Introduction
The Common Misconception
DNS Zone vs. DNS Records
► DNS Zone: Think of it as the domain’s backstage pass. It encompasses everything related to the domain name. ► DNS Records: These are the itemized lines within the zone—the backstage crew that makes the show run smoothly.
The Blunders We’ve Seen
01. Neglecting Critical DNS Records
► CNAME Records: These aliases point to other domains or subdomains. Neglecting them can lead to broken links and lost visitors. ► MX Records: Ever had a client complain about missing emails after a name server change? MX records are often the culprits. ► SPF TXT Records: Without them, emails might end up in spam folders. Clients blame us, but it’s often an SPF slip-up. ► DKIM TXT Records: Authentication matters. Failing to set up DKIM can hinder email delivery. ► _DMARC Records: Protect your domain from spoofing and phishing attempts. ► SRV Records: Microsoft 365 users beware—these affect services like Teams and Skype.
02. CNAME Chaos
► Content Delivery Networks (CDNs): If you’re using a CDN (like Cloudflare), CNAME records play a crucial role. Misconfigure them, and your site’s performance could suffer. ► Subdomains for Third-Party Services: CRM systems, separate online stores, social media pages—they all rely on subdomains. Tread carefully when changing name servers.
03. The Great Google Workstation Debacle
► Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) relies on specific DNS settings. Imagine a client unable to access their Docs, Sheets, or Gmail. It’s a nightmare.
