Overview #
Cloudflare is a powerful tool for managing your domain’s DNS, enhancing website security, and improving site performance through features like caching, DDoS protection, and content delivery network (CDN) optimization. This guide walks you through adding your domain to Cloudflare and configuring the recommended settings to get the most out of the platform.
Step 1: Log In to Cloudflare #
- Go to https://www.cloudflare.com.
- Click Sign Up to create an account, or Log In if you already have one.
Step 2: Add Your Domain #
- After logging in, click “Add a Site”.
- Enter your domain name (e.g., example.com) and click Add Site.
- Select a plan – the Free plan is sufficient for most small to medium websites.
- Click Continue.
Step 3: Review and Import DNS Records #
- Cloudflare will automatically scan and import your current DNS records.
- Review all records to make sure they match those from your current DNS provider (especially A, CNAME, MX, TXT, and SPF records).
- Make any necessary changes or additions.
- Click Continue when finished.
Step 4: Update Nameservers with Your Domain Registrar #
- Cloudflare will provide two nameservers (e.g., alex.ns.cloudflare.com and rita.ns.cloudflare.com).
- Log in to your domain registrar (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains).
- Replace your current nameservers with the ones provided by Cloudflare.
- Save the changes.
📌 Note: It may take up to 24-48 hours for nameserver changes to propagate globally, but it often happens much sooner.
Step 5: Configure Cloudflare for Security & Performance #
After your domain is active on Cloudflare, go to your domain’s dashboard and review the following settings:
1. SSL/TLS Settings #
- Navigate to SSL/TLS → Overview
- Set SSL to “Full” or “Full (Strict)” if your origin server has a valid certificate
- Enable Always Use HTTPS and Automatic HTTPS Rewrites
2. Speed Enhancements #
- Go to Speed → Optimization
- Enable Auto Minify for HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
- Turn on Brotli Compression for faster loading
- Use Rocket Loader (optional – test compatibility with your theme/plugins first)
3. Caching Settings #
- Go to Caching → Configuration
- Set Caching Level to Standard
- Enable Always Online
- Configure Browser Cache TTL (e.g., 1 day or more depending on your update frequency)
4. Security Settings #
- Go to Security → Settings
- Set Security Level to Medium (increase if you’re experiencing malicious traffic)
- Enable Bot Fight Mode to block bad bots
- Set up rate limiting for sensitive pages (like login pages)
Step 6: Test and Monitor Your Site #
✅ Visit your site and confirm everything is loading correctly under Cloudflare
✅ Use Cloudflare Analytics to monitor traffic, threats, and caching performance
✅ Test your site speed and security using tools like:
Conclusion #
Adding your domain to Cloudflare enhances your website’s security, performance, and reliability. By properly configuring SSL, caching, and DNS settings, you can improve loading speeds and protect against common threats like DDoS attacks—all while maintaining full control over your domain’s infrastructure.
