Question: How do I set up Cloudflare with GHFS Hosting? Print

Answer : 

Cloudflare enhances your website’s speed, security, and reliability by using a global CDN, DDoS protection, caching, and optimization tools. GHFS Hosting works seamlessly with Cloudflare, and setup is easy.

This guide explains how to connect your domain to Cloudflare and integrate it with your hosting account.

1. Create a Cloudflare Account (If You Don’t Have One)

1. Go to cloudflare.com

2. Click Sign Up

3. Enter your email and password

4. Add your domain when prompted

2. Add Your Domain to Cloudflare

After logging in:

1. Click Add a Site

2. Enter your domain name (example: mydomain.com)

3. Select a plan (Free plan works for most users)

4. Cloudflare will scan your current DNS records

Review the DNS records shown.

3. Update DNS Records to Match GHFS Hosting

Cloudflare will auto-detect most records, but ensure these are correct:

A record (required):

A record for www:

MX records (for email):

If using GHFS email, ensure MX records match:

Other records:

If you use subdomains or custom services, make sure they appear.

4. Change Nameservers to Cloudflare Nameservers

Cloudflare will provide two nameservers, such as:

Update these at your domain registrar (GHFS Hosting or other registrar):

1. Log in to your GHFS Hosting client panel

2. Go to Domains

3. Select your domain

4. Click Nameservers

5. Choose Use custom nameservers

6. Replace existing nameservers with the Cloudflare ones

7. Save changes

DNS propagation may take 1–24 hours.

5. Verify Cloudflare Is Active

Cloudflare dashboard will show:

“Status: Active”

when nameservers finish updating.

6. Recommended Cloudflare Settings for GHFS Hosting

A. Enable “Full” SSL Mode

Go to:

SSL/TLS → Overview → Full

GHFS Hosting supports Full SSL (recommended), especially if you use Let's Encrypt.

B. Enable Always Use HTTPS

SSL/TLS → Edge Certificates → Always Use HTTPS

C. Enable Auto Minify

Speed → Optimization

Enable:

• JavaScript

• CSS

• HTML

D. Enable Brotli Compression

Speed → Optimization → Brotli

E. Turn on Caching

Use Standard caching level.

F. Enable “Rocket Loader” (Optional)

Improves JS performance, but test compatibility.

7. Important Notes When Using Cloudflare

Email may not work if DNS is misconfigured

Make sure:

• MX records are not “proxied” (orange cloud must be gray)

• Only A records for the website should be proxied

SSL must match your hosting

If Cloudflare uses “Flexible SSL,” it may cause loops.
Always choose Full SSL.

Cloudflare IPs may appear in logs

To see real visitor IPs, GHFS Hosting can enable Cloudflare restore options.

8. Troubleshooting Cloudflare Issues

Problem: Site shows 521 or 522

Cause:

• Server unreachable

• Wrong IP address
  Fix:

• Ensure A records point to correct GHFS Hosting IP

Problem: Redirect loop (Too many redirects)

Fix:

• Set Cloudflare SSL mode to Full, not Flexible

Problem: Email not working

Fix:

• MX and mail-related records must NOT be proxied

• Orange cloud → turn off for mail-related entries

9. When to Contact GHFS Hosting Support

Contact support if:

• You don’t know which DNS records you need

• Your site stops working after switching nameservers

• SSL loops or errors occur

• You need help identifying the correct server IP

• Email stops working after Cloudflare setup

Support can assist in verifying correct DNS and SSL configuration.