Before starting domain name management, it helps to gather as much information as possible about how your domain, website, email and DNS are currently set up. Your domain name is your digital foundation, so Dobble begins by understanding where the domain is registered, who controls it, which services depend on it and whether there are any immediate risks such as expiry, missing access or incorrect DNS records.
The most useful starting point is access to your domain registrar account. This is the account where the domain was originally registered or is currently managed. If you do not know who the registrar is, Dobble can help review the public domain information and available records, but recovery may depend on the registrar’s policies and the details attached to the registration.
You should also prepare any login details or access credentials for related services, including your current website host, DNS provider, email provider and any platforms connected to your domain. These details allow Dobble to review the full technical picture rather than making changes based on guesswork. Where possible, credentials should be shared securely and only with the permissions needed to complete the review or migration.
It is also helpful to provide a list of the services currently using your domain. This may include your website, business email, Microsoft 365, Google services, CRM systems, booking platforms, payment gateways, marketing tools, analytics platforms and website form notifications. DNS records often connect these systems together, so knowing what relies on the domain helps reduce the chance of breaking something during a change.
If you have copies of current DNS records, renewal notices, invoices, previous agency details or registrar emails, these can be useful. Key DNS records may include A records, CNAME records, MX records, SPF, DKIM and DMARC. These records affect whether your website loads, whether email is delivered correctly, whether SSL works and whether third-party services can verify your domain.
Ownership information is also important. Dobble manages domain registrations on behalf of clients, but does not own client domains. For .au domains, ownership remains with the registered client. If a domain was registered by a former staff member, old agency or unknown provider, Dobble may need to help identify the current registrant details and determine what steps are available through the relevant registrar or registry process. Dobble cannot override third-party registrar or registry policies, but can provide practical assistance where possible.
If you are planning a migration, prepare information about the intended changes. For example, are you moving website hosting, changing email providers, updating DNS only or consolidating domain management under one technical contact? Dobble follows a planned migration process that may include auditing the existing setup, taking backups where possible, preparing the new environment, testing services and coordinating DNS changes carefully.
Although Dobble plans domain, DNS, hosting and email migrations to minimise downtime, temporary interruptions can still occur because of DNS propagation, third-party provider behaviour, internet caching or incorrect legacy configurations. Preparing accurate information before work begins helps reduce those risks and gives Dobble a clearer pathway for the transition.
In practical terms, prepare the following before your domain review:
- Domain registrar login details, if available
- Current DNS provider access
- Website hosting access
- Email provider details, including Microsoft 365 if used
- Current DNS records or screenshots
- Domain renewal dates and invoices
- Known third-party services connected to the domain
- Business ownership or registrant details
- Any recent domain, website or email issues
If you are unsure what you have access to, that is still a useful starting point. Dobble can perform a domain and DNS review, identify missing information and advise on the next practical steps. To begin, you can Request a Domain Review or contact Dobble to discuss your domain needs.