How to Purchase a Domain & Setup Cloudflare
There are dozens of websites where you can buy and register your domain like GoDaddy, Name.com, NameCheap, Hover, etc.
The website where you register your domain can be different from where you host and manage your DNS records.
It's common to purchase a domain through a registrar website where you had previously purchased domains. Then use Cloudflare to host and manage your DNS.
If you already own a lot of domains, or you have a preferred registrar, then we recommend sticking with the same registrar for new domains. It makes things easier in the future when it's time to renew your domains. You can also transfer domains between registrars.
Registrar vs DNS Host
The important thing to remember is...
- The registrar is where you purchase and renew your domains.
- The DNS host is where you manage your domain, create subdomains, add email records, etc.
All registrars also provide DNS hosting services which is why people often confuse the registrar for the DNS host.
We recommend registering your domains with your existing registrar if you have one.
Then use Cloudflare as your DNS host.
How to find the registrar for a domain
If you forget where you've previously registered domains, use whois to lookup the registrar.
Visit whois.com and search for your previous domain
Whois will show you both the registrar and the DNS host.
If you are just starting out
The simplest option is to purchase (register) your domain through Cloudflare.
Cloudflare has the cheapest domain prices, and it simplifies the process of configuring your domain since your registrar and DNS host will both be Cloudflare.
Register a new domain on Cloudflare
Login to Cloudflare or create a new account.
Then navigate to Domain Registration > Register Domains.
Search for an available domain and complete the checkout process.
After purchasing the domain, Cloudflare will prompt you to setup the DNS records.
If prompted to select a Cloudflare plan, select the FREE option.
Cloudflare is now setup as both your registrar and DNS host.
Registering a domain on a different registrar
If you register your new domain through a registrar other than Cloudflare, you will want to change the name servers to point to Cloudflare. This makes Cloudflare your DNS host.
After you've registered your domain, login to Cloudflare.
Click on Websites then the Add a site button.
Enter the name of your newly registered domain.
Cloudflare will then give you two name servers.
On your registrar's website, find the Manage Name Servers section for your new domain.
Then change the name servers to the two Cloudflare servers.
Delete any other name servers. You only want the two Cloudflare servers.
After you've updated the name servers on your registrar's website, go back to Cloudflare and click the verify button.
It may take an hour or two for Cloudflare to verify the updated name servers. Once verified, Cloudflare is now your DNS host.
You will use Cloudflare to make any changes to your domain records, including email records.
Any DNS changes you make on the registrar website will not do anything. Just keep that in mind for the future so you don't get confused. You will be using Cloudflare to manage all your DNS records, and your registrar will only be where you renew your domain.