This guide explains what nameservers are and how they work for your domain name.
Nameservers are one of the most important parts of getting a website and email service working correctly. They help direct your domain name to the correct hosting provider and tell the internet where to find the services linked to your domain.
If you have ever been asked to update your nameservers after purchasing hosting or moving a website, this guide will help explain what that means in simple terms.
In this article, we will cover
- What nameservers are
- Why they matter for your website and email
- When you might need to change them
- What happens after they are updated
What are nameservers?
Nameservers are special server settings for your domain name. Their job is to tell the internet which DNS provider is responsible for your domain and where the correct DNS records are stored.
In simpler terms, nameservers act like a signpost. When someone types your domain name into a browser, the nameservers help direct that request to the right place so the correct website or email service can be found.
This is why nameservers are often updated when a domain is connected to new hosting.
[Screenshot Placeholder – domain management area showing nameserver fields]
Why nameservers matter
Your nameservers affect more than just your website. They can also affect email delivery, subdomains, and other services linked to the domain.
If the nameservers point to the wrong provider, your website may not load correctly, your email may stop working, or recent DNS changes may not take effect where you expect them to.
For that reason, it is important to make sure the domain uses the correct nameservers for the service you want to connect.
When might you need to change them?
You may need to update your nameservers when you move your website to a new hosting provider, connect a newly registered domain to your hosting account, or switch DNS management from one provider to another.
For example, if your domain is registered with one company but your website is hosted with Falcomms, you may need to update the domain’s nameservers at the registrar so the domain starts using the correct DNS settings.
It is important to understand that changing nameservers does not move your website files by itself. It simply changes which DNS service controls the domain.
What happens after they are updated?
After nameservers are changed, the update may take time to spread across the internet. This is known as DNS propagation.
During this period, some people may see the new website or email service while others still reach the old one. This is normal and does not always mean anything is wrong.
[Screenshot Placeholder – DNS change propagation example]
Once the update has fully completed, the domain should begin using the DNS records provided by the new nameservers.
Need help?
If you are unsure which nameservers your domain should use or need help connecting your domain to your hosting account, our support team will be happy to assist.
