Cloudflare Enterprise can now be purchased for domains that are not hosted on xCloud. Use this when your website is hosted somewhere else, but you still want xCloud to provide the Cloudflare Enterprise edge, DNS verification guidance, setup progress, bandwidth visibility, and per-domain edge settings.
Previously, Cloudflare Enterprise was tied to xCloud-hosted sites. With this update, a team can type any valid external domain into the Cloudflare Enterprise add-on picker and purchase protection for that domain at the same monthly price.
External domains appear in the Cloudflare Enterprise add-on list with an External label and open into a dedicated domain management page instead of a site-specific page.
Prerequisites #
Before you start, make sure:
- Your team has access to the Cloudflare Enterprise add-on.
- You know the external domain you want to protect, for example
example.com. - You can edit DNS records at the domain’s DNS provider.
- For external sites, your origin host must continue serving the domain while Cloudflare Enterprise is being configured.
Add an external domain #
1. Open Cloudflare Enterprise Addons #
Go to Addons โ Cloudflare Enterprise Addons. Click Add New to open the site and domain picker.
2. Type the external domain #
In the picker, type the full domain name. If the domain is valid and does not match an existing xCloud site or existing Cloudflare Enterprise subscription, xCloud shows an Add domain โ $5.00/mo row.
3. Add the domain to the cart #
Click the Add domain row. The domain is added as a removable chip, and the cart total updates based on the number of selected domains.
4. Complete payment #
Click Pay now to continue through billing. External domains use the same billing pipeline as Cloudflare Enterprise for xCloud-hosted sites.
After payment is completed, xCloud creates a team-scoped Cloudflare Enterprise domain row without attaching it to a site.
Manage an external domain #
5. Find the domain in the add-on list #
After purchase, return to Cloudflare Enterprise Addons. External domains appear in the list with an External label in the Site column.
6. Open the external domain manage page #
Now on your dashboard, you will get a three dot icon beside the domain you have added. Click on it to access the ‘Manage’ button from the menu.
Configure DNS verification #
7. Add the required DNS records #
Use the Ownership Verification section to copy the records into your DNS provider. The page shows the setup progress and the records needed to route the domain through Cloudflare Enterprise.
Click Verify Records after adding the DNS records. xCloud checks the records and updates the setup status.
After verification is completed you will see that the domain is verified.
Adjust domain settings #
8. Review Cloudflare Enterprise settings #
Open the Settings tab on the external domain manage page. These settings apply to the external domain and its www form on the Cloudflare Enterprise edge.
Limits and edge cases #
- The purchase flow accepts valid registrable domains only.
- External domains are team-scoped and are not tied to an xCloud site or server.
- The same apex and
wwwguard applies so duplicate or conflicting purchases are blocked. - A purchase can include both xCloud-hosted sites and external domains.
- External domains must be configured at the customer’s DNS provider unless the team has a matching Cloudflare integration that can manage the records automatically.
- The external site’s origin must stay online and continue serving the domain.
FAQ #
Can I use this for a domain hosted outside xCloud? #
Yes. Type the domain in the Cloudflare Enterprise add-on picker. If it is valid and not already subscribed, xCloud offers it as an external purchase.
Does the external domain need an xCloud site? #
No. External Cloudflare Enterprise rows do not require a site. They are attached directly to the team.
Where do I manage the domain after purchase? #
Go to Addons โ Cloudflare Enterprise Addons, find the row marked External, and open Manage.
Who controls the origin server? #
The customer controls the origin server. xCloud provides the Cloudflare Enterprise edge and DNS instructions; the external host must keep serving the site.
Can I cancel an external Cloudflare Enterprise domain? #
Yes. Use Cancel Subscription from the external domain’s manage page or actions menu.
