Overview
This guide demonstrates how to add a root domain or subdomain to Namecheap and configure the (sub)domain with each Tenon DNS record. This guide assumes that you have already created your Namecheap Account.
While this guide is intended to be as helpful and comprehensive as possible, there is a small possibility that you will encounter an error or issue of some kind while configuring your DNS records within Namecheap. If that is the case, we recommend contacting Namecheap's support team as they will be able to most quickly identify and resolve the issue (or, at minimum, provide next steps).
Deciding Between a Root Domain and a Sub Domain
Deciding which domain to use - especially whether to use your root domain or a subdomain of that root domain - is key before proceeding any further. As this can be a challenging decision to make, we recommend reviewing the following informational articles if needed:
- Choosing a domain name
- The basics of email subdomains
- Can I use the same domain name for Tenon and my personal email account?
Nevertheless, let's briefly review two key terms: root domains and subdomains.
Examples of root domains include Service-Now.com, mydnsexample.com, or google.com. Examples of subdomains include Tenon.Service-Now.com, mg.mydnsexample.com, or mail.google.com. Notice the pattern: subdomains have an extra prefix (or sometimes multiple prefixes) before the primary domain name itself. In most cases using a subdomain with Tenon is preferred, but we cover this topic more comprehensively in the above articles.
Finally, once a decision has been reached, add the (sub)domain to your Tenon account, and our system will generate the various DNS records needed.
Adding the domain
There are three methods of adding a domain or subdomain within Namecheap:
Method 1: Registering a new domain/subdomain with Namecheap
Method 2: Transferring an existing (sub)domain from another DNS provider to Namecheap
Method 3: Configuring an existing (sub)domain's nameservers within the Domain Registrar to reference Namecheap rather than the current DNS provider
The first method of adding a (sub)domain within the Namecheap Control Panel only takes 5 steps, and this method is covered in this article. We will list those steps below, but if desired, you can also reference Namecheap's Adding (Buying) A Domain article. If you already have a domain purchased and registered elsewhere, you'll need to transfer the domain to Namecheap (see the next paragraph) or configure your nameserver records to reference Namecheap (see the paragraph after the next paragraph).
The second method of adding a (sub)domain within the Namecheap Control Panel is not covered in this article; nonetheless, Namecheap documents how the transfer process works within their system.
A third method, configuring an existing (sub)domain's nameservers within the Domain Registrar to reference Namecheap rather than the current DNS provider, is partially covered in this guide. Similar to the explanation in the second method above, changes in your Domain Registrar must be carefully and precisely made. As such, working directly with the Domain Registrar may be imperative for ensuring the nameserver (NS) records are updated appropriately. Nonetheless, we cover the Namecheap side of the equation below.
Method 1: Registering for a new Domain / SubDomain with Namecheap
Step 1: Login to your Namecheap Account
Step 2: Enter the new domain name you wish to add (buy/purchase) from Namecheap inside the doman search textbox (i.e. it is found under the Greeting, Login, Account Balance, and Two Factor Authentication statuses).
Step 3: Choose the desired domain ending (.TLD) for your domain. Then, click the Checkout button
Step 4: If shown, choose any additional options and proceed to the next page by clicking the Confirm Order button.
Step 5: Enter your contact information for ICANN and complete the domain registration process. Billing and other setup details will be finalized as well.
Method 2: Transferring an existing (sub)domain from another DNS provider to Namecheap
Since transferring an existing (sub)domain from another DNS provider to Namecheap is such an intricate and delicate process, we recommend following the instructions that Namecheap has laid out here.
We also recommend contacting the Domain Registrar if you have any questions or encounter any issues regarding with the Domain Registration and Nameserver Management processes.
Finally, you can navigate to either of the following Namecheap articles, which will provide additional information:
2.) Registration Documentation
Method 3: Configuring an existing (sub)domain's nameservers within the Domain Registrar to reference Namecheap rather than the current DNS provider
Step 1: Login to your Namecheap Account
Step 2: Hover over the Domains tab in the top navigation pane to display a list of options. Then, click the FreeDNS option. (If you have PremiumDNS, the process is very similar).
Step 3: Enter your existing (sub)domain in the textbox. Then, click the Get DNS button.
Step 4: Click either the shopping cart icon present on the row containing your domain or the Add to Cart button. Then, click the Set up DNS button.
Step 5: Namecheap displays the specific NS records you'll need to use within your Domain Registrar. You can skip this for the moment and proceed with configuring the Tenon DNS records within Namecheap (please save these records for later in your notes), but you will need to ensure the Namecheap NS records are configured within your Domain Registrar before the Tenon DNS records will propagate globally and become effective for your domain.
Step 6: Hover over the Account tab in the top navigation pane to display a list of options. Then, click the Dashboard option.
Step 7: You'll see a list of domains in the center of the page. For the desired domain, hover over the house icon under the Products column to display a list of options and click the Advanced DNS option.
Step 8: View, create, or edit the desired DNS records for the domain.
Configuring The Domain
Tip: Once the domain has been added, you may access it in the future using the following steps.
Step 1: If you're shown the Home page upon login, you'll see a list of domains in the center of the page.
Step 2: For the desired domain, hover over the house icon under the Products column to display a list of options and click the Advanced DNS option.
Step 3: View, create, or edit the desired DNS records for the domain.
Configuring SPF
SPF records help protect your domain against spoofed emails and decrease** the likelihood your emails will be flagged as spam. (* Exceptions apply: e.g. actual spam/phishing emails will still be considered as such by mailbox providers even with the presence of an SPF record.)
To understand how to configure SPF records, please reference one or both of the following general Namecheap Tutorials:
Configuring DKIM
DKIM records help authenticate your domain against forged emails and decrease** the likelihood your emails will be flagged as spam. (* Exceptions apply: e.g. actual spam/phishing emails will still be considered as such by mailbox providers even with the presence of an DKIM record.)
To understand how to configure DKIM records, please reference the following general Namecheap Tutorials:
Configuring MX
MX records describe where emails intended for your domain should be sent.
To understand how to configure MX records, please reference the following Namecheap Tutorials:
Configuring CNAME
CNAME records alias (point or direct) one domain name to another domain name, which in this case effectively associates your emails with Tenon and allows tracking of opens and clicks.
To understand how to configure CNAME records, please reference the following Namecheap Tutorial:
