How to Change Your Domain Name System: Tips and Best Practices

Simply altering your Domain Name System (DNS) may appear to be quite complex, but it is a factor that any website owner may have to face. Not everyone uses a web host or hosting service to host their website or business online, so knowing how to change your DNS whenever you are transferring your hosting provider, enhancing the speed of your site, or creating personalized and professional email accounts is an essential know-how.

This guide will illustrate the steps and give you some tips on how to do it.

What is DNS?

Just a brief note about DNS prior to the how-to: DNS stands for domain name system. Therefore, it is possible to think of DNS as the internet phone directory. When for instance, you enter the Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) of a web address like www. example. com, the DNS helps to translate the human understandable address into the Internet Protocol (IP) address that computers use to recognize one another. This translation enables your browser to reach the right server to show the website you were seeking to find.

Steps to Change Your DNS

1. Gather necessary information

Before making any changes, collect the following:

- Login details for your domain registrar (where you bought your domain)

- New DNS server addresses (usually provided by your new host or service provider)

- Current DNS settings (in case you need to revert changes)

2. Log in to your domain registrar

Go to your domain registrar's website and log in to your account. Look for options like "Manage Domains," "DNS Settings," or "Nameservers."

3. Locate DNS or nameserver settings

Find the section where you can edit nameservers or DNS settings. This might be under a tab called "DNS Management" or something similar.

4. Update the nameservers]

Replace the existing nameserver addresses with the new ones provided by your host or service provider. Typically, you'll have at least two nameserver addresses to enter.

5. Save your changes

After entering the new nameserver information, save your changes. Some registrars may ask you to confirm the changes via email or by entering a code.

6. Wait for propagation

DNS changes don't happen instantly. It can take anywhere from a few hours to 48 hours for the changes to fully propagate across the internet. During this time, some users might see your old site while others see the new one.

Best Practices

1. Plan ahead

Choose a time for the DNS change when your website traffic is typically low. This minimizes disruption for your users.

2. Lower your TTL in advance

Time To Live (TTL) tells DNS servers how long to cache your DNS information. A few days before making changes, lower your TTL to the minimum allowed (often 300 seconds or 5 minutes). This will help your changes propagate faster when you make them.

3. Don't make other major changes simultaneously

Avoid making other significant changes to your website at the same time as changing DNS. This makes it easier to troubleshoot if issues arise.

4. Keep old services active

Don't cancel your cloud hosting service immediately. Keep it running for a few days after the DNS change to ensure a smooth transition.

5. Update your SSL certificate

If you're using HTTPS, make sure your SSL certificate is set up correctly on the new server before changing DNS.

6. Test before and after

Before making changes, note how your website looks and functions. After the change, test thoroughly to ensure everything is working as expected.

7. Have a rollback plan

Know how to revert to your old DNS settings if something goes wrong. Keep the old nameserver information handy.

8. Monitor your email

If you use custom email addresses with your domain, ensure they're set up correctly on the new DNS and test them after the change.

Common Issues and How to Avoid Them

1. Broken subdomains

When changing DNS, make sure all your subdomains (like blog.example.com) are properly set up in your new DNS configuration.

2. Email disruption

Email is often affected by DNS changes. Ensure your MX (mail exchanger) records are correctly set up in your new DNS configuration.

3. Caching issues

Some users might still see the old version of your site due to caching. Advise your users to clear their browser cache if they're experiencing issues.

4. Incomplete propagation

If your site isn't accessible from certain locations, it might be due to incomplete propagation. Wait a full 48 hours before troubleshooting further.

Conclusion

Altering the Domain Name System settings is one of the basic utilities that need to be mastered on the Internet. If you follow these steps and practice these best techniques, it will be very easy, and the disturbance to your site will not be very large. 

Always ensure you take your time, copy your settings, and do not worry when you do not see changes immediately. There is a propagation period. Finally, updating your DNS will be a success, and your website's online presence will maintain its smooth operations when prepared and executed correctly.