Skip to main content

Domain Basics

Understanding basic domain concepts helps you successfully set up and manage custom branded domains for your short links.

Domain Fundamentals​

What is a Domain?​

A domain is a human-readable address for a website:

https://www.example.com
        └───────┬──────┘
             Domain

Components:

  • Protocol: https://
  • Subdomain: www.
  • Domain name: example
  • Top-level domain (TLD): .com

Domain Hierarchy​

Domains have a hierarchical structure:

go.yourbrand.com
│  └────┬────┘ │
│    Second    │
│    Level    TLD
│    Domain    
│
Subdomain

Levels:

  1. Top-Level Domain (TLD): .com, .org, .io, .app
  2. Second-Level Domain (SLD): yourbrand in yourbrand.com
  3. Subdomain: go in go.yourbrand.com

DNS (Domain Name System)​

What is DNS?​

DNS translates human-readable domains to IP addresses:

User types: go.yourbrand.com
DNS resolves to: 192.168.1.1
Browser connects to that IP

Think of DNS as the internet's phone book.

DNS Records​

Different types of DNS records serve different purposes:

A Record​

Points domain to an IPv4 address:

go.yourbrand.com  →  192.0.2.1

Used for:

  • Direct IP connections
  • Main domain configuration
  • Simple setups

CNAME Record​

Points domain to another domain (alias):

go.yourbrand.com  →  ark.snipzr.com

Used for:

  • Subdomain configuration
  • CDN setups
  • Service integrations (like Snipzr)

AAAA Record​

Points domain to an IPv6 address:

go.yourbrand.com  →  2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334

Used for:

  • IPv6 connections
  • Modern infrastructure
  • Dual-stack setups

TXT Record​

Stores text information:

_snipzr-verify.yourbrand.com  →  "verification-token-123"

Used for:

  • Domain verification
  • Email authentication (SPF, DKIM)
  • Service validation

DNS Propagation​

What is Propagation?​

When you update DNS records, the change must spread globally:

You update DNS  →  Your DNS server  →  Global DNS servers  →  Everyone sees it
(Instant)           (Minutes)           (Hours to days)        (24-48 hours)

Why Does it Take Time?​

DNS caching:

  • DNS servers cache records to improve performance
  • Cache time-to-live (TTL) determines how long to keep records
  • Servers worldwide must update their caches
  • Some providers update faster than others

Propagation Timeline​

TimeStatus
0 minUpdated on your DNS provider
5-15 minVisible from your location
1-4 hoursMost major DNS servers updated
24-48 hoursGlobal propagation complete

Tip: Lower TTL values (like 300 seconds) mean faster propagation but more DNS queries.

Checking Propagation​

Use these tools to check if DNS has propagated:

SSL/TLS Certificates​

What is SSL?​

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) / TLS (Transport Layer Security) encrypts data between browser and server:

http://example.com   ← Not secure
https://example.com  ← Secure (SSL/TLS)

Why SSL Matters​

Security:

  • 🔒 Encrypts data in transit
  • 🔒 Protects against eavesdropping
  • 🔒 Prevents man-in-the-middle attacks

Trust:

  • ✅ Browser shows padlock icon
  • ✅ No "Not Secure" warning
  • ✅ Users trust HTTPS links more

SEO:

  • Google prefers HTTPS sites
  • Better search rankings
  • Required for modern web features

Certificate Types​

Domain Validation (DV)

  • Validates domain ownership only
  • Issued quickly (minutes)
  • Good for most websites
  • What Snipzr uses for branded domains

Organization Validation (OV)

  • Validates organization details
  • Takes longer to issue
  • Shows organization name

Extended Validation (EV)

  • Thorough organization verification

Subdomains​

What are Subdomains?​

Subdomains are prefixes to your main domain:

Main domain:     yourbrand.com
Subdomains:      go.yourbrand.com
                 link.yourbrand.com
                 api.yourbrand.com

Organization:

go.yourbrand.com     ← Marketing links
help.yourbrand.com   ← Support links
api.yourbrand.com    ← API endpoint

No new domain needed:

  • Use existing domain
  • Inherit domain authority
  • Consistent branding
  • Easy to remember

Creating Subdomains​

Most DNS providers let you create unlimited subdomains:

  1. Log in to DNS provider
  2. Add new DNS record
  3. Set subdomain name (e.g., go)
  4. Point to Snipzr servers
  5. Save and wait for propagation

Domain Registrars vs DNS Providers​

Registrar​

Where you purchase your domain:

Popular registrars:

  • Cloudflare Registrar
  • Namecheap
  • Squarepace Domains
  • GoDaddy

What they do:

  • Sell domain names
  • Manage domain renewals
  • Handle domain transfers
  • Provide WHOIS services

DNS Provider​

Where you manage DNS records:

Popular DNS providers:

  • Cloudflare
  • Google Cloud DNS
  • Route 53 (AWS)
  • Cloudflare DNS
  • Your registrar's DNS

What they do:

  • Host DNS records
  • Provide DNS resolution
  • Offer DNS management interface
  • May include extras (CDN, security)

Note: Often your registrar also provides DNS, but you can use separate services.

Common Domain Terms​

WHOIS​

Database showing domain registration info:

  • Domain owner
  • Registration date
  • Expiration date
  • Nameservers

Privacy: Use WHOIS privacy/protection to hide personal info.

Nameservers​

Servers that host your DNS records:

ns1.cloudflare.com
ns2.cloudflare.com

When you change DNS providers, you update nameservers at your registrar.

TTL (Time To Live)​

How long DNS records are cached:

300 seconds  = 5 minutes (fast updates)
3600 seconds = 1 hour (standard)
86400 seconds = 24 hours (slow updates)

Lower TTL:

  • ✅ Changes propagate faster
  • ❌ More DNS queries
  • ❌ Slightly slower for users

Higher TTL:

  • ✅ Fewer DNS queries
  • ✅ Faster for users (cached)
  • ❌ Changes propagate slower

Domain Expiration​

Domains must be renewed periodically:

Typical renewal period: 1 year
Can register for: 1-10 years
Grace period: 30-45 days after expiration

Set up auto-renewal to avoid losing your domain!

Best Practices​

DNS Management​

Organization:

  • ✅ Document all DNS records
  • ✅ Use clear naming conventions
  • ✅ Keep records organized
  • ✅ Regular audits

Security:

  • ✅ Enable two-factor authentication
  • ✅ Use DNS providers with DDoS protection
  • ✅ Monitor for unauthorized changes
  • ✅ Keep registrar account secure

Domain Selection​

For short links:

  • ✅ Use subdomain of main domain (recommended)
  • ✅ Choose memorable subdomain names
  • ✅ Keep it short and simple
  • ❌ Avoid confusing spellings

Monitoring​

Track your domains:

  • Set expiration reminders
  • Monitor DNS propagation
  • Check SSL certificate status (specially if managed by you)
  • Review access logs
  • Watch for security issues

Troubleshooting​

Domain Not Resolving​

Problem: Domain doesn't load

Check:

  1. DNS records configured correctly
  2. Nameservers pointing to DNS provider
  3. Waited for propagation (24-48 hours)
  4. No typos in DNS records

Tools:

# Check if domain resolves
nslookup go.yourbrand.com

# Check DNS records
dig go.yourbrand.com

# Trace DNS resolution
dig go.yourbrand.com +trace

SSL Not Working​

Problem: HTTPS shows error

Check:

  1. SSL certificate issued
  2. Certificate matches domain
  3. Certificate not expired
  4. DNS pointing correctly

Wait:

  • SSL provision takes 15-30 minutes after DNS setup
  • May need full DNS propagation first

Propagation Stuck​

Problem: DNS not propagating globally

Causes:

  • High TTL on old records
  • Some DNS servers cache longer
  • DNS provider issues

Solutions:

  • Wait longer (up to 72 hours in rare cases)
  • Flush local DNS cache
  • Try different network/device
  • Contact DNS provider support

Next Steps​

Now that you understand domain basics:

  1. Learn about branded domains
  2. Set up your custom domain
  3. Create branded short links

Master these concepts to confidently manage your branded domains!