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Set Up Cloudflare and Update DNS Records

This guide shows how to create a Cloudflare account, add your domain, and add or change DNS records.

Speed and Performance2 min read16 steps

What are DNS records?

DNS is like a phone book for the internet. It turns a website name into a number that computers understand. DNS records are the entries in that phone book. Each entry says where something lives, such as your website or your email.

Common record types are these:

  • A: Points a name to an IP address. An IP address is the number that identifies a server.
  • CNAME: Points a name to another name.
  • MX: Tells the internet where your email goes.
  • TXT: Holds notes, often used to prove you own a domain.

Part 1: Create the account

  1. Go to the Cloudflare website and click Sign Up.
  2. Enter your email address and a strong password.
  3. Check your email and confirm your address.

Part 2: Add your domain

  1. Log in to Cloudflare and click Add a domain.
  2. Type your domain name and click Continue.
  3. Choose a plan. A free option is available. Check Cloudflare for current plans.
  4. Cloudflare scans for your existing records. Wait for it to finish.
  5. Compare the list with your current records. Add anything that is missing. Your welcome email from Hostvento lists the server details, or you can ask Hostvento support.
  6. Click Continue to see the two Cloudflare nameservers. Nameservers are the servers that answer questions about your domain.
  7. Log in to your Hostvento client area at https://secure.hostvento.com/clientarea.php, if your domain is registered there. Open Domains and change the nameservers to the two from Cloudflare.
  8. Return to Cloudflare and click Done, check nameservers.

Part 3: Update DNS records

  1. In Cloudflare, click your domain.
  2. Open DNS and then Records.
  3. To add a record, click Add record. Choose the type, enter the name and value, then click Save.
  4. To change a record, click Edit on its row, make the change and click Save.
  5. To remove a record, click Edit and then Delete.
Warning: A wrong record can take your site or email offline. Write down the old value before you change it.

The orange and grey clouds

An orange cloud means traffic goes through Cloudflare. A grey cloud means it goes straight to your server. Mail records must stay grey.

Quick recap

  • DNS records say where your site and email live.
  • Sign up, add your domain, and check the scanned records.
  • Change your nameservers to the two Cloudflare gives you.
  • Use DNS then Records to add or edit entries.
  • Save old values before you change anything.