Diagram showing DNS records for example.com: A Record pointing to 192.0.2.1, CNAME for www.example.com, MX for mail.example.com, and TXT with SPF info.

The Easy Guide to Setting Up DNS for Your Business Website

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Have you ever wondered how people find your website when they type your domain name into a browser? Or maybe you’ve tried setting up your site and emails, but something wasn’t working right. Most of the time, the problem is your DNS setup.

Don’t worry—we’ll explain it in simple terms, step by step, so anyone can follow along, even if you’re not a tech expert. By the end of this guide, you’ll understand DNS, know how to set it up, and keep your website and emails working smoothly.

1. What Is DNS?

DNS stands for Domain Name System.

Think of it like a phonebook for the internet. When someone types your website name, DNS tells the computer where to go to find your website.

Without DNS, your website exists, but nobody can see it.

DNS makes sure visitors reach your website quickly, emails get delivered, and search engines know where your site lives.

For a simple beginner-friendly explanation, you can check out Cloudflare’s DNS Guide.

2. Why DNS Matters for Your Business

At Business PC Support, we help businesses stay online. DNS setup is one of the first things you need for:

Your website to load properly
Your business emails to work
Your business presence to look professional

If DNS isn’t set up right, your emails may bounce, your website might not load, and customers could get frustrated.

We offer IT Help Services to help with this setup if it feels too technical.

3. How DNS Works: A Simple Story

Imagine the internet as a huge town full of houses (websites). Each house has a street address (IP address). But people don’t remember numbers—they remember names like businesspcsupport.com.

DNS works like a map guide:

You type your website name into a browser.
DNS finds the real address of the website.
Your computer visits that address and loads the website.

Without DNS, your website exists, but no one could find it.

Think of it like this: if your website is your shop, DNS is the street signs that guide your customers to it.

4. Accessing Your DNS Settings

To manage DNS, you need to log in where you bought your domain (like GoDaddy or Namecheap) or where your hosting is (like Hostinger).

Look for:

DNS Management
Name Servers
Zone Editor

You’ll see a list of your current DNS records. This is where you can make changes or add new records.

If you get stuck, visit our Contact Us page to get help.

5. Name Servers vs DNS Records

Understanding the difference between name servers and DNS records is key.

Name Servers

Name servers are like the main door to all your DNS settings. If your hosting company manages DNS, you will use their name servers.

Example:

ns1.hostingprovider.com  
ns2.hostingprovider.com

After changing name servers, it can take up to 48 hours to update globally.

DNS Records

Once your name servers are set, you can add DNS records, which tell the internet how to handle your website and emails.

The main types are:

A record – Points your domain to your website’s server
CNAME – Points subdomains (like www) to your main domain
MX record – Tells email services where to deliver your emails
TXT record – Holds information for verification or email security

6. Adding DNS Records: Step-by-Step

Here’s how to add records:

A Record

Host: @
Points to: Your server’s IP address

This tells the internet where your main website is.

CNAME Record

Host: www
Points to: Your main domain (businesspcsupport.com)

This ensures www.businesspcsupport.com works correctly.

MX Record

Needed for your emails to function properly.

TXT Records

Used for email verification or security (like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365).

Check out our Email Setup Guide for more details.

7. Testing Your DNS Setup

After making changes, it can take 15 minutes to 48 hours to update worldwide.

To see if it’s working:

Use WhatsMyDNS to check if your domain points to the right IP.
Test sending and receiving emails to ensure MX records work.

If you notice problems, check our Tech Tip Videos for troubleshooting steps.

8. Common DNS Mistakes

Many beginners make these mistakes:

Wrong IP address in the A record
Missing MX records for email
Typos in DNS values
Using the wrong name servers

Double-check every record. If needed, our Managed IT Services team can handle setup for you.

9. How DNS Affects Email

Incorrect DNS setup can break your email:

Emails may fail to send
Messages can land in spam folders
Emails may not arrive at all

MX, SPF, and DKIM records control email delivery and security.

Learn more in our Business Email Setup Guide.

10. Security Tips for Your DNS

Keeping your DNS safe is just as important as setting it up:

Enable DNSSEC to prevent hijacking
Use strong passwords for your domain account
Check your DNS records regularly

See our Cybersecurity Services for extra protection.

11. Real-Life Example: Setting Up DNS

Let’s walk through an example:

Buy a domain like businesspcsupport.com.
Change the name servers to your hosting provider.
Add an A record pointing to your website server.
Add a CNAME for www.
Add MX and TXT records for email and verification.

Following these steps ensures your website and email work reliably.

Need help? Check out our DNS Setup Services.

12. DNS and Website Security (HTTPS)

Have you seen a lock icon in your browser bar? That means your site is secure (HTTPS).

To secure your site:

Install an SSL certificate
Make sure DNS points correctly
Redirect HTTP traffic to HTTPS

Learn more from our Website Development Services.

Secure DNS helps your visitors trust your site and prevents hackers from redirecting your traffic.

13. Monitoring and Maintaining DNS

DNS isn’t something you set once and forget. Regular checks help avoid problems:

Verify your A, CNAME, MX, and TXT records regularly
Watch for any unexpected changes
Backup your DNS settings

For professional monitoring, see our Managed IT Services.

14. Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long does DNS take to update?
A: Up to 48 hours, but usually much faster.

Q: What if my website isn’t loading?
A: Double-check all records, including A, CNAME, and name servers.

Q: Can I change DNS later?
A: Yes! You can update DNS anytime through your domain registrar.

15. Tools to Check DNS

Here are a few helpful tools:

WhatsMyDNS – check if DNS changes have propagated
MXToolbox – verify email records
DNS Checker – check domain resolution worldwide

These are free and beginner-friendly.

16. Wrapping It Up

DNS might sound technical, but it’s just the system that helps people find your business online.

With correct DNS:

Your website works
Emails reach clients
Your business looks professional
Customers can trust your online presence

If you want someone to handle everything, check our Managed Support Services.