Understanding DNS Settings and Records
Overview
DNS, or Domain Name System, controls how your domain name connects to your website, email, domain verification tools, and other online services. When DNS is set up correctly, visitors can reach your website and email can be delivered to the correct mailbox provider.
This guide explains common DNS terms in simple language so you can better understand what each DNS record does. It also explains where your DNS records may be managed, depending on your domain’s nameservers.
This article is helpful if you are connecting a domain, setting up email, verifying your domain with a third-party service, or reviewing DNS instructions from another provider.
WHAT IS DNS?
DNS works like the address book of the internet. When someone types your domain name, such as yourbusiness.com, into a browser, DNS tells the internet where that domain should go.
DNS can control several important services connected to your domain, including:
• Your website
• Your email
• Domain verification tools
• Marketing platforms
• Search and analytics tools
• Third-party business tools
If DNS records are missing or incorrect, your website may not load, your email may not deliver properly, or a third-party service may not be able to verify your domain.
Common DNS Terms and Definitions
A Record
An A Record points a domain or subdomain to an IP address. You can think of the IP address as the street address for where your website is hosted.
Example:
yourbusiness.com points to 104.26.3.2
A Records are commonly used to connect your main domain to your website host.
Learn More: How to Add an A Record in Zibster
CNAME Record
A CNAME Record points a subdomain to another domain name instead of pointing it directly to an IP address.
Example:
www.yourbusiness.com points to yourbusiness.com
CNAME Records are often used for the www version of your domain or for third-party services that provide a specific hostname.
Learn More: How to Add a CNAME Record in Zibster
MX Record
MX stands for Mail Exchange. MX Records tell the internet where email for your domain should be delivered.
For example, if you use Zibster Mailbox, your MX Records point to the mail servers used for your Zibster email service.
If MX Records are incorrect, messages sent to your domain email address may not arrive.
Learn More: How to Add MX Records in Zibster
TXT Record
A TXT Record stores text-based information in your DNS. TXT Records are often used for domain verification and email authentication.
Common uses for TXT Records include:
• Verifying your domain with Google
• Verifying your domain with Meta or Facebook Business tools
• Adding SPF records for email authentication
• Adding DKIM records for email authentication
• Adding DMARC records for email policy and reporting
• Connecting marketing or CRM tools
TXT Records do not usually send visitors to a website. They are most often used to prove domain ownership or help email services confirm that your messages are legitimate.
Learn More: How to Add a TXT Record in Zibster
Nameservers
Nameservers control where your DNS records are managed. This is one of the most important DNS concepts to understand.
Your domain can only use one active set of nameservers at a time. Wherever your nameservers point is where DNS changes must be made.
For example:
• If your nameservers point to Zibster AWS, which is Zibster’s current DNS management option, you can manage DNS records inside your Zibster account.
• If your nameservers point to Rackspace, DNS updates must be made through Zibster Support.
• If your nameservers point to GoDaddy, DNS updates must be made at GoDaddy.
• If your nameservers point to another provider, DNS updates must be made through that provider.
Changing a DNS record is different from changing nameservers. DNS records control individual services, while nameservers control where all DNS records are managed.
TTL
TTL stands for Time To Live. It tells the internet how long a DNS record may be cached before checking for an updated version.
Example:
A TTL of 3600 means the record may be cached for up to 1 hour.
Even when a DNS change is entered correctly, it can take time for the update to appear everywhere. This is called DNS propagation. Some DNS changes may begin working quickly, while others can take up to 48 hours to fully update across the internet.
Before You Change DNS
DNS changes can affect important services connected to your domain, including your website and email. Before editing or deleting an existing DNS record, make sure you know what that record controls.
If a third-party service gives you DNS records to add, it is usually best to add the new records exactly as provided. Do not remove existing records unless the service specifically tells you to replace them or Zibster Support confirms they are no longer needed.
When You Might Need to Update DNS
You may need to update DNS records when you are connecting your domain to a website, email service, or third-party platform.
Common reasons to update DNS include:
• Connecting your domain to your Zibster website
• Setting up Zibster Mailbox
• Setting up Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 email
• Verifying your domain with Google Search Console
• Verifying your domain with Meta or Facebook Business tools
• Connecting a marketing platform such as Mailchimp or Constant Contact
• Connecting a CRM or automation tool such as Go High Level
• Adding SPF, DKIM, or DMARC records for email authentication
• Updating a subdomain for a landing page, blog, or other service
Always enter DNS records exactly as provided by the service you are connecting. Small differences in spelling, spacing, punctuation, or record type can prevent the record from working.
Where to Access DNS Settings
Where you manage DNS depends on your domain’s nameservers.
If Your Nameservers Point to Zibster AWS
If your domain uses Zibster AWS nameservers, you can manage DNS records directly inside your Zibster account.
This is the best option if you want to add, edit, or remove DNS records on your own.
For more help, see: How to Manage Your Domain’s DNS Records in Zibster.
If Your Nameservers Point to Zibster Rackspace Nameservers
If your domain uses Zibster legacy Rackspace nameservers, DNS records are managed by the Zibster Support Team.
You can upgrade to Zibster AWS nameservers if you want to manage DNS records directly inside your account. If you prefer to keep the legacy nameservers, you will need to submit a support ticket to Zibster Support and provide the DNS records you want added, edited, or removed.
If Your Nameservers Point to Another Provider
If your nameservers point to a third-party provider, such as GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare, Squarespace, or another domain host, DNS updates must be made through that provider.
Zibster Support can help you understand what records may be needed, but the changes must be made wherever your DNS is currently managed.
You can also update your domain to use Zibster AWS nameservers. After the nameserver change finishes propagating, you can manage DNS records through your Zibster account.
Common DNS Field Names
Different providers use different labels for the same DNS fields. This can make DNS instructions confusing, especially when one provider says Host and another provider says Name.
Below are common field names you may see when adding or editing DNS records.
Host
The Host field identifies the part before your domain name.
Common labels for this field include:
• Host
• Name
• Hostname
• Record Name
• Subdomain
Common values include:
• @ for the root domain, which is the non-www version of your domain
• www for the www version of your domain
• *.yourdomain for a wildcard record
• A specific subdomain, such as mail, blog, or shop
Target
The Target field tells the record where to point.
Common labels for this field include:
• Target
• Points To
• Value
• Destination
• Address
• Mail Server
• Canonical Name
The value entered here depends on the record type. For example, an A Record usually points to an IP address, while a CNAME Record points to another domain name.
Record Type
The Record Type tells DNS what kind of record you are adding.
Common record types include:
• A
• CNAME
• MX
• TXT
You must choose the correct record type for the record to work.
TTL
The TTL field controls how long the DNS record may be cached before the internet checks for updates.
Some providers allow you to edit the TTL. Others use a default value automatically.
Helpful Notes
DNS updates can affect important services connected to your domain, including your website and email.
If a third-party service gives you DNS records to add, copy the record type, host, and target exactly as provided.
If you are not sure where your DNS is managed, check your domain’s nameservers first.
DNS changes may take time to update across the internet. Even if the record is correct, it may not work immediately for every visitor, device, location, or email service.
Changing nameservers affects where DNS is managed. Changing an individual DNS record affects only the service connected to that record.
Need Help?
Zibster Support Hours: Monday–Friday, 9am–6pm EST
Phone: 844.353.3412
Channels: Phone, Live Chat, Support Ticket
