Add DNS Records to SiteGround
To send emails using your private domain name, you will first need to add your domain and create a subdomain within your Benchmark account. After the subdomain has been added, Benchmark will generate the DNS records that you'll add to your SiteGround account under your DNS settings.
This guide provides step-by-step instructions for adding the Benchmark DNS records to SiteGround.
Topics Covered in This Article
Before Getting Started
- Benchmark does not have access to your domain provider account.
- Your DNS records are unique to the domain and subdomain you added to Benchmark.
- Once your records are created, find them under Email Settings > Domain.
- Propagation can take up to 48 hours.
- You can only manage a domain's DNS records in SiteGround if the domain is pointed to SiteGround's name servers.
How to Add Your DNS Records to SiteGround
The instructions included in this article were developed using resources from SiteGround.
- Log in to your SiteGround Site Tools.
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Go to Site Tools > Domain > DNS Zone Editor. You'll only be able to manage records here if your domain is pointed to SiteGround's name servers.
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In the Create New Record section, click the tab for the record type you need (A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, SRV, or TXT).
- Begin by adding the records assigned in Benchmark. Add one record at a time:
- Name / Hostname: paste the hostname provided in Benchmark.
- Value / Target / Points To: paste the Value provided in Benchmark — the exact field name depends on the record type.
- Priority: 10 (only used for MX records).
- TTL: use the suggested time in SiteGround. If none is given, 1 hour is a good default.
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Click Create to add the record, then repeat step 3 for each remaining record.
After you have finished adding the records, you may return to your Benchmark account to complete the process. If you have navigated away from the records screen, you can still verify your work by checking your domain on the Domain page. From there, click the Retry Verification button next to the domain you are validating. This will initiate a web check to confirm whether the records were added successfully. Please note that DNS record propagation — once the records are valid on the web — can take anywhere from 24 to 48 hours.
If the records are not added, your domain's verification will remain pending.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will adding these records affect my existing website or email?
No. These records only apply to the subdomain you added in Benchmark — they don't change or remove any existing records on your root domain.
How long does it take for my records to be verified?
Most records are verified within a few hours, but DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to fully propagate. If your domain still shows as unverified after 48 hours, double-check that each record matches exactly what's listed on your Domain page in Benchmark.
What if I don't see a DNS settings option in my account?
Look for a section called DNS Management, Advanced DNS, or Zone Editor — the exact name varies by provider. If you can't find it, contact SiteGround's support team directly, since Benchmark doesn't have access to your domain provider account. Also confirm that your domain is pointed to SiteGround's name servers — DNS records can only be managed there if that's the case.
Can I add records for more than one subdomain?
Yes. Each subdomain you verify in Benchmark gets its own unique set of records. Add each subdomain in Benchmark first, then repeat the steps above for each one.