How to Set Up a Free Cloudflare Account

If you are having problems setting up a secure subdomain for social sharing, then the solution is to use a free Cloudflare account for all your domain DNS settings. Using a free Cloudflare account will give you full control over your domain name, and includes security certificates.

Overview

Cloudflare is a service that protects and accelerates websites by routing traffic through its global network. When you add your website to a Cloudflare free account, you'll get:

• Faster page load times
• Better website performance
• Enhanced security
• Free SSL certificates

Prerequisites

Before setting up Cloudflare, you need:

1. Access to your domain name registrar account (e.g., GoDaddy, eNom)
   NOTE: Your domain will remain registered as it is now (i.e. with GoDaddy etc)
2. Administrative rights to modify nameserver settings
3. A list of your current DNS records (optional but recommended)

Wix Registered Domain Names

If your domain is registered through Wix, you will face limitations:

• Subdomains cannot be setup with security certificates
• nameserver settings cannot be modified

Recommendation: Transfer your domain to a traditional registrar like GoDaddy for full control.
Domain transfers:

• Cost approximately $12 (includes one year of registration)
• Preserve all existing DNS settings
• Maintain website functionality during transfer
• Best practice: Consider registering for 10 years to secure your digital asset

Domain Transfers - What To Expect
Transferring a domain to a new registrar is a simple process.
In outline:
1. Initiate the process with the target registrar (e.g. Godaddy)
2. You will need to get the authorization code (the "EPP" code) for your domain from the current registrar as part of the transfer request
3. Once you have added the code and completed the process at your new registrar it can take 2-5 days to complete. During this time you may get warning emails from your current registrar which you can ignore.

See "Additional Resources" at the end of this article for links to help with Squarespace and Wix.

Understanding Key Components

1. Domain Name Registrar
   • Where your domain name is registered
   • Examples: GoDaddy, eNom, or website builders like Squarespace
2. Nameservers
   • Tell the internet where to find your DNS records
   • Will be changed to point to Cloudflare
3. DNS Records
   • Act as a directory for your website
   • Define how to reach your website, subdomains, and email services

Setup Instructions

Step 1: Create Cloudflare Account

1. Visit https://dash.cloudflare.com/sign-up
2. Create a free account
3. Enter your website's domain name and select the FREE Cloudflare plan - do not choose any plan that has fees

Step 2: Update Nameservers

1. Cloudflare will provide you with new nameserver addresses - you will need these in the next steps
2. Log in to your domain registrar (Godaddy etc)
3. Locate the nameserver settings
4. Replace existing nameservers with Cloudflare's nameservers
5. Wait for confirmation from Cloudflare that the change is complete

Note: Your website will continue functioning normally during this process.

Squarespace registered domains:
See instructions for making changes: Change Squarespace Registered Domains DNS Nameservers

Step 3: Set Up Social Share Subdomain

Once your domain is active on Cloudflare:

1. Go to your Cloudflare dashboard
2. Select your domain
3. Click "DNS" in the left menu.
   You will see your DNS settings similar to this (depending on your website and where it is hosted)
   
4. Click "Add Record"
5. Enter the following settings:
   
   • Type: A
   • Name: bb
   • IPv4 address: 52.206.194.238
   • Proxy Status: ON (orange) / Proxied
6. Save the settings

The subdomain should be active within 1-2 minutes.

Step 4: Refine Cloudflare Settings

When you add your domain to Cloudflare, any existing DNS records are imported automatically.
Some of these settings may need to be changed or removed.

Export DNS Records Before Making Changes.

• Click the link at the top of the panel for DNS Management.
• Then Export your DNS settings and keep the file as a backup.

Adjust DNS Records

Check your DNS records and make the following adjustments

• Type: NS
  Delete these records
• Type: CNAME - "www"
  You should see an A record where the "Name" is your domain name - and the "Content" is the IP address where your website is hosted. See the example in the first row in the image below.
  
  You should also have a CNAME record where the "Name is "www", and the "Content" is your domain name. Shown as the second row in the image above.
  • If the "Content" for the CNAME "www" is not your domain name, then correct this using the Edit option.
  • If you don't have a CNAME for www, then add the CNAME record:
    Add "www" to NAME field,
    Add your domain name (just the name, no "www") to the "Content" field

Adjust SSL Settings

If you just set up your DNS in Cloudflare, clear your browser cache and wait a few hours before taking action to correct SSL settings.

If you are not seeing SSL on subdomains, or if you see warning messages when accessing your main domain, then you may need to adjust the SSL settings.

Use one of the following SSL options in Cloudflare:

• Automatic SSL
• Or, Custom SSL: Select "Full"

NOTE: Do not use Custom SSL: Flexible

Automatic SSL

To set this option:

1. For your domain, select "SSL/TLS > Overview" on the Cloudflare left menu.
   
2. The click Configure blue button on the right panel
3. On the Configure Encryption Mode page, select "Automatic SSL/TLS".
   
4. Click the Save button at the bottom of the page

Custom SSL: Select "Full"

If you still see warnings and issues when trying to load your domain name:

1. Change the SSL setting to Custom SSL
2. Select "Full" option.
3. Save

Troubleshooting

• If your website becomes inaccessible, verify that the nameserver settings are correct
• Ensure all DNS records were properly imported to Cloudflare
• Contact your domain registrar's support if nameserver changes aren't saving

Additional Resources

• Change DNS Nameservers for your Squarespace Registered Domain
• Unlock and Transfer a Domain Name away from Squarespace
• Transferring Your Wix Domain Away from Wix
• Cloudflare Documentation
• Godaddy Domain Transfer Guide
• Contact your domain registrar's support for assistance with nameserver changes