Creating a website involves a few key components: domain registrars, DNS (Domain Name System), and web hosting. Understanding these elements and how they work together is essential for anyone looking to establish an online presence. Here's a simple guide to help you grasp these concepts.
Domain Registrar
A domain registrar is a company that manages the reservation of internet domain names. When you want to create a website, the first step is to choose and register a domain name (e.g., www.example.com). You do this through a domain registrar, such as GoDaddy, Namecheap, Squarespace, etc.
How to share delegate access via Godaddy: https://www.godaddy.com/help/invite-a-delegate-to-access-my-godaddy-account-12376
DNS (Domain Name System)
The Domain Name System (DNS) is like the phone book of the internet. It translates domain names (like www.example.com) into IP addresses (like 192.0.2.1) that computers use to identify each other on the network. Without DNS, you would have to remember complex IP addresses instead of easy-to-remember domain names.
DNS works through different types of records, which control various aspects of your domain. Here are the most common types of DNS records:
A Record: Maps a domain to an IP address.
CNAME Record: Alias of one domain name to another (e.g., blog.example.com to example.com).
MX Record: Directs email to a mail server.
TXT Record: Provides text information to sources outside your domain, often used for verification and email authentication (like SPF, DKIM).
Web Hosting
Web hosting is a service that allows you to post a website or web page onto the internet. A web host, or web hosting service provider, is a business that provides the technologies and services needed for the website or webpage to be viewed on the internet. Websites are hosted, or stored, on special computers called servers.
Why Your DNS May Be in a Different Location
Sometimes, your DNS may be managed by a different service than your domain registrar. This is quite common and can happen for various reasons (typically agencies will move your DNS):
Performance and Security: Services like Cloudflare offer enhanced performance (faster DNS resolution) and security features (DDoS protection, SSL) that might not be provided by your domain registrar.
Advanced DNS Management: Some DNS providers offer more advanced DNS management tools, including easier interfaces, automated failover, and better analytics.
Web Hosting Providers: If you use a shared hosting service, they might manage your DNS to ensure your domain points correctly to their servers.
Separation of Concerns: Keeping DNS management separate from domain registration can add an extra layer of redundancy and security. If one service experiences downtime, your other services remain unaffected.
How to Add Different DNS Records
Adding DNS records usually involves the following steps:
Login to Your Domain Registrar Account: Go to the website of your domain registrar and log in to your account.
Access DNS Management: Find the section for managing DNS settings. This is often labeled as "DNS Management," "DNS Settings," or "Zone File Settings."
Add a New Record:
A Record: To point your domain to a specific IP address, add an A record. Enter the domain or subdomain, and the IP address it should point to.
CNAME Record: To alias one domain to another, add a CNAME record. Enter the alias name (e.g., blog.example.com) and the canonical name it should point to (e.g., example.com).
MX Record: To direct email to a mail server, add an MX record. Enter the priority (lower numbers have higher priority) and the mail server's domain.
TXT Record: To add text information, such as verification codes, add a TXT record. Enter the domain and the text value.
Save Changes: After adding or modifying the records, make sure to save your changes.
Propagation Time: Be aware that DNS changes can take some time to propagate across the internet, typically up to 48 hours.
Setting Up Your Aesthetix CRM DNS records
To set up email for your domain:
Follow the DNS records sheet provided: Below is a example link to a DNS record sheet that we provide to all clients to add their records. We specify record type, host name, and value.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/11TM7dGdxuJaeYiGaGamvPka8zB7tERkx5ONnRm73u10/edit?usp=sharingSave and Wait for Propagation: Save the records and wait for them to propagate.
Conclusion
Understanding the roles of a domain registrar, DNS, and web hosting is crucial for managing your online presence. By knowing how to add and configure DNS records, you can effectively control where your domain points and how your services (like email and web hosting) function. With these basics, you're well on your way to mastering the technical side of running a website.