Enable Cloudflare on your Site

This article covers how to enable Cloudflare on your website. This just enables the basic Cloudflare service. If you'd like more protection, such as bot defense and access limits, you'll need to activate those features separately.

Related Articles

Block Bots in Cloudflare
Block or Limit Access by Country in Cloudflare
AutoSSL with Cloudflare

IMPORTANT: Cloudflare is an external service. For the most up to date information, you may need to follow the Cloudflare documentation.

Activate Cloudflare on your Domain

1. Create a Cloudflare account.
2. Navigate to the Cloudflare Dashboard.
   NOTE: If prompted, choose the new Cloudflare Dashboard.
3. On the Account home, Click Onboard a Domain.
4. Type your domain into the domain box.
   
5. Select an option to import your DNS records.
   1. Quick Scan is recommended, this option will scan your existing records using a public scan. This may not find your subdomains, which you would need to manually add later.
   2. Manually enter will require you to copy in your records manually.
   3. Upload a DNS zone file will require you to upload an existing zone file.
6. Click Continue.
7. Select a plan.
   NOTE: As of writing, the Free Plan supports all the features required for this guide.
8. Review your DNS records and Add any missing records.
   NOTE: These records can typically be found in your Control Panel under DNS Zone or Zone Editor.
9. Click Continue to Activation.
10. Login to your DNS provider or registrar.
    1. If your domain is registered with InMotion Hosting, you can Navigate in your Account Management Panel (AMP) to Domains > Point Your Domain.
    2. If your domain is registered elsewhere, you will need to Login to the registrar and Locate the DNS or nameservers section.
       NOTE: If you don't know your registar, you can use a WHOIS lookup.
11. If enabled, Disable DNSSEC.
12. Copy the Cloudflare nameservers as provided and Change your nameservers to Cloudflare.
    
    NOTE: You will need to Delete any existing nameservers and then Paste in the two nameservers provided by Cloudflare.
13. Click Continue.
14. Wait for DNS Propagation.
    NOTE: This can take 24-48 hours. Cloudflare should email you when it is activated.
15. (Optional) Enable more Cloudflare features.
    1. Block Bots in Cloudflare
    2. Block or Limit Access by Country in Cloudflare
    3. Configure your Email MX Records
    4. Enable Full SSL
    5. Full List of Features