How to integrate CloudFlare with WordPress

Tips and Guides/ 29th Sep 2016/Will Cook-Martin

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You’ve probably already heard of CloudFlare. They are a very popular Content Delivery Network (CDN) provider, offering plans on a freemium basis. In the guide below I’ll explain how to integrate CloudFlare with WordPress.

The benefits of using a CDN have previously been discussed in our how to improve WordPress speed blog. In summary, a CDN enables you to take some strain off your server by delivering your static content from a CloudFlare server closest to your end user.

Create a CloudFlare account

If you don’t have a CloudFlare account, create one here and add a domain using this tutorial

Install the CloudFlare for WordPress plugin

If you’ve not installed a WordPress plugin before, please follow this guide detailing how to install a WordPress plugin

Login to your WordPress dashboard, go to the plugins section, search for ‘CloudFlare’, and then install and activate the CloudFlare plugin.

install_cloudflare_wordpress_plugin

Launch the CloudFlare plugin

Now that you have installed and activated the CloudFlare plugin, you can go ahead and configure it

Click on the “Settings” link on the WordPress dashboard and then click the CloudFlare link

launch_cloudflare_plugin

Enter CloudFlare credentials

Enter your email address and your CloudFlare API key

You can find your API key by following this guide

enter_cloudflare_credentials

Apply CloudFlare settings

Click the “Apply” button in the Apply default settings section

Turn Automatic Full Cache Management on in order to enable a purge of cache when you update your site.

enable cloudflare_wordpress_plugin

Your WordPress site is now connected to CloudFlare and using optimal settings.

Will Cook-Martin

Will's our technical sales guy from the hills of Rossendale. A follower of Stoke City, father to Eddie, husband to Catherine and a fan of gadgets - oh and he's recently mastered the art of really slow DIY.