DNS is a required service which connect a domain name to services such as Website Hosting or Email. All domain names and all services on the Internet require DNS to function. DNS is sometimes included as part of a website hosting service, however free/included services often have limited features. If you would like complete freedom to connect a domain name to any Website Hosting provider, any Email Service Provider, or to take advantage of advantage/unlimited features, then a dedicated DNS service is the right choice for you.
What You Get with Webnames DNS Hosting
Easy to Use for Beginners
Whether you need to connect a single domain to a website or email services, or manage complex zone file updates for an entire portfolio, our DNS management dashboard makes updates intuitive, easy and fast.
Power Tools for Pro Users
Simplify & automate DNS management tasks with DNS update scheduling, reusable zone file templates, customizable TTL settings, bulk updates, HTTPS URL Forwarding with sub-domain support and more. Access flexible bulk-DNS with Multi-domain DNS Hosting.
Stress Free DNS Updates
Because mistakes can sometimes happen even to seasoned DNS administrators, our Premium DNS includes error alerts, version control, and the ability to rollback DNS records to a prior stable version.
DNS Threat Prevention
DNSSEC cryptographically ensures that the response to a DNS query has not been altered or spoofed, protecting you from a variety of DNS-related cyber threats like hijacking, pharming, cache poisoning and man-in-the-middle attacks.
More about DNSSEC
Fast, Resilient Global Anycast Network
With a distributed global footprint and unparalleled presence close to Canadian population hubs, Webnames Anycast DNS amplifies the performance and speed of your DNS, increasing your website’s availability while protecting it from DDoS attacks and downtime.
More about Anycast DNS
Expert DNS Support
Some DNS updates are easy-peasy, while others can be more high stakes. Whatever you need to get done, our experienced DNS experts standing by to help so you are never left wondering how to update, modify or change your DNS settings.
99.999% DNS Uptime Guarantee
Webnames Premium DNS hosting is backed by our guarantee of 99.999% uptime and 24×7 managed DNS support for corporate program clients.
Compare DNS Hosting Plans
| Advanced DNS | Premium DNS |
Multi-Domain DNS
CAD$41.67/month
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| Included DNS Records | |||
| A (host address) | |||
| AAAA (IPv6 host address) | |||
| ALIAS (auto resolved alias) | |||
| CAA (certification authority authorization) | |||
| CNAME (canonical name for alias) | |||
| MX (mail exchange) | |||
| NAPTR (naming authority pointer) | |||
| NS (nameserver) | |||
| PTR (pointer) | |||
| RP (responsible person) | |||
| SOA (start of authority) | |||
| SPF TXT (sender policy framework) | |||
| SRV (service locator) | |||
| TLSA (transport layer security authentication) | |||
| TXT (descriptive text) | |||
| DNS Features | |||
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URL Forwarding (with HTTPS support)
Forward your URL to another website
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| Sub-domain URL forwarding | |||
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Update scheduling
Schedule DNS updates to take place at a prescribed time and receive email confirmation
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DNS Templates
Create reusable DNS templates for speedy domain set-up and updating
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Easy Connect DNS templates
Quickly connect your domain name to Amazon Web Services, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365 (email and communication services), Shopify, Squarespace, Weebly, Wix, with more to come
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Zone file version control & change tracking
Retain and reinstate prior zone file versions
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DNSSEC
Secure DNS queries with a cryptographic key to ensure they are not altered or spoofed
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Global Anycast DNS Network
Resilient, global DNS coverage that is optimized for Canadian websites. Featuring multiple anycast clouds, powerful security from DNS-targeted DDoS attacks and 100% uptime guarantee.
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Built-in error notifications
Get instant alerts when incorrect formats or conflicting record types are entered
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| Subdomain URL Redirect | |||
| Easy to use control panel | |||
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Expert DNS support
From updates to ur team is standing by to assist you with all your DNS needs, from updates
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| 99.999% uptime guarantee | |||
| Compatible with domain names registered at other domain registrars | |||
| HTTPS URL Forwarding | |||
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Bulk Pricing Discount
Enjoy discounted prices on your total DNS expenses, as compared to buying several single-domain Premium DNS
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| Max. Number of domains per DNS purchase | 1 | 1 | 1000+ |
What is the Domain Name System?
With lots of different elements in play – nameservers, zone files, record types, IP addresses, domain names – the DNS can be a bit confusing for newbie domain name owners. Don’t worry, we’ve all been there!
At its most basic level, the Domain Name System is kind of like a phone book for the Internet. It allows us to use easy-to-comprehend domain names (like webnames.ca) instead of numeric IP addresses like 10.01.10.01 to reach websites and applications.
When you type a domain name into your browser, a Domain Name Server searches a vast database addresses to locate the corresponding IP address and then routes your browser to the website you’re wanting.
How the Domain Name System Works
Why do I need DNS Hosting?
When a domain name is registered, its DNS settings need to be updated for it to direct to a website or be used for email services.
Webnames Advanced DNS and Premium DNS hosting provides authoritative nameservers for domains registered at Webnames, and secondary nameservers for users who operate their own DNS servers.
These nameservers host your domain’s DNS information, resolving it the correct IP address where its website, email or other services are hosted and providing additonal benefits like improved speed, availability and security.
More DNS Resources
DNS Glossary of TermsDNS Hosting Knowledge Base
"Florent was courteous, knowledgeable and very efficient in helping me update my DNS. Thank you."
C. Buchanan
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. If you have a website hosting with another provider and would like to connect your domain name to it, then DNS hosting is the perfect solution for you.
Managing your DNS requires action by both your DNS Hosting provider as well as your Domain Registrar. When both of these roles are performed by Webnames, you gain simplicity and reliability. Webnames' DNS Hosting also has features that can't be found anywhere else at the same price point.
No. While there are management advantages to having your domain names and DNS services consolidated with a single trusted provider, Webnames world class DNS servics may be used with domain names registered at another domain registrar.
Both hosting services feature the same core functionality, however Premium DNS has the following notable features:
- Zone File snapshots - easily roll back or recover your DNS records
- Zone File templates - smart user-definable templates that can quickly (or automatically) be applied to multiple domains
- Zone File Import and Export - Copy DNS records in or out of your zones via standard axfr dump txt files
- Schedule Zone File Updates - Configure zone files changes and then schedule them to be applied at a later date/ time. Complete with success/fail email notifications
- Anycast DNS - optional (but included) 24+ node global DNS Anycast network
- DNSSEC - one-click fully automated and maintained DNSSEC
- Additional supported DNS Record Types - ALIAS, NAPTR, RP, PRT, CAA, TLSA, SOA plus the ability to URL Redirect subdomains (in addition to your root domain)
Large scale or enterprise clients will always benefit from the additional management features and scaling of our Premium DNS Hosting. Smaller customers, or customers who do not make frequent mission-critical DNS changes will be well served by our Advanced DNS service.
Free usually comes with a catch - either it's limited features, or only free for a limited time. Either way, 'free' is meant to serve as a gateway to a paid service. Webnames services are full-featured and come with the reliability that only a paid DNS service can provide.
Our nameservers, which host your DNS records, are clustered (meaning each nameserver is actually a group of physical or virtual servers) and are run in a mix of physical and cloud environments. All are front-ended by robust DDoS mitigation services. Additional costs may by incurred for zones exceeding 10 million queries per month. See Anycast for more information.
No there is no limit to the number of DNS records that can be created per zone.
Our DNS Anycast service, which is part of our Premium DNS offering, adds an additional 24+ nodes of globally distributed enterprise-grade DNS service, capable of scaling up to 100+ million queries per month*.
If you manage DNS for hundreds of domains with an increasing domain portfolio, multi-domain DNS hosting offers a flexible and cost-effective option. With multi-domain DNS, you buy DNS in bulk and can assign it to your domain names as needed. This plan is ideal for large organizations or users with large domain portfolios. Our Corporate DNS page has more details about our specialized solutions for large organizations.