Migrate GoDaddy DNS to Cloudflare: A Step-by-Step Guide
If you’re hosting your domain with GoDaddy but want faster performance, better uptime, and stronger security, moving your DNS management to Cloudflare is a smart move. In this guide, we’ll show you how to migrate GoDaddy DNS to Cloudflare in a few easy steps.
Cloudflare’s free DNS service is not only faster than most domain registrars — including GoDaddy — but it also includes advanced features like DDoS protection, a global content delivery network (CDN), and free SSL certificates.
Why Migrate GoDaddy DNS to Cloudflare?
GoDaddy is a great domain registrar, but Cloudflare offers superior DNS performance and added benefits. When you migrate your DNS to Cloudflare, you get:
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Ultra-fast DNS resolution
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Improved website load speed
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Free SSL certificate
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DDoS protection and firewall
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Advanced caching and optimization features
By keeping your domain registered with GoDaddy and managing DNS via Cloudflare, you get the best of both worlds.
What You Need Before Starting
Before you begin the migration, ensure the following:
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You have access to your GoDaddy domain account
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You’ve created a free Cloudflare account
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You know your current DNS records (Cloudflare auto-scans, but manual backup is recommended)
For extra security, export your current DNS records from GoDaddy, or take screenshots of the current setup.
Step-by-Step: How to Migrate GoDaddy DNS to Cloudflare
Step 1 – Sign Up on Cloudflare
Go to Cloudflare.com and create an account. After logging in:
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Click “Add a Site”
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Enter your GoDaddy domain (e.g., yourdomain.com)
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Cloudflare will scan your current DNS records
Step 2 – Choose the Free Plan
After scanning, Cloudflare will show your DNS records. Confirm they are correct (especially MX and CNAME records for email and subdomains).
Then choose the Free Plan, unless you require premium features.
Step 3 – Update GoDaddy Nameservers
Cloudflare will now show two nameservers (e.g., eva.ns.cloudflare.com, josh.ns.cloudflare.com).
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Go to GoDaddy.com
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Navigate to My Products > Domains
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Click Manage DNS for the domain you’re updating
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Scroll to the Nameservers section > Click Change
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Select Custom, and input the Cloudflare nameservers
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Save changes
GoDaddy may take a few minutes to hours to update the nameservers globally.
Step 4 – Confirm Migration on Cloudflare
Once your nameservers are updated, return to Cloudflare. They will detect the change automatically. When completed:
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Your DNS is now managed through Cloudflare
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You can enable features like SSL, Caching, and Firewall
You’ve successfully migrated your GoDaddy DNS to Cloudflare!
Post-Migration Optimization Tips
Once your DNS is active on Cloudflare, take advantage of its features:
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SSL/TLS: Set to Full or Flexible under Cloudflare settings
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Always Use HTTPS: Force HTTPS for secure browsing
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Auto Minify: Compress CSS, JS, and HTML files
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Caching Rules: Improve speed with browser caching and edge caching
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Page Rules: Set custom rules for redirects, cache behavior, and HTTPS enforcement
You can also enable Rocket Loader to improve JS loading and reduce render-blocking scripts.
For a helpful guide on setting up caching, check Cloudflare’s Caching Best Practices.
Common Issues & Troubleshooting
Here are a few common issues after DNS migration:
Email Not Working?
Check MX records and ensure they match your original GoDaddy records. You may need to manually re-add them if Cloudflare didn’t pull them correctly.
SSL Error or Site Insecure?
Ensure SSL is enabled in Cloudflare and verify your hosting supports it. You can toggle between Flexible, Full, and Full (Strict) depending on your hosting setup.
Site Slow or Not Loading?
Purge cache in Cloudflare, and ensure the A records are pointing to the correct IP address of your web host.
Need support? Contact our team for expert help with your DNS migration.
Final Thoughts
Migrating your GoDaddy DNS to Cloudflare is one of the easiest and most powerful upgrades you can make to your website’s infrastructure. You retain your domain registration with GoDaddy while leveraging Cloudflare’s blazing-fast DNS, built-in security, and performance tools — all on a free plan.
By following this guide, you’ve not only boosted your site’s speed and reliability but also set the foundation for better scalability and uptime.
