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How to set up Cloudflare on your domain via cPanel

Introduction

This guide explains how to setup Cloudflare on your domain via cPanel. Cloudflare will cache the content on your site using its content distribution network (CDN) which will reduce page load time and overall load on your server. It’ll also help to protect your site from attacks (like DDoS).

Setup in cPanel is no longer actively supported by Cloudflare, as they would prefer direct setup via their site. However, cPanel setup is still used by hosting providers.

Requirements

  1. Cloudflare enabled (by your hosting provider) as a software installation option in cPanel. Many providers (like GreenGeeks) will provide this as part of their standard hosting package.
  2. A cPanel Admin account.

For reference, these instructions were followed using:

  1. cPanel version 88.0.10 on GreenGeeks hosting.
  2. Cloudflare cPanel installer version 7.0.1.
  3. A Cloudflare account on 8 May 2020.

Skill Level

Basic knowledge of cPanel.

Instructions

Time needed: 5 minutes.

  1. Log into cPanel.

    Your hosting provider will normally include a link for this in their Admin interface.

  2. Click Cloudflare.

    In the Software section click Cloudflare.cPanel Cloudflare button - screenshot

  3. Start the Cloudflare setup.

    If prompted to Enter your site (example.com) in a popup window, close the window.
    If you already have a Cloudflare account, click here.
    If you don’t already have a Cloudflare account, click Create Your Free Account and follow the sign up process.Create Your Free Account button and here link - screenshot

  4. Log in.

    Enter your Email and Password, and click Log in.Email and Password fields and Log in button - screenshot

  5. Select the relevant domain.

    If you have multiple domains managed using the same cPanel account, select the relevant domain in the drop down.Cloudflare domain drop down - screenshot

  6. Click Domains.

    Domains button - screenshot

  7. Add the Domain to Cloudflare.

    If you only want Cloudflare to control specific domain (DNS) settings, click Provision Domain with CNAME Setup. This is normally the best option to avoid problems with subdomains, email or hosting provider settings.
    If you want Cloudflare to become your name server (NS) and control all of your DNS settings, click Provision Domain with Full Zone Setup.
    For more information, see Cloudflare’s guide to DNS: https://support.cloudflare.com/hc/en-us/categories/200276237-DNS
    Provision Domain with CNAME Setup button and Provision Domain with Full Zone Setup button - screenshot

More Info

Cloudflare PDF guide to cPanel activation: https://www.cloudflare.com/static/media/pdf/cloudflare-cpanel-installation-activation-guide.pdf