When it comes to WordPress hosting, most people focus on themes, plugins, and page speed tools. But behind every fast and secure website lies two essential and often overlooked pillars: DNS configuration and SSL setup.
At Red Jet, we’ve seen too many NZ business sites suffer from slow DNS resolution, broken SSL setups, or misconfigured CDNs. These hidden issues can tank your performance, hurt your SEO, or expose your site to serious risks.
Let’s break down why DNS and SSL matter – and how to configure them the right way.
🌐 What Is DNS (and Why It Matters)?
DNS (Domain Name System) is the phone book of the internet. It translates your domain (like example.co.nz) into an IP address so browsers can find your site.
Why Proper DNS Configuration Affects Speed:
- Slow DNS lookups = slower page loads
- Misconfigured records = email or site downtime
- High TTLs = longer cache invalidation times
- Lack of redundancy = single point of failure
Even if your hosting is lightning fast, poor DNS performance can delay the very first step in loading your site.
🔧 How to Optimise DNS for WordPress
✅ Use a Reputable DNS Provider
We recommend:
- Cloudflare (free with performance and security boosts)
- DNSMadeEasy or Route53 for advanced use cases
- Avoid using your domain registrar’s DNS if they’re slow or unreliable
✅ Set Sensible TTL Values
- TTL (Time to Live) determines how long DNS records are cached by browsers and servers
- Use low TTLs (300 seconds) during migrations or email config changes
- Use higher TTLs (3600–86400) once everything is stable for better speed
✅ Implement Redundancy
- Use multiple DNS servers to prevent downtime
- Monitor your DNS health and response time with tools like dnsperf.com
🔒 What Is SSL, and Why Does It Matter?
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encrypts data between your website and visitors – protecting login info, checkout details, and more.
In 2025, SSL is no longer optional. It’s essential for:
- Customer trust
- SEO rankings
- Compliance (especially for ecommerce or memberships)
- Browser compatibility (modern browsers flag insecure sites)
🧰 How to Configure SSL Correctly
✅ Use Let’s Encrypt or Premium SSL
At Red Jet, we include free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates for every site. They:
- Auto-renew every 90 days
- Work across all major browsers
- Can be upgraded to premium EV/OV certificates if needed
✅ Force HTTPS Everywhere
- Redirect all HTTP traffic to HTTPS
- Use the Really Simple SSL plugin (or set this at the server level)
- Update your WordPress settings (Site URL, Home URL) to use HTTPS
✅ Check Your Certificate Health
Use SSL Labs to:
- Confirm proper chain setup
- Identify mixed content or expired certs
- Test TLS version support
⚡ SSL Performance Tips (Yes, It Can Slow You Down)
While SSL adds security, it can slightly affect speed if not optimised. Here’s how we tune it:
- Enable HTTP/2 or HTTP/3 on your server
- Use OCSP Stapling to speed up certificate verification
- Enable TLS 1.3 for faster handshakes
- Minimise redirects to avoid repeat handshakes
At Red Jet, our NGINX stack and CDN partners are pre-tuned for fast, secure SSL performance.
🌍 Don’t Forget the CDN Integration
A CDN (Content Delivery Network) caches your site’s static assets (images, scripts, stylesheets) on global edge servers – including in Auckland, Sydney, Singapore and beyond.
Key Benefits:
- Lower latency for NZ and international visitors
- SSL termination at the edge for faster encryption
- DDoS protection and rate-limiting
We often recommend:
- Cloudflare (free or Pro plans)
- Bunny.net for lightweight, low-cost performance
- Amazon CloudFront for enterprise-grade use
CDNs work best when DNS and SSL are properly configured – otherwise, they can cause delays, errors, or security warnings.
🔍 How We Handle DNS + SSL at Red Jet
All our hosting clients get:
- ✅ DNS configuration assistance (including SPF/DKIM for email)
- ✅ Let’s Encrypt SSL with auto-renewals
- ✅ Proper HTTP/HTTPS redirects and mixed content fixes
- ✅ DNS TTL tuning
- ✅ Cloudflare CDN setup (optional, but recommended)
- ✅ Ongoing monitoring with real-time alerts
👉 Request a Free DNS + SSL Audit
🧭 Final Thoughts
You wouldn’t build a house on an unstable foundation – so don’t run a fast WordPress site on misconfigured DNS or expired SSL.
With the right setup, you get:
- Faster load times
- Stronger SEO
- Better customer trust
- Fewer support headaches
At Red Jet, we don’t just host WordPress – we optimise every layer for speed and security.