Ever wondered how typing a web address like google.com magically takes you to a website?

The secret is something called DNS, short for Domain Name System. It’s one of the most important—but least understood—parts of how the internet works.

In this article, we’ll break down DNS in simple terms and help you understand why it matters when managing your website.

What is DNS?

DNS is like the phonebook of the internet.

When you type a domain name (like example.com) into your browser, your device doesn’t actually understand that name directly. Instead, it needs to find the IP address (like 192.0.2.1) of the server where your website lives.

DNS does the job of looking up that number, so you don’t have to remember it.

Why is DNS Important?

Without DNS, you’d have to memorize long, confusing IP addresses to visit websites. Thanks to DNS, you can just type friendly names like plikhost.com and the internet will figure out where to go.

Every time someone visits your site, sends you an email, or uses your domain in any way, DNS plays a role behind the scenes.

Common DNS Records (And What They Do)

DNS works using records—like instructions that tell the internet what to do with your domain. Here are the most common types:

• A Record
  Maps your domain to an IP address (usually your web server).
  Example: yourdomain.com → 192.0.2.123

• CNAME Record
  Creates an alias from one name to another.
  Example: www.yourdomain.com → yourdomain.com

• MX Record
  Tells email services where to deliver your email.
  Example: mail.yourdomain.com

• TXT Record
  Used to store text info, often for verification or email security (like SPF, DKIM).
  Example: Proof of domain ownership for Google or Microsoft.

• NS Record
  Points to the nameservers that manage your DNS settings.
  Example: ns1.plikhost.net, ns2.plikhost.net

What are Nameservers?

Nameservers are like the gatekeepers of your DNS settings. When someone visits your domain, their browser checks your domain’s nameservers to get the latest DNS instructions.

At PLiKhost, we provide default nameservers for every domain. You can also use custom nameservers if you’re hosting DNS elsewhere (e.g., Cloudflare, AWS).

How Long Does DNS Take to Update?

This is called DNS propagation. When you change your DNS records or nameservers, it can take time (usually from a few minutes up to 48 hours) for the changes to update across the internet.

Why? Because DNS data is cached (temporarily stored) by various servers to speed things up.

Do You Need to Touch DNS Settings?

If you’re using PLiKhost for both your domain and hosting, we’ll set it up for you automatically.

However, you might need to manage DNS if:

• You’re pointing your domain to another web host

• You’re using third-party email (like Google Workspace or Zoho Mail)

• You need to verify domain ownership for services like Facebook Ads or Google Search Console

• You want to use services like Cloudflare for CDN and security

Final Thoughts

DNS might seem like a technical mystery at first—but it’s actually just a smart system that helps your domain find its way online.

At PLiKhost, we’re here to help you understand and manage DNS with confidence. Whether you want to edit your records, point your domain to a new host, or set up email, our support team is always ready to assist.

Need help with DNS? Visit PLiKhost.com or chat with us anytime.