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How to Buy a Domain on Cloudflare Registrar

Cloudflare Registrar is a strong option for branded short links because it’s designed to be simple to operate long-term: at-cost pricing, auto-renew by default, WHOIS redaction where allowed, and one-click DNSSEC. It also supports CNAME flattening at the apex, which is especially useful if you want the shortest possible short-link domain (like yourbrand.com/abc).

Before you start (2 minutes)​

Requirements (Cloudflare-specific)​

To register a domain with Cloudflare Registrar:

  • You must use Cloudflare as your authoritative DNS provider (Cloudflare calls this a full setup).
  • Your Cloudflare account email must be verified.
  • Cloudflare Registrar does not support internationalized domain names (IDNs / Unicode).

If any of these don’t fit your needs (for example, you must keep another DNS provider), choose a different registrar.

Cloudflare docs (prerequisites & restrictions):

Confirm your TLD is supported​

Cloudflare supports hundreds of TLDs, but not every TLD is available. If you don’t see the extension in results, it may not be supported yet.

note

If you want a .us domain, read the extra requirements first. .us domains require a US “nexus,” and the registry requires contact info to be public (WHOIS redaction is not allowed). https://developers.cloudflare.com/registrar/top-level-domains/us-domains/

Step-by-step: Register the domain in Cloudflare​

1) Go to the registration page​

In Cloudflare dashboard:

  • Domain Registration → Register Domains

Cloudflare’s “register a new domain” walkthrough:

2) Search for your domain​

Enter the exact domain name you want (or keywords). Cloudflare will show suggestions and availability.

If your exact domain doesn’t show up, common reasons include:

  • It’s already taken
  • The TLD isn’t supported yet
  • It’s an IDN/Unicode domain (Cloudflare doesn’t support these)

3) Click Purchase on the domain you want​

Cloudflare will run a definitive availability check after you select Purchase (so you don’t pay for something that became unavailable seconds earlier).

4) Choose the registration term (years)​

Select how many years to register. Most TLDs can be registered up to 10 years (some have different limits).

Cloudflare turns Auto-renew on by default. Keep it on unless you have a very specific reason not to.

Operator tip:

  • Auto-renew only helps if your payment method stays valid and your account email is monitored.

6) Enter registrant contact details carefully​

Cloudflare uses the details you enter to populate the required contacts (Registrant/Admin/Technical/Billing). Use an email address you will keep long-term.

For teams, consider a shared alias like domains@yourcompany.com.

7) Complete checkout​

Add/confirm payment method and complete purchase.

Confirm your domain is in the right account​

In Cloudflare dashboard:

  • Domain Registration → Manage Domains

Make sure the domain appears under the Cloudflare account you’ll actually use to manage DNS and integrations.

Enable DNSSEC (optional but strong security hygiene)​

Cloudflare supports one-click DNSSEC for registrar-managed domains.

tip

If your short links will be widely shared (ads, email, QR codes), DNSSEC is worth considering because it helps protect users from DNS tampering.

WHOIS redaction: what to expect​

Cloudflare provides WHOIS redaction where the registry allows it.

caution

Some TLDs (notably .us) prohibit WHOIS privacy/redaction. If privacy is important, avoid those TLDs. https://developers.cloudflare.com/registrar/top-level-domains/us-domains/

You’ll typically use either:

  • Root domain (apex): yourbrand.com for the shortest links, or
  • A subdomain: go.yourbrand.com to keep the apex for your main website

Recommended for the shortest branded links: use the apex + CNAME flattening​

For Shortlink SaaS setups, you may be given a hostname target to point your domain at.

Apex DNS has a standard limitation: you generally can’t use a “true” CNAME at the root because the apex must have NS/SOA records. Cloudflare solves this with CNAME flattening, which lets you set a CNAME at @ and Cloudflare will answer with the appropriate A/AAAA responses.

Cloudflare notes that CNAME flattening occurs by default on all plans when using a CNAME at the zone apex (@).

tip

If Snipzr supports connecting a root domain, Cloudflare’s default CNAME flattening makes it one of the smoother DNS providers for “shortest possible” branded short links.

Prefer a subdomain if you want to keep your apex unchanged​

If you want your main site to remain on yourbrand.com, use a subdomain like go.yourbrand.com. Subdomains use standard CNAME behavior and are almost always straightforward.

Common pitfalls (and how to avoid them)​

“I can’t register my domain — it doesn’t appear in results.”​

Most common causes:

  • The domain is taken
  • The TLD isn’t supported yet
  • The name uses Unicode/IDN characters (not supported)

“I need to use another DNS provider.”​

Cloudflare Registrar requires Cloudflare to be your authoritative DNS provider (full setup). If you must use another DNS provider, Cloudflare Registrar likely won’t be the right registrar for that domain.

“I expected privacy, but my WHOIS isn’t redacted.”​

WHOIS redaction depends on registry policy. Some TLDs prohibit it (for example, .us).

Next​

Continue to the setup guide: