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Configuring DNS for GrowthZone MWP Sites

Overview

What is DNS?

Simply put, DNS records act as the phonebook for the internet. They connect easy to read and remember domain names (mostly letters) to the IP addresses where websites are hosted. For your website to pull up correctly when a member/customer types in your website URL, the DNS configuration must be set correctly to connect your customer to the website host. In our case, we’ll have you use a cName alias which works very much like an IP address to connect visitors to your site.

It is crucial that this process is done securely as an insecure setup may work for a while but leaves your site open to malicious attacks such as domain hijacking where an attacker can automatically redirect all your visitors to another site.

Why do I have to do this?

One common confusion point is the assumption that this process is just automatically taken care of when you set up a new website. However, purchasing your domain name (and setting where that name points to) is a separate set of tasks and can be with a completely different company than your website host (in this case, GrowthZone). Therefore, we do not automatically have access to this information when setting up your new MWP site.

What is cName vs. IP Address

If you’re wondering why we’re using a cName(alias) rather than an IP address, it is because the IP may change and using a cName frees all our customers from needing to go back in and change these records every time that happens (i.e. Set it and forget it). We may change IP addresses for maintenance, upgrades, performance or security reasons but you’ll be covered with a cName as all the changes will be automatic. Unfortunately, not as many providers currently offer pointing to a cName rather than an IP address which plays a large role in the providers we’re recommending below.

Process

Use the following steps to configure your DNS to point to the GrowthZone hosting1 cName for your GrowthZone MWP site. This task will take approximately 30 minutes.

Before you get started, you will need to know/have:

1. Where your domain settings (i.e. your website name www.example.com) are hosted/stored and how to access them (login info)
2. An MWP site with GrowthZone

NOTE: If your organization has opted to subscribe to a combined v10 Back Office and Managed WordPress package where we’re also purchasing the domain for you, this information can be disregarded as we’ll take care of all of it during the setup process. (Not common)

To make this process easier, GrowthZone strongly recommends using one of the two providers below:

• GoDaddy - GoDaddy is a well-known leader in domains and hosting, so there’s a good chance you might have purchased your domain through them. If so, you’ll need your GoDaddy login information. If your domain needs to be renewed soon, it may be a good opportunity to consider transferring it from your current provider to GoDaddy. Information regarding domain transfers can be found here.
• CloudFlare - If you have your domain with another provider, you can also use CloudFlare as a secure tool to manage the DNS configuration. You will only need a free CloudFlare account for this process.

NOTE: If you do not want to use either of the two options above, please call our support team so we can walk you through options. It is possible that your current provider may work. Yet, due to each provider having their own features, requirements, and procedures, we cannot guarantee that other providers will meet the GrowthZone’s requirements for configuring your DNS settings for your MWP site

GoDaddy

1. Click this link and follow GoDaddy’s instructions.
2. As part of the process, you will need to enter a cName into the records for both the addresses for your site. (e.g. www.example.com & example.com). Enter the cName:

hosting1.growthzonesites.com

CloudFlare

1. Click this link and follow CloudFlare’s simple instructions to set up a free account, add your website and configure your settings. It will ask about selecting a plan but remember, you should only need to use the free plan. As above, to correctly point your site, enter the following cName address: hosting1.growthzonesites.com

NOTE: It may take up to 72 hours for these changes to fully take effect but if setup correctly, you will see no downtime for your site. Once these changes are made, you will not have to make updates/redo this process. If you get stuck or need help with this process, please contact us and we’ll be happy to walk you through the process. Please make sure you have the provider and login information for your domain before calling.e