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Getting Started: Setting Up Your Domain’s Nameservers with Cloudflare or HubSeek

PostedSeptember 12, 2024
UpdatedJanuary 25, 2025

Welcome to HubSeek! We’re here to make your website setup as smooth as possible. The first step in getting your website online is setting up your domain’s nameservers. Think of nameservers as the “directions” the internet uses to find your website. Below, we’ll walk you through two different options for setting up your nameservers: using Cloudflare or using HubSeek’s nameservers.

Option 1 (Simplest): Using HubSeek’s Nameservers

If you prefer not to use Cloudflare, no problem! You can point your domain to our nameservers directly:

  1. Log into your domain registrar (the company where you registered your domain, like GoDaddy or Namecheap).
  2. Find the Nameservers settings for your domain.
  3. Replace the current nameservers with the following:
    • ns1.hubseek.com
    • ns2.hubseek.com
  4. Save your changes. Once the changes propagate (this can take up to 48 hours), your domain will be pointing to your HubSeek hosting account.

Option 2 (Advanced/Professional Setup): Setting Up Cloudflare

We highly recommend using Cloudflare’s free plan for added security and performance. Follow the simple steps below to set up Cloudflare, get your API key, and integrate Cloudflare with your HubSeek hosting account.

Step 1: Create a Cloudflare Account & Add Your Domain

  1. Go to Cloudflare and sign up for a free account.
  2. Once logged in, click “Add a Site” and enter your domain name.
  3. Important: During setup, do NOT auto-import DNS records. Cloudflare may ask if you want to import DNS records. Select “Skip” for now. HubSeek will manage the DNS records for you after integration.
  4. Follow the instructions on updating your nameservers.
  5. Check for emails from Cloudflare and follow their instructions (such as verifying your email address).

Step 2: Get Your Cloudflare API Key

  1. In your Cloudflare dashboard, click on your profile icon in the top right corner and select API Tokens.
  2. Click “Create Token” and choose “Edit zone DNS” template. You need zone.read and zone.edit permissions.
  3. Specify all zones or select the specific domain you’re adding.
  4. Generate the API token, copy it, and keep it safe—you’ll need this in the next step.

Step 3: Add Your Cloudflare API Key to HubSeek Hosting Panel

  1. Log into your HubSeek hosting panel at panel.hubseek.com.
  2. Go to Integrations and choose Cloudflare from the menu.
  3. Scroll down to the Cloudflare API Keys section.
  4. Click “Add”, enter a friendly name for this API key (e.g., “MyDomain Cloudflare”), and paste the API key you copied from Cloudflare.
  5. Click Save.

Step 4: Integrate Your Domain with Cloudflare in HubSeek

  1. In the HubSeek hosting panel, go to Your Website.
  2. Click on Domains and choose the domain you want to integrate with Cloudflare.
  3. Click the down arrow next to Select API Key, then choose the friendly name you entered in the previous step.
  4. Cloudflare integration is now complete for your domain.

Step 5 (If Migrating DNS from Another Provider)

  1. In the HubSeek hosting panel, go to Your Website, choose Domains, and click on the domain you want to update DNS for.
  2. Scroll down to DNS Records.
  3. Add any necessary DNS records like MX records (for email if you’re using an external email provider), SPF/DKIM records for email deliverability, and other specific records for external services (e.g., autoresponders, external tools).
    • Important: You don’t need to transfer over A records, CNAME records, or most default DNS records unless you are sure you know they are needed, as HubSeek will automatically enter the required ones. For example, if you are using tools such as aweber, you will have custom CNAME records that you will need to enter.
  4. Once completed, your DNS setup will update Cloudflare through the integration.

Step 6: Need Help? Add HubSeek as an Authorized User on Cloudflare

  1. If you need our help, you can add HubSeek as an authorized user on your Cloudflare account.
  2. In Cloudflare, go to Members under your account settings and click “Invite Members”.
  3. Add the HubSeek team email you’ve been provided, and select appropriate permissions, such as DNS management.

Option 3: Managing DNS Records Without Changing Nameservers

If you want to manage your DNS records with your current provider but still host your website with HubSeek, follow these steps:

  1. Log into your HubSeek hosting panel at panel.hubseek.com.
  2. Go to Your Website and click on the Home tab.
  3. In the At a Glance section, find your Website IP Address.
  4. Log into your current DNS provider (this could be your domain registrar or another DNS management service).
  5. Add an A Record pointing your domain to the IP address found in your HubSeek panel. This will connect your domain to your HubSeek-hosted website.
  6. If necessary, update any other DNS records (such as MX records if you’re using an external email provider).

Wrapping It Up: Which Option is Best for You?

  • Cloudflare: Offers additional security and performance benefits, and we make it easy to integrate with HubSeek.
  • HubSeek’s Nameservers: A simple, straightforward solution without needing third-party services.
  • Custom DNS Management: Allows you to keep full control of your DNS through your provider while still using HubSeek hosting.

No matter which option you choose, we’re here to support you every step of the way. If you need help or have any questions, feel free to reach out to the HubSeek support team!

Demonstration Video (Change Nameservers):

Demonstration Video (Cloudflare):

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