DNS

DNS in a nutshell

The DNS, for Domain Name System, is a fundamental Internet system that makes it possible to translate human-readable domain names (like mekaa.fr) into machine-understandable IP addresses (like 172.67.213.204). Without DNS, each website would have to be accessed via a series of numbers, which would be impractical on a large scale. It acts like a global directory that allows browsers to locate and display the right servers in milliseconds. Although it is invisible to most users, DNS is essential for all web browsing. As part of a Webflow project, the DNS is often configured to connect a custom domain name to a site hosted on Webflow servers.

What is DNS and how does it work?

The DNS works like a resolution system. When a user enters a URL in their browser, such as www.mekaa.fr, the DNS system will look for which IP address this name corresponds to. This request goes through various DNS servers — first the local cache, then the root servers, then the authoritative name servers — until the exact IP address of the server hosting the site is found. The browser can then establish a connection to the correct server and load the content. This process is almost instantaneous, but is based on a distributed, redundant, and highly optimized global infrastructure.

In a site management logic, the DNS is used in particular to point a purchased domain (from a registrar such as OVH, Gandi, GoDaddy...) to the site host (such as Webflow, Vercel, or Netlify). This involves setting up different types of DNS records, each with a specific role.

The most common types of DNS records

Why DNS is essential to connect a Webflow site

When you publish a site on Webflow with a custom domain name, you need to change the DNS settings at your domain provider. This generally involves adding an A record pointing to Webflow's IP address, as well as a CNAME record to manage the www subdomain. A bad DNS configuration can lead to access errors, propagation delays, or SSL certificate issues. On the other hand, a correct configuration ensures that your site is visible all over the world, secure, and quick to load.

Webflow provides the precise values to be inserted into the DNS console of your registrar. Once changes have been recorded, it is sometimes necessary to wait 5 minutes to 48 hours for DNS propagation to be effective on a global scale. Meanwhile, some geographic areas may still point to the domain's former destination. This delay is normal and depends on the TTL (Time To Live) of the changed recordings.

The role of DNS in performance, security, and email

DNS is not just a redirection tool. It also influences performance (via fast DNS providers like Cloudflare), security (thanks to DNSSEC or ownership verification), and email deliverability (via SPF, DKIM, DMARC records...). A good DNS configuration is therefore essential to the stability of a digital project. In the event of a redesign, migration or change of domain name, this is a critical step that should not be rushed or put off at the last minute.

Conclusion

The DNS is an invisible but essential technical pillar of the web. It provides the link between human-readable domain names and the IP addresses needed by machines. In Webflow, it plays a key role in putting a site online with a custom domain name, in SSL security, and in optimizing the availability of the site. Mastering the logic of DNS records, even on the surface, helps avoid critical errors and ensures that your site remains accessible, fast, and reliable for all your visitors.