Domains · 3 min read
Review and Import DNS Records When Transferring a Domain
Transferring a domain doesn't copy your DNS records automatically. Your DNS records are what keep your website, email, and verification checks working, so you need to bring them over and check them before you finish the transfer. If a record goes missing, your site could go down or your email could stop arriving.
This step comes right after the eligibility check in "Transfer a Domain Into FunnelStreams."
Find out who hosts your DNS
Your registrar and your DNS provider can be two different companies. If you bought your domain at GoDaddy but changed its nameservers to Cloudflare, Cloudflare hosts your DNS. Get your records from whoever your nameservers point to, not just where you bought the domain.
Option 1: Upload a zone file (recommended)
A zone file is an export of every DNS record on your domain. Uploading it is the most complete way to bring your records over.
- Sign in to your DNS provider.
- Open the DNS settings for the domain you're transferring.
- Export or download the zone file.
- Upload it in the DNS review step in FunnelStreams.
If you can't find an export option, ask your DNS provider's support for a zone file export.
Where to export at common providers
- GoDaddy: open the domain, go to DNS (or Manage DNS), and use the export option to download the zone file.
- Cloudflare: select the domain, open DNS, and use the DNS import and export option to export the zone file. If Cloudflare hosts your nameservers, use its records even if you bought the domain elsewhere.
- Namecheap: Namecheap doesn't offer a zone file download. Open the domain's Advanced DNS tab and write down every record: its type, host, value, and TTL. Then add them by hand in FunnelStreams.
- IONOS: open the domain or DNS area, select the domain, and use the export tools if they're available for your setup. If not, write down the records by hand.
Keep a copy of the export until the transfer is done and everything is working.
Option 2: Scan your DNS records automatically
FunnelStreams can scan your live DNS records for you. It's quick and needs no setup, but it can miss records, like hidden or special record types. If you scan, compare every result with the records at your DNS provider and add anything that's missing.
Review the records
Once your records are in, you'll see them in a table grouped by type. You can:
- Search by name, type, or value
- Add a record with Add Record
- Edit or delete a record
Make sure these are all there:
- A or CNAME records for your website and subdomains
- MX records for email
- TXT records for SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and domain verification
- CAA records, which control who can issue SSL certificates for the domain
- Any other records your tools and services use
Don't delete a record just because you don't recognize it. It may be running your email or another service.
When everything matches your DNS provider, check the confirmation box and click Continue.
FAQs
Do I have to export a zone file? It isn't always required, but it's the safest way to avoid missing records.
What if a scan missed some records? Add them by hand before you finalize the transfer. Use your DNS provider as the source of truth.
My domain is at GoDaddy but my nameservers point to Cloudflare. Where do I get my records? From Cloudflare. It hosts your DNS, even though GoDaddy holds the registration.