DNS Basics
Learn what DNS records are, how they work, and how to read your current configuration. Written for people who have never managed DNS before.
Read DNS Basics
Whether you are a business owner setting up for the first time, a technical helper configuring services for a client, or an agency managing multiple accounts, MainStreetDNS provides a clear path forward with no surprises along the way.
Getting started means choosing the services your business needs and working with our team to set them up correctly. This may include web hosting, email hosting, DNS configuration, or migrating from another provider. Every setup follows the same careful, step-by-step process.
The setup process matters because it determines how reliably your website, email, and domain records work from the first day forward. A careful setup prevents problems that are difficult and costly to fix later. It also gives you a clear understanding of what is running, where it is hosted, and who to contact if something needs attention.
MainStreetDNS handles setup by walking through each step with you or your technical helper. We confirm every change before it takes effect, document what was done, and verify that everything is working before we consider the job complete. There are no automated processes that run without your knowledge.
Since 1996, we have helped local businesses, professional offices, and community organizations get started safely. The process has not changed because it works.
Select the starting point that matches your situation. Each path leads to the same careful, step-by-step setup process.
If you are setting up services with MainStreetDNS for the first time, our team will help you choose the right plan, configure your account, and verify that everything is working before you go live. No prior technical experience is required.
If you are moving your website, email, or DNS from another hosting provider, we handle the transfer carefully. Your current services remain active until the migration is verified and complete. See our Migration page for full details.
If you need web hosting for a new or existing website, we will configure your server environment, set up your control panel access, and confirm that your site loads correctly. Visit our Web Hosting page for plan details.
If you need business email under your own domain, we will set up your mailboxes, configure DNS records for delivery, and verify that sending and receiving work correctly. See our Email Hosting page for details.
If your domain records need to be reviewed, updated, or transferred to MainStreetDNS, our team will walk through every record with you before making changes. Visit our DNS Services page for more information.
If you are not sure where to start or have questions about which services you need, contact our support team. We will review your situation and recommend a clear path forward without pressure to purchase. See our Support page for contact options.
Before we begin setting up your services, it helps to have certain information available. Not all of these items are required for every situation, but having them ready will make the process faster and more predictable.
If you own a domain name, have your domain registrar login information available. This allows us to verify your current DNS records and coordinate any changes. If you do not have this information, we can help you locate it.
If you are migrating from another provider, gather your current hosting account details, including your control panel login and any FTP or database credentials. This allows our team to access your existing files and data safely during the transfer.
Know your preferred contact method. We communicate setup progress by email or phone, and we will ask which you prefer at the start of the process.
If you have an existing website or email service, note what is currently running and where it is hosted. This context helps us plan the setup or migration so that nothing is interrupted.
If you are moving from another provider, here is what to expect and how we keep the process safe.
We do not cancel or disconnect anything at your current provider. Your website and email remain fully operational throughout the migration. We only make the switch after everything has been verified on our side.
No DNS changes, file transfers, or configuration updates happen without your approval. We explain what each step does, confirm you are ready, and then proceed. If something does not look right, we pause and review.
Before we point your domain to MainStreetDNS, we verify that all files, databases, email accounts, and DNS records are correctly set up. You will have an opportunity to review everything before the final switch.
We provide clear updates at each stage of the migration. You will know what has been completed, what is next, and when to expect the process to finish. There are no silent steps or unexplained changes.
DNS, web hosting, and email hosting are separate services, but they depend on each other. Your DNS records tell the internet where to find your website and where to deliver your email. If any of these records are incorrect, your website may not load or your email may not arrive.
During setup, our team reviews your DNS records alongside your hosting and email configuration to make sure everything points to the right place. If you are adding hosting and email at the same time, we coordinate both setups so that your records are consistent from the start.
If you are adding only one service, we check that the new configuration does not conflict with your existing setup. For example, if you are setting up email hosting but keeping your website at another provider, we verify that the DNS changes for email do not affect your website.
Technical helpers and agencies managing client accounts can expect clear documentation of every DNS record, hosting setting, and email configuration after setup is complete. This makes ongoing management predictable and auditable.
What to expect from our team while your services are being configured and verified.
Our US-based support team is available during business hours, Monday through Friday. Requests submitted outside of business hours are reviewed first thing the following business day. Emergency server issues are monitored around the clock.
We communicate setup progress by email or phone, based on your preference. You will receive updates at each stage of the process. If a step requires more time than expected, we will tell you when to expect the next update.
During setup, our team handles server configuration, DNS records, email account creation, file migration, and verification. We do not provide website design or custom application development, but we will point you toward the right resource when we can.
There is no tiered support system. Every account holder, whether a single-site business owner or an agency managing multiple accounts, receives the same response priority and the same level of attention.
Direct links to documentation that may be helpful during setup. Each guide is written in plain English for business owners, technical helpers, and agencies.
Learn what DNS records are, how they work, and how to read your current configuration. Written for people who have never managed DNS before.
Read DNS BasicsStep-by-step instructions for setting up business email, connecting mail clients, and verifying that messages are sending and arriving correctly.
Read Email SetupAn overview of how web hosting works, what your control panel provides, and how to access your files and databases after setup is complete.
Read Hosting BasicsA clear explanation of how the migration process works, what to expect at each stage, and how to prepare your current account for a safe transfer.
Read Migration OverviewPlain-English guidance on SSL certificates, password practices, account access controls, and how MainStreetDNS protects your hosting environment.
Read Security EssentialsInformation about account management, billing cycles, plan changes, and how to contact support for account-related questions.
Read Account and BillingStarting with a new provider carries real weight. Here is how we handle the concerns we hear most often.
That is a reasonable concern. Every change we make during setup is confirmed with you before it takes effect. We do not run automated processes that make changes without your knowledge. If something does not look right at any step, we pause and review before continuing.
You do not need to be. Our team handles the technical configuration, and we explain every step in plain English. Many of our customers are business owners who have never managed a server or DNS record. That is expected, and the process is designed for it.
So do we. Our setup process follows a documented sequence that we use for every account. You will know what is happening, what comes next, and when to expect updates. Nothing happens out of order or without explanation.
Our support team responds during business hours, communicates clearly, and follows through until the job is done. If an issue requires more time, we tell you when to expect the next update rather than leaving the request open without communication.
Contact our team to start the setup process, or review the documentation at your own pace. No commitment required.