How Do I Manage DNS Changes to Launch My SoCast Website?

Updating your domain’s DNS configuration is a crucial final step in launching your SoCast website. DNS settings are typically managed through your domain registrar (the company where you purchased your domain), but they may also be hosted by a third party if you are taking over an existing domain. It is essential to know who manages your DNS records, as you will need access to make these changes.

Note: While this guide covers the general process, DNS administration can vary by provider and region. If you are unsure how to proceed, please consult your domain registrar for assistance.

Important: SoCast does not provide DNS support unless you have purchased our DNS Concierge Services. If you need help making DNS changes, please contact your DNS panel administrator or your domain registrar directly.

1. Understanding DNS Records

The website record set includes a list of CNAME and A records needed to point your website domain to the SoCast platform. These records should be added last and only when you are ready to officially launch your SoCast website. Ensure the correct domain names are added to your Website Settings before configuring these records to avoid service interruptions.

2. Website Records

Before proceeding, make sure you have already set up any required email verification records. Updating your website DNS will redirect all traffic from your old website to your new SoCast-hosted site.

Launching the Site

Be careful during this step, as incorrect configuration can cause outages. From your provided CSV file (or the example below), note the following:

• Record Name (Column A): Usually called "Name" or "Host." Most DNS providers automatically append your domain name, so you typically do not need to include it. For example, a record for ourtestdomain.com should respond with the value from Column C.
• Record Type (Column B): Indicates the type of record (A or CNAME). A records point to an IP address; CNAME records point to another hostname.
• Record Value (Column C): The destination for the record, such as an IP address or hostname.

Preparing the Platform

Before creating DNS records, configure the SoCast platform to respond to your desired hostnames. For example, you might set up:

• ourtestdomain.com: The primary hostname for your site.
• www.ourtestdomain.com: A secondary (alias) address that forwards to the primary hostname.
• news.ourtestdomain.com: Another alias that also forwards to the primary hostname.

By default, SoCast provides DNS examples for the root domain (e.g., ourtestdomain.com) and the "www" prefix. You can add or remove hostnames as needed.

To configure these in the SoCast backend:

1. Log in to the SoCast backend with an account that has permission to modify Website Settings.
2. In the upper-right navigation, click Settings.
   
3. Select Website Settings.
   
4. Under General > Vitals, set your Website Domain to the primary hostname (e.g., ourtestdomain.com).
   
5. Under Website Redirect, click Add Row to add secondary hostnames (e.g., www.ourtestdomain.com).
   
6. Click Save.

Implementing Website Records

1. Log in to your DNS provider’s configuration panel.
2. Create an A record for your primary domain pointing to the SoCast platform. For example, for ourtestdomain.com:
   
   Use the "@" symbol in the "Host" or "Name" field to represent the domain name (e.g., ourtestdomain.com).
3. Create CNAME records for secondary domains pointing to the primary domain. For example, set the "Host" as www and "Points to" as ourtestdomain.com.
   

Set the TTL (Time to Live) value for these records to less than 1 hour to ensure changes propagate quickly.

3. Securing Your Site

The SoCast platform provides several security features that are automatically enabled once your site is launched. These measures ensure a safe and secure browsing experience for your audience.

Web Application Firewall

SoCast secures your website with a web application firewall designed to protect against common internet threats, including:

• Denial of Service (DoS) attacks
• Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
• Malicious bots
• Injection attacks

If you use a third-party security service (such as Cloudflare), we recommend disabling their proxy or firewall features for your SoCast site, as they can interfere with SoCast’s built-in protections and may cause availability issues.

SSL Certificates

All SoCast customers receive a free, ongoing SSL certificate to secure their websites. This certificate is automatically generated and updated to include any additional website aliases configured in your DNS settings. Once your site is launched and all DNS records are in place, the SSL certificate will be issued or updated within about an hour. If your site is not secured after 12 hours, please contact Client Services for assistance.

Note: Only hostnames that resolve to the SoCast platform via DNS will be included in your SSL certificate. Any hostnames not properly configured will be excluded.