How to add your domain to GCore: Cloudflare Alternative

Here is a simple, step-by-step guide to setting up Gcore for your entire website.

Step 1: Create Your Gcore Account

First, head over to the Gcore website and sign up. They have a Free Plan that is perfect for smaller blogs or testing. Once you’re in, go to the CDN tab in your dashboard.

Step 2: Start the "Entire Site" Setup

Gcore gives you options. For a blog, you want the easiest one:

1. Click Create CDN Resource.

2. Select "Delegate your DNS zone to Gcore".

3. Click Confirm.

Step 3: Enter Your Domain Name

Type in your website address (e.g., yourblog.com).

• What happens next: Gcore will scan your current DNS records (where your site lives now) and copy them. This ensures your email and website don't break during the move.

• Review the list it shows you. If everything looks correct, click Confirm.

Step 4: Update Your Name Servers

This is the "handover" part. To let Gcore protect and speed up your site, you need to tell your domain provider (where you bought your domain, like Namecheap or GoDaddy) to use Gcore’s servers.

Gcore will give you two addresses that look like this:

• ns1.gcorelabs.net

• ns2.gcdn.services

The Action:

1. Log in to your domain registrar (Realhost, Namecheap, etc.).

2. Find DNS Management or Name Servers.

3. Change the old name servers to the Gcore ones provided.

4. Save your changes.

Note: It can take anywhere from 1 to 24 hours for this change to spread across the internet (this is called "propagation").

Step 5: Turn on SSL (The Green Padlock)

Once your name servers are updated, you need to make sure your site stays secure (HTTPS).

1. In your Gcore dashboard, go to CDN Resources.

2. Find the SSL Certificate section.

3. Gcore offers a Free Let's Encrypt SSL. Click "Issue Certificate" and follow the one-click prompt. Now your site is fast and secure.

Why use Gcore instead of Cloudflare?

• Simple Interface: It's often less cluttered for beginners.

• Global Speed: They have a massive network, especially in Europe, Asia, and South America.

• Great Free Tier: You get a lot of high-end features without paying a cent.

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