Overview
If your domain is connected to Levamo through a direct A record, sometimes called a DNS-only or self-managed setup, you're missing out on the performance and security benefits of Cloudflare-powered infrastructure. You can migrate directly from your Levamo dashboard in a few minutes.
Because DNS-only domains don't have DNS records stored in Levamo, there's nothing for Levamo to migrate automatically. Levamo creates the essential records your site needs once you connect, but records like MX for email or TXT for verification services won't carry over on their own. You'll choose between two connection methods, and if you connect through the Cloudflare API, you'll further choose whether Levamo or you manage Cloudflare for the domain.
In this article, you will find what to have ready before you start and step-by-step instructions for migrating your domain.
Prerequisites
Before you begin, make sure you have:
A domain showing DNS only status: Check the CDN column on your Domains page
Access to your domain registrar: Required if you choose the nameserver method, for example GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Google Domains
A Cloudflare API token: Required if you already use Cloudflare, with Edit Zone DNS permissions. See How to Connect Your Custom Domain to a Levamo Website for instructions.
Recommended: A copy of your current DNS records. DNS-only domains don't have records stored in Levamo, so nothing carries over automatically during migration. Export any records you rely on, such as MX or TXT records, from your current provider so you can add them back manually.
What you'll get after migrating
Feature | Description |
Enterprise-grade CDN | Content served from Cloudflare's global edge network for faster load times worldwide |
Web Application Firewall (WAF) | Protection against common web attacks, bots, and malicious traffic |
Full Page Caching (FPC) | Entire pages cached at the edge for faster delivery |
Centralized DNS management | Manage all your DNS records directly from the Levamo dashboard |
Note:
The Enterprise CDN, WAF, and Full Page Caching features apply when Levamo manages your DNS, whether through Option A or through Option B with Managed by Levamo selected. If you choose Option B with Managed in my Cloudflare account, these features are not active for the domain.
How to migrate a domain
Step 1: Start the migration
Log in to the Levamo dashboard and click Domains in the top navigation
Find your domain showing DNS only in the CDN column
Click Migrate to Cloudflare in the Status column
Step 2: Confirm your website URL
The migration wizard opens to the Confirm website URL step. You'll see a banner explaining that your domain is currently pointed to Levamo without CDN or full page caching, and that you'll choose your connection method in the next step.
Review and adjust your settings:
Domain: Your domain name
www preference: Choose whether your primary URL should be
yourdomain.comorwww.yourdomain.comRedirect behavior: Optionally enable strict redirection so only your preferred version is accessible
Click Continue when ready.
Step 3: Choose your connection method
Select how you want to connect your domain to Cloudflare.
Option A: My domain is at my registrar
Best for most users who want the simplest setup and don't already use Cloudflare.
Point your domain's nameservers to Levamo at your registrar
Levamo handles everything else, with no Cloudflare account needed
All DNS records are managed through the Levamo dashboard
Gets the full Enterprise Cloudflare stack: CDN, WAF, and Full Page Caching
Option B: I already use Cloudflare
Best for users who already have a Cloudflare account, or want to create a free one.
Provide a Cloudflare API token that gives Levamo permission to manage DNS records
No nameserver change required
After connecting, you choose who manages Cloudflare for the domain:
Managed by Levamo (default, recommended): Levamo manages all Cloudflare settings, including DNS, CDN, security, and Full Page Caching. You get the full Enterprise Cloudflare stack.
Managed in my Cloudflare account: You keep full control of your Cloudflare zone. Levamo only maintains the core DNS records needed to route your domain to your site. The Enterprise Cloudflare stack (CDN, WAF, and Full Page Caching) will not be active for this domain.
Need to create a Cloudflare account? See How to Connect Your Custom Domain to a Levamo Website for a complete walkthrough on creating an account and generating an API token.
Select your preferred option and click Migrate domain.
Step 4: Complete the connection
If you chose "My domain is at my registrar":
Levamo displays the Cloudflare nameservers you need to use
Log in to your domain registrar and update the nameservers for your domain
Save the changes at your registrar
Your domain status updates to Active once the nameserver change propagates, usually within minutes and occasionally up to 24 hours
For registrar-specific instructions, see Nameservers and how to change them.
If you chose "I already use Cloudflare":
Enter your Cloudflare API token when prompted
Choose who manages Cloudflare for the domain: Managed by Levamo or Managed in my Cloudflare account
Click Connect
Levamo validates the token and begins managing your domain's DNS based on the mode you selected
Your domain status updates to Active almost immediately
Step 5: Confirm the migration
Once your domain shows as Active, the migration is complete.
If you chose My domain is at my registrar, or chose I already use Cloudflare with Managed by Levamo:
CDN and WAF are active. Your site is served through Cloudflare's global network with enterprise security features enabled.
Full Page Caching is active. Your pages are cached at Cloudflare's edge locations worldwide.
If you chose I already use Cloudflare with Managed in my Cloudflare account, the Enterprise Cloudflare stack is not active for this domain. Your site is served through your own Cloudflare configuration instead.
In all cases:
DNS records are configured. Levamo has created the necessary records to point your domain to your Levamo site. Any additional records you exported beforehand, such as MX or TXT records, still need to be added manually.
To view your DNS records, go to Domains > Manage next to your domain.
Important information
Downtime is unlikely but possible if nameserver propagation takes longer than expected. Most migrations complete with no interruption.
DNS-only domains have no records stored in Levamo, so nothing migrates automatically. Add any additional records, such as MX for email or TXT for verification, manually in the Levamo dashboard after the connection completes.
Switching between the nameserver and API methods after migration isn't a self-service action in the dashboard. Removing and re-adding the domain would cause downtime, so contact our support team if you need to change your connection method.
FAQ
Will there be any downtime during migration?
Downtime is unlikely but possible if nameserver propagation takes longer than expected. Most migrations complete with no interruption.
I had DNS records at my registrar. Will they be migrated?
No. DNS-only domains don't have records stored in Levamo. After migration, Levamo creates the essential records for your site. If you have additional records, such as MX for email or TXT for verification, export them from your previous provider and add them manually in the Levamo dashboard.
My domain still shows "Migrate to Cloudflare." What should I do?
If you used the nameserver method, propagation can take up to 24 hours. Verify progress using What's My DNS. If you used the API method, check that your token hasn't been revoked in your Cloudflare account.
My domain has been "Pending Validation" for a long time. What should I do?
Click Configure DNS in the dashboard to verify your nameservers are correctly pointed. If using the API method, confirm your token is still valid. Contact our support team if the status hasn't changed after 24 hours.
My site isn't loading after the migration. What should I check?
Verify your domain status is Active, not Pending Validation. Check that A or CNAME records exist for your root domain and www subdomain in the DNS records table. If using nameservers, confirm they've propagated using What's My DNS.
Email stopped working after migrating. Why?
If you had MX records configured at your previous DNS provider, add them manually in the Levamo dashboard using the values from your email provider.
Conclusion
Migrating a self-managed domain to Cloudflare unlocks Levamo's Enterprise CDN, WAF, and caching, with minimal risk of downtime. Since DNS-only domains have no records to carry over automatically, exporting your current records before you start makes sure nothing gets missed. If you run into any issues during migration, our support team is available 24/7 to help.