Client Resource
Nameservers, DNS & Cloudflare
Every website relies on something called DNS to connect your domain name to your actual website. I use Cloudflare to manage this for all my clients. Here's what that means and what I'll need from you.
Every website on the internet has a numeric address (something like 104.22.15.78). Domain names exist because nobody wants to memorize numbers. DNS — the Domain Name System — is what connects the two. Think of it like the contacts app on your phone: instead of dialing a number directly, you tap a name and your phone looks up the number for you. DNS does the same thing for your domain. When someone types your web address, their browser asks the DNS system “where does this domain live?” and gets pointed to the right server.
Nameservers are what’s in charge of answering that question for your specific domain. They’re set at your domain registrar (the company where you originally registered your domain name: GoDaddy, Namecheap, Squarespace Domains, etc.).
Why I use Cloudflare
Cloudflare is a service that manages your DNS and acts as a trusted intermediary between your domain and your web hosting. Instead of your nameservers pointing directly at your hosting server, they point to Cloudflare. From there, Cloudflare routes traffic to your server. It’s used by tens of millions of websites, including many of the largest on the internet.
Here’s why I set up every client’s site this way:
- Speed: Cloudflare caches copies of your site at servers around the world, so it loads fast for visitors regardless of where they are. Even if your web hosting is in one city, Cloudflare serves your content from whichever location is closest to each visitor.
- Security: Cloudflare filters malicious traffic before it ever reaches your server. Bot attacks, DDoS attempts, bad actors: they all hit Cloudflare’s network, not yours.
- SSL: The padlock in the browser address bar (HTTPS) comes from an SSL certificate. Cloudflare handles this automatically, at no cost to you.
- Control: All your DNS records live in one place, and I can make changes instantly without needing to log into your registrar every time something needs updating.
No cost to you
Cloudflare’s free plan covers everything your website needs. This is standard practice for all sites on my managed hosting (it’s not an add-on, and there’s nothing additional to sign up for on your end).
What this requires from you (one time)
To use Cloudflare, your domain’s nameservers need to point to Cloudflare instead of your registrar’s defaults. This is done at your domain registrar. I’ll give you the specific Cloudflare nameserver addresses when we get to this step in your project (they’re unique to each Cloudflare account, so don’t go looking for them on your own just yet).
This is a one-time change. Once it’s done, I manage everything through Cloudflare and you’ll almost never need to touch your registrar again.
Your options for getting this done
How to change your nameservers
If you’re handling this yourself, here’s how it works. The process is the same at any registrar; the menu names just differ slightly.
Generic steps (any registrar)
1
Log into your domain registrar
This is wherever you bought your domain. If you’re not sure, check your email for the original purchase confirmation; it’ll say who you bought it from.
2
Find your domain and open its settings
Look for something like “My Domains,” “Domain Portfolio,” or “Manage Domains.” Click on your domain name to open the management page.
3
Find the Nameservers section
It might be labeled “Nameservers,” “DNS Settings,” or “DNS Management.” You’re looking for a section that shows NS1 and NS2 values.
4
Switch to custom nameservers
The default is usually set to the registrar’s own nameservers. Switch to “Custom,” “Enter my own nameservers,” or similar.
5
Enter the two Cloudflare nameserver addresses I provide
Don’t enter values from somewhere else; Cloudflare assigns specific nameservers per account, and I’ll give you the exact ones for yours.
6
Save your changes
The change typically takes effect within a few hours. Technically it can take up to 48 hours, but in practice it’s usually much faster.
Steps for GoDaddy
1
Sign in and go to My Products
Click your account name in the top right corner, then select “My Products.”
2
Find your domain and click DNS
In the Domains section, find your domain and click the “DNS” button next to it.
3
Scroll to Nameservers and click Change
Scroll to the bottom of the DNS page. You’ll see a Nameservers section. Click “Change.”
4
Select “Enter my own nameservers” and save
Choose the custom option, enter the two Cloudflare nameserver addresses I’ve given you, and click Save.
Steps for Namecheap
1
Sign in and go to Domain List
Click “Domain List” in the left sidebar.
2
Click Manage next to your domain
Find your domain in the list and click the “Manage” button on the right side.
3
Find Nameservers and select Custom DNS
On the domain management page, find the Nameservers section. Open the dropdown and select “Custom DNS.”
4
Enter the Cloudflare nameservers and save
Enter the first nameserver address in the first field and the second in the second field. Click the green checkmark to save.
Not sure who your registrar is?
Check your email for the original domain purchase confirmation; it’ll name the company. Or just send me your domain name and I can usually look it up. It comes up more often than you’d think.
Once the nameservers are pointed to Cloudflare, you’re done on the registrar side. Everything else (DNS records for your website, email MX records, SSL) I manage through Cloudflare from that point on. You shouldn’t need to touch your registrar again unless you’re transferring your domain or renewing your registration.
Questions? Reach out if you have questions, or let me know if you’d like to walk through it together on a quick call.
Questions about this? Reach out — I'm happy to walk you through it.