Configure GoDaddy DNS Cloudflare: A Step-by-Step Guide
When it comes to improving your website’s performance and security, using Cloudflare with your GoDaddy domain is a powerful and cost-effective solution. By choosing to configure GoDaddy DNS Cloudflare, you’re enabling faster load times, protection against cyberattacks, and free SSL support.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to connect and configure GoDaddy DNS with Cloudflare properly.
Why Configure GoDaddy DNS with Cloudflare?
Before diving into the steps, let’s understand why configuring GoDaddy DNS with Cloudflare is important.
Benefits of Cloudflare for GoDaddy Users
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Global CDN for faster site load times
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Free SSL encryption
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DDoS protection and a Web Application Firewall (WAF)
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DNS management with advanced analytics
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Automatic caching and content optimization
Using Cloudflare doesn’t just improve website speed; it also adds an important layer of protection and professional-grade performance to your online presence.
How to Configure GoDaddy DNS with Cloudflare
Follow these steps to successfully configure your domain and DNS from GoDaddy with Cloudflare.
Step 1 – Create a Free Cloudflare Account
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Visit Cloudflare.com and click on Sign Up.
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Enter your email and password.
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Once logged in, click on Add a Site.
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Enter your GoDaddy domain name (e.g.,
yourdomain.com) and click Add Site. -
Choose the Free Plan unless you want additional features.
Step 2 – Cloudflare Scans Your DNS Records
After entering your domain, Cloudflare will scan and import your existing DNS records from GoDaddy. Review the records carefully:
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Make sure the A record points to your correct hosting IP.
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MX and CNAME records should also be validated.
Click Continue once you’re satisfied with the DNS entries.
Step 3 – Update Nameservers in GoDaddy
Cloudflare will now give you two nameservers. You’ll need to replace GoDaddy’s default nameservers with these.
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Log in to your GoDaddy Dashboard.
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Go to My Products > Domains and select your domain.
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Click Manage DNS.
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Under Nameservers, click Change and choose Custom.
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Enter the two Cloudflare nameservers provided.
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Click Save.
Propagation may take up to 24 hours, though it typically completes much faster.
Step 4 – Final DNS Configuration in Cloudflare
Once Cloudflare confirms your nameservers are active:
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Navigate to the DNS tab in your Cloudflare dashboard.
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Add or update records as needed (e.g., A, CNAME, TXT, MX).
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For most users, Cloudflare’s auto-import is accurate, but verify all DNS entries with your hosting provider.
If you use email services through GoDaddy or another provider, ensure your MX and SPF/TXT records are present.
Additional Tips for Optimal Setup
Enable SSL/TLS
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Go to the SSL/TLS section in Cloudflare.
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Select Full or Flexible mode depending on your hosting SSL setup.
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Enable Always Use HTTPS to redirect all traffic to a secure version of your site.
Optimize Performance
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Use the Speed tab to activate Brotli compression and auto-minify CSS/JS/HTML.
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Enable Caching for static content like images and scripts.
For more advanced configurations, check out this Cloudflare DNS guide for developers.
Common Issues and Fixes
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Site not resolving: Make sure A records in Cloudflare point to the correct server IP.
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Email issues: Double-check your MX and TXT records in Cloudflare.
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SSL errors: If you see HTTPS-related errors, switch from Flexible to Full SSL or vice versa.
When to Seek Professional Help
Configuring DNS and SSL can get tricky, especially with custom setups, subdomains, or email services. If you’re unsure about any step or need assistance, contact us here. Our team will help you seamlessly integrate your domain and boost your website performance.
Conclusion
To sum up, when you configure GoDaddy DNS Cloudflare, you unlock powerful tools for website speed, security, and reliability. The process is simple but impactful—and with Cloudflare’s free plan, it’s accessible to anyone managing a domain through GoDaddy.
Make the move today and give your website the performance edge it deserves.
