Web Hosting Made Simple

This guide covers how to manage DNS zone records (A, CNAME, MX, and TXT records) using cPanel's Zone Editor.

Accessing the Zone Editor

1. Log in to your cPanel account
2. Navigate to the Domains section
3. Click Zone Editor
4. Find your domain and click Manage

Understanding DNS Record Types

A Records (Address Records)

A records map a domain or subdomain to an IPv4 address. This is the most fundamental DNS record type.

Common uses: Pointing your domain to your web server's IP address, creating subdomains that point to specific servers, or pointing to third-party services.

CNAME Records (Canonical Name Records)

CNAME records create an alias from one domain name to another. Instead of pointing to an IP address, they point to another domain name.

Common uses: Creating www versions of your domain, pointing subdomains to external services like Shopify or HubSpot, or setting up CDN services.

Note: A CNAME record cannot coexist with other record types for the same hostname.

MX Records (Mail Exchange Records)

MX records specify which mail servers handle email for your domain. They include a priority value—lower numbers indicate higher priority.

Common uses: Routing email to your hosting server or setting up external email services like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365.

TXT Records (Text Records)

TXT records store text-based information for verification and email security.

Common uses: SPF records, DKIM records, DMARC policies, domain verification for external services, and SSL certificate validation.

Adding Records in Zone Editor

Adding an A Record

1. Click + A Record
2. Enter the Name (subdomain, or leave blank for root domain)
3. Enter the Address (IPv4 format)
4. Set the TTL (14400 is a good default)
5. Click Add Record

Adding a CNAME Record

1. Click + CNAME Record
2. Enter the Name (the alias you're creating)
3. Enter the CNAME (the target domain)
4. Set the TTL
5. Click Add Record

Adding an MX Record

1. Click + MX Record
2. Enter the Priority (lower = higher priority)
3. Enter the Destination (mail server hostname)
4. Set the TTL
5. Click Add Record

Adding a TXT Record

1. Click + TXT Record
2. Enter the Name (@ for root, or a subdomain like _dmarc)
3. Enter the Record value
4. Set the TTL
5. Click Add Record

Troubleshooting

Changes not taking effect: DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to propagate. Check status at whatsmydns.net.

Email not working: Verify MX records are correct and that SPF/DKIM records are properly configured.

Verification failing: Ensure TXT records are entered exactly as provided by the service, including any underscores or specific subdomains.