Understanding DNS records (A, CNAME, MX, TXT)

DNS (Domain Name System) records are the instructions that tell the internet where to send traffic for your domain, whether that's your website, your email, or a third-party tool you've connected. If you've ever had to "point your domain" somewhere, you were editing DNS records.

The main record types

A record

Points your domain (or a subdomain) directly to an IP address. This is the most common record for connecting a domain to a hosting server.

CNAME record

Points a subdomain to another domain name instead of an IP address. Often used for things like www.yourbusiness.com.au pointing to yourbusiness.com.au, or connecting third-party services like a help desk or email marketing platform.

MX record

Tells the internet which mail servers handle email for your domain, and in what order to try them. If your MX records are wrong, incoming email won't reach your inbox.

TXT record

Stores text information attached to your domain, commonly used to verify domain ownership or to set up email authentication like SPF, DKIM and DMARC, which help prevent your emails from being marked as spam.

Why DNS changes take time

DNS records aren't updated instantly everywhere. When you change a record, that update has to spread across servers around the world, a process called propagation. This usually takes anywhere from a few minutes to 24 to 48 hours, depending on the record's TTL (time to live) setting, which controls how long other servers are allowed to cache the old value before checking again.

Common DNS tasks

• Pointing a domain at your Mind Byte hosting: see Connecting your domain to your Mind Byte hosting

• Setting up business email

• Verifying ownership for a third-party tool (like Google Search Console or an email platform), which usually involves adding a TXT record they provide you.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if I get a DNS record wrong?

Depending on the record, your website might not load, or your email might stop arriving. Most mistakes are easy to fix once you spot them, but changes can take time to fully take effect, so it pays to double-check values before saving.

Do I need to touch DNS if I only use Mind Byte for everything?

Not usually. If your domain, hosting and email are all with Mind Byte, the core records are set up for you automatically. You'll mainly need to edit DNS if you're connecting an outside tool or moving services elsewhere.

How do I know if a DNS change has finished propagating?

There are free online propagation checker tools that show you the current record value as seen from different locations around the world. If it matches what you set, it's live.