Written by Sean Hakes, founder of 72 Hour Web Design — a digital expert with 20+ years of experience helping small businesses stay online, protected, and visible.
DNS Disasters: Why Small Businesses Should Never Wing It
Every few months, we get a call from a business owner who “just changed one thing” in their DNS settings. Suddenly, their site is down, emails are bouncing, and panic sets in. Sound familiar? You’re not alone.
In this blog, we’ll break down what DNS actually is, explain the critical records that keep your digital world running, and share a true story of a business that almost lost it all to one bad DNS move.
Get Help with DNS NowWhat Is DNS?
DNS stands for Domain Name System. It’s essentially the internet’s phone book — it connects human-friendly domain names (like mybusiness.com) to the IP addresses where your website and email actually live.
Without DNS, typing in a web address wouldn’t do anything — your browser wouldn’t know where to go. It’s like trying to call someone whose number isn’t saved in your phone. DNS resolves that, translating domain names into real server locations in milliseconds.
The problem? If you make a mistake in your DNS settings, you could lose that connection — and take your entire website or email offline in the process. That’s why understanding how DNS works (or leaving it to a pro) is so critical.
Understanding DNS Records
DNS is made up of individual records — little instructions that tell browsers and email servers what to do. Each record type plays a specific role, and misconfiguring even one of them can cause major disruptions. Here are the key ones you should know:
- A Record: Points your domain to a specific IP address — this is how your web browser finds your site.
- CNAME Record: Acts as an alias that points one domain or subdomain to another. Often used for things like www or blog versions of a site.
- MX Record: Short for “Mail Exchange” — tells email servers where to deliver email sent to your domain.
- TXT Record: Used to store text information for outside services. Common uses include email validation and domain verification.
Some of the most important TXT records include:
- SPF (Sender Policy Framework): Defines which mail servers are allowed to send email on your behalf.
- DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail): Adds a digital signature to your outgoing mail to confirm authenticity.
- DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance): Works with SPF and DKIM to protect your domain from spoofing and phishing.
Here’s what an SPF record might look like:
v=spf1 include:spf.protection.outlook.com -all
Pretty technical, right? That’s why we recommend leaving DNS edits to someone who deals with them every day.
A Real-World Story: When “Support” Breaks Your DNS
Not long ago, a small business owner called us in a panic. Her email had suddenly stopped working — and after nearly two hours on the phone with a well-known domain provider’s tech support, she still had no solution.
A Level I rep suggested something that seemed simple: “Just point your nameservers back to us.” That single move unintentionally pulled her domain away from Cloudflare — the platform where all her DNS records were safely configured.
The good news? Her records hadn’t been lost. But we had to log into her account, re-point the nameservers back to Cloudflare, re-enable the correct zone, and wait for DNS to re-propagate. Her website and email were both offline until everything caught back up.
Even worse — the original issue wasn’t even DNS-related. She had accidentally deleted her mailbox entirely. The DNS changes only made things worse and harder to troubleshoot.
This is exactly why we tell clients: if you’re unsure, don’t guess — call us first. A five-minute chat can prevent a full-blown digital outage.
Why You Shouldn’t DIY DNS Without a Pro
Updating DNS settings might feel like flipping a switch — but one wrong move can shut off your entire digital presence. Your website disappears. Emails bounce. Customers can’t reach you. It happens faster than most realize.
Unlike editing a web page or changing a logo, DNS edits have immediate consequences. There’s no “undo” button. And unless you’re familiar with things like TTL, propagation, or SPF syntax, you’re walking through a minefield.
Most business owners don’t even realize they’ve made a mistake until someone says, “Hey, your site’s down,” or, “I emailed you and it bounced back.” By then, it may have already cost you leads, sales, or worse — your reputation.
That’s why we always recommend reaching out before making DNS changes. It’s one of those “measure twice, cut once” areas where experience matters a lot more than confidence.
Best Practices for DNS Management
Managing DNS isn’t something you should be doing casually. Whether you’re setting up email, launching a website, or moving to a new host, here are our top recommendations to protect your business from downtime:
- Use a reliable DNS provider like Cloudflare or your hosting company’s DNS — and avoid switching unless absolutely necessary.
- Always back up existing DNS records before making changes. Screenshot or export the records to keep a reference.
- Ask your web pro before you touch anything. A quick call can prevent days of downtime and confusion.
- Document who controls your domain (registrar vs DNS provider vs email provider). These are often separate companies.
- Set up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to protect your email reputation and reduce spam or spoofing risks.
- Use shorter TTLs (Time to Live) when testing changes — this makes updates propagate faster.
DNS should be part of your digital infrastructure strategy — not an afterthought. If you’re not sure what a record does, don’t guess. Ask.
Need Help Before You Click Save?
Whether your email’s down, your site just vanished, or you’re not even sure what a TXT record is — we’ve seen it all (and fixed it). At 72 Hour Web Design, we provide fast, reliable DNS support that keeps your business online and protected.
Before you make another DNS change, send us a message. We’ll make sure your updates are safe — and recover you quickly if they’re not.
Talk to a Pro NowFrequently Asked Questions
What is DNS and why is it important?
DNS (Domain Name System) is like the internet’s address book — it connects your domain name to the IP address where your website and email services live. Without it, people can’t find your site or reach you by email.
Can one small DNS change really take down my site?
Yes. Changing an A record, removing MX entries, or switching name servers can instantly disconnect your site or email — and it often takes hours to fix without backups or documentation.
Should I let GoDaddy or my domain provider manage DNS?
Not necessarily. Providers like Cloudflare often offer better performance, security, and control. But it’s critical to know where your records live and who manages them — otherwise support becomes much harder.
What’s the safest way to make DNS changes?
Work with a pro. Always back up your current records, lower your TTL temporarily, and double-check your changes before saving. If you’re unsure — call us first.
What are SPF, DKIM, and DMARC used for?
These are DNS-based email authentication tools. They help prevent your domain from being used for spam or phishing and improve deliverability. Without them, your emails are more likely to land in spam folders.
How do I know who controls my DNS?
Your DNS is controlled wherever your domain’s name servers are pointed — this could be GoDaddy, Cloudflare, or your web host. We can help you check and migrate if needed.
What’s the difference between A and CNAME records?
A records point to an IP address directly. CNAME records point to another domain name (like an alias). Both are used to route traffic, but they function differently.
Can 72 Hour Web Design manage my DNS for me?
Absolutely. We offer DNS monitoring, setup, and protection services to ensure your site and email stay online, fast, and secure. Reach out and let us handle the technical side for you.
