What Are DNS and Why Do They Matter?
A simple explanation for anyone who just wants their website to work
When you type in a website like upline.studio, you expect it to just open. But behind the scenes, there’s a lot going on. One of the most important processes is something called DNS. In this article, we’ll explain what DNS is and why it’s essential — in plain, human language.
Think of the Internet Like a Phone Book
When you call a friend, you don’t dial their number from memory — you tap their name. DNS works the same way for websites. When you type in google.com, your computer doesn’t know where that is — so it asks DNS to find the “number” for it (called an IP address).
DNS (Domain Name System) is like the internet’s phone book. It translates human-friendly website names into computer-friendly IP addresses (like 142.250.190.78).
How DNS Works — Step by Step
- You type a web address into your browser. Example:
example.com - Your computer asks: “Where can I find this site?” It sends a request to a DNS server.
- DNS finds the correct IP address. It’s like calling a directory assistance line for the number.
- Your browser connects and opens the website. It now knows exactly where to go.
Why Is DNS So Important?
- Without it, you’d have to remember long strings of numbers to visit websites
- It makes the internet user-friendly and readable
- If DNS stops working, even existing websites won’t open
Who Manages DNS?
If you have a website, like myshop.com, you buy the domain from a registrar (like GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.) and then point it to the correct DNS servers.
DNS can be managed by:
- Your hosting provider
- A dedicated DNS provider (like Cloudflare)
Important: If DNS is set up incorrectly, your site may stop working or display errors.
Common Questions From Our Clients
🔹 Do I need to set up DNS myself?
Not usually. If you work with us, we’ll handle it for you.
🔹 Why doesn’t my site work immediately after buying a domain?
DNS updates can take time to spread across the internet — this is called propagation and may take up to 24 hours.
🔹 Can DNS be the reason my website doesn’t load?
Yes — especially if the domain has changed hosting and the DNS hasn’t been updated.
Final Thoughts
DNS is like a quiet backstage assistant that makes sure visitors can find your website. You don’t see it, but it works every single time someone types your domain.
If you have a website — or are about to launch one — remember that DNS setup is a small but critical step. And if you ever need help, we’re always here.
📩 Need help with DNS or launching your site?
Reach out — we’ll take care of it for you.