Add and activate your domain
2 min read
For most customers, adding and activating your domain on Cloudflare is straightforward.
The first step is always the same, to create a Cloudflare account.
Your next steps depend on whether you have a domain name, such as example.com.
No domain
If you do not already have a domain name, purchase one through Cloudflare Registrar.
Registrar simplifies your Cloudflare setup - and is often cheaper than other registrars - so it is our recommended option for most customers.
Existing domain
Transfer to Cloudflare
If you already have a domain, the easiest way to get set up with Cloudflare is to transfer your domain to Cloudflare Registrar. Just like with buying a domain name through Cloudflare, this option simplifies your Cloudflare setup.
Keep current registrar
If you cannot transfer your domain or want to keep your current registrar, your setup has a few more steps:
- Add your site.
- (Optional) If your domain is sensitive to downtime, you may have a few additional steps.
- At your registrar (where you bought your domain name), disable DNSSEC.
Provider-specific instructions
This is not an exhaustive list of how to update DS records in other providers, but the following links may be helpful:
- (For some) At your origin server, allow Cloudflare IP addresses.
- Change your domain nameservers.
- Wait for your domain to become Active on Cloudflare.
Troubleshooting
If you have issues activating your domain on Cloudflare, refer to our troubleshooting guides on adding sites to Cloudflare and changing nameservers.