Adding DNS records and resetting nameservers at GoDaddy
This guide shows you how to add DNS records for a domain registered at GoDaddy. You would do this to point your domain at your 1smart.link website, bio page, short links or automation workspace, or to set up email with a provider such as Zoho Mail or Google Workspace.
Every step is one click or one copy and paste. The numbers in the pictures match the numbered steps.
Note: The values you add are different for every member. Always copy the values shown in your Website tab, or in your email provider's setup page. Never copy values from the pictures in this guide.
Before you start
Sign in to your GoDaddy account.
Keep a second browser tab open on the page that gives you the records to add. For a website, that is the Addresses section of your Website tab. For email, it is your email provider's DNS setup page.
If GoDaddy shows a yellow notice saying your domain is pending WHOIS verification, click Validate and follow GoDaddy's steps first. Until it is done, the domain does not work on the internet and its DNS records cannot be changed.
Find your domain
Click your name at the top right, then click My Products.
Under Domains, find your domain and click DNS next to it.
GoDaddy opens a page of options for your domain. Click Manage DNS records. It may open in a new browser tab.
Check the nameservers
Your records only work when your domain uses GoDaddy's own nameservers. If your domain was set up by another host, it may still point to that host's nameservers. Members are often told to "change your nameservers back to your domain company's default".
Click Nameservers. If it says Using default nameservers, there is nothing to change.
If it shows other nameservers, click Change Nameservers and choose GoDaddy's default nameservers.
Warning: Do not type anything into the nameserver boxes. Codes from your email provider and values from your Website tab never go here. They go in DNS Records.
Note: A nameserver change can take a while to spread across the internet. Your other steps can go ahead straight away.
Check for forwarding
Click Forwarding. Under Domain and Subdomains, it should say Not set up. If a forwarding is set up, remove it, because it sends visitors away from your website.
Remove records that would get in the way
Click DNS Records.
A GoDaddy domain that has never been set up usually starts with an A record on @ that shows WebsiteBuilder Site. That is GoDaddy's parking page. It also has a CNAME record on www that points back to your domain. Both clash with your website records, so remove them.
Click the bin icon at the end of the A row for @ (the one showing WebsiteBuilder Site).
GoDaddy asks you to confirm the removal. Click Yes, Confirm.
Do the same for the CNAME record on www: click its bin icon, then click Yes, Confirm.
Tip: Leave the other records alone. The NS and SOA records belong to GoDaddy and cannot be changed. The CNAME record called _domainconnect is GoDaddy's own helper record; keep it. GoDaddy may also add a TXT record called _dmarc; keep it too unless your email provider tells you otherwise.
Add the records for your website
Your Website tab shows two records: an A record for @ and a CNAME record for www.
Click Add New Record.
In the Type box, choose A.
In the Name box, type @. In the Value box, paste the value shown for the A record in your Website tab.
Example only. Your values will be different.
Leave TTL as it is and click Save.
Click Add New Record again. In the Type box, choose CNAME.
In the Name box, type www. In the Value box, paste the value shown for the CNAME record in your Website tab.
Click Save.
GoDaddy says Success after each save. Your two website records are now in the list. GoDaddy adds a full stop to the end of a CNAME value; that is normal.
Add MX records for your email
Click Add New Record. In the Type box, choose MX.
The form now has Name, Priority and Value. Type @ in Name, the priority your email provider shows in Priority, and paste the first mail server into Value.
Click Save.
Repeat steps 17 to 19 for each further mail server, with its own priority.
Warning: If your domain had email somewhere else before, do not copy its old MX records across. Remove any old MX records and only add the mail servers your email provider gives you now.
Add a TXT record
Email providers use TXT records to confirm you own the domain (a verification code), to protect your email (SPF) and to sign it (DKIM). They are all added the same way.
Click Add New Record. In the Type box, choose TXT.
In Name, type the name your provider shows. For a verification code or SPF this is usually @. For DKIM it is a name ending in _domainkey. Then paste the value your provider shows into Value.
Click Save.
Repeat steps 21 to 23 for each TXT record your provider gives you. A DKIM value is long. Paste it in one go and check that nothing was left behind.
When you have finished, your records will look something like this:
Warning: A domain must have only one SPF record (a TXT record starting with v=spf1). If you already have one, replace it rather than adding a second. Your email provider may show a combined value you can use instead.
GoDaddy tips
The DNS records are greyed out and there is no Add New Record button. GoDaddy is waiting for you to confirm the domain's contact details (WHOIS verification). Click Validate in the yellow notice, or the link in GoDaddy's email. It can take a while after you confirm before the records unlock.
The DNS button opens a page of options. Click Manage DNS records on it. GoDaddy may open the records in a new browser tab.
Only some of your records show. GoDaddy shows 10 records per page. Use the page numbers under the list to see the rest.
The Name box. Type only @, www or the name your provider gives. Never type your full domain name.
Your record is saved but does not seem to work yet. Records can take a while to spread. If the record is in your list, it is saved. Wait, then try again rather than adding it twice.
Adding several records at once. Add More Records in the form lets you add another row before you click Save. Adding them one at a time is easier to check.
Using a different domain company?
The steps are much the same everywhere, but the names change.
Where the records live. Look for a page called DNS, Manage DNS, DNS Zone, DNS Management or Advanced DNS. It is usually inside your domain's settings.
What the boxes are called.
Box | Also called |
|---|---|
Type | Record type |
Host | Name, Host name, Hostname |
Value | Points to, Target, Content, Data, IP address, Mail server |
TTL | Time to live. Leave it on the default or Automatic. |
Priority | Only for MX records |
Ask your domain company to do it for you. Most domain companies have live chat. Copy this message, add your domain and your records where shown, and send it:
Hello, please add the DNS records below to my domain [your domain]. Please also remove any other A, CNAME or URL redirect records on @ and www, because they would clash with these. If I am switching email provider, please also remove my old MX records and my old SPF record (the TXT record that starts with v=spf1), so the email records below are the only ones left. Please make sure the domain uses your own default nameservers. Thank you.
[paste your records here: Type, Host, Value, and Priority for MX records]