What DNS (Domain Name System) means
DNS records tell the world where your website, email and other services live. A wrong record can take your site or email down, so changes should be planned and documented. DNS is also where email authentication records like SPF, DKIM and DMARC are published.
Why it matters for your website
DNS decides where your domain sends visitors and email, so a single wrong record can take your site or inbox offline. Moving hosts, adding email tools and verifying services all involve DNS changes. Knowing who controls your DNS and how to get in is basic business insurance.
Example
A landscaping company switches web hosts and updates its A record. A typo sends visitors to an old server for a day until someone corrects it.
Tips
- Keep a written list of your DNS records before making any change.
- Lower the TTL a day ahead of a planned move so changes spread faster.
- Make sure the business owner, not just a former vendor, has DNS login access.
Common mistakes
- Deleting email records like MX while changing website settings.
- Losing track of which company hosts your DNS, separate from your registrar or web host.
Questions about DNS (Domain Name System)
What is DNS (Domain Name System)?
The internet's address book, translating domain names into the server addresses computers use.
How long do DNS changes take to work?
Many changes show up within minutes to a few hours, but cached records can take up to the TTL value or longer in some places to update everywhere.
What is the difference between an A record and a CNAME?
An A record points a name to an IP address. A CNAME points a name to another domain name, which then resolves to an address.
