Yes, if the domain's DNS settings are changed incorrectly. DNS (Domain Name System) tells the internet which services handle a domain's traffic. A properly managed website move, however, does not interrupt business email or require new email addresses. Your website and email can share a domain while running on entirely separate services.
The most important rule is simple: before changing anything on the domain, establish where your business email runs and which DNS records it needs.
Why can a website move affect email?
A domain's DNS settings contain separate records for different purposes.
When you open those settings, you will see several abbreviations. They have different jobs:
- A and AAAA records point a domain to a server's IP (Internet Protocol) address.
- CNAME (Canonical Name) points one hostname to another.
- MX (Mail Exchange) identifies the mail server that receives incoming messages for your business.
- SPF (Sender Policy Framework) specifies which servers may send email on behalf of the domain.
- DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) adds a digital signature to outgoing email that the recipient can verify.
- DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting and Conformance) tells receiving services how to handle messages that fail SPF and DKIM authentication checks.
You do not need to memorise these terms. What matters is that publishing the new website does not accidentally delete or replace the records your email needs.
If the move changes only the records needed for the website and leaves the correct email settings in place, email can continue as normal.
Problems can arise, for example, when the entire DNS zone or the nameservers are changed without copying over the existing email service's records.
Do you need a new email address for a new website?
Normally, no.
If your business uses [email protected], you can usually keep that address regardless of who builds your website.
For example, your website can be hosted by one service while Google Workspace, Microsoft 365 or another provider handles email.
This is a very common setup.
A checklist before changing your website
Before launch, establish:
- Where is the domain managed?
- Where does your business email run?
- What are the current MX records?
- Are SPF, DKIM or DMARC in use?
- Will only the website destination change, or will the nameservers change too?
- Who will test sending and receiving email afterwards?
As a business owner, you do not need to interpret every record. This checklist helps ensure your website provider checks the email setup before making changes.
When does it make sense to move email at the same time?
If your current email service works well, you do not need to change it just because you are getting a new website.
A separate email move may be worth considering if:
- the old service is being discontinued
- your business does not have email on its own domain
- it is unclear who manages user accounts
- you need a new business email service
Even then, plan the website move and email migration as separate stages, even if they happen at the same time.
How can you spot a problem with email DNS settings?
Typical signs include:
- new messages not arriving
- sent messages bouncing back with an error
- more messages than usual landing in spam
- only some addresses working
If the problem starts immediately after a domain or DNS change, check the DNS records first.
How does GC handle this during a website move?
GC's website service includes connecting your existing domain to the new site and helping set up or migrate business email. The email provider's subscription fees are separate.
The aim is to avoid replacing email that already works. We establish the current setup first, then make only the changes needed to publish the new website.
If the terms are unfamiliar, start with what a domain is and what hosting is.