Setting up your custom domain (CNAME)

Welcome to this guide on how to set up a CNAME record on your domain using your DNS provider. In this article, we will show you how to create a CNAME record and configure it with your DNS provider to point it to a specific domain name.

Before we begin, let's understand what a CNAME record is and what it does.

A CNAME record, also known as the Canonical Name record, is a type of DNS (Domain Name System) record. It points a domain or subdomain to another domain name, which means you can map your domain to another domain name instead of an IP address.

Now let's dive into the steps of setting up a CNAME record for your domain.

Step 1: Login to your DNS Provider

The first thing you need to do is log in to your DNS provider. Every DNS provider has a unique login process, so refer to their documentation or try searching online for instructions on how to login to your specific provider.

Step 2: Navigate to the DNS Management Panel

Once you have logged in to your DNS provider, it is time to navigate to the DNS management panel. This panel contains all the settings related to your domain's DNS records. Navigate to the section that allows you to manage DNS records; again, this varies by provider.

Step 3: Add a CNAME Record

Once you are in the DNS management panel, add a new CNAME record. The fields you will need to fill out include:

- Host: This is the name of the subdomain or domain you want to create a CNAME record for.

- Points to: This is the domain that you want the host to point to.

- TTL (Time to Live): This field determines how long the CNAME record will be cached.

Enter these details and save the CNAME record.

Step 4: Verify the CNAME Record

Once you have created a CNAME record, it is essential to verify that it has been correctly configured. To do this, you can use online verification tools, such as nslookup or dig. These tools will show you the details of your CNAME record and help you verify that it has been set up correctly.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have now learned how to set up a CNAME record with your DNS provider. Remember to take into account that the exact steps may vary based on the DNS provider you use. After setting up the CNAME record, make sure to verify it is correctly configured using available online tools, and if you run into any issues, contact your provider's support team for additional help. Setting up a CNAME record might seem challenging at first, but with practice, it gets easier. Good luck!