How to Set Up DNS and MX Records

Whether you're publishing your new website or you need to make an update, this article makes it easy to setup DNS and MX Records for various domain registrars!

Contents

1. Basics: Understanding Key Terms
2. For Domains Registered on GoDaddy
3. For Domains Registered on NameCheap
4. For Domains Registered on DreamHost
   
5. For Domains Registered on Wix
   
6. For Domains Registered on Squarespace

Basics: Understanding Key Terms

First, let's understand a couple of key terms:

• DNS (Domain Name System) - translates human-readable domain names into machine-readable IP addresses. The domain name mcdonalds.com is translated into a numerical IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.1.) for machines. 
• A Records - A DNS record that maps a domain name to an IPv4 address. The 'A' stands for address.
• CNAME - A DNS record that maps an alias name to a canonical domain name. 

We'll cover the process for major domain registrars that most restaurant websites currently use:

• GoDaddy
• NameCheap
• DreamHost
• WiX
• Squarespace

Your Domain is Registered on GoDaddy

1. Log in to your GoDaddy account
   
   
2. Navigate to "My Products" page. This can be found in the "Your Account" tab on the top right corner of the home page.
   
   
3. Expand the Domains section, and Click the DNS button for the domain where your SpotHopper website will be published.
   
   
4. Click on the "edit" button next to your A record and enter the IP address provided by SpotHopper support. Also, make sure that your www CNAME record points to @
   
   
   
   
   
5. If you can't edit your records, and custom Name Server are set (InmotionHosting in this case), you should set up the DNS on your designated server/host
   
   
   
   

Your Domain is Registered on NameCheap

1. Log in to your NameCheap account
   
2. Navigate to "domain list" page and click the "Manage" button of the domain where your SpotHopper website is going to be published
   
   
3. If the custom Name Servers are set (InmotionHosting in this case), you should set up the DNS on your designated server/host
   
   
4. If the Basic NameCheap Nameservers are set, click "Advanced DNS" button. Click on the IP address next to your A-record and enter the IP address provided by SpotHopper support. Also, make sure that your www CNAME record points to yourdomain.com
   
   
   
   

Your Domain is Registered on DreamHost

1. Login to your Dreamhost account
   
   
2. Expand the Domains section, and Click the Manage Domains button
   
   
   
   
3. Click on the DNS link, under the domain where your SpotHopper website will be published
   
   
   
   
4. Click on the “Edit” button of your A-record and enter the IP address provided by SpotHopper support. Also, make sure that your www CNAME record points to yourdomain.com
   
   
5. If the custom Name Servers are set (InmotionHosting in this case), please provide the login credentials of your designated server/host
   
   
   
   

Your Domain is Registered on Wix

1. Login to your Wix account
   
   
   
   
2. Click on the "Settings" button and then click on the "Manage" link in the Domain tab
   
   
3. Click on the "Advanced" button
   
   
   
   
4. Click on the "Edit DNS" button
   
   
   
   
5. Enter the IP address provided by SpotHopper support. Also, make sure that your www CNAME record points to yourdomain.com. Click “Save DNS”
   
   

Your domain is registered on Squarespace

1. Login to your Squarespace account
   
   
   
   
2. Click on the "Domain" tab and select the domain where your SpotHopper website is going to be published
   
   
   
   
3. Click on the "Advanced settings" button
   
   
   
   
4. Delete the default website records. Add new A record IP provided by SpotHopper Support. Also, add www CNAME record that points to yourdomain.com