{"id":1909,"date":"2025-05-27T09:50:52","date_gmt":"2025-05-27T09:50:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/?p=1909"},"modified":"2025-05-27T09:50:52","modified_gmt":"2025-05-27T09:50:52","slug":"what-are-dns-records-a-complete-beginners-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/what-are-dns-records-a-complete-beginners-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are DNS Records? A Complete Beginner\u2019s Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img data-dominant-color=\"3e4f67\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #3e4f67;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1915 aligncenter not-transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/What-Are-DNS-Records-A-Complete-Beginners-Guide-1-711x400.avif\" alt=\"What Are DNS Records? A Complete Beginner\u2019s Guide\" width=\"711\" height=\"400\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/What-Are-DNS-Records-A-Complete-Beginners-Guide-1-711x400.avif 711w, https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/What-Are-DNS-Records-A-Complete-Beginners-Guide-1-768x432.avif 768w, https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/What-Are-DNS-Records-A-Complete-Beginners-Guide-1.avif 1366w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 711px) 100vw, 711px\" \/><\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"cursor:pointer\">Page Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/what-are-dns-records-a-complete-beginners-guide\/#What_Are_DNS_Records\" >What Are DNS Records?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/what-are-dns-records-a-complete-beginners-guide\/#_Why_DNS_Records_Are_Important\" >\u00a0Why DNS Records Are Important<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/what-are-dns-records-a-complete-beginners-guide\/#They_Help_Browsers_Find_Your_Website\" >They Help Browsers Find Your Website<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/what-are-dns-records-a-complete-beginners-guide\/#They_Make_Sure_Your_Emails_Reach_the_Right_Inbox\" >They Make Sure Your Emails Reach the Right Inbox<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/what-are-dns-records-a-complete-beginners-guide\/#They_Redirect_Visitors_to_the_Correct_Version_of_Your_Domain\" >They Redirect Visitors to the Correct Version of Your Domain<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/what-are-dns-records-a-complete-beginners-guide\/#They_Connect_Other_Tools_and_Services\" >They Connect Other Tools and Services<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/what-are-dns-records-a-complete-beginners-guide\/#Types_of_DNS_Record\" >Types of DNS Record<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/what-are-dns-records-a-complete-beginners-guide\/#A_Record_Address_Record\" >A Record (Address Record)<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/what-are-dns-records-a-complete-beginners-guide\/#DNS_A_records_are_used_when\" >DNS A records are used when?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/what-are-dns-records-a-complete-beginners-guide\/#CNAME_Record_Canonical_Name\" >CNAME Record (Canonical Name)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/what-are-dns-records-a-complete-beginners-guide\/#MX_Record_Mail_Exchange_Record\" >MX Record (Mail Exchange Record)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/what-are-dns-records-a-complete-beginners-guide\/#TXT_Record_Text_Record\" >TXT Record (Text Record)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/what-are-dns-records-a-complete-beginners-guide\/#NS_Record_Name_Server_Record\" >NS Record (Name Server Record)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/what-are-dns-records-a-complete-beginners-guide\/#AAAA_Record\" >AAAA Record<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/what-are-dns-records-a-complete-beginners-guide\/#SRV_Record_Service_Record\" >SRV Record (Service Record)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/what-are-dns-records-a-complete-beginners-guide\/#Common_DNS_Mistakes_to_Avoid\" >Common DNS Mistakes to Avoid<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/what-are-dns-records-a-complete-beginners-guide\/#Final_Thoughts\" >Final Thoughts<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p>Terms like DNS records can sound complicated, especially if you\u2019re not an IT guru. But here\u2019s the good news: understanding DNS records isn\u2019t just for developers. Whether you\u2019re a business owner, blogger, or student launching a personal project, DNS records matter because they\u2019re the backbone of your online presence.<\/p>\n<p>This guide will help you understand exactly what DNS records are, why they\u2019re important, and how to use them properly\u2014all in simple language, with real-life Nigerian examples.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Are_DNS_Records\"><\/span><strong>What Are DNS Records?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A DNS record (<a href=\"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/how-domain-names-work\/\">Domain Name<\/a> System record) is a data entry within the DNS zone file that provides specific instructions on how a domain name should be handled by DNS servers. These records define how domain-related queries such as IP resolution, mail routing, service connection, and domain authentication are processed across the internet.<\/p>\n<p>Each DNS record consists of four primary components:<\/p>\n<table style=\"height: 207px;\" border=\"1\" width=\"878\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"8\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Field<\/th>\n<th>Description<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Name (Host)<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>The subdomain or domain the record applies to (e.g., <code>www<\/code>, <code>mail<\/code>, or <code>@<\/code> for the root domain).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Type<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>The kind of DNS record (e.g., <code>A<\/code>, <code>MX<\/code>, <code>CNAME<\/code>, <code>TXT<\/code>).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>TTL (Time To Live)<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>How long the record should be cached by DNS resolvers (in seconds).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Data (Value)<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>The destination or rule the record defines (e.g., <a href=\"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/how-domain-names-work\/\">IP address<\/a>, mail server, domain alias, or verification string).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>.<\/p>\n<p>DNS records reside on authoritative DNS servers, and they are queried by recursive resolvers to complete DNS lookups during domain resolution.<\/p>\n<p>Think of DNS record like a digital instruction sheet attached to your <a href=\"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/how-domain-names-work-the-connection-between-urls-and-ip-addresses\/\">domain name<\/a>. These instructions tell the internet how to find your website, where to send your <a href=\"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/top-6-email-hosting-providers-in-nigeria\/\">emails<\/a>, and how to connect with services like <a href=\"https:\/\/workspace.google.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Google Workspace<\/a> or WhatsApp links.<\/p>\n<p>Imagine your <a href=\"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/how-to-choose-the-right-domain-name-for-your-nigerian-website\/\">domain name<\/a>\u2014say, yourbusiness.ng is the name of a shop. But names alone don\u2019t help the delivery man; he needs the address. That address is your IP address (a series of numbers like 197.210.1.55). <a href=\"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/how-to-set-up-dns-records-for-a-ng-domain\/\">DNS records<\/a> help your domain name direct people (and browsers) to the right address.<\/p>\n<p>So when you type <a href=\"http:\/\/www.telahosting.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">www.telahosting.com<\/a> into your browser:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>DNS records are triggered.<\/li>\n<li>They say, \u201cHey browser, here\u2019s the IP where this website lives.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>The browser follows that direction and loads the site.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Without DNS records, your website would just float around namelessly on the internet\u2014and nobody would ever find it.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"_Why_DNS_Records_Are_Important\"><\/span><strong>\u00a0Why DNS Records Are Important<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Imagine you built a beautiful fashion store in the heart of Lagos, stocked with the latest Ankara and lace styles. But you forgot one thing\u2014you didn\u2019t share your location with anyone. No Google Maps pin, no address, no directions. That\u2019s exactly what happens when your domain name doesn\u2019t have DNS records.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s why DNS records matter so much:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"They_Help_Browsers_Find_Your_Website\"><\/span><strong> They Help Browsers Find Your Website<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Let\u2019s say someone in Abuja hears about your fashion brand, yourbrand.ng, and decides to visit your website. They type it into their browser and hit &#8220;Enter.&#8221; But here\u2019s the thing: the browser doesn\u2019t understand domain names. It understands <a href=\"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/how-domain-names-work\/\">IP addresse<\/a>s (those long strings of numbers, like 102.89.15.76). So what happens?<\/p>\n<p>This is where DNS records come in. Your domain has an A record that tells the browser:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYes! This domain belongs to this specific IP address. Go there!\u201d Without that A record, the browser would be confused. It would try to load the website but return an error like \u201cSite Not Found.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In simpler terms:<br \/>\nNo DNS = No directions.<br \/>\nNo directions = No website.<\/p>\n<p>So DNS records are like a digital signpost that directs all visitors to your online home.<\/p>\n<ol start=\"2\">\n<li>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"They_Make_Sure_Your_Emails_Reach_the_Right_Inbox\"><\/span><strong> They Make Sure Your Emails Reach the Right Inbox<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Ever tried to set up a professional email like info@yourbrand.ng? It feels great, right? It makes your business look professional and credible. But behind the scenes, that email won\u2019t work unless you have the right MX (Mail Exchange) records in your <a href=\"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/recommended-dns-settings-for-a-ng-domain-the-ultimate-guide\/\">DNS settings<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>These records act like a postal address for your email. Without them, it\u2019s like someone trying to post a letter to your office, but the envelope has no address. The email will bounce or get lost in cyberspace.<\/p>\n<p>With proper MX records, when someone emails sales@yourbrand.ng, DNS tells the internet:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSend that mail to Google\u2019s servers,\u201d or \u201cSend that to Zoho Mail,\u201d or \u201cThis email inbox is managed by telaHosting\u2014deliver it there.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re running a business, emails are lifelines\u2014don\u2019t let DNS errors cut the cord.<\/p>\n<ol start=\"3\">\n<li>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"They_Redirect_Visitors_to_the_Correct_Version_of_Your_Domain\"><\/span><strong> They Redirect Visitors to the Correct Version of Your Domain<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Have you ever typed a web address without the www? Like just telahosting.com instead of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.telahosting.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">www.telahosting.com<\/a>? Guess what? Without proper DNS records, one version might work\u2014and the other might not.<\/p>\n<p>This could lead to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Confused visitors<\/li>\n<li>Broken links<\/li>\n<li>Lost <a href=\"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/the-ultimate-website-traffic-optimization-guide\/\">traffic<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/how-to-optimize-your-website-for-better-seo\/\">SEO<\/a> penalties<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>But with a CNAME record, you can make both versions lead to the same place seamlessly. It\u2019s like telling the internet whether someone types www or not, send them to the correct homepage.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>So whether it\u2019s www.chinedustyles.ng or chinedustyles.ng, DNS ensures every visitor gets the same experience.<\/p>\n<ol start=\"4\">\n<li>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"They_Connect_Other_Tools_and_Services\"><\/span><strong> They Connect Other Tools and Services<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Running a website today usually means connecting it with other tools\u2014like:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/search.google.com\/search-console\/about\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Google Search Console<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.office.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Microsoft 365<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/web.facebook.com\/business\/ads?_rdc=1&amp;_rdr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Facebook Ads<\/a><\/li>\n<li>WhatsApp Business<\/li>\n<li>Email marketing platforms<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/how-to-choose-the-best-payment-gateway-for-your-website\/\">Payment systems<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>All of these integrations require DNS records\u2014especially TXT, CNAME, and SRV records.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Types_of_DNS_Record\"><\/span><strong>Types of DNS Record<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Record_Address_Record\"><\/span><strong> A Record (Address Record)<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>As the most basic kind of DNS record, the &#8220;A&#8221; stands for &#8220;address&#8221; and represents the IP address of a certain domain. A Record is the GPS coordinate of your website. It tells browsers where exactly your website is hosted. For instance your domain is www.chinedufabrics.ng then, the A Record says, \u201cWhen someone types this name, send them to server 102.89.15.76.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The A record, short for Address Record, maps a fully qualified domain name (FQDN) to an IPv4 address (e.g., 192.168.1.1). It is one of the most fundamental and commonly used DNS records. It directs domain-based requests to the correct IPv4 address of the server hosting the website or application.<\/p>\n<p>Let&#8217;s assume that you open a store in Lekki. A Record is what puts you on Google Maps. If it\u2019s wrong or missing, people will go in circles looking for your store\u2014and never find it.<\/p>\n<p>Only IPv4 addresses are stored in A records. An &#8220;AAAA&#8221; record will be used in place of an IPv6 address if a website has one. So, no A Record = No website. Even if you paid for hosting and built a great design, the world won\u2019t see it unless your A Record points to the correct server IP.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"DNS_A_records_are_used_when\"><\/span><strong>DNS A records are used when?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>IP address lookups, which match a domain name (such as &#8220;telahosting.com&#8221;) to an IPv4 address, are the most frequent use of A records. This makes it possible for a user&#8217;s device to connect to and load a website without the user having to remember and enter the IP address. This is done automatically by the user&#8217;s web browser, which queries a DNS resolver.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, a Domain Name System-based Blackhole List (DNSBL) is operated using DNS A records. Mail servers can detect and stop emails from known spammer domains with the aid of DNSBLs.<\/p>\n<ol start=\"2\">\n<li>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"CNAME_Record_Canonical_Name\"><\/span><strong> CNAME Record (Canonical Name)<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>A CNAME record creates an alias from one domain name to another. It points one FQDN to another FQDN, instead of an IP address. It used to redirect traffic from a subdomain to another domain, maintaining consistent branding while leveraging external platforms.<\/p>\n<p>A &#8220;canonical name&#8221; (CNAME Record) creates a nickname or shortcut that points from one domain to another. If someone types shop.chinedufabrics.ng, this record quietly says, \u201cPlease redirect that to chinedufabrics.myshopify.com\u2014it\u2019s the same thing.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>A CNAME Record is like putting a sign outside your house saying, \u201cTo reach me, go to No. 5 Isaac John Street.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It is perfect for third-party services (e.g., <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shopify.com\/ng\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Shopify<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bigcommerce.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BigCommerce,<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/mailchimp.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mailchimp<\/a>) where your site is hosted on another platform, but you want a branded domain name.<\/p>\n<p>Sites with subdomains, such as blog.example.com or shop.example.com, frequently have CNAME records pointing to the root domain, example.com. This manner, if the host&#8217;s IP address changes, just the root domain&#8217;s DNS A record needs to be updated, and all CNAME entries will update in line with any root changes.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> You can\u2019t use multiple CNAMEs on the same subdomain. One name, one redirect.<\/p>\n<ol start=\"3\">\n<li>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"MX_Record_Mail_Exchange_Record\"><\/span><strong> MX Record (Mail Exchange Record)<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>MX (Mail Exchange) records define the mail servers responsible for receiving email messages sent to addresses under your domain. It routes emails through designated mail servers, ranked by priority. Lower numbers are higher priority.<\/p>\n<p>A mail server receives emails that are routed through a DNS&#8217;mail exchange&#8217; (MX) record. Email communications should be routed according to the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP, which is the standard protocol for all emails), as indicated by the MX record.<\/p>\n<p>An MX Record directs email traffic to the correct email server for your domain. You want to use info@chinedufabrics.ng. The MX record says, \u201cDeliver all emails sent to this address to Zoho Mail\u2019s servers (or Google Workspace, etc.).\u201d<\/p>\n<p>So, MX Records are like your domain\u2019s official post office. Without the right address, mail (emails) will bounce, return to sender, or get lost.<\/p>\n<p>This is critical for professional email use. One wrong MX setting and your customers can\u2019t contact you, and you\u2019ll miss out on orders, inquiries, or support tickets.<\/p>\n<ol start=\"4\">\n<li>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"TXT_Record_Text_Record\"><\/span><strong> TXT Record (Text Record)<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>A TXT record stores text information related to the domain. It is often used for verification, authentication, and security policies. It is used by mail services and web tools to verify domain ownership, validate sending authority (via SPF), and prevent spoofing (via DKIM and DMARC). A TXT Record Stores additional information in your DNS\u2014usually for verification or security.<\/p>\n<p>The DNS \u2018text\u2019 (TXT) record lets a domain administrator add text into the Domain Name System (DNS). Within quotation marks, text is kept as one or more strings. The initial purpose of the TXT record was to store notes that could be read by humans. But today, it&#8217;s also feasible to add machine-readable information to TXT entries. One domain can have numerous TXT records.<\/p>\n<p>Let&#8217;s say you want to connect your website to Google Search Console, Facebook Ads, or Microsoft 365. They say, \u201cAdd this verification code to your DNS.\u201d The TXT record is where you paste that code.<\/p>\n<p>Think of it like showing your ID card to prove you\u2019re the rightful owner of a domain before being granted access.<\/p>\n<p>Although TXT records were not initially intended for these purposes, they are now among the most crucial DNS TXT entries for preventing email spam and confirming domain ownership.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Use cases:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>SPF Records<\/strong>: Stop your domain from being used to send spam.<\/li>\n<li><strong>DKIM Records<\/strong>: Sign your emails to prove they\u2019re legit.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Domain verification<\/strong>: Connect tools like <a href=\"https:\/\/marketingplatform.google.com\/about\/analytics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Google Analytics<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/adsense.google.com\/start\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">AdSense<\/a>, etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If this record is missing or incorrect, your emails may go to spam, your domain may not verify, and you\u2019ll lose access to essential business tools.<\/p>\n<ol start=\"5\">\n<li>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"NS_Record_Name_Server_Record\"><\/span><strong> NS Record (Name Server Record)<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>NS records specify the authoritative name servers for your domain. These name servers host your domain\u2019s DNS records. They delegate DNS management to specific servers. Any changes made in your DNS zone must be stored and referenced through the NS records.<\/p>\n<p>An NS Record tells the world which DNS servers are responsible for managing your domain. When someone tries to visit yourbrand.ng, NS records say, \u201cAsk telaHosting\u2019s DNS servers\u2014they\u2019re in charge here.\u201d It\u2019s like saying, \u201cFor directions, always ask the head office\u2014not any random person.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The nameserver (NS) record identifies which DNS server is authoritative for that domain (i.e., which server houses the actual DNS data). NS records essentially inform the Internet where to look in order to determine the IP address of a domain.<\/p>\n<p>Numerous NS records for a domain might reveal the primary and secondary <a href=\"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/how-nameservers-work\/\">nameservers for that<\/a> domain. If NS records are not set up correctly, users won&#8217;t be able to access a website or application.<\/p>\n<p>If you switch from one host to another (say, GoDaddy to telaHosting), you must update your NS records to the new host\u2019s DNS. Otherwise, changes to your DNS won\u2019t take effect.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Pro Tip:<\/strong> NS records should always match your domain\u2019s active hosting setup.<\/p>\n<ol start=\"6\">\n<li>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"AAAA_Record\"><\/span><strong> AAAA Record<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>An AAAA record (read \u201cquad-A\u201d) maps an FQDN to an IPv6 address\u2014the next-generation internet protocol that uses 128-bit addresses (e.g., 2001:db8::1). It allows domains to be resolved over IPv6 networks, enabling connectivity for users and devices with IPv6-only support.<\/p>\n<p>The AAAA Record is exactly like the A Record, but for newer IPv6 addresses instead of the older IPv4 ones. Instead of pointing to 102.89.15.76, it might point to something like 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334.<\/p>\n<p>In terms of Internet Protocol (IP), IPv6 is the most recent version. The fact that IPv6 addresses are longer than IPv4 addresses is one of the key distinctions between the two protocols. Similar to the finite number of viable phone numbers for a given area code, IPv4 addresses on the Internet are running out. However, IPv6 addresses provide a significantly greater number of potential IP addresses due to their exponentially higher configurations.<\/p>\n<p>AAAA records enable client devices to discover a domain name&#8217;s IP address, allowing webpage access. They are only used when a domain has both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses and the client device is set up to use IPv6. Although not all domains have IPv6 addresses, IPv6 is becoming more widely used due to declining IPv4 availability.<\/p>\n<p>An AAAA Record is like upgrading your SIM card from 3G to 5G. Same function\u2014just faster, newer, and more efficient. The internet is gradually moving to IPv6. Having this record ensures your domain stays future-proof and compatible with modern systems.<\/p>\n<ol start=\"7\">\n<li>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"SRV_Record_Service_Record\"><\/span><strong> SRV Record (Service Record)<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>An SRV record defines the location (hostname and port) of a server that provides a specific service for the domain. It enables automatic discovery of services (like SIP, LDAP, or Microsoft Teams) on a network.<\/p>\n<p>An SRV Record provides instructions for connecting specific services like voice calls, instant messaging, or online meetings. You\u2019re using Microsoft Teams or Zoom for your virtual school, and the system asks, \u201cWhere should we send these video calls?\u201d SRV records give the answer.<\/p>\n<p>So, SRV Record is like telling delivery drivers not just your address, but which room to bring the food to. Most small websites won\u2019t need this, but it\u2019s essential for corporate email, VoIP, or unified communication platforms.<\/p>\n<p>All these DNS records work together like a team\u2014each playing their part to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Load your website<\/li>\n<li>Deliver your emails<\/li>\n<li>Verify your domain<\/li>\n<li>Protect your brand<\/li>\n<li>Connect you to global tools<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Even though they seem \u201ctechnical,\u201d you don\u2019t need to be an expert. With telaHosting, DNS record management is:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>User-friendly<\/li>\n<li>Locally supported<\/li>\n<li>Secure and accurate<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<table border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"8\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Record Type<\/th>\n<th>Description<\/th>\n<th>Purpose<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>A<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Maps domain to IPv4<\/td>\n<td>Website hosting<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>AAAA<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Maps domain to IPv6<\/td>\n<td>IPv6 hosting<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>CNAME<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Points domain to another domain<\/td>\n<td>Subdomain aliasing<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>MX<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Routes email<\/td>\n<td>Email delivery<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>TXT<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Holds text data<\/td>\n<td>SPF, DKIM, DMARC, verification<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>NS<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Delegates DNS authority<\/td>\n<td>Name server assignment<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>SOA<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Holds zone admin info<\/td>\n<td>Synchronization &amp; control<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>SRV<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Specifies service location<\/td>\n<td>VoIP, chat, apps<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>PTR<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Maps IP to domain<\/td>\n<td>Reverse lookup for mail servers<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>These DNS records work together to ensure your website, email, apps, and tools connect reliably and securely. With a solid understanding of how they function\u2014and the support of a reliable DNS host like telaHosting\u2014you can build and manage a robust digital presence in Nigeria and beyond.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Common_DNS_Mistakes_to_Avoid\"><\/span><strong>Common DNS Mistakes to Avoid<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img data-dominant-color=\"c2c8d9\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #c2c8d9;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1130 aligncenter not-transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Common-Mistakes-to-Avoid-When-Updating-a-Website-1-711x400.avif\" alt=\"Common Mistakes to Avoid\" width=\"711\" height=\"400\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Common-Mistakes-to-Avoid-When-Updating-a-Website-1-711x400.avif 711w, https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Common-Mistakes-to-Avoid-When-Updating-a-Website-1-768x432.avif 768w, https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Common-Mistakes-to-Avoid-When-Updating-a-Website-1.avif 1366w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 711px) 100vw, 711px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Even a small typo in DNS settings can make your entire website vanish or cause your email to fail. Here are the most common DNS records mistakes and how to avoid them<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong style=\"color: #333333; font-size: 14.4px;\">Wrong A Record: <\/strong><span style=\"color: #333333; font-size: 14.4px;\">If the IP address is wrong, your website won\u2019t load. Always double-check with your hosting provider for the correct IP.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong> Incorrect MX Record: <\/strong>If it doesn\u2019t match your email provider, you won\u2019t get any emails. This mistake is common when switching from free Gmail to Zoho or <a href=\"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/what-is-cpanel-features-pricing\/\">cPanel<\/a> email.<\/li>\n<li><strong> Missing TXT Record: <\/strong>Trying to verify your domain with Google Ads or Facebook? If the TXT record is missing, verification will fail.<\/li>\n<li><strong> Conflicting CNAME Records: <\/strong>You can\u2019t have multiple CNAMEs for the same name. For example, you can\u2019t say blog.yourbrand.ng<em> = WordPress<\/em> and <em>=<\/em> Shopify at the same time.<\/li>\n<li><strong> High TTL Values: <\/strong>TTL means \u201chow long the DNS info is remembered.\u201d If it\u2019s too high, changes will take hours to take effect. Keep TTL low (300 seconds) while testing.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>At <a href=\"http:\/\/telahosting.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">telaHosting<\/a>, we provide free DNS diagnostics and setup assistance\u2014even if you have no idea what you\u2019re doing. Our goal is to make your life easier and your site work perfectly.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Final_Thoughts\"><\/span><strong>Final Thoughts<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>You don\u2019t need to remember all of these or manage them manually. The important thing is to know what DNS records do and why they matter\u2014especially if you want a reliable, professional online presence.<\/p>\n<p>At <a href=\"http:\/\/telahosting.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">telaHosting<\/a>, we help you:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Set up DNS records correctly<\/li>\n<li>Avoid common mistakes<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/how-to-troubleshoot-slow-websites-a-step-by-step-guide\/\">Troubleshoot<\/a> issues quickly<\/li>\n<li>Connect your domain to the tools and services you love<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Need help setting up or fixing DNS records? We\u2019re just a click or call away.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Terms like DNS records can sound complicated, especially if you\u2019re not an IT guru. But here\u2019s the good news: understanding DNS records isn\u2019t just for developers. Whether you\u2019re a business owner, blogger, or student launching a personal project, DNS records matter because they\u2019re the backbone of your online presence. This guide will help you understand&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":1915,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[87,192,179,190,191],"class_list":["post-1909","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-domain","tag-dns","tag-ip-addresses","tag-name-servers","tag-networking","tag-web-security"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1909","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1909"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1909\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2007,"href":"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1909\/revisions\/2007"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1915"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1909"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1909"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/telahosting.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1909"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}