Cloudflare with a .co.tz Domain: When It Helps and How to Set It Up
By Jumbe Nylon, Founder & CTO, SakuraHost. Updated October 15, 2026.
Short answer
You can use Cloudflare with a .co.tz or .com domain by changing the domain's nameservers to the two Cloudflare gives you. Copy all existing DNS records first, keep MX records set to DNS only, and manage every record in Cloudflare afterwards. Records in the SakuraHost DNS Manager stop being used once the nameservers change.
Key takeaways
- Cloudflare works with .co.tz, .tz and global domains registered at SakuraHost.
- Changing nameservers moves all DNS to Cloudflare, so copy your records before you switch.
- Keep email (MX) records on DNS only, so mail is not affected.
- The benefits are speed, security and analytics. It is optional, not required.
Cloudflare is one of the most popular services for making websites faster and safer, and many developers and agencies insist on it. If your domain is registered with SakuraHost, you can use it, and the free plan is enough for most small business sites.
But using Cloudflare is not just a switch you flip. It means your domain's DNS is managed somewhere else, and a careless change can break your website or email. This guide explains what Cloudflare does, whether you need it, and the exact steps to set it up safely.
What Cloudflare does for your domain
- DNS hosting. Cloudflare answers DNS questions for your domain, quickly and reliably.
- CDN and caching. It stores copies of your static files near visitors, which can make pages load faster.
- Security. It filters malicious traffic and can reduce the impact of attacks.
- HTTPS and analytics. It provides certificates at its edge and basic traffic reports.
These are the main benefits. For many small business sites the default setup already works well, so treat Cloudflare as an upgrade, not a repair.
Do you actually need it?
| Situation | Cloudflare is worth it when |
|---|---|
| Website with international visitors or heavy images | You want faster pages and lower server load |
| Site that gets attacked or spammed | You need an extra security layer |
| Your developer or platform requires it | The setup depends on Cloudflare features |
| Small local site with steady traffic | Probably not needed. Keep DNS simple |
If you are unsure, ask us. A simpler DNS setup is easier to maintain, and our existing help on Cloudflare CDN with SakuraHost hosting covers the hosting side.
Before you switch: the safety list
List your existing DNS records
Open your domain's DNS Records in the client area and write down every A, CNAME, MX and TXT record.
Know where email lives
Note your MX records and any SPF, DKIM and verification TXT records. Mail breaks first when records go missing.
Choose a quiet time
Do the change when little traffic is expected, and keep the old values handy in case you need to revert.
Step-by-step: connect your domain to Cloudflare
Create a Cloudflare account and add your domain
Sign up, add your domain name and choose the free plan.
Let Cloudflare scan your records
Cloudflare imports the records it finds. Compare them with your list and add anything that is missing.
Copy the two Cloudflare nameservers
Cloudflare gives you two nameservers for your domain. Keep them open.
Change the nameservers at SakuraHost
In the client area open My Domains, choose your domain, open Nameservers, enter the two Cloudflare nameservers and save. This works for .co.tz and other .tz domains too.
Wait until Cloudflare shows Active
This can take from minutes to a few hours. Cloudflare emails you when the domain is active.
Test everything
Check your website, send and receive a test email, and open the site on mobile data.
The shorter help version is in use Cloudflare DNS with your domain, and change nameservers explains the nameserver step in detail.
Keep email working: DNS only for MX
Cloudflare can proxy website traffic, shown as an orange cloud next to a record. Email records must not be proxied. Keep MX records set to DNS only (grey cloud), and make sure the A record that your mail server name points to is also DNS only. Otherwise mail delivery can fail.
Also check that every TXT record for SPF, DKIM and verification was imported. A missing SPF or DKIM record sends your business email to spam: why business emails go to spam.
After you change nameservers, the DNS Records tab in the SakuraHost client area is no longer used for that domain. All future changes are made in Cloudflare.
Website records and HTTPS
For a site hosted on SakuraHost cPanel, point the root A record and the www CNAME to your hosting server, and choose a Cloudflare SSL mode that matches your server certificate (Full is usual when the server has a valid certificate). For platforms such as Netlify or Vercel, many people turn the proxy off for those records, because those platforms issue their own certificates and a double proxy can cause errors. See connect your domain to Netlify, Vercel or Blogger.
If visitors see redirect loops or certificate warnings after switching, the SSL mode is the first thing to check, followed by the root versus www records.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Switching nameservers before copying MX and TXT records.
- Editing records in the SakuraHost DNS Manager after the domain moved to Cloudflare, where they have no effect.
- Proxying mail records, which breaks email delivery.
- Leaving an old A record that conflicts with the new one.
- Forgetting that the domain must still be renewed at the registrar: renew your domain.
How to go back to SakuraHost DNS
If you decide Cloudflare is not for you, set the nameservers back to ns-tz1, ns-tz2, ns-tz3 and ns-tz4 .sakurahost.co.tz in the Nameservers tab. Before you do, copy the records from Cloudflare into the DNS Records tab so nothing is lost. Our help desk can do the check with you: DNS problems: start here.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Cloudflare with a .co.tz domain?
Yes. Change the domain's nameservers to the two Cloudflare gives you in the Nameservers tab of your domain.
Will Cloudflare break my email?
Not if you copy your MX and TXT records and keep MX records on DNS only. Test sending and receiving after the change.
Is the free Cloudflare plan enough?
For most small business websites, yes. It includes DNS, a CDN and basic protection.
Do I still pay SakuraHost for the domain?
Yes. Cloudflare only handles DNS. The domain is still registered and renewed with SakuraHost.
How long does it take to switch?
Often minutes, sometimes a few hours, until Cloudflare shows your domain as Active.
Where do I edit DNS records after the switch?
In Cloudflare. The records in the SakuraHost DNS Manager are no longer used.
Step-by-step help articles
These knowledge base guides go deeper on the practical steps, and our support team uses them every day.
Related guides
Connect Your .co.tz Domain to Netlify, Vercel or Blogger (Step by Step)
Built a site on Netlify, Vercel or Blogger? Here is exactly which DNS records to add, where to add them, and how to avoid the mistakes that break HTTPS and email.
Why Your Website Works on www but Not Without It (and How to Fix It)
Visitors typing your name without www see an error, a parked page or a certificate warning. The cause is almost always one missing DNS record.
About SakuraHost
SakuraHost Network & IT Solutions is a TZNIC-accredited domain registrar and web host, founded in 2019 by Jumbe Nylon. We register .co.tz, .tz and global domains and provide hosting, business email, VPS and web app hosting to businesses, NGOs and startups across Tanzania, payable in TZS with M-Pesa, Mixx by Yas, Airtel Money and bank transfer.
Register your domain with a TZNIC-accredited registrar
Register or move a .co.tz or global domain and use Cloudflare or SakuraHost DNS, whichever suits your site. Our team helps with both.
Talk to sales: call 0758 309 999 or message us on WhatsApp. Support ticket: open a ticket.