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How to Migrate a Self-managed Domain to Cloudflare

Upgrade your self-managed domain to Cloudflare-powered DNS and unlock enterprise-grade CDN, WAF, and full page caching.

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Introduction

If your domain is currently connected to Rapyd via a direct A record — sometimes called a "DNS-only" or "self-managed" setup — you're missing out on the performance and security benefits that come with Cloudflare-powered infrastructure. The good news: you can migrate directly from your Rapyd dashboard in just a few minutes.

After migrating, your domain will be served through Cloudflare's enterprise-grade network, giving you access to global CDN distribution, Web Application Firewall protection, and full page caching — features that were previously unavailable to DNS-only domains.

Why migrate? All Rapyd domains will eventually be served through Cloudflare, so migrating now ensures a smooth transition and lets you take advantage of these enhanced features immediately.

What You'll Get After Migrating

Feature

Description

Enterprise CDN

Content served from Cloudflare's global edge network for faster load times worldwide.

Web Application Firewall (WAF)

Protection against common web attacks, bots, and malicious traffic.

Full Page Caching (FPC)

Entire pages cached at the edge for dramatically faster delivery.

Centralized DNS Management

Manage all your DNS records directly from the Rapyd dashboard.

Note: DNS-only domains don't have existing DNS records in Rapyd to migrate. After connecting to Cloudflare, Rapyd will automatically create the necessary records for your site.

Before You Begin

  • Your domain must currently show DNS only status in the Domains list.

  • If you choose the nameserver method, you'll need access to your domain registrar (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains).

  • If you already use Cloudflare, you'll need a Cloudflare API token with Edit Zone DNS permissions. See How to Set Up Cloudflare for Your Rapyd Domain for instructions.


Step 1: Start the Migration

  1. Log in to the Rapyd dashboard and click Domains in the top navigation.

  2. Find your domain showing DNS only in the CDN column.

  3. Click the Migrate to Cloudflare button in the Status column.

Step 2: Confirm Your Website URL

The migration wizard opens to the Confirm website URL step.

You'll see an info banner stating: "Your domain is currently pointed to Rapyd without our CDN and full page caching. In the next step, you'll choose how to connect — either by letting Rapyd manage your DNS, or by using your own Cloudflare account."

Review and adjust your settings:

  • Domain: Your domain name (read-only).

  • WWW preference: Choose whether your primary URL should be yourdomain.com or www.yourdomain.com.

  • Redirect behavior: Optionally enable strict redirection so only your preferred version is accessible.

Click Continue when ready.

Step 3: Choose Your Connection Method

Select how you want to connect your domain to Cloudflare. Both options provide the same enterprise-grade CDN, WAF, and Full Page Caching.

Option A: My Domain Is at My Registrar

Best for: Most users who want the simplest setup and don't already use Cloudflare.

  • Point your domain's nameservers to Rapyd at your registrar.

  • Rapyd handles everything else — no Cloudflare account needed.

  • All DNS records are managed through the Rapyd dashboard.

What happens: You'll update your nameservers at your registrar. Rapyd will handle the rest.


Option B: I Already Use Cloudflare

Best for: Users who already have a Cloudflare account with this domain.

  • Provide a Cloudflare API token to connect your existing Cloudflare setup.

  • Your domain stays on your Cloudflare account with full control retained.

  • Manage records in either Cloudflare or the Rapyd dashboard.

What happens: You'll paste your API token to connect your existing Cloudflare setup.

Need to create a Cloudflare account? See How to Set Up Cloudflare for Your Rapyd Domain for a complete walkthrough on creating an account and generating an API token.

Select your preferred option and click Migrate domain.

Step 4: Complete the Connection

If You Chose "My Domain Is at My Registrar"

  1. Rapyd will display the Cloudflare nameservers you need to use.

  2. Log in to your domain registrar and update the nameservers for your domain.

  3. Save the changes at your registrar.

  4. Your domain status will update to Active once the nameserver change propagates (usually within minutes, occasionally up to 24 hours).

For registrar-specific instructions, see: What Are Nameservers and How to Change Them for Your Domain


If You Chose "I Already Use Cloudflare"

  1. Enter your Cloudflare API token when prompted.

  2. Click Connect.

  3. Rapyd will validate the token and begin managing your domain's DNS.

  4. Your domain status will update to Active almost immediately.

After the Migration

Once your domain shows as Active, the migration is complete:

  • CDN and WAF are now active. Your site is being served through Cloudflare's global network with enterprise security features enabled.

  • Full Page Caching is fully active. Your pages are now cached at Cloudflare's edge locations worldwide, dramatically reducing load times for visitors.

  • DNS records are configured. Rapyd has created the necessary DNS records to point your domain to your Rapyd site.

  • Manage everything in Rapyd. You can add, edit, or delete DNS records from the Rapyd dashboard at any time.

To view your DNS records, go to DomainsManage next to your domain.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

My domain still shows "Migrate to Cloudflare."

  • If using the nameserver method, propagation can take up to 24 hours. Verify progress using What's My DNS.

  • If using the API method, check that your token hasn't been revoked in your Cloudflare account.

My domain has been "Pending Validation" for a long time. Click Configure DNS in the dashboard to verify your nameservers are correctly pointed. If using the API method, confirm your token is still valid. Contact support if the status hasn't changed after 24 hours.

My site isn't loading after the migration

  1. Verify your domain status is Active (not Pending Validation).

  2. Check that A or CNAME records exist for your root domain and www subdomain in the DNS records table.

  3. If using nameservers, confirm they've propagated using What's My DNS.

Email stopped working. If you had MX records configured at your previous DNS provider, you'll need to add them manually in the Rapyd dashboard. Go to your domain's DNS management page and add MX records using values from your email provider.

FAQs

Will there be any downtime during migration?
Downtime is unlikely but possible if the nameserver propagation takes longer than expected. Most migrations are completed with no interruption.

I had DNS records at my registrar — will they be migrated?
No. DNS-only domains don't have records stored in Rapyd. After migration, Rapyd creates the essential records for your site. If you have additional records (like MX for email or TXT for verification), you'll need to export them and add them manually in the Rapyd dashboard.

Can I switch from the Cloudflare NS method to the Cloudflare API method?
Not directly. You would need to remove the domain from Rapyd and add it again using your preferred method. Note any custom DNS records before removing so you can recreate them.

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