Add DNS Records to NameCheap
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 record that you'll add to your NameCheap account under Advanced DNS.
This guide provides step-by-step instructions for adding the Benchmark DNS record to NameCheap.
Topics Covered in This Article
Before Getting Started
- Benchmark does not have access to your NameCheap account.
- Your DNS record is unique to the domain and subdomain you added to Benchmark.
- Once your record is created, find it under Email Settings > Domain.
- Propagation can take up to 48 hours, though NameCheap typically applies changes within about 30 minutes.
- Your domain must be using NameCheap's BasicDNS, PremiumDNS, or FreeDNS. If it's pointed to NameCheap Web Hosting DNS, host records are managed in cPanel instead.
How to Add Your DNS Record to NameCheap
The instructions included in this article were developed using resources from NameCheap.
- Log in to NameCheap, go to your Domain List, and click Manage next to the domain you're updating.
- Select the Advanced DNS tab.
- In the Host Records section, click Add New Record.
- Enter the details for your new NS record, using the values provided in Benchmark:
- Type: select NS Record from the dropdown.
- Host: paste only the hostname provided in Benchmark — do not include your domain name (for example, enter mail, not mail.yourdomain.com).
- Value: paste the nameserver value provided in Benchmark.
- Click the Save All Changes (checkmark) button.
After you have finished adding the record, 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 record was added successfully. Please note that DNS record propagation — once the record is valid on the web — can take anywhere from 24 to 48 hours.
If the record is not added, your domain's verification will remain pending.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will adding this record affect my existing website or email?
No. This record only applies to the subdomain you added in Benchmark — it doesn't change or remove any existing records on your root domain.
How long does it take for my record 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 the record matches exactly what's listed on your Domain page in Benchmark.
Why does my record look wrong after saving?
NameCheap automatically appends your domain name to certain values. Make sure you didn't enter your domain name in the Host or Value fields, since that can cause it to be duplicated (for example, mail.yourdomain.com.yourdomain.com).
Can I add records for more than one subdomain?
Yes. Each subdomain you verify in Benchmark gets its own unique record. Add each subdomain in Benchmark first, then repeat the steps above for each one — NameCheap allows up to 800 host records per domain.