How to Change a Domain Record

Changing your DNS records points your domain to a different server.

Changing a domain record is necessary when changing your site hosting or when using an outside mail server such as Google Apps to handle your email. Making the changes is a matter of knowing which record you need to change (usually it is the MX record and C-name record for email services and the Nameservers record for hosting changes), and obtaining the proper settings for the new providers. Then, you make the changes through your domain registry account manager or control panel.

Things You'll Need

• Administrator access to your domain registry account

Instructions

1. Log in to your domain registry account. Unlock your domain by clicking on an unlock button or icon on your account home page.

2. Open your domain manager or control panel for the domain you want to work with. Look for a list of DNS settings.

3. Delete the existing information for the DNS records that you are changing.

4. Enter the new settings as specified by your service provider. Examples include DNS nameservers, which usually begin with NS1 and NS2, and MX records for email, which include numbers as well as complex server names. CName records include aliases, and these can be addresses within your site (such as store.mysite.com) as well as records provided by email providers that are aliased with the prefix mail(.). Record changes are made when you want to forward a website address to an IP number; you might need to do this if you have purchased your own server.

5. Save your changes. You may not notice any changes to your site for up to 48 hours, as it can take that long for DNS changes to propagate across the Internet.

References

• MediaTemple: How Can I Change the DNS Records for a Domain I Registered/Host With (mt) Media Temple
• RegistryWeb: Change DNS-A