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When, Why, How To Use Cloudflare For Your DNS Records
I’m going to try to make this as easy to understand as possible because it’s a super complex topic but you only need to scratch the surface of it to succeed!
First, a quick definition:
Root domain: the URL you register and put your website on. For example, Fern CRM’s root domain is:
ferncrm.com
Subdomain: a word or phrase that’s added before the root domain where parts of your business can operate. For example, this Help Doc website is on a subdomain of Fern CRM called “help”:
help.ferncrm.com
WHEN to use Cloudflare with Fern CRM
If you decide at any point in the future (or today) to build web pages in Fern CRM that you want to publish on your root domain, you’ll lose access to what’s already on your root domain. This is normal for businesses that want to start from scratch or migrate their existing site to Fern CRM.
For example, if you want to copy what you built in Wix so your site can be in Fern instead of Wix, you might choose this option.
Or, if you want to build a sales page on a different root domain than your existing site, then this would be a good option.
So, if you decide to publish any of your Fern funnel pages or web pages on a root domain, we recommend importing your DNS records to Cloudflare and using their nameservers instead of whatever nameservers the domain currently uses.
If your plan is to keep your existing website on your root domain, and use subdomains for the things you build in Fern CRM, then you don’t need Cloudflare at this time.
WHY Use Cloudflare?
In a nutshell, using Cloudflare adds an extra layer of protection and make it easier to manage techy little things called DNS records and nameservers.
If you’ve registered a domain anywhere, if you claim ownership of any URL, then you already have DNS records. They already exist and one of the tools you log into has a dashboard for viewing them, editing them, and adding to them.
Usually, your DNS records are managed inside whatever tool you used to register your domain. For example, if you registered your website domain at GoDaddy, then your DNS records and Nameservers will be inside your GoDaddy dashboard.
Your site and everything on your site is protected by whatever GoDaddy has in place.
When you sign up for a free Cloudflare account and move your DNS records and nameservers to Cloudflare, it’ adds an extra layer of protection on top’s like moving your business to a safer neighborhood where they have 24/7 security. Cloudflare’s whole thing is protection. That’s what they specialize in.
And, moving your nameservers to Cloudflare means Fern CRM can give you unlimited hosting for your images, videos, web pages, and more (and you don’t have to pay extra for web hosting.) Because that’s what we do. We help you boost your profit margins and save money on your tech stack!
WHAT if I only use Fern CRM on subdomains?
Then you’ll just keep using the same tool you normally would for your DNS records and nameservers. Which is fine! (It’s less work than migrating your whole site over!)
But if you ever change your mind in the future, it’s super easy to move your DNS records and nameservers to Cloudflare so you can stop paying extra for web hosting.
And there’s no rush. You can use Fern CRM as long as you want without migrating anything. Do what’s best for your business right now and there will be room to grow as your business grows.
My suggestion is that you stop building any new web pages (or courses or communities or blog posts) on your existing site if you think you might migrate it to Fern CRM later. Build new stuff in Fern CRM and link to it from your existing site. That will make it easier to migrate later.
HOW To Use Cloudflare For Your DNS Records & Nameservers
I’ll add detailed DIY steps here later. But for now, book a free 1:1 account setup session with a Fern Team member. We can help you get it all set up in less than an hour and you don’t have to bang your head off a tech wall.
You won’t have to share any logins or passwords with us. You’ll log into things on your side and we’ll just show you what to click and what to type. We’ve done hundreds of these, so we can say with confidence that it will be a smooth process!
Click the [Calendar] button at the top right of any page in the Help Docs to open the calendar page and book your free session.