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dnsmigrator

Namecheap BasicDNS Websupport

Migrate DNS from Namecheap to Websupport.

5 record types move as they are. 2 things work differently at Websupport, and the preview shows exactly which of your records they affect.

Free preview. Read-only. Nothing changes until you apply.

What works differently

Generated from the same provider capability data the migration engine uses.

Moves as-is

  • A
  • AAAA
  • CNAME
  • MX
  • TXT

Alias records are converted

Namecheap alias records become CNAMEs below the apex. At the apex they need static addresses, and the preview shows which ones.

A typical Namecheap zone at Websupport

Example records for example.com. Open any flagged row to read why it changed.

Namecheap Websupport

  • UnsupportedALIAS@

    Not migrated

    @ is an alias to app.example-host.net at the zone apex. Websupport doesn't support apex aliases or CNAMEs.

  • ExactMX@

    10 mx1.mail.example.net. +1

  • ExactTXT@

    "v=spf1 include:_spf.example.net -all"

  • UnsupportedCAA@

    Not migrated

    Websupport doesn't support CAA records through its API.

  • ExactTXT_dmarc

    "v=DMARC1; p=reject; rua=mailto:dmarc@example.com"

  • ExactCNAMEblog

    example.github.io.

  • UnsupportedURL301go

    Not migrated

    URL301 is a Namecheap redirect feature, not a DNS record. Recreate it as a redirect rule at Websupport.

  • ExactCNAMEwww

    example.com.

How the move works

  1. 1

    Connect Namecheap

    Connect Namecheap with read-only access (API user + API key, with our egress IP allow-listed).

  2. 2

    Connect Websupport

    Connect Websupport (API key + secret (HMAC-SHA1 signed requests)). Write access is only used when you apply.

  3. 3

    Review the preview

    Check every record marked Review or Unsupported. Each one explains what changes and why.

  4. 4

    Apply to Websupport

    We snapshot the Websupport zone, write in batches, and leave Namecheap untouched.

  5. 5

    Verify

    We query Websupport's own nameservers for every record and compare the answers before you switch.

  6. 6

    Switch nameservers

    Lower TTLs a day or two ahead, remove any DS record if DNSSEC is on, then point the domain at the new nameservers at your registrar.

Good to know about Namecheap

  • Namecheap's API replaces the whole host list on every write, so we always read, merge and then write.
  • SRV records can't be managed through the API.
  • URL redirect records are Namecheap-specific and aren't real DNS records.

Access we need: API access enabled under Profile → Tools, with our static IP added to the allow-list.

Good to know about Websupport

  • Only A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, TXT and SRV records can be managed; CAA values come back without flags and tag, so CAA records are not read, and NS and ANAME are left alone.
  • Websupport cannot list DNS zones through the API; enter the domain name, and add new domains in the Websupport admin first.
  • Null MX and SRV records without a target are rejected, and trailing spaces in TXT values are stripped.

Access we need: An API key and secret on the Websupport user that owns the domain. Keys have no read-only mode, so the same key is used for preview and apply.

Questions

Will there be downtime moving from Namecheap to Websupport?

Not if both providers serve the same answers during the switch. The records are copied to Websupport and verified before you change nameservers, so resolvers get the same answer from either side while caches expire.

Do I have to delete anything at Namecheap?

No. We never write to Namecheap. Keep the old zone for a week after cutover so you can switch back instantly if anything looks wrong.

What about DNSSEC?

If DNSSEC is on, remove the DS record at your registrar and wait for it to expire before switching nameservers. Then enable DNSSEC at Websupport and publish its new DS record. The cutover plan walks you through each step.

Related migrations

Ready to see your own zone?

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