The Domain Management section allows you to connect a custom domain, such as example.com or app.example.com, to your Cloudways Velocity application.
After Cloudways verifies your domain ownership, the Platform provides the DNS records required to point the domain to the Cloudflare Enterprise network.
You must add these records through the service that manages your domain’s DNS.
Once the records are configured and verified, traffic for the domain can be directed to your Velocity application through Cloudflare Enterprise.
Before You Begin
Make sure that:
You have an active Velocity application.
You own or control the domain you want to add.
You can access the domain’s DNS settings.
Your application is ready to receive traffic from the custom domain.
Important:
Adding a domain in the Cloudways Platform does not complete the connection. You must also add the DNS records provided by Cloudways.
Add a Domain to Your Velocity Application
To connect a custom domain to your Velocity application, add the domain from Domain Management and then configure the DNS records displayed by Cloudways.
Use the provided CNAME records whenever possible, use the alternative A records when required, and make sure Cloudflare-managed DNS records remain in DNS Only mode.
Step #1 - Open Your Velocity Applications:
Log in to the Cloudways Platform.
From the left navigation menu, select Velocity.
Select My Applications.
Step #2 - Select the Application:
Choose the Velocity application to which you want to connect the domain.
Step #3 - Open Domain Management:
From the application management menu, select Domain Management.
Step #4 - Enter the Domain:
In the Domain field, enter the domain or subdomain you want to add.
Examples include:
example.comwww.example.comapp.example.com
Do not include http://, https://, or a page path.
Step #5 - Add the Domain:
Select Add Domain.
Cloudways verifies the domain and then displays the DNS records required to point it to the Cloudflare Enterprise network.
Point the Domain to Cloudflare Enterprise
After the domain is verified, the Point Your Domain to Cloudflare window appears.
It provides the exact DNS records that must be added through your domain registrar or DNS provider.
Recommended CNAME Records
Cloudways provides CNAME records for the root domain and the www version.
The current Velocity screen may show records similar to the following:
Name/Host | Hostname |
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A CNAME record connects your domain name to another hostname rather than directly to an IP address.
Use the exact hostname displayed for your application. Do not replace it with a value copied from another Cloudways product or application.
Important:
Before adding the new record, remove any existing A, AAAA, or CNAME record that uses the same Name/Host and conflicts with the record provided by Cloudways.
Alternative A Records
Some DNS providers do not allow a CNAME record for the root domain represented by @.
In this case, expand the information section in the Cloudways window and use the alternative A records provided there.
The current screen may display values similar to:
Name/Host | Values |
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|
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An A record connects a domain directly to an IPv4 address.
Use both IP addresses when both are provided. This supports the Cloudflare network routing configuration shown in the Platform.
Recommendation:
Use the provided CNAME records where your DNS provider supports them. Use the alternative A records only when the root-domain CNAME is not accepted.
Add the DNS Records
Log in to the service that manages your domain’s DNS.
Open the DNS records for the domain.
Remove any conflicting A, AAAA, or CNAME records for the same hostname.
Add the CNAME records displayed by your Velocity application.
When the root-domain CNAME is unsupported, add the alternative A records provided by Cloudways.
Save the changes.
Return to Cloudways and close the DNS-information window.
DNS changes may take time to become available across the internet. Cloudways periodically checks the records and completes the connection after they are detected.
Instructions for Customers Using Cloudflare DNS
When your domain’s DNS is already managed through a personal Cloudflare account, set the records provided by Cloudways to DNS Only mode.
In Cloudflare, this means changing the proxy icon from the orange cloud to the grey cloud.
The existing Cloudways Flexible guide also states that Cloudways Cloudflare Enterprise records should remain in DNS Only mode when the customer uses an individual Cloudflare plan.
Important:
The hostname shown in your Velocity application may differ from the hostname used for a Cloudways Flexible application. Always copy the values displayed inside your Velocity Domain Management window.
Related Cloudways Guide
For an example of adding the provided records through a DNS provider, see How to Enable Cloudflare on Your Application.
In that article, go to:
How to Integrate Cloudflare Enterprise Add-on → Step-by-step instructions → Start from #9.
Point #9–12 explain how to:
Open your DNS provider.
Copy and add the Cloudways CNAME records.
Remove conflicting records.
Use A records when a root-domain CNAME is unsupported.
Wait for DNS propagation.
Return to Cloudways and check the integration status.
Note:
That guide is written for applications hosted on Cloudways Flexible. Velocity customers should perform all application-side actions from their Velocity application and use the DNS values displayed there. The process of adding records through a DNS provider is generally similar, but the provided hostname and available interface may differ.
Cloudflare Features Shown in Domain Management
The Domain Management page also highlights Cloudflare features that become available with the domain.
Fastest CDN
A Content Delivery Network, or CDN, delivers application content through locations closer to visitors, which can improve loading speed.
Managed WAF
A Web Application Firewall, or WAF, helps identify and block harmful web requests before they reach the application.
Under Attack Mode
This feature applies additional checks when the application is experiencing suspicious or unusually heavy traffic.
Edge Page Cache
This feature stores supported content closer to visitors so repeated requests can be delivered more quickly.
Cloudflare Enterprise on Cloudways provides performance, traffic-delivery, and security capabilities through the Cloudways integration.
Note:
This article covers adding and pointing the domain only. Manage the available Cloudflare features from the separate Cloudflare section of the Velocity application.
Troubleshooting
The Add Domain button is unavailable
Make sure the domain is entered in a valid format, such as:
example.com
Do not enter:
https://example.com/page
My DNS provider rejects the root CNAME
Use the alternative A records displayed in the Point Your Domain to Cloudflare window.
The domain still opens the old application
Check whether an old or conflicting DNS record is still present. DNS changes may also still be updating.
I already use Cloudflare for DNS
Set the Cloudways-provided record to DNS Only, shown as a grey cloud.
The www version does not work
Confirm that you also added the record provided for the www hostname.
The domain is not verified after updating DNS
Confirm that:
The Name/Host is correct.
The destination matches the value shown in Velocity.
Conflicting records were removed.
Cloudflare proxying is disabled for the provided record.
Enough time has passed for the DNS changes to update.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use a CNAME record or an A record?
Use the CNAME records displayed by Cloudways when supported. Use the alternative A records when your DNS provider does not accept a CNAME for the root domain.
Can I use the DNS values from the Flexible Cloudflare article?
No. Use the values displayed inside your Velocity application. The Flexible article is useful for understanding how to add the records through a DNS provider, but its Cloudways hostname may be different.
Do I need to add records for both the root and www domains?
Add every record displayed in the Velocity Domain Management window. The screen currently provides separate records for @ and www.
What does the @ symbol mean?
The @ symbol represents the root domain, such as example.com.
Will the domain work immediately?
Not always. DNS changes may require time before Cloudways and internet providers detect the updated records.
That’s it! We hope this article was helpful.