### [Adding DNS Records for WP Mail SMTP on SiteGround](https://wpmailsmtp.com/docs/adding-dns-records-for-wp-mail-smtp-on-siteground/)

**Published:** November 23, 2023
**Author:** David Ozokoye

**Excerpt:** Learn how to add DNS records for your WP Mail SMTP setup on SiteGround.

**Content:**

Would you like to add DNS records for your WP Mail SMTP mailer setup with your domain hosted on SiteGround? Adding the DNS records provided by your mailer helps with domain verification and improves email deliverability.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of adding DNS records for WP Mail SMTP on SiteGround.

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Before getting started, make sure WP Mail SMTP is [installed and activated](https://wpmailsmtp.com/docs/how-to-install-the-wp-mail-smtp-plugin/) on your WordPress site.

### Understanding How DNS Records Work in SMTP

The Domain Name System (DNS) is like the internet’s address book. [DNS](https://wpmailsmtp.com/docs/how-to-add-dns-records-for-wp-mail-smtp-setup/#what) provides a means to map a domain name (e.g., `example.com`) to its corresponding IP address (e.g., `123.123.80.20`). Just like how you store a person’s phone number with their name on your smartphone to easily remember them.

DNS records act as a storage system for the settings needed to map a domain name to its corresponding IP address. This means each domain has its unique set of DNS records.

Most [mailers in WP Mail SMTP](https://wpmailsmtp.com/docs/a-complete-guide-to-wp-mail-smtp-mailers/) use DNS records as a means to verify your domain on their platform. In some cases, it can be used to improve email deliverability, as in the case of adding [SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records](https://wpmailsmtp.com/dmarc-spf-dkim/).

In the next sections, we’ll cover the steps for adding DNS records for sites hosted on SiteGround.

### Accessing DNS Settings in SiteGround

To start, log in to your [SiteGround hosting dashboard](https://my.siteground.com/).

After logging in to your hosting dashboard, click on **Websites** in the navigation bar.

![Select websites tab](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/select-websites-tab-smtp.png "Select Websites Tab")

On the next page, you’ll see a list of your domains hosted on SiteGround. Click the **SITE TOOLS** button under the domain you’d like to add the DNS records.

![Select site tools option](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/site-tools-smtp.png "Select Site Tools Option")

This will bring you to the dashboard for the selected domain. From here, select **Domain** from the sidebar menu.

![Select Domain menu](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/select-domain-smtp.png "Select Domain Menu SiteGround")

After that, select **DNS Zone Editor** from the list of options that appear.

![Select Zone Editor](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/dns-zone-editor-smtp.png "Select Zone Editor Option")

This will take you to the DNS Zone Editor page where you can add new DNS records and manage existing ones.

### Adding DNS Records in SiteGround

Under the Create New Record section, you’ll see options to add A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, SRV, or TXT records. You’ll need to choose the specific record required by your mailer.

![Create new record section](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/create-new-record-smtp.png "Create New Record in SiteGround")

As an example, we’ll add one of the CNAME records [SendLayer provides when setting it up with WP Mail SMTP](https://wpmailsmtp.com/docs/how-to-set-up-the-sendlayer-mailer-in-wp-mail-smtp/).

To do so, select the **CNAME** option from the list of DNS record types in SiteGround.

![Select CNAME record](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/cname-record-smtp.png "Select CNAME Record")

After that, enter the SendLayer **Hostname** into the **Name** field in SiteGround.

![Add hostname to name field](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/hostname-smtp.png "Paste Hostname Value into Name Field in SiteGround")

**Note:** When adding DNS records, be aware that the naming for the fields from your mailer or domain host might differ. For instance, a field labeled as “Name” in one interface might appear as “Host Record” or “Hostname” in another. Always refer to your host or [mailer’s documentation](https://wpmailsmtp.com/docs/a-complete-guide-to-wp-mail-smtp-mailers/) to understand their specific terminology.

For the **TTL** (Time To Live), select **5 min** from the **Cache duration settings (TTL)** dropdown.

![Time to Live Value](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/time-to-live-smtp.png "Time To Live Value")

**Note:** The TTL value may differ depending on your chosen mailer or the record type. Be sure to enter the correct value provided by your mailer.

Next, add the SendLayer **Value** to the **Resolves to** field.

![Paste Value into Resolves to in SiteGround](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/resolves-to-smtp.png "Paste Value into Resolves to in SiteGround")

Once you’ve added the details for the DNS record, go ahead and click the **CREATE** button.

![Click the create button](https://wpmailsmtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/click-create-smtp.png "Click the Create Button")

After adding the first record, repeat the steps above to add the remaining DNS records provided by your mailer.

**Note:** It can take up to 24-48 hours for DNS changes to propagate.

### Verifying Your DNS Records

Once you’ve added the DNS records to support WP Mail SMTP, we recommend verifying that they’ve been implemented correctly. This step helps ensure optimal email deliverability by confirming that your outgoing emails are authenticated.

There are a couple of ways to verify your DNS records:

- **Sending a test email:** Utilize WP Mail SMTP’s built-in tool for sending a test email. If there’s an issue with your DNS records, an error notification will pop up.
- **Using the Site Health tool:** The WordPress Site Health tool can help identify any DNS verification problems. If there’s a verification issue with your DNS records, you’ll see a message that provides actions you can take to help resolve it.

To learn more about using these tools, be sure to check out our complete guide to [verifying your DNS records](https://wpmailsmtp.com/docs/how-to-verify-your-sending-domains-dns-records/ "verifying your DNS records").

**Note:** Remember, changes to DNS settings might take up to 48 hours to fully propagate. If you’ve made recent updates, giving it a little more time before troubleshooting might be worthwhile.

That’s it! Now you know how to add DNS records on domains hosted with SiteGround.

Next, would you like to conditionally send emails using different mailer connections on your WordPress site? See our [smart routing](https://wpmailsmtp.com/docs/setting-up-smart-email-routing/) tutorial to learn how to set it up.

**Categories:** DNS Records

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