Do you want a quick page? Take a look at these instructions to set up a free CDN

I have managed WordPress sites for over a decade, and speed and performance have always been my biggest headache.

You will agree that it is always frustrating to observe potential customers because it is only invited before you see your offer.

From experience, the hosting provider accounts for around 60% of the speed performance of your website. The remaining 40% depend on how well the website is optimized.

So the first step for me is always to get a reliable, fast and top hosting service. Then optimize the site through image compression and density to improve performance.

One of the best ways to optimize your website is to set up a CDN. A typical example: At ISITWP we now use Cloudflares CDN for all of our projects.

We made this shift because it is no longer sufficient to rely on hosting. Visitors can expect immediately, no matter where they are in the world.

We chose Cloudflare because it helps us serve intermediate versions of our pages from data centers that are closest to the visitor. This means faster loads, lower server stretch and better ride.

As a result, our speed boost is great every time.

But here is the thing.

Most beginners lose themselves in the setup process of Cloudflare. The dashboard can initially feel overwhelming, especially if they are not technically versed.

In addition, words such as cache, cleaning, API token and Edge server are a senseless start to them?

Apart from jargon, an incorrect setting can break your website. I learned that on the hard tour when I have accidentally resigned ISITWP during my first attempt to set up cloud flare. I had to turn for help.

I have created this guide to setting up CDNs so that you do not experience the same thing.

So I will lead you to WordPress through every step to set up Cloudflare CDN so that your website loads faster and works better.

You will learn key points:

• What kind of CDN is and why your WordPress site is needed
• How to register for the free account of Cloudflare
• Step-by-step name changes in BlueHost
• Set up essential side rules to protect your administrator area
• Install and configure the official Cloudflare plugins
• Best practices to keep your website smoothly

Since it is a detailed tutorial, you can also use the following table of contents to skip any section you want to read.

Let’s get into this CDN tutorial.

What is a CDN?

In short, CDN stands for Content Delivery Network. As already mentioned, your website is copied to different servers worldwide when using a CDN.

So when someone visits your website, he will get the copy closest. This will load your pages much faster.

Still not understand what CDNs are?

This is how it works in simple words.

Let us assume that your website is stored on your hosting on a server in New York. A visitor from Australia has to wait for data to travel around the globe halfway.

Without a doubt, this takes time. It also creates a slow experience for your website visitors.

With a CDN, your content is stored on several servers worldwide. Australia, Europe, Asia – they call it. Now your Australian visitor will receive your content from a server that is closest to its location.

The result? Your website site loads in seconds.

Why WordPress -sites need CDNs

WordPress sites are naturally difficult. You have pictures, CSS files and JavaScript. All of these files have to be loaded before visitors see their website in their browser.

Without CDN, this process can be painfully slow. I tested this on one of my websites. Before using a CDN, my homepage took 8 seconds to load from overseas.

After setting up Cloudflare, the speed dropped to just 2 seconds. This is a massive improvement!

As you probably know, the speed affects your website. That is correct, Google is higher in the search results of faster websites.

Do you not like to stay longer on websites that are invited quickly? Your visitors are the same. The better your experience on your website, the longer you stay for a better stay. This is a great advantage for SEO.

In order to give the cake, cold, hard data show faster locations that convert better. This means that more side speed corresponds to more sales.

After you understand what CDNs are, we look at Cloudflare, one of the best free and premium options.

Cloudflare is much more than just a CDN provider. They offer a complete suite from website optimization tools.

Set the company as the protective sign of your website and the Speed booster in one. Her main services include the delivery of content, DNS management and security protection.

The CDN accelerates its website by temporarily storing content, and the DNS service makes its domain dissolved faster. They also block malicious traffic before reaching their server.

The best thing is that even your free plan contains functions for other CDN companies. It is like getting Premium service without the Premium Prize.

Why the free CDN from Cloudflare stands out

Cloudflare offers one of the best free CDN services on the market. Your free plan includes a global network of servers. You will also receive basic security functions such as DDOS protection.

The best thing is that Cloudflare offers unlimited bandwidth, especially since most other free CDNs have strict limits. The furnishing process is also uncomplicated for the free plan as soon as you know the steps.

Step-by-step instructions for setting up Cloudflare-free CDN

Before you set up Cloudflare, you should have certain things ready. Let us discuss.

Setting up Cloudflare is not complicated, but you first have to be ready with a few things.

• Domain Registrar account: Here you bought your domain name. I use BlueHost for this tutorial because you are both a hosting provider and a domain registrar. That and your dashboard is beginner -friendly.
• WordPress administrator access: You need full control over DNS settings to exchange name servers in Cloudflare. Apart from that, you can install the Cloudflare plugin and change it to simplify adaptation of your CDN.
• A backup website: Although there is no reason for alarm, I always recommend supporting your WordPress site before I make major changes. For that I recommend Duplicator Pro. You can create a complete backup backup with just one click.

As soon as you finish everything, the actual setup takes less than 15 minutes. The waiting time for the spread of name servers takes longer and takes between 24 and 48 hours.

However, this happens automatically in the background. Let me go with this path by can set up step by step as a cloud flare as a CDN service.

Step 1: Register for a Cloudflare account

Getting started with a cloud flare is uncomplicated.

Go to Cloudflare website And click on the “Start Free Start” button. It is usually shown prominently on your homepage.

On the next page you have three options for creating your account. You can use your e -mail and create a password in a conventional way.

Alternatively, Cloudflare offers a quick registration via Google or Apple accounts. In this way you can select the method you prefer.

After entering your data, press the “Register” button to start registration.

As soon as you have completed this, Cloudflare sends you a review -e email if you have used the E -Mail option.

Check your inbox and click on the confirmation link. If you don’t see the e -mail, check your spam folder if the e -mail is not displayed immediately. As soon as they are verified, land on the Cloudflare dashboard.

The first thing I noticed was that the dashboard was clean and well organized.

The main navigation is on the left side of the screen. Here you can see options such as accountamas, recognition, analysis and protocols and many more.

Apart from that, the dashboard shows helpful tips for starting new users.

Step 2: Add your domain and configure Cloudflare -DNS settings

Now comes the important part – connect your website to Cloudflare. To do this, select the “Add” button in the upper right corner of your dashboard.

Then select from the dropdown position Connect a domain.

On the next page you will see a simple form in which you ask about your domain name. Enter the domain of your website exactly as visitors would enter.

However, remember not to include “www” or “https” – only the root domain like “yoursite.com”.

Also make sure that you tick the Faster scan for DNS data records Control boxes so that Cloudflare scan joint DNS data records and they can automatically import them for you.

This is particularly helpful for beginners because it prevents the connection of your website accidentally prevents the connection.

As soon as you’re done, press “Next” and give Cloudflare for a few seconds to scan your current setup.

Choose your plan

Next, Cloudflare presents her with his pricing plans. You can see several options that range from free to corporate levels.

We hold the free plan for this tutorial because it contains everything that most WordPress sites need.

With the free plan you have access to the global CDN network, the basic DDOS protection and the SSL certificates. As we have already indicated, there are no bandwidth boundaries, which is incredibly generous for free service.

Click on this page Continue to continue with the free plan. You can always update later when your website grows and need extended functions.

Apart from that, CloudFlare makes the plans easier at any time from their dashboard.

Update name servers in Cloudflare

After choosing your plan, Cloudflare shows a list of the DNS data records you have found. These are like a card to the Internet where you can find your website, e -mail and other services linked to your domain.

I should point out that data records with orange symbols use the network of Cloudflare, while the gray symbols are completely avoiding Cloudflare.

To confirm the connection with Cloaflare CDN servers, make sure that your main domain shows an orange symbol.

Then check that important subdomans such as “WWW” also have orange symbols. Apart from that, all records in connection with emails leave as gray to avoid email delivery problems.

If everything looks correct, press “continue for activation”. Cloudflare then shows you two name server addresses.

These are the crucial parts that you have to update with your domain registrar. Copy them exactly as shown.

Step 3: Update DNS in your hosting account

Let’s go to the dashboard of the hosting provider. As already mentioned, we will use BlueHost for this tutorial.

Take a look at this updated BlueHost evaluation to learn everything about this hosting provider. Do you think of another host solution? Take a look at this list of checked and evaluated hosting providers.

I list some of the best hosting solutions for small companies.

Now I recommend that you have open both tab cards for Cloudflare and your BlueHost account so that this setup is easier. You need these addresses in the next step.

Now register in your BlueHost dashboard and navigate to Domains Section. This is usually found in the main menu or in the dashboard tiles. Here you will find your domain in the list and select it.

Then go to the “Name Server” tab on the next screen. Here you will find your current name server added as: Name server 1 and name server 2. Select Change the name server proceed.

BlueHost shows a popup in which you wonder if you are sure to make changes. This is normal – you want to make sure you understand what you do. Choose “continue” to continue.

Next you will see a form with two fields for name server addresses. Delete the existing name servers and enter the Cloudflare provided.

They also show a message about the propagation time that takes up to 24 hours.

Then return to your Cloudflare Setup page and click on “Check now server”. Cloudflare check whether you have made the changes correctly.

In addition, you will automatically monitor your domain. As soon as it is finished, choose the off Continue Button to end the setup.

Well done! You can now switch from your host to a CDN -like Cloudflare from your host. At this point, your website should be faster and better optimized.

But we won’t stop here. Next, let’s examine how to configure side rules.

Configure essential side rules

Setting up side rules is a crucial step that many beginners skip. These rules provide cloud flare on how to edit different parts of your website.

They also prevent caching problems that could break their WordPress administrator area.

The good news is that the free plan of Cloudflare contains three side rules. This is exactly what you need for a basic WordPress setup.

In addition, creating these rules only takes a few minutes as soon as you know what to do.

Let me show you how:

Go to your Cloudflare dashboard Rules »Create rule.

Cloudflare shows you a form with several options. Apart from that, they offer helpful tooltips that explain what every setting does.

In the popup you can see options such as response header transformation rules, rules of origin, compression rules and more.

For this demonstration I will show you how to create Cache rules.

On the next page you have prefabricated templates to save everything, to avoid everything for everything and to cache standard files. These options help you to simplify the cache rules so that you only have to provide you.

However, in order to manually create Cloudflare -Cache rules, simply scroll under the templates. Here you first see check boxes for the custom filter expression and all incoming requirements.

So let’s create a rule for cloud flare to avoid our “WordPress administrator area”. In this way you can work in the backend without triggering the Cloudflare check.

First check the field of custom filter expression. Then enter your admin -URL in the “Pages -URL” field, followed by an asterisk

.

Cloudflare rules URL value Then activate the Bypass cache check box below. Then you can add settings under Browser TTL, An optional step. Finally hitInsert

Cloudflare bypass cache

Creating other rules for Cloudflare follows a similar process to ensure a small learning curve.

Cloudflare activates the rule immediately. In addition, you will be displayed in your page rules with an “active” status.

This side rule solves the most common cloud flare problems with WordPress. I fought too many beginners because they skipped this step.

In addition, it only takes a minute to be set up, but it later saves hours when it comes to troubleshooting.

This is for Cloudflare rules. Now let’s see how the Cloudflare WordPress plugin is set up.

Install and configure the Cloudflare WordPress plugin

Cloudflare offers an official WordPress plugin with which you can easily manage your CDN settings. The plugin is made directly with your Cloudflare account, so it makes a simpler method for processing the CDN functions.

It also contains security functions that improve the protection of your website. To get started, go to Cloudflare -Plugin page And download it. You can do it too Find it on WordPress.org

Or in your WordPress plugin repository.

Install and activate the Cloudflare plugin on your website. If you deal with problems, you will find our step-by-step instructions for installing a WordPress plugin.

Connect your API key After activating the plugin, they approach Settings »Cloudflare

Cloudflare Plugin Signin

Cloudflare -Plugin login information Then select the off on this new tab API token

Tab in the left sidebar and click on it.

Cloudflare View Global API key

Cloudflare is then asked to enter your accounting word for security.

Cloudflare click Click to copy the API key Enter your Cloudflare -E email address in the first field in WordPress. Then insert your API button into the second field. Then beat Save API registration information

Save Cloudflare API registration information

The plugin checks your login information with Cloudflare servers. Finally, you should see a success message that confirms that the connection works.

Apply recommended settings

As soon as the Cloudflare plugin is connected, the current settings of your website are displayed. You will see options for caching, optimization and security functions.

In addition, the plugin offers recommended settings that are specially optimized for WordPress.

Apply Cloudflare plugin standard settings

The recommended settings contain suitable caching levels for different ingredients. They also enable useful functions such as automatic cache rinsing if you update contributions. After using the recommended settings, go to the “Settings” tab to activate additional optimization functions that you can activate. Use switch the button to be activatedAlways online

.

Cloudflare plugin settings speed

Next, scroll to the page to find Cloudflare security options to further protect your website.

By default, the security level is set to “medium” and I recommend leaving it in this way if you have a simple blog or a small website. Set it up High

Cloudflare plugin settings security

In addition, the plugin automatically treats the cache flushing if you make content changes. This means that your visitors always see the latest version of your pages.

You can also delete the cache manually using the dashboard of the plugin.

Congratulations! You can now set up Cloudflare CDN on both its dashboard and WordPress with his plugin.

Use the ISITWP -free website -Speed -Tool and our website examination to confirm whether Cloudflare has actually contributed to improving performance.

Cloudflare Premium plans and advantages

As you have seen above, Cloudflare Free is very useful. But what if you want to use a Pro version?

In this case, Cloudflare offers paid plans from $ 20 per month. These unlock extended functions such as better image optimization and mobile acceleration as well as you get priority support when problems arise.

The Premium plans include progressive safety rules, ie they can block certain countries or IP addresses.

This can be particularly important if you address people from a certain region or want better spam protection.

You will also receive detailed performance analyzes. These show exactly how much faster Cloudflare your website makes.

Who should consider Cloudflare Premium?

E -Commerce website benefits most from Premium -Cloudflare plans. The extended security functions better protect customer data. The optimizations of the additional speed increase the conversion rates and the integration of users.

In addition to the e-commerce stores with complex designs, all websites with high traffic from Cloudflare can benefit from the first-class functions.

For example, companies should consider upgrading in competitive industries. The edge of the performance can make up the difference between the profit and loss of customers.

However, the free plan is perfect for most WordPress beginners. You can always upgrade later when your website grows.

Other ways to speed up your website

• CDNs are not the only way to increase the WordPress speed. Here are other ways to optimize your WordPress site: Caching plugins:
• You can also use caching plugins like WP Rocket. If you want to learn more about this Cache plugin, read my WP Rocket Review. Image compression:
• You can use image optimization tools such as EWWW image optimizers to reduce the file sizes. Good hosting:
• I always recommend high quality hosts for better performance. But it depends on the type of website you have set up.

Fast topics: Select an easy topic to keep the load speed of your website quickly. Heavy topics slow down everything, even with the best optimization.

At the end of the day there is the simple truth:

CDNs offer you the biggest speed thrust with the slightest effort. They also work with all these other optimization methods. You can combine different site optimization techniques for the best results.

I hope you enjoyed setting up CDNs and Cloudflare, especially. If something is unclear, read my frequently asked questions below.

Hut is a solid yes for most small companies and personal websites. The free plan offers you the CDN, Basic Security and SSL certificates. This covers the main speed and safety needs for most WordPress sites.

Finale judgment: Is Cloudflare important?

After I have set up CDNs on more WordPress website than I can count, I can honestly say that it is one of the best decisions for website owners.

The speed improvements are real and noticeable. Most of my customers see the loading times of the pages after setting up 30-50%.

• This is a great victory for user experiences and SEO rankings. I recommend Cloudflare’s free CDN if you:
• Do you have a WordPress site that is slowly loading
• Do you want better security without paying monthly fees
• If you need SSL certificates, but your host offers you available as a premium add-on
• Use visitors from different countries or regions

You would like to reduce the server load and the bandwid usage

In the end, your visitors will notice the difference immediately. Pages that crawl earlier are now displayed. In addition, this smooth, professional experience builds trust and keeps people on their website longer.

Now take a look at my complete guide to increasing speed and performance.

Apart from that, there are other articles where you can read.