Managing your DNS records

DNS records tell the internet where to find things on your domain - your website, your email, and any third-party services you connect (like Google Workspace or a marketing tool).

Finding DNS Management

1. Log in to DirectAdmin.
2. Click DNS Management.
3. Select the domain you want to edit, if you have more than one.

The record types you'll actually use

• A record - points a domain/subdomain to a server's IP address. Used for the main website.
• CNAME record - points a subdomain to another domain name instead of an IP (e.g. pointing "shop" to a third-party platform).
• MX record - tells the internet which mail server handles email for your domain. Already set correctly if you're using our email hosting - don't change this unless you're moving email elsewhere.
• TXT record - used for verification codes (e.g. Google Search Console) and email authentication (SPF/DKIM).

Adding a record

1. In DNS Management, find the field matching the record type you need (A, CNAME, MX, TXT).
2. Enter the name (e.g. "shop" for shop.yourdomain.com, or leave blank/use "@" for the root domain).
3. Enter the value (the IP address, target domain, or text string you were given).
4. Click Add.

Editing or removing a record

Existing records are listed with a Delete option next to each. To "edit" a record, delete the old one and add the corrected version - DirectAdmin doesn't have an in-place edit for most record types.

Propagation time

After adding or changing a DNS record, it can take anywhere from a few minutes up to 24-48 hours to update everywhere on the internet, since other providers cache DNS results for a while. If something isn't working immediately after a DNS change, this is usually why - give it time before assuming something is broken.

Not sure what a specific record you've been asked to add is for? Submit a ticket under Web Hosting with the details and we'll check it over before you add it.