Domain & DNS
Your domain ( yourorg.org ) is the address everything else hangs off: email, your website, tool logins. This guide covers registering one and pointing its DNS at the right places.
Step 1: Register your domain
Any registrar works. Whichever you choose:
- Store the login in your password manager.
- Turn on auto-renew so you never lose the domain.
- Enable privacy protection if the registrar offers it (optional).
Note where you registered it. You'll come back when you change nameservers.
Step 2: Manage your DNS
DNS turns yourorg.org into the servers that actually answer. We recommend running it through a dedicated DNS host such as Cloudflare (free tier, fast updates, clean dashboard) rather than leaving it at the registrar.
To move DNS to Cloudflare:
Create a Cloudflare account and add your domain.
At your registrar, change the nameservers to the two Cloudflare gives you.
Wait for propagation (up to 24-48 hours).
Confirm the domain shows Active in Cloudflare.
Once DNS is active, you add records here for email (see Email authentication ), domain verification (see Setting up Google Workspace ), and your website.
Common issues
Propagation is slow. Nameserver changes can take up to 48 hours. Check progress at whatsmydns.net or dnschecker.org . Make sure the old nameservers are gone at the registrar.
Cloudflare shows "pending". The nameservers haven't updated yet. Double-check they match exactly what Cloudflare gave you; some registrars need the trailing dot removed.
Can't add the domain. Confirm you can change nameservers at the registrar. Some extensions (.nl, .de) have specific rules. Check the domain isn't already in another Cloudflare account.
A Moral Fabric pattern, free for any nonprofit to use and adapt.
A Moral Fabric pattern, free for any nonprofit to use and adapt.