The process of registering or transferring the domain name that will be used for the website and configuring the DNS (Domain Name System) records that direct web traffic, email and other services to the correct servers.
A domain name (e.g., yourbusiness.com) is the address people use to find a website. It is registered through a domain registrar (GoDaddy, Namecheap, 123-reg, etc.) for an annual fee. The domain can be owned by the business directly or registered by an agency on the client’s behalf — ownership should always sit with the business.
DNS (Domain Name System) is the internet’s addressing system — translating human-readable domain names into the numeric IP addresses that servers use. DNS records control where web traffic, email and other services associated with the domain are directed.
A record (maps the domain to the server’s IP address), CNAME record (maps a subdomain to another domain), MX records (for email routing), TXT records (for domain verification and email authentication), and AAAA records (for IPv6 addressing).
The time for DNS changes to be recognised globally across the internet’s network of resolving servers. Most DNS changes propagate within a few hours, though full propagation can take up to 48 hours. During propagation, different users may see different versions of the site.
By reducing DNS TTL (Time To Live) values to a low number (300 seconds or less) 24 hours before the cutover, completing the transfer when traffic is at its lowest (typically overnight), having the new environment fully tested and ready before cutting over, and monitoring both old and new servers during propagation.
An SSL certificate encrypts the connection between the visitor’s browser and the web server, enabling HTTPS (the padlock symbol in the browser). SSL certificates are typically associated with the domain and must be renewed annually (or automatically via Let’s Encrypt). Google treats HTTPS as a positive ranking signal.
The root domain is yourbusiness.com. A subdomain is an extension of it — shop.yourbusiness.com, blog.yourbusiness.com — that can point to a different server or application. Subdomains are configured through CNAME or A records in DNS.
The business should own and control its domain through its own registrar account, with access shared with the agency or technical team as needed. Domain ownership should never solely reside with an agency. Loss of access to a domain can effectively make a website unreachable.
Email authentication records prevent other parties from sending email impersonating your domain. SPF specifies which servers are authorised to send email on behalf of your domain. DKIM adds a digital signature to outgoing emails. DMARC defines what should happen to emails that fail authentication. All three protect deliverability and brand reputation.