Using Cloudflare with your website to improve security, performance, and reliability
Cloudflare is a popular service that offers security, performance, and reliability benefits for your website. You can integrate Cloudflare with your cPanel account to manage your domain’s DNS records and take advantage of Cloudflare’s features. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Sign Up for Cloudflare (if you haven’t already)
- Head over to Cloudflare’s website and create a free account.
2. Add Your Domain to Cloudflare:
- Log in to your Cloudflare account.
- Click on “Add Site” and enter your domain name.
- Cloudflare will scan your domain’s current DNS records.
- Choose a plan (the free plan works for most users).
3. Configure DNS Settings (Two Methods)
There are two main methods for configuring DNS settings with Cloudflare and cPanel:
Method A: Full DNS Setup (Recommended)
- In Cloudflare, you’ll see your current nameservers and Cloudflare’s nameservers.
- Log in to your cPanel account.
- Navigate to the “Domains” section and find “Zone Editor” or similar.
- Update your domain’s nameservers with the ones provided by Cloudflare.
- Important: Allow up to 24 hours for the nameserver change to propagate globally.
Method B: cPanel Cloudflare Integration
- In cPanel, navigate to the “Software” section and look for “Cloudflare”
- You might see an option to “Create Your Free Account” or “Sign In” if you already have a Cloudflare account.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to link your cPanel account with Cloudflare.
- This method usually automates the nameserver update process.
4. Manage Your DNS Records
- After the nameserver change, you can manage your DNS records from Cloudflare’s dashboard.
- Cloudflare will display your existing DNS records for your domain.
- You can modify these records (like A records, MX records) within the Cloudflare interface.
5. Enable Cloudflare Features
- Cloudflare offers various features like security settings, performance optimisations, and analytics.
- Explore the Cloudflare dashboard to activate features that suit your needs.
Additional Tips
- Always back up your DNS records before making any changes.
- Cloudflare offers a free SSL certificate for your website.
- After enabling Cloudflare, allow some time for the changes to take effect globally.
- Refer to Cloudflare’s documentation for detailed information about their features: https://developers.cloudflare.com/
By following these steps, you can successfully integrate Cloudflare with your cPanel account and leverage its benefits for your website.
