Managing your DNS zone settings is crucial when you’re setting up custom domains, redirecting traffic, configuring email services, or improving website performance. If you’re hosting your website with Bluehost, you’ll be glad to know that managing the DNS Zone is simple with the right steps. This guide walks you through how to manage DNS zone on Bluehost—step by step.

🔍 What Is a DNS Zone?

Before diving into the how-to, let’s clarify what a DNS zone is. A DNS (Domain Name System) zone is essentially a portion of the DNS namespace managed by a specific organisation or administrator. It contains records like:

• A Record – Points domain to an IP address

• CNAME Record – An Alias of one domain to another

• MX Record – Directs email to mail servers

• TXT Record – Holds text info for SPF, DKIM, and other verifications

• NS Record – Lists authoritative name servers for the domain

Understanding these basics helps you make informed changes without breaking your website or email services.

🧭 Step 1: Log In to Your Bluehost Account

1. Go to www.bluehost.com

2. Click Login in the top-right corner.

3. Enter your domain/email and password, then click Submit.

Once inside your Bluehost dashboard, you’re ready to access the DNS settings.

⚙️ Step 2: Navigate to DNS Zone Editor

1. In the Bluehost dashboard, select Domains from the left-side menu.

2. Click on My Domains.

3. Choose the domain you want to manage.

4. Scroll down and look for the DNS tab or click DNS Zone Editor.

📝 Note: If you’re using the new Bluehost interface, you might need to go through the Advanced or Settings tab before finding DNS.

🛠️ Step 3: Understanding and Editing DNS Records

Once in the DNS Zone Editor, you’ll see different types of records. Here’s how to manage them:

✳️ Add a New DNS Record

1. Click Add Record.

2. Choose the record type: A, CNAME, MX, TXT, etc.

3. Fill in the required fields:

   • Host/Name (e.g., www, @, mail)

   • Points to / Value (e.g., IP address or domain name)

   • TTL – Time to Live (usually the default is fine)

4. Click Save.

📝 Edit an Existing Record

1. Locate the record you want to update.

2. Click the Edit or pencil icon next to it.

3. Make your changes and click Save.

🗑️ Delete a DNS Record

1. Click the Trash bin icon next to the record you want to remove.

2. Confirm deletion when prompted.

⚠️ Caution: Only delete or modify records if you’re certain of their purpose. One wrong change can break your site, emails, or other services.

📬 How to Manage Email-Related DNS Records (MX, SPF, DKIM)

If you use a third-party email provider like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365, you’ll need to update the MX, SPF, and DKIM records accordingly:

✅ Add or Edit MX Records

• Use your provider’s specified MX host and priority values.

• Remove old MX records not required by the new service.

✅ Add SPF Record

• Create a TXT record with SPF info like:
  "v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all"

✅ Add DKIM Record

• Typically provided by your email provider.

• Added as a TXT record with a specific selector and value.

🔄 How Long Do DNS Changes Take?

Changes to DNS records can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours to fully propagate across the internet. You can use tools like:

• whatsmydns.net

• dnschecker.org

…to monitor propagation status.

🧩 Bonus: Use Bluehost’s Nameservers or Custom Ones?

By default, Bluehost provides its own nameservers. You can either use:

• ns1.bluehost.com

• ns2.bluehost.com

Or, if you’re using Cloudflare, Google Domains, or any other provider, you’ll need to update the nameservers under the Nameservers section of your domain.

🛡️ Best Practices for DNS Management on Bluehost

• 📌 Backup current DNS records before making any changes.

• ⚠️ Avoid editing NS records unless switching DNS providers.

• 🧪 Test changes using staging environments if possible.

• 💼 Use descriptive labels in the “Name” field for easier tracking.

• 🔁 Revisit your DNS regularly to ensure everything is up to date.

❓Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I break my website by editing DNS records?

Yes. Incorrect changes can disconnect your site, email, or other services. Always double-check entries and back up existing records.

Q: Do I need to contact Bluehost support for DNS changes?

No. You can manage everything through the DNS Zone Editor. However, their support is available 24/7 if needed.

Q: Can I set up subdomains from here?

Yes, use A records or CNAME records to set up subdomains like blog.yoursite.com.

✅ Final Thoughts

Managing the DNS Zone on Bluehost doesn’t have to be intimidating. Once you understand what each record does and follow the proper steps, it becomes a powerful tool for controlling your domain’s behaviour.

Whether you’re pointing your domain to a new hosting server, setting up professional email, or using services like Cloudflare, Bluehost gives you all the tools you need—right from your dashboard.