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What Is DNS and Why Does Sierra Interactive Manage My Domain?

How Sierra manages DNS for security and performance

Table of Contents

  1. What Is DNS?
  2. How Sierra Interactive Uses Your Domain
  3. Why We Use Cloudflare
  4. Do I Still Own My Domain?
  5. Why Grant Sierra Interactive Delegate Access?
  6. How to Grant Access (Step-by-Step)
  7. Using a Different Domain Registrar
  8. Moving From Another Website or Provider

What Is DNS?

DNS (Domain Name System) is like the internet’s address book. It tells browsers where to find your website and email by connecting your domain name (like yourname.com) to the servers that host your site and messages.

If DNS records are missing or incorrect, your website or email may stop working. Sierra manages DNS for active websites to ensure stability, security, and performance.

For a high-level overview of how domains, DNS, and support responsibilities work together, see:

👉 How Domains, DNS, and Support Requests Work 

How Sierra Interactive Uses Your Domain

When you work with Sierra Interactive, you keep full ownership of your domain. Our role is to:

  • Connect your domain to the website we built for you

  • Host your site securely

  • Manage DNS so your website, email, and security features work together seamlessly

Centralized DNS management reduces risk, ensures correct configuration, and protects your website from downtime caused by incorrect DNS changes.

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Why We Use Cloudflare

We point your domain to Sierra Interactive’s Cloudflare account to improve security, performance, and reliability.

Key benefits include:

  • Automatic SSL renewal to keep your site secure
  • DDoS protection against malicious attacks
  • Web Application Firewall (WAF) for advanced security
  • Faster site speed through Cloudflare’s global CDN
  • Reduced risk if code issues occur
  • Centralized monitoring with logs, reports, and alerts
  • Industry-standard encryption for compliance and security

Do I Still Own My Domain?

Yes — always.

Pointing your domain to Sierra Interactive’s Cloudflare account does not affect ownership. You remain in full control through your domain registrar.

  • You can request DNS updates at any time
  • You can revoke access whenever you want
  • You can move your domain to another provider by updating nameservers

Important: If you remove Sierra’s nameservers before pointing them elsewhere, your Sierra website will temporarily go offline until the DNS is updated again.

Why Grant Sierra Interactive Delegate Access?

Normally, launching a website requires manually copying and pasting long DNS records into your registrar. One small typo can take your website or email offline.

By granting Sierra Interactive delegate access, you avoid those risks.

Benefits of Delegate Access

  • We handle the technical setup: We configure nameservers and DNS records correctly on your behalf.
  • No downtime during launch: We coordinate timing so your website and email transition smoothly.
  • Secure and reversible: You never share your login password. Access is limited and can be removed at any time.

This is the safest and fastest way to get your site live.

For more information about responsibilities and support workflows, see:

👉 How Domains, DNS, and Support Requests Work
👉 Submit a DNS Update Request to Sierra Support

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How to Grant Access (Quick Guides)

GoDaddy

GoDaddy calls this feature Delegate Access.

  1. Log in to your GoDaddy account
  2. Click your name (top right) → Account Settings
  3. Select Delegate Access
  4. Under People who can access my account, click +Invite to Access
  5. Enter:
    • Name: Sierra Interactive
    • Email: Integrations@SierraInteractive.com
  6. Select access level: Domains (or Products & Domains)
  7. Click Invite

📘 GoDaddy Delegate Access Tutorial

Namecheap

Namecheap uses a Sharing feature.

  1. Log in to your Namecheap account
  2. Go to Domain List
  3. Click Manage next to your domain
  4. Open the Sharing & Transfer tab
  5. In Share Access, enter our email (Integrations@SierraInteractive.com) and your Namecheap username
  6. Click Add
    (Default “standard” access is all we need)

📘 Namecheap Sharing Access Tutorial

Using a Different Domain Registrar?

If your domain is registered with Google Domains, Cloudflare, or Bluehost, we’re unable to log in and manage records directly.

In these cases:

  • Our Web Development team will provide the exact DNS records
  • You’ll manually enter them when prompted
  • We’ll coordinate timing to match your go-live date

Not sure who your registrar is? Search your domain on Whois.com to find out.

Moving From Another Website or Provider?

If you’re coming from an existing site, we’ll make sure your current website stays live until the exact moment your new Sierra site is ready.

In some cases:

  • Your current provider may own the domain as part of a contract
  • The domain may not be transferable
  • You may not have admin access

If this applies to you, contact your current or former provider to discuss options or consider purchasing a new, SEO-friendly domain that you fully control.

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Key Takeaways 

  • You own your domain, while Sierra manages DNS configuration to reduce risk and maintain stability

  • Cloudflare improves website security, performance, and reliability

  • Delegate access is the safest and fastest way to manage DNS updates

  • DNS changes and troubleshooting requests should be submitted through Sierra Support