How to guide - URL Setup Instructions

When it comes to setting up your Nettailer store URL, two key DNS (Domain Name System) record types often come into play: A records and CNAMEs.

This document is your guide to determine which record type to use and help configuring your URL

Key differences between A records and CNAME records:

• A records map a domain directly to an IP address, while CNAME records map a domain to another domain.
• A records are used for pointing a domain or subdomain to a specific IP address, whereas CNAME records are used for creating aliases or shortcuts to other domain names.
• A records are typically used for the root domain (e.g., example.com) and subdomains (e.g., example.com), while CNAME records are primarily used for subdomains (e.g., shop.example.com).
• A records are more efficient for domain resolution because they directly specify the IP address, while CNAME records add an extra step of resolving another domain name before finding the IP address.

In summary, A records will need to be used if you are using a root domain for your store, otherwise Netset recommends using a CNAME for Nettailer.

Setting up an “A record”

To set up an A record for the "Example.com" domain to point to the IP address "XXX.XXX.XXX.001," you'll need to access the DNS management panel provided by your domain registrar or hosting provider. Here are general instructions on how to do this:

Log in to Your Domain Registrar's Website:

Go to the website of the domain registrar where you purchased the "Example.com" domain and log in to your account. If you're not sure who your registrar is, you can perform a WHOIS lookup to find this information.

Access Domain Management:

Navigate to the domain management or domain settings section of your account. The terminology may vary depending on your registrar, but you're looking for something like "Domain Management," "DNS Management," or "Manage Domains."

Find DNS Settings:

Locate the DNS settings or DNS management section for the "Example.com" domain.

Edit DNS Records:

Look for an option to edit or manage DNS records. In most cases, you'll find a table that lists existing DNS records for your domain.

Add an A Record:

To add a new A record, you typically need to provide the following information:

• Name/Host/Alias: This should be left blank or set to "@" to represent the root domain (Example.com).
• Type: Choose "A" or "A Record."
• TTL (Time to Live): You can set this to a default value provided by your registrar.
• Value/Destination/Points to: Enter "XXX.XXX.XXX.001" in this field.

Save Changes:

After entering the information, save your changes. This action might be labeled as "Save," "Update," or something similar.

Verify the A Record:

It may take some time (up to 48 hours) for DNS changes to propagate across the internet. You can use online DNS lookup tools to verify that the A record is correctly pointing to "XXX.XXX.XXX.001." Simply enter your domain name (Example.com) and check if the IP address matches.

Remember that the exact steps and terminology can vary depending on your domain registrar. If you encounter any difficulties, consult your registrar's support documentation or contact their customer support for assistance. Additionally, ensure that you have the necessary permissions and access to make DNS changes for the domain.

Setting up a “CNAME”

To create a CNAME record for the "shop.example.com" subdomain and point it to "XXX.netailer.com," you'll typically need to access your domain registrar's or DNS hosting provider's control panel. Here are general instructions on how to do this:

Log in to Your DNS Hosting Provider:

Access the control panel or dashboard of your DNS hosting provider. This is where you manage DNS records for your domain "example.com."

Locate DNS Management:

Find the section for DNS management or DNS records. It might be called "DNS Settings," "DNS Management," "Domain Management," or something similar.

Choose the Domain:

If you have multiple domains, select "example.com" or the domain you want to set up the CNAME record for.

Add a New CNAME Record:

Look for an option to add a new DNS record. It's usually labelled "Add Record," "Add DNS Record," or "Create Record." Select the type as "CNAME" or "Canonical Name."

Fill in the Details:

You will typically see two fields to complete:

• Name or Host: Enter "shop" (without the quotes). This is the subdomain you want to create.
• Value or Points to: Enter "XXX.netailer.com" (without the quotes). This is the destination domain to which you want the subdomain to point.

TTL (Time to Live):

TTL determines how long DNS resolvers should cache this record. The default value is usually fine, but you can adjust it if needed.

Save or Create the Record:

After filling in the details, look for a "Save," "Create," or "Add" button to save the CNAME record.

Verify the Configuration:

It may take some time for DNS changes to propagate across the internet. You can use online DNS lookup tools to check if the CNAME record has been updated correctly. This process can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours.

Test Your Subdomain:

Once the DNS changes have propagated, you can test your subdomain by entering shop.example.com" in a web browser. It should resolve to "XXX.netailer.com."

Remember that DNS changes can take some time to propagate, so be patient if your subdomain doesn't immediately point to the desired destination. If you encounter any issues or if you're not comfortable making these changes yourself, consider reaching out to your DNS hosting provider's support for assistance.