An ALIAS record is a specialized type of DNS record that allows you to point the "root" of your domain (e.g., yourdomain.com) to another hostname (e.g., nixzoehost.herokuapp.com).
While it behaves similarly to a CNAME, it is technically different because it can be used on the root domainsomething a standard CNAME is not allowed to do.
Why use an ALIAS record?
Most modern cloud platforms (like Heroku, Netlify, or GitHub Pages) provide you with a URL rather than a static IP address.
-
A CNAME works for subdomains (like
www.yourdomain.com). -
An ALIAS is required if you want your main domain (
yourdomain.com) to point to that same cloud service.
How to Set It Up at Nixzoehost
-
Log in to your Nixzoehost Client Area.
-
Navigate to Domains > My Domains and click Manage next to your domain.
-
Click the Advanced DNS tab.
-
Click the Add New Record button.
-
Select ALIAS Record from the dropdown menu.
-
Fill in the fields as follows:
-
Host: Enter
@(this represents your root domain). -
Value: Enter the destination hostname provided by your service (e.g.,
example.netlify.app). -
TTL: You can leave this as Automatic.
-
-
Click the Save Changes (checkmark) icon.
ALIAS vs. CNAME: Whats the difference?
| Feature | CNAME Record | ALIAS Record |
Can use on Root (@)? |
No (It breaks email/MX records) | Yes |
| Speed | Slightly slower (requires two lookups) | Faster (Nixzoehost resolves it for the user) |
| Best For | Subdomains like www or blog |
Root domains pointing to Cloud Services |
How to Create an ALIAS Record
An ALIAS record is a specialized type of DNS record that allows you to point the "root" of your domain (e.g., yourdomain.com) to another hostname (e.g., nixzoehost.herokuapp.com).
While it behaves similarly to a CNAME, it is technically different because it can be used on the root domainsomething a standard CNAME is not allowed to do.
Why use an ALIAS record?
Most modern cloud platforms (like Heroku, Netlify, or GitHub Pages) provide you with a URL rather than a static IP address.
-
A CNAME works for subdomains (like
www.yourdomain.com). -
An ALIAS is required if you want your main domain (
yourdomain.com) to point to that same cloud service.
How to Set It Up at Nixzoehost
-
Log in to your Nixzoehost Client Area.
-
Navigate to Domains > My Domains and click Manage next to your domain.
-
Click the Advanced DNS tab.
-
Click the Add New Record button.
-
Select ALIAS Record from the dropdown menu.
-
Fill in the fields as follows:
-
Host: Enter
@(this represents your root domain). -
Value: Enter the destination hostname provided by your service (e.g.,
example.netlify.app). -
TTL: You can leave this as Automatic.
-
-
Click the Save Changes (checkmark) icon.
ALIAS vs. CNAME: Whats the difference?
| Feature | CNAME Record | ALIAS Record |
Can use on Root (@)? |
No (It breaks email/MX records) | Yes |
| Speed | Slightly slower (requires two lookups) | Faster (Nixzoehost resolves it for the user) |
| Best For | Subdomains like www or blog |
Root domains pointing to Cloud Services |
Important Troubleshooting Tips
-
Avoid Conflicts: You cannot have an A Record and an ALIAS Record for the same Host (
@). If you are adding an ALIAS record to point to a service like Shopify or Netlify, make sure to delete any existing A records first. -
Propagation: Like all DNS changes, an ALIAS record can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 24 hours to fully propagate across the globe.
-
Email Stability: Unlike a CNAME, an ALIAS record is "MX-compatible," meaning it won't interfere with your ability to receive emails at your domain.
