Owning a domain is only half the story. To make it actually do something — show a website, deliver email, verify your business — you need DNS records. This guide explains the common record types in plain English so you can confidently manage your domain.

What Is DNS?

The Domain Name System (DNS) is the internet's phonebook. When someone types yourbusiness.com.ng into a browser, DNS looks up your domain and returns the numeric address of the server that hosts your site. DNS records are the individual instructions stored in that phonebook telling the internet where to send different kinds of traffic.

You manage these records in your domain's DNS zone, usually from your registrar's control panel.

The Anatomy of a DNS Record

Most records share the same basic parts:

• Name / Host — which part of your domain the record applies to (e.g. @ for the root, www, or mail).
• Type — the kind of record (A, CNAME, MX, etc.).
• Value — where it points (an IP address, another domain, or text).
• TTL — "Time To Live", how long the record can be cached before it is checked again, in seconds.

The Most Common Record Types

A Record (Address)

Points your domain to an IPv4 address — the numeric address of your web server.

• Example: @ → 102.89.34.10
• Use it for: connecting your domain to a website or server.

AAAA Record

The same as an A record, but points to an IPv6 address (the newer, longer address format).

• Example: @ → 2400:cb00:2048:1::c629:d7a2
• Use it for: modern hosting that supports IPv6.

CNAME Record (Canonical Name)

Points one name to another name rather than an IP address. Useful for aliases.

• Example: www → yourbusiness.com.ng
• Use it for: making www follow your root domain, or pointing subdomains to a hosting provider.

Note: A CNAME cannot be used on your root domain (@) alongside other records. Use an A record there instead.

MX Record (Mail Exchange)

Tells the internet which server handles email for your domain. MX records have a priority number — lower numbers are tried first.

• Example: @ → mail.yourprovider.com (priority 10)
• Use it for: setting up professional email like [email protected].

TXT Record (Text)

Stores plain text used for verification and email security. You will use these often.

• Common uses:
  • SPF — lists which servers are allowed to send email for your domain.
  • DKIM — adds a cryptographic signature to your outgoing mail.
  • DMARC — tells receiving servers what to do with mail that fails checks.
  • Domain verification — proving ownership to Google, Microsoft, and other services.

NS Record (Name Server)

Specifies which name servers are authoritative for your domain — that is, which servers hold the master copy of your DNS zone.

• Example: @ → ns1.ngdomain.ng
• Use it for: delegating your domain to a hosting or DNS provider. Change these carefully, as they control everything else.

SRV Record (Service)

Points to servers for specific services, such as VoIP or chat, including the port they run on. Most small businesses rarely touch these.

CAA Record (Certification Authority Authorization)

Specifies which certificate authorities are allowed to issue SSL certificates for your domain — an extra layer of security.

A Quick Reference Table

Record	Points to	Typical use
A	IPv4 address	Website / server
AAAA	IPv6 address	Modern hosting
CNAME	Another domain name	Aliases, subdomains
MX	Mail server	Email delivery
TXT	Text string	Verification, email security
NS	Name server	Domain delegation
SRV	Service + port	VoIP, chat services
CAA	Certificate authority	SSL security

Common Tasks, Made Simple

• Launch a website: Set an A record pointing your domain to your host's IP, and a CNAME for www.
• Set up email: Add the MX records your email provider gives you, plus TXT records for SPF, DKIM, and DMARC.
• Verify with Google or Microsoft: Add the TXT record they provide.
• Move to new hosting: Update your NS records or your A/CNAME records to the new provider.

A Word on TTL and Propagation

When you change a record, the update does not reach everyone instantly. Older cached copies can linger for as long as the TTL you set. Changes typically take anywhere from a few minutes to 24–48 hours to fully propagate across the internet. Lower your TTL a day before a planned change to speed things up.

Take Control of Your Domain

DNS looks intimidating at first, but it comes down to a handful of record types, each with a clear job. Once you understand them, pointing your website, email, and services wherever you want becomes routine.

Manage your .ng domain's DNS with confidence — register or transfer to NG Domain and get full control over your records.