Adding a custom domain to your Cloudways Autonomous application allows visitors to access your website using your own domain name instead of the default Cloudways URL.
Cloudways Autonomous uses built-in Cloudflare Enterprise integration to help improve website performance, security, CDN delivery, DNS verification, and DDoS protection.
This guide explains multiple ways to add a domain in Cloudways Autonomous, including through the Security section, Application Overview, Manage Access page, and during the application launch process.
Cloudways Autonomous allows you to connect your domain with integrated Cloudflare Enterprise features for faster website delivery and improved security.
Once your domain is added and DNS records are verified, your application can use Cloudflare-powered CDN, WAF protection, edge caching, and performance optimization features.
Note:
Cloudways Autonomous uses Cloudflare Enterprise integration to simplify domain management, website security, CDN delivery, and DNS configuration directly from the Cloudways Platform.
Before You Begin
Before adding a custom domain, make sure:
You own a registered domain name
You have access to your domain registrar or DNS provider
Your DNS provider allows you to update DNS or CNAME records
Add a Domain While Launching a New Application
Cloudways Autonomous also allows you to configure a custom domain during the application launch process. This helps streamline deployment and reduces additional configuration steps after the application is created.
Log in to your Cloudways Platform and click on add or launch a new application.
Fill in all the details such as application name, region, and enable custom domain option as shown below.
Enter your domain name and click on Launch Application.
Add Domain from Application Overview
You can quickly add a custom domain directly from the Application Overview section of your Autonomous application dashboard. This provides a faster way to access domain management settings without navigating through multiple sections.
Log in to your Cloudways Platform.
Click on Autonomous from the side bar menu.
Now, click on your desired application.
From the Application overview tab, click on Add Custom Domain as shown below.
Now, on the Domain Management page, add your domain and click on Add Domain.
Add domain from Manage Access page
The Manage Access page also provides direct access to Domain Management settings where you can add and manage your custom domains for Cloudways Autonomous applications.
From the Application Overview page, click on the Manage Access page as shown below.
Now, click on Domain Management from the side menu and add your domain.
Click on Add Domain.
Add Domain through Cloudflare option in Security
You can add and configure your custom domain directly from the Security section of your Autonomous application dashboard. This method also helps activate Cloudflare Enterprise integration for your website.
Important:
When Cloudflare is disabled, it means your domain is not yet connected or verified with the Cloudflare Enterprise network. You must complete the domain setup process before Cloudflare security and CDN features become active.
Step #1 - Open the Autonomous Applications Section:
Log in to the Cloudways Platform.
From the left-hand navigation menu, click Autonomous.
Step #2 - Select Your Application:
From the My Applications list, locate the application where you want to enable protection.
Click the application to open its dashboard.
Step #3 - Go to Security:
Inside the application dashboard, click the Security tab from the top menu.
Step #4 - Open Cloudflare:
In the left sidebar, click Cloudflare.
As you can see Cloudflare is disabled and it requires a domain to be pointed to our servers via Cloudflare. You will need to complete Domain Setup to enable Cloudflare.
Click on Manage Access as shown below.
Step #5 - Add/Manage Domain:
On the Manage Access page, click on Domain Management.
Add your Domain as shown below in the screenshot.
Click on Add Domain.
Step #6 - Confirm Activation:
Adding a domain will take a few minutes .
Step #7 - Domain DNS Verification in Progress
If your domain status shows Domain is not live, Cloudways is still verifying your DNS records with the Cloudflare Enterprise network.
Click View CNAME Records to review the DNS records you need to add at your DNS provider.
DNS propagation may take up to 24 hours depending on your domain registrar or DNS provider.
Once the DNS records are fully propagated, the domain status will automatically change to Domain is Live.
Step #8 - Manage Your Domain and Cloudflare Settings
If your domain status shows Domain is Live, it means your DNS records are correctly pointing to Cloudflare Enterprise and the integration is active.
Click Cloudflare Settings to manage Cloudflare security and performance features for your website.
That’s it! We hope this article was helpful.
Need Help?
If you need assistance, feel free to:
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