What Are Domain DNS Records in Tanzania: What They Mean and When to Use Them

Setting up a domain is exciting until you’re asked to “add DNS records” and have no idea what that means. It’s one of those moments where many website owners pause, unsure if a single mistake might break their site or email.

The good news is that DNS records aren’t rocket science. They are simple, readable instructions that guide the internet on where your domain should point whether that’s to your website, your email provider, or another service.

Therefore, you need to know what DNS records are so you can avoid website downtime, fix connection errors faster, and stay in full control of your online identity. And you’re in the right place to learn!

In this guide I’ll explain what domain DNS records are, how they work, the types you’ll encounter, and when to use them. Keep reading!

What Are DNS Records?

DNS records are the instructions tied to your domain. They tell the internet where to send web traffic, email, and other services.

For instance, when someone types your domain in a browser, DNS records point that request to the correct server. Without the right records, your site or email may not work.

Technically, a DNS record is a resource record stored in your domain’s zone file. The zone file sits on the domain’s authoritative nameserver which answers queries about your domain for the rest of the internet. 

Usually, each DNS record has four main parts:

• Name: The domain or subdomain the record applies to.
• Type: The kind of instruction, for example A, MX, or CNAME.
• Value: The data the record gives, such as an IP address or another domain name.
• TTL (Time to Live): How long other servers should cache that record before checking for updates.

Furthermore, every active domain needs at least a few records to function. Two of the most critical are the SOA record, which defines the zone, and NS records, which list the authoritative nameservers for the domain. From there, common records tell the web where to load from and the mail server where to deliver email.

To edit the DNS records, you need access to your domain control panel at your registrar or hosting provider. However, note that the changes propagate across the internet based on TTL values which is why updates can take minutes or up to 48 hours to appear everywhere.

How Do DNS Records Work?

DNS records may work quietly in the background, but they’re the reason your domain runs smoothly online. Think of them as digital directions guiding every request, email, and page load to the right destination whenever someone visits your domain.

When you log in to your Truehost control panel and configure your domain, you’re not just filling in boxes. Rather, you  are actually writing or editing these DNS instructions inside what’s known as a zone file. This file lives on your authoritative nameserver, which stores your records and responds to DNS queries from across the internet.

Each DNS record follows a clear structure of name, type, value and Time to Live (TTL). 

So, when someone types your domain into a browser, DNS servers look up the matching record, read its instructions, and send the visitor to the correct server. The same happens for emails where the MX record directs messages to the right mail server.

If one of these records is missing, outdated, or incorrectly configured, your website may fail to load, or your emails could bounce back. That’s why managing DNS carefully is key to keeping your online presence reliable.

What Are the Most Common Types of DNS Records?

Every domain name relies on several types of DNS records, each serving a specific function to keep your website, emails, and online services working correctly. Think of them as the building blocks of your domain’s instructions! They tell the internet exactly where to send visitors, how to deliver emails, and which servers have authority over your domain.

Below are the most common DNS records you’ll encounter and how each functions.

1) A Record (Address Record)

The A record is one of the most fundamental DNS records. It maps your domain name like yourbusiness.co.tz to an IPv4 address, which looks like 102.123.45.67.

So, when someone visits your website, their browser uses this record to locate the correct server hosting your files. Without an A record, your website simply won’t load because browsers won’t know where to find it.

If your hosting provider changes servers or IP addresses, you’ll need to update the A record to point to the new location. 

2) AAAA Record (IPv6 Address Record)

An AAAA record works just like an A record but connects your domain to an IPv6 address which a longer and more modern numerical format, e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334.

Because the world is gradually shifting from IPv4 to IPv6 to accommodate more devices and faster networks, adding an AAAA record future-proofs your domain. It ensures visitors using IPv6-only connections which are common in modern networks can still reach your site.

3) CNAME Record (Canonical Name Record)

The CNAME record acts like a shortcut, letting one domain or subdomain point to another. For example, you might have blog.yourbusiness.co.tz redirecting to yourblog.hostingprovider.com. Instead of creating separate A or AAAA records for each subdomain, you use a CNAME to simplify management.

So, CNAMEs are commonly used when connecting your domain to third-party services like email marketing tools, e-commerce platforms, or hosted blogs. However, remember that the root domain like yourbusiness.co.tz cannot have a CNAME record. Instead, it must use an A or AAAA record.

4) MX Record (Mail Exchange Record)

The MX record determines where your domain’s emails should go. It lists the mail servers responsible for receiving emails sent to addresses like [email protected].

Usually, each MX record has a priority value, and mail systems always attempt to deliver messages to the server with the lowest number first.

So, missing or incorrect MX records will prevent you from receiving emails entirely. 

5) NS Record (Name Server Record)

The NS record identifies which nameservers are authoritative for your domain. In other words, where your DNS zone is hosted.

These nameservers store and respond to all your DNS queries. Thus, if your NS records are misconfigured, your domain may stop resolving on the internet. 

The good thing is to prevent downtime due to NS issues, you have at least two NS records for redundancy and stability.

6) TXT Record (Text Record)

A TXT record stores text-based information used by external systems for verification, security, or configuration.

For instance, TXT records are vital for email authentication methods like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, which prevent email spoofing and improve deliverability.

They’re also used for Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 domain verification and for ensuring ownership of your domain when integrating with third-party platforms. 

7) SOA Record (Start of Authority Record)

The SOA record defines key administrative details about your domain’s DNS zone. It includes the primary nameserver, the email of the domain administrator, the serial number, which updates when records change, and timing parameters such as refresh and retry intervals.

Basically, every DNS zone must have exactly one SOA record. This is to ensure consistency between primary and secondary DNS servers, helping them synchronize when updates are made. 

What Are Some of the Less Common DNS Records?

While the most common DNS records like A, MX, and CNAME cover the majority of everyday needs, some specialized records exist for advanced configurations or enhanced security. These records are not required for every domain, but knowing about them can help when you expand services, implement security protocols, or set up complex systems.

Such less common DNS records worth understanding are:

• PTR Record (Pointer Record): A PTR record performs a reverse DNS lookup, mapping an IP address back to a domain name. This is commonly used for email servers to verify the sender’s IP matches the domain. Without a proper PTR record, some email systems may flag messages as spam.
• CAA Record (Certification Authority Authorization): A CAA record specifies which Certificate Authorities (CAs) are allowed to issue SSL/TLS certificates for your domain. This prevents unauthorized certificates from being issued, adding an extra layer of security. 
• SRV Record (Service Record): SRV records define the location of specific services within a domain, including the host and port number. They are commonly used for services like VOIP, instant messaging, or Microsoft 365 configurations. 
• DNSKEY / RRSIG Records: These are part of DNSSEC (DNS Security Extensions), which protect your domain from tampering and spoofing. DNSKEY stores public keys for your zone, while RRSIG contains signatures that validate DNS records. Together, they ensure that users reaching your website are actually connecting to the correct servers.
• DNAME Record (Delegation Name Record): A DNAME record creates a delegation alias for an entire domain tree. Unlike CNAME, which points one name to another, DNAME redirects an entire subtree of domains to a target domain. This is useful for large-scale subdomain management.

Why Are DNS Records Important?

DNS records are the foundation of how your domain behaves online. For instance, properly configured records ensure your website, email, and services work reliably. 

Here’s why they are important:

• Ensure your website loads: Correct A, AAAA, and NS records make sure visitors can reach your site. Without them, your domain may appear offline.
• Make email reliable: MX and TXT records control where emails are sent and received, helping reduce bounce-backs and spam risks.
• Boost performance globally: Accurate DNS records and optimized TTL values allow visitors worldwide to access your site quickly. For Tanzanian businesses, nearby DNS servers can significantly improve local access speeds.
• Maintain control of your domain: Updating DNS records lets you change hosts, email providers, or services without transferring your domain. This flexibility keeps you in control.
• Support security and trust: CAA, TXT (SPF/DKIM), and DNSSEC records protect your domain from hijacking, spoofing, or misuse.

In short, misconfigured or missing DNS records are behind common problems like websites not loading, emails bouncing, or slow page speeds. Therefore, taking time to set your records correctly saves headaches and ensures your online presence runs smoothly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) Do I need DNS records?

Yes. Every domain needs DNS records to work properly. At minimum, you need NS and A (or AAAA) records. Without them, your domain cannot connect to a website or email.

2) Is it okay to delete DNS records?

Deleting DNS records without understanding them can break your domain. For example, removing an MX record stops email, and deleting an A record makes your website unreachable. So, only delete records if you know the impact or are replacing them.

3) How do I find my DNS record?

You can view DNS records through your registrar or hosting panel, such as Truehost. You can also use tools like nslookup, dig, or online DNS lookup websites to see your A, MX, NS, TXT, and other records.

Final Thoughts

DNS records are the instructions that make your domain function. They route visitors to your website, deliver emails correctly, manage services, and safeguard your online presence. For website owners in Tanzania from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza, having accurate DNS records ensures your site loads quickly, stays reliable, and looks professional.

With Truehost, you get full control over your domain. You get a simple control panel, local support, and expert guidance that make it easy to set up and manage DNS records. 

Convinced? Get a Truehost domain name or transfer your domain and be able to manage your DNS records on a simple and intuitive interface!