Using Cloudflare with Your Squarespace Site
TL;DR:
- Most Squarespace sites already have free SSL and solid hosting, making Cloudflare unnecessary
- If you need advanced security features, connecting Cloudflare can help
- You'll need to change your domain's nameservers to make the connection
- Common issues stem from CNAME and A records using Cloudflare's proxy when they shouldn't
Squarespace already handles security and hosting well for most websites. Every site gets SSL certificates and content backup across multiple data centers by default. But if you need extra security layers or better traffic management, adding Cloudflare's services makes sense.
When Cloudflare Actually Helps
Squarespace covers the basics well, but Cloudflare shines when you need:
- Advanced DDoS protection beyond what Squarespace offers
- More granular security controls
- Better performance for international visitors
- Custom firewall rules
For most small business sites and portfolios, Squarespace's built-in features do the job. But if you're handling sensitive data or getting targeted attacks, Cloudflare's extra protection layer helps.
Connecting Your Domain to Cloudflare
The process involves updating your nameservers:
- Log into your Squarespace account and go to your domain settings
- Replace the current nameservers with the ones Cloudflare provides
- Wait for DNS propagation (usually 24-48 hours)
You'll find detailed nameserver instructions in Squarespace's guide on Nameservers and DNSSEC.
If You Bought Your Domain Through Cloudflare
Connecting a Cloudflare-purchased domain to Squarespace works slightly differently:
- Get your nameserver details from Cloudflare's domain management area
- Follow Squarespace's third-party domain connection process
- Apply the nameservers correctly in your Squarespace settings
Fixing Common Connection Problems
Most connection issues come down to DNS records. Here's what usually goes wrong:
CNAME and A Records Using Proxy
Make sure your CNAME and A records point directly to Squarespace without Cloudflare's proxy enabled. The orange cloud icon in Cloudflare should be grey (DNS only) for these records.
Nameserver Confusion
Double-check you're using the right nameservers. Cloudflare provides specific nameservers for each domain, and they're not interchangeable.
Propagation Time
DNS changes take time to spread across the internet. If something isn't working immediately, wait a few hours before troubleshooting further.
Check your connection status in both Cloudflare and Squarespace dashboards regularly, especially after making changes.
FAQs
Do I need Cloudflare if my site is on Squarespace?
Probably not. Squarespace's built-in security and hosting work fine for most sites. Only consider Cloudflare if you need specific advanced features that Squarespace doesn't offer.
What should I do if my Cloudflare domain isn't connecting?
Check that your CNAME and A records are set to "DNS only" (not proxied) in Cloudflare. Verify you're using the correct nameservers. If problems persist, contact Cloudflare support.
Who handles support for Cloudflare issues on Squarespace?
Cloudflare handles their service issues, Squarespace handles theirs. If you're not sure which service is causing a problem, start with Cloudflare support since they're the add-on service.
Jargon Buster
Cloudflare: A service that sits between your website and visitors, offering security and performance improvements through a global network.
SSL Certificate: The security certificate that encrypts data between your website and visitors' browsers. Shows up as the padlock icon in browsers.
Nameservers: The internet's address book. They tell browsers which server to contact when someone types in your domain name.
DNS Records: Instructions that tell the internet how to handle your domain. CNAME and A records are the most common types.
Wrap-up
Cloudflare can boost your Squarespace site's security and performance, but most sites don't need it. Squarespace's default protection works well for typical use cases. If you do need Cloudflare's advanced features, the setup process is straightforward once you understand the nameserver requirements.
The key is being honest about whether you actually need the extra features Cloudflare provides. For many sites, adding another service just creates more complexity without meaningful benefits.
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