How Your Domain Name Connects Web Browsers to Your Website
Your domain is your website’s address. It makes it easy for people to find your site by connecting a readable name to its server.
Understanding how domain names work is simpler than it sounds. A domain gives people an easy-to-remember way to reach your website, while computers use numerical IP addresses to find the server where your site lives.
The domain name system works like a translation service between domain names that humans understand, like mywebsite.au, and IP addresses that machines understand, like 123.456.7.8.
How Domain Name Servers Work #
When someone types your domain into a browser or clicks a link, the request first goes to a nameserver - not the web server where your site lives. This acts as an intermediary, translating your domain into the correct IP address and directing the browser to the right web server so it can load your website. This all happens in a fraction of a second, which is why your website appears almost instantly.
Your Role as Domain Owner #
As the owner of your domain, you control the nameserver settings. Your web host will let you know what to enter to make sure your website displays correctly. Knowing this also explains a bit about how domain name retailers work, because retailers let you manage your domain and update these settings.
Keeping It Simple #
In short: your domain is the address people type. DNS translates it into your server’s IP address, and it’s up to you to make sure the settings point to the right place. Your web host will give you the details you need to set things up correctly, while your domain retailer provides the tools to update your nameservers and connect your domain to your chosen host. Understanding this connection helps you manage your domain confidently and avoid any website downtime. To compare .au domain prices and renewal options, check out our comparison table.