Setting Up CNAME Records

This article shows you how to create CNAME records for your domain to point subdomains to other addresses.

What is a CNAME Record

A CNAME record is a type of DNS setting that makes one domain name point to another. For example, you might want "www.yourbusiness.ie" to point to "yourbusiness.ie", or "shop.yourbusiness.ie" to point to your online store.

CNAME stands for "Canonical Name" - think of it as creating an alias or nickname for your domain.

When You Need CNAME Records

You'll typically need CNAME records when:

• Setting up "www" to work with your main domain
• Connecting subdomains like "shop" or "blog" to external services
• Verifying your domain with email services or other platforms

Setting Up CNAME Records

Step 1: Access Your DNS Settings

1. Log into your Web60 portal
2. Click on "Domain Management"
3. Find your domain and click "Manage DNS"
4. Look for the DNS records section

If your domain is registered elsewhere, you'll need to log into your domain registrar's control panel instead.

Step 2: Add a New CNAME Record

1. Click "Add Record" or "Add DNS Record"
2. Select "CNAME" from the record type dropdown
3. Fill in the following fields:
   • Name/Host: The subdomain you want to create (like "www" or "shop")
   • Value/Points to: The destination address (like "yourbusiness.ie" or "mystore.shopify.com")
   • TTL: Leave this as the default (usually 3600)

Step 3: Save Your Changes

1. Click "Save" or "Add Record"
2. Wait 5-10 minutes for the changes to take effect
3. Test your new subdomain by typing it into your browser

Important Rules for CNAME Records

• You cannot create a CNAME record for your main domain (like "yourbusiness.ie")
• CNAME records only work for subdomains (like "www.yourbusiness.ie")
• Each subdomain can only have one CNAME record
• Don't include "http://" or "https://" in the value field

Testing Your CNAME Record

After setting up your CNAME record:

1. Wait 10-15 minutes for DNS changes to spread
2. Type your new subdomain into a web browser
3. Check that it points to the correct destination

If it's not working immediately, DNS changes can take up to 24 hours to fully propagate across the internet.

If you're having trouble connecting your domain to Web60, check our guide on how to connect your custom domain to Web60. For broader DNS issues, see managing DNS settings for your domain.

If you're still stuck after following these steps, contact Web60 support through your portal for help with your specific DNS setup.

FAQ

Q: How long do CNAME records take to work?

A: CNAME records typically take 5-15 minutes to start working, but can take up to 24 hours to fully propagate across all internet servers.

Q: Can I create a CNAME record for my main domain?

A: No, CNAME records only work for subdomains like www.yourdomain.ie, not for the main domain (yourdomain.ie) itself.

Q: What's the difference between CNAME and A records?

A: A CNAME record points to another domain name, while an A record points directly to an IP address. Use CNAME when pointing to another website or service.

Q: Why isn't my www subdomain working?

A: Check that you've created a CNAME record for "www" pointing to your main domain, and wait 15 minutes for DNS changes to take effect.

Q: Can I have multiple CNAME records for the same subdomain?

A: No, each subdomain can only have one CNAME record. Having multiple CNAME records will cause conflicts.

Q: Do I need to include the full web address in the CNAME value?

A: No, only include the domain name (like "example.com") without "http://" or "https://" prefixes.

Q: What happens if I delete a CNAME record?

A: The subdomain will stop working and visitors will see an error page when trying to access it.