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Configuring DNS with GoDaddy 0 0

Last updated on Aug 04, 2025 01:38 in Website Builder
Posted ByPixel Cloud Media

What DNS Configuration Involves

DNS configuration with GoDaddy involves managing how your domain name connects to web hosting, email services, and other online resources. GoDaddy provides DNS management tools that allow you to create and modify DNS records, set up subdomains, configure email routing, and manage how internet traffic reaches your services.

Accessing GoDaddy DNS Management

Logging Into Your Account

  1. Go to godaddy.com
  2. Click "Sign In" in the top right corner
  3. Enter your username/email and password
  4. Complete any security verification steps
  5. Access your account dashboard

Finding Your Domain

  1. In your account dashboard, click "My Products"
  2. Look for the "Domains" section
  3. Find your domain in the list
  4. Click "DNS" or "Manage DNS" next to your domain
  5. You'll be taken to the DNS management interface

Understanding GoDaddy DNS Options

DNS Management Types

GoDaddy offers different DNS management options:

  • GoDaddy Nameservers: Use GoDaddy's DNS service
  • Custom Nameservers: Use third-party DNS providers
  • Domain Forwarding: Redirect your domain to another URL
  • DNS Hosting: Advanced DNS management features

Checking Current Nameservers

  1. In the DNS management area, look for "Nameservers"
  2. You'll see current nameserver settings
  3. Default GoDaddy nameservers typically look like:
    • ns1.domaincontrol.com
    • ns2.domaincontrol.com
  4. If using custom nameservers, you'll see different entries

Basic DNS Record Management

Accessing DNS Records

  1. Ensure you're using GoDaddy nameservers
  2. In DNS management, scroll down to "DNS Records" section
  3. You'll see a table of current DNS records
  4. Common record types are displayed with their values

Understanding DNS Record Types

  • A: Points domain to an IPv4 address
  • AAAA: Points domain to an IPv6 address
  • CNAME: Points domain to another domain name
  • MX: Directs email to mail servers
  • TXT: Contains text data for verification and configuration
  • NS: Specifies authoritative name servers
  • SRV: Specifies services available on the domain

Setting Up Website Hosting

Pointing Domain to Your Web Host

  1. Get your hosting provider's IP address
  2. In DNS Records section, look for existing A records
  3. Edit the A record for your root domain:
    • Type: A
    • Name: @ (represents your root domain)
    • Value: Your hosting server's IP address
    • TTL: 1 Hour (3600 seconds) or default
  4. Edit or add A record for www:
    • Type: A
    • Name: www
    • Value: Same hosting IP address
    • TTL: 1 Hour
  5. Save all changes

Using CNAME Records for Hosting

  1. Some hosting providers prefer CNAME records
  2. Create CNAME record for www:
    • Type: CNAME
    • Name: www
    • Value: your-host-domain.com
    • TTL: 1 Hour
  3. Root domain (@) must still use A record
  4. CNAME cannot be used for root domain

Email Configuration

Setting Up MX Records

  1. Get MX record information from your email provider
  2. In DNS Records, look for existing MX records
  3. Delete old MX records if changing email providers
  4. Add new MX record:
    • Type: MX
    • Name: @ (for root domain email)
    • Value: mail server address
    • Priority: Number provided by email host
    • TTL: 1 Hour
  5. Add multiple MX records if provided
  6. Save changes

Popular Email Provider Settings

Google Workspace MX Records

  1. Add these MX records with specified priorities:
  2. Priority 1: aspmx.l.google.com
  3. Priority 5: alt1.aspmx.l.google.com
  4. Priority 5: alt2.aspmx.l.google.com
  5. Priority 10: alt3.aspmx.l.google.com
  6. Priority 10: alt4.aspmx.l.google.com
  7. Remove any existing MX records
  8. Host field should be @ for all records

Microsoft 365 MX Records

  1. Add single MX record:
  2. Priority: 0
  3. Value: yourdomain-com.mail.protection.outlook.com
  4. Replace "yourdomain-com" with your actual domain name
  5. Remove any existing MX records

Creating and Managing Subdomains

Adding Subdomains

  1. Decide on subdomain names (blog, shop, mail, etc.)
  2. In DNS Records, click "Add New Record"
  3. Create A record for subdomain:
    • Type: A
    • Name: subdomain name (e.g., "blog")
    • Value: IP address of target server
    • TTL: 1 Hour
  4. Or create CNAME record:
    • Type: CNAME
    • Name: subdomain name
    • Value: target domain name
  5. Save and test the subdomain

Wildcard Subdomains

  1. Create a catch-all for undefined subdomains
  2. Add A record with wildcard:
    • Type: A
    • Name: * (asterisk)
    • Value: IP address
    • TTL: 1 Hour
  3. This matches any subdomain not specifically defined
  4. Use carefully as it affects all undefined subdomains

Domain Forwarding and Redirects

Setting Up Domain Forwarding

  1. In your domain management, look for "Forwarding"
  2. Click "Add Forwarding" or "Set up forwarding"
  3. Configure forwarding options:
    • Forward to: Destination URL
    • Redirect type: 301 (permanent) or 302 (temporary)
    • Forward settings: Forward only or forward with masking
  4. Set up both www and non-www if needed
  5. Save and test the forwarding

Subdomain Forwarding

  1. Create forwarding for specific subdomains
  2. Useful for redirecting old subdomains
  3. Configure similar to domain forwarding
  4. Test to ensure proper redirection

Third-Party Service Integration

CDN Configuration

  1. For services like Cloudflare, AWS CloudFront, or others
  2. Get DNS record information from CDN provider
  3. Update existing records to point traffic through CDN:
    • Change A records to CDN IP addresses
    • Or update CNAME to point to CDN domain
  4. Configure CDN to point back to your origin server
  5. Test website functionality through CDN

Verification and Authentication Records

  1. Many services require DNS verification
  2. Add TXT records for verification:
    • Type: TXT
    • Name: @ or specific subdomain as required
    • Value: Verification string from service
    • TTL: 1 Hour
  3. Common verification uses:
    • Google Search Console verification
    • Domain ownership confirmation
    • SSL certificate validation
    • Email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC)

Advanced DNS Features

Email Authentication Setup

  1. Set up SPF record to prevent email spoofing:
    • Type: TXT
    • Name: @
    • Value: v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all (for Google)
  2. Add DKIM record if provided by email provider
  3. Set up DMARC policy:
    • Name: _dmarc
    • Value: v=DMARC1; p=quarantine; rua=mailto:admin@yourdomain.com
  4. These records improve email deliverability and security

SRV Records for Services

  1. Configure SRV records for specific services
  2. Common uses include:
    • Microsoft Teams or Skype for Business
    • VoIP services
    • Game servers
    • Chat services
  3. SRV record format:
    • Service: _service
    • Protocol: _tcp or _udp
    • Name: subdomain or @
    • Priority, Weight, Port: As specified by service
    • Target: Server hostname

Using Custom Nameservers

Switching to External DNS Providers

  1. Popular external DNS providers:
    • Cloudflare (free with enhanced features)
    • Amazon Route 53 (AWS)
    • Google Cloud DNS
    • Azure DNS
    • NS1 or Dyn
  2. Sign up with chosen DNS provider
  3. Get their nameserver addresses
  4. In GoDaddy domain management, change nameservers:
    • Select "Custom" nameservers
    • Enter the new nameserver addresses
    • Save changes
  5. Wait for propagation (up to 48 hours)

Benefits of External DNS

  • Performance: Often faster global response times
  • Advanced features: Geographic routing, load balancing
  • Better reliability: Higher uptime guarantees
  • Enhanced security: DDoS protection and filtering
  • Analytics: Detailed DNS query statistics
  • API access: Programmatic DNS management

Monitoring and Troubleshooting

Checking DNS Propagation

  1. Use online DNS propagation checkers:
    • whatsmydns.net
    • dnschecker.org
    • dns-lookup.com
  2. Enter your domain and select record type
  3. Check results from different global locations
  4. Full propagation typically takes 4-48 hours
  5. Most changes are visible within a few hours

Common DNS Problems and Solutions

  • Website not accessible:
    • Verify A record points to correct IP address
    • Check that web server is running
    • Confirm nameservers are set correctly
    • Clear browser and DNS cache
    • Wait for full DNS propagation
  • Email delivery issues:
    • Check MX records are correctly configured
    • Verify email server is accepting connections
    • Ensure no conflicting MX records exist
    • Test with multiple email providers
    • Check spam filters and reputation
  • Subdomain problems:
    • Verify subdomain DNS records
    • Check that target server accepts subdomain
    • Clear cache and test from different locations

DNS Diagnostic Tools

  1. Command line tools (Windows/Mac/Linux):
    • nslookup yourdomain.com: Basic DNS lookup
    • dig yourdomain.com: Detailed DNS information
    • ping yourdomain.com: Test connectivity
  2. Online tools for comprehensive testing
  3. GoDaddy's built-in DNS propagation checker
  4. Browser developer tools for network analysis

Security and Protection

Domain Security Settings

  1. Enable domain lock to prevent unauthorized transfers
  2. Set up two-factor authentication on your account
  3. Use strong, unique passwords
  4. Enable privacy protection (WHOIS privacy)
  5. Monitor account activity regularly

DNS Security Best Practices

  • Regular audits: Review DNS records monthly
  • Remove unused records: Clean up old or unnecessary entries
  • Monitor changes: Set up notifications for DNS modifications
  • Backup records: Document current DNS configuration
  • Limit access: Restrict who can modify DNS settings

Performance Optimization

TTL (Time To Live) Management

  1. Understand TTL impact on DNS caching
  2. Common TTL values and their uses:
    • 300 seconds (5 minutes): For frequent changes
    • 1800 seconds (30 minutes): Balanced setting
    • 3600 seconds (1 hour): GoDaddy default
    • 86400 seconds (24 hours): For stable records
  3. Lower TTL = faster changes, more DNS queries
  4. Higher TTL = slower changes, better caching
  5. Adjust based on your change frequency needs

DNS Performance Tips

  • Minimize DNS lookups: Reduce number of external domains
  • Use CDN services: Improve global response times
  • Optimize record structure
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