DNS, short for Domain Name System, is often described as the “phone book of the internet.” It translates human-readable domain names—like yourcompany.com—into IP addresses, which are like the street addresses of servers.

When someone types your website URL into their browser, DNS is what helps them get to the right server. Without it, users would have to remember long strings of numbers (like 192.168.0.1) to visit your site. Not very practical.

So if your domain is your online address, DNS is the system that makes sure visitors actually reach it.

How it works (without the jargon)

Here’s what happens behind the scenes when someone visits your site:

1. User types your domain into a browser.
2. The browser asks, “Where do I find this site?”
3. The DNS system answers with the correct IP address.
4. The browser uses that IP to connect to your web server.
5. The page loads.

This all happens in milliseconds, but without a working DNS setup, your site won’t load at all.

What DNS does for your website

• Connects your domain to your web hosting
• Connects your domain to your email service (like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365)
• Helps configure subdomains (e.g. blog.yourcompany.com)
• Lets you use third-party services like CDNs, firewalls, or external apps

Key DNS terms to know

Here are a few common DNS record types and what they do:

• A Record: Points your domain to your website’s IP address.
• CNAME: Points a subdomain to another domain (often used for CDNs or email services).
• MX Record: Controls where your email gets delivered.
• TXT Record: Often used for verification (like proving ownership of your domain to Google).
• NS Record: Specifies the nameservers responsible for your domain’s DNS (i.e., who controls it).

You don’t need to memorize these—but knowing they exist helps you troubleshoot or communicate with your developer or host.

Where is your DNS managed?

DNS settings live in your domain registrar or hosting provider—whoever is handling your nameservers. This could be:

• A domain registrar (like Namecheap, GoDaddy)
• Your web host (like SiteGround, Cloudways)
• A third-party DNS provider (like Cloudflare or DNSimple)

If you ever change hosts or set up professional email, you’ll likely need to adjust your DNS records.

DNS and downtime

Misconfigured DNS can cause major headaches. If a record is wrong or missing:

• Your website might not load
• Your emails might bounce or go undelivered
• Subdomains or third-party tools might stop working

It’s always smart to have a backup of your DNS records and let a professional handle changes if you’re unsure.

Bottom line

DNS is the behind-the-scenes system that makes sure people can reach your website and send you emails. You don’t need to manage it daily, but knowing how it works—and how crucial it is—can save you a lot of stress if something breaks. If you ever move your website, change hosts, or update your email provider, DNS will be part of the process.