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How to Create a CNAME Record in GoDaddy

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Joanna Weber

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2 minutes

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In this tutorial, we’re going to show you how to create a CNAME record in GoDaddy.

In our case, we are creating a CNAME record in GoDaddy, in order to complete the tutorial for creating a custom CDN URL subdomain with our hosting provider, WP Engine.

What is a CNAME record?

CNAME record stands for Canonical Name Record. CNAME records or Alias Records, allow you to create aliases that correspond to existing A records or Host Records. CNAME records are helpful because they make it easier to manage when pointing multiple domain names to the same host. As an example, if WP Smackdown had a fruit stand website called “wpsmackdownfruit.com,” we could create “apple.wpsmackdownfruit.com” for their apple division, “orange.wpsmackdownfruit.com” for their orange division, and “plum.wpsmackdownfruit.com” for their plum division. We can easily create new names for the same A record (host), by using CNAME records.

In this tutorial, we’ll be creating a CNAME record (cdn) for WP Engine CDN hosted URLs which use a long, cryptic string of numbers and letters. Their CDN URLs look something like 72189723iuyhaefha928392832f.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com.

Creating the CNAME record in GoDaddy

To create a CNAME record in the DNS Settings, follow these steps.

  1. Start by logging into GoDaddy.
  2. Once logged in, mouse over the “Products” tab, then click on the “Manage Now” button for “Current domain customers.”
  3. Click on the domain you wish to edit, then click on the “DNS Zone File” tab.
  4. Next, click the “Edit” button.
  5. Under the “CNAME (Alias)” header, click on the “Quick Add” button at the bottom of the CNAME section.
  6. In the text box under the “host” column, type in “cdn” and in the column titled “Points to,” paste your CDN hosted URL link
    • Example: 72189723iuyhaefha928392832f.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com
  7. After you create your new CNAME record, click “Save Zone File,” and click “OK” on the screen prompts to confirm the new DNS changes.

Your DNS settings for your new CNAME record have successfully been changed in GoDaddy. Please note that DNS changes can take place immediately or up to 48 hours to propagate. After your CNAME record has been created, and you get WP Engine to finalize the process. Your CDN urls will go from looking like this:

  • 72189723iuyhaefha928392832f.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com

To this:

  • cdn.wpsmackdown.com

Joanna Weber

Joanna is a co-founder of WP Smackdown, and will forever be a friend of the site. While not a current member of our team, she resides in Richmond, VA with her beautiful family.

One response to “How to Create a CNAME Record in GoDaddy”

  1. Phan Phieu Avatar

    Hello,

    I want to set up my CDN in goddady domain, but CAN NOT.
    I click on the DNS Zone file tab, I see: “The zone file is unavailable because the domain’s set nameservers do not belong to this registrar.” message in this area, no more else.
    How to add a CNAME to my domain in this case?

    Thank you,
    Best regards,
    Phan Phieu

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