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Getting Started with Your DNS
Getting Started with Your DNS

A step-by-step guide to help you configure important DNS record changes needed for your SHIFT72 platform to go live.

Jimmy Duncan avatar
Written by Jimmy Duncan
Updated over 3 weeks ago

Configuring DNS for Your Shift72 Website

If you wish for your Shift72 site to be on your own domain / url, you will need to configure your domain's DNS settings through a third-party domain registrar. Below are the steps to properly set up your domain so that it points to our production server.

Step 1: Purchase a Domain

If you do not yet have the desired domain for your Shift72 site, then you must purchase a domain from a third-party registrar such as GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains, or any other provider of your choice.

Step 2: Access Your DNS Management Panel

Once you have your domain, log in to your registrar’s control panel and navigate to the DNS or Name Server settings. This section allows you to configure how your domain resolves to your hosted website.

Step 3: Configure the CNAME Record for a Subdomain (Required)

The main address to your website will need to be via a subdomain (e.g. 'www' www.yourdomain.com or 'ondemand' ondemand.ourdomain.com ). Once you have selected your subdomain, you need to create a CNAME record pointing to our production server:

  • Record Type: CNAME

  • Host/Name: 'www' or chosen subdomain

  • Value/Target: `production.shift72.com`

  • TTL: Default or 3600 seconds (1 hour)

Step 4: Configure A Records for the Naked Domain (Optional)

If you want visitors to be able to access your website without the `www` (e.g., yourdomain.com), you should set up A records for the naked domain.

Create two A records as follows:

  1. Record Type: A

    1. Host/Name: @ (or leave blank, depending on your registrar)

    2. Value/Target: `13.237.182.198`

    3. TTL: Default or 3600 seconds (1 hour)

  2. Record Type: A

    1. Host/Name: @ (or leave blank)

    2. Value/Target: `3.106.146.144`

    3. TTL: Default or 3600 seconds (1 hour)

Step 5: Save Changes and Allow Time for Propagation

Once you have entered the necessary DNS records, save the changes. DNS updates can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours to fully propagate across the internet.

Step 6: Verify Your DNS Configuration and Notify us

After propagation, you can verify your DNS settings using online tools such as:

These tools will help confirm that your domain is correctly pointing to our production server. Once your domain is configured, just let us know, either through your account manager or via support@shift72.com and we can move your website when it suits.

Configuring DNS for Sending Emails from Your Domain

If you are using our hosted service to send emails on behalf of your domain, you will need to configure your email domain's DNS settings correctly (note your email domain may differ from your website url - your email domain will be what is after that @ for your company email addresses i.e. name@youremaildomain.com). Below are the steps to properly set up your domain's email authentication records.

Step 1: Access Your DNS Management Panel

Log in to your domain registrar’s control panel and navigate to the DNS or Name Server settings. This is where you will add the necessary records for email authentication.

Step 2: Configure CNAME Records for DKIM Authentication

DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) is an email authentication method that helps protect your domain from email spoofing. You need to add two CNAME records for DKIM authentication:

  1. Record Type: CNAME

    1. Host/Name: `mte1._domainkey`

    2. Value/Target: `dkim1.mandrillapp.com`

    3. TTL: Default or 3600 seconds (1 hour)

  2. Record Type: CNAME

    1. Host/Name: `mte2._domainkey`

    2. Value/Target: `dkim2.mandrillapp.com`

    3. TTL: Default or 3600 seconds (1 hour)

Step 3: Verify DMARC Record

DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) helps prevent unauthorized use of your domain for sending emails. Check if your domain already has a TXT record for DMARC. If not, add the following record:

  1. Record Type: TXT

    1. Host/Name: `_dmarc`

    2. Value: `v=DMARC1; p=none`

    3. TTL: Default or 3600 seconds (1 hour)

This DMARC policy (`p=none`) allows you to monitor email authentication failures without affecting email delivery. You can adjust the policy later to enforce stricter rules.

Step 4: Save Changes and Allow Time for Propagation

After making these changes, save your DNS settings. It may take a few minutes to 48 hours for the changes to propagate across the internet.

Step 5: Confirm Your DNS Configuration and Notify us

You can use online tools to confirm that your DKIM and DMARC records are correctly set up:

Once you think they are setup correctly, let us know either via your account manager or via support@shift72.com and we can confirm the setup and switch your site to use your email domain when sending your users email notifications.

In Summary

By following these steps, you can successfully configure your website domain’s DNS settings to ensure your website is accessible via your desired domain. Additionally, by configuring your Email DNS settings, you ensure that your domain is properly authenticated for sending emails. This helps improve email deliverability and protects your domain from spoofing and phishing attacks.

If you need assistance, please contact our support team for further guidance - support@shift72.com

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