Domains & DNS
DNS explained, and how to request a DNS change
DNS is like the phone book for your domain. It tells the internet where your website is hosted and where your email should be delivered.
Common records, in plain English
- A / CNAME: point your domain to your website's server.
- MX: tells other mail servers where to deliver your email.
- SPF, DKIM and DMARC: prove which services are allowed to send email as your domain. They help stop scammers pretending to be you and keep your emails out of junk.
- TXT: general-purpose records, often used to prove you own the domain (for example when setting up Google, Microsoft or a marketing tool).
- Nameservers: say which company hosts your DNS records.
Why DNS changes need a technician
One wrong DNS record can take down your website or stop all your email. So every DNS change is checked and made by a Design Box technician. Neither you nor the support assistant can make DNS changes directly.
Requesting a change
Raise a ticket with:
- the domain
- exactly what needs adding or changing (copy and paste the record details your provider gave you: type, name or host, value, TTL)
- why it's needed, and any deadline
If the request comes from another company (for example your web developer or a software provider), you can paste their instructions straight into the ticket.
Not managed by us?
Sometimes a domain's DNS is managed by another company, such as a previous web developer or a software provider. If so, they'll need to make the change, or you can ask us to take over management of it.