), and various service verifications live here.

Common DNS Mistakes

• Changing nameservers without updating records: Moving nameservers to a new provider without recreating all DNS records = website and email down
• Deleting MX records during website migration: Website works, email stops. Always preserve email-related DNS records.
• Not lowering TTL before changes: Lower Time-To-Live to 300 seconds before planned DNS changes to speed up propagation.
• Missing email authentication records: Without SPF and DKIM, your emails land in spam folders.

DNS Safety Rules

1. Always screenshot current DNS records before making any changes
2. Make one change at a time and verify before the next
3. Lower TTL 24-48 hours before planned major changes
4. Test after changes with tools like whatsmydns.net
5. Keep your domain registrar login credentials secure and backed up

Need DNS help? Contact us -- we manage DNS for dozens of businesses and handle migrations carefully.