DNS for Website Owners: A Clear Introduction
DNS determines where browsers and mail systems find your services.
A, CNAME, MX and TXT records have different jobs and different failure symptoms.
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Work through the real problem
A, CNAME, MX and TXT records have different jobs and different failure symptoms. When a website misbehaves, identifying the layer at fault saves time. DNS, hosting, applications and email can each fail independently.
What can make it worse
Changing every DNS entry when only the website destination needs updating. Begin with a record of the symptoms and the last known working state.
For the decision in front of you, check the exact product terms and any dependencies before you commit.
A safer next step
Preserve a record inventory and change only the records required. This is the kind of choice that's easiest to revisit before the site depends on it.
Considering HostGator for this?
Check the current terms for the specific plan you need. A good fit on paper still needs to fit the real workload and total cost.
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Where to go next
For a broader picture, read website migration checklist. Compare initial and renewal costs, then use our hosting alternatives guide to decide whether a conventional hosting plan belongs on your shortlist.
Related articles in this series:
Further reading
For provider-specific features, migration conditions and billing terms, always refer to the plan and documentation currently published by the merchant.