Back-End Development course
Key takeaways.
A domain is identity; DNS is routing, treat both as critical operational assets.
“Who controls DNS” matters more than “where the domain was bought.”
Understand root vs subdomain decisions and set one canonical version with redirects.
Records have roles: A/CNAME for web, MX for mail, TXT for verification/policy.
Propagation is caching, plan change windows and avoiding repeated edits mid-flight.
Document everything: ownership, logins, recovery methods, and record snapshots.
Make DNS edits like production changes: one change at a time, verify, then proceed.
SSL/HTTPS may take time after DNS updates; expect and plan for provisioning delays.
Email reliability depends on correct routing and authentication (SPF/DKIM/DMARC).
Transfers and renewals are risk-management: locks, auth codes, 2FA, and renewal registers prevent disasters.
In-depth breakdown.
Website Domains [WC - C6] teaches domain management as an operational discipline, not a mystery. It begins by separating the concepts people often merge: domain vs URL vs page path, registrar vs registry, DNS host vs website host vs email host. From there, DNS becomes a predictable system: records map names to destinations (A/CNAME), route mail (MX), and prove ownership or publish policies (TXT). TTL and “propagation” are framed as caching behaviour, which explains why changes appear inconsistent across devices and networks, and why repeated edits during a change window often create bigger problems.
The practical workflow emphasises safe edits: take snapshots, change one thing at a time, verify expected values, and keep a change log with “last known-good” rollback references. Connecting a domain to a website covers canonical decisions (root vs www), redirects, and realistic SSL/HTTPS timelines. Email-focused modules cover routing and deliverability basics, including SPF/DKIM/DMARC, avoiding duplicate records, and methodical debugging. Finally, it covers transfers and long-term protection: auth codes, lock states, sequencing to avoid downtime, renewal registers, access controls, 2FA, and incident prevention habits that reduce single points of failure.
Course itinerary.
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What a domain is
Registrars and registries
Ownership and renewal
DNS basics
Records: A/CNAME/MX/TXT
TTL and propagation
Common misconfigurations
Importance of domain management
Conclusion and next steps
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Choosing well
TLD considerations
Protecting brand variants
Privacy and WHOIS
Auto-renew strategy
Billing and access control
Steps to purchase a domain
Domain extensions and their importance
Common mistakes to avoid
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Account setup
Domain management basics
Roles and access management
Managing DNS records safely
Verification records (TXT)
Rollback habits
Domain name security best practices
Tools for domain management
Next steps after domain registration
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Common connection patterns
SSL/HTTPS expectations
Fix workflow checklist
Connecting domains to hosting
Connecting GoDaddy domain to Squarespace
Transferring domains
Troubleshooting domain connections
Best practices for domain management
Key takeaways
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Email routing
SMTP deliverability
Avoiding misdirection
Sender verification
Importance of sender verification
Debugging email domain issues
Understanding domains
Choosing hosting services
Google Workspace integration
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Transfers
Timing and downtime risks
Best-practice sequencing
Long-term maintenance
Renewal discipline
Access and ownership records
Incident prevention basics
Domain protection essentials
Conclusion & next steps
Course requirements.
The requirements necessary for this course include:
Technology
You need a computer/smart device with a decent internet.
Account
No account is required as the lectures are free to view.
Viewing
This course is taught via a blog article format.
Commitment
You will need to dedicate time and effort, at your own pace.
Frequently Asked Questions.
What’s the difference between a domain, a URL, and a page path?
A domain is the name (example.com); a URL includes protocol and full address; a path is the part after the domain (/about).
If I “buy a domain,” do I automatically get a website and email?
No. A domain is an address. Hosting serves the website; an email provider handles mail—DNS connects them.
What’s the difference between the registrar and DNS provider?
The registrar manages purchase/renewal and ownership settings; the DNS provider hosts the records that control routing.
Why does it work for me but not someone else after DNS changes?
Caching. Different resolvers honour TTL and refresh at different times, so updates appear inconsistent temporarily.
Should I use auto-renew?
Usually yes, with a backup reminder and monitored payment method to reduce accidental expiry risk.
When should I use A vs CNAME records?
A maps a name to an IP; CNAME aliases one hostname to another (common for www). Provider rules vary for apex/root.
What does TTL actually control?
How long others may cache a DNS answer. Lower TTL can speed planned changes but increases query volume.
How do I connect a domain without breaking email?
Before editing DNS, document existing MX/TXT records and reapply them after web-related changes if needed.
How do SPF, DKIM, and DMARC work together?
SPF authorises senders, DKIM signs messages, and DMARC defines policy/reporting for alignment, they reduce spoofing and improve deliverability.
How do you avoid downtime during a registrar transfer?
Keep DNS hosting unchanged (or records identical), sequence changes, maintain admin email access, and avoid changing hosting/email at the same time.
