Overview
DreamPress includes built-in server caching that acts as a reverse proxy — the same method Cloudflare uses — so activating Cloudflare on a DreamPress site can be tricky and risks double-caching. This article covers what to consider when using Cloudflare with DreamPress.
Background
DreamPress includes built-in server caching to make your pages load very quickly, which acts as a "reverse proxy". Since this is the same method Cloudflare uses, activating Cloudflare on a DreamPress site can be tricky.
If you would like an alternative to Cloudflare to avoid possible double-caching issues, Jetpack’s Free version offers a few similar features, such as an automatic static file CDN.
Due to compatibility issues, DreamHost does not recommend using Cloudflare's Automatic Platform Optimizations (APO) on your DreamPress site.
How do I set up Cloudflare on DreamPress?
You can sign up for Cloudflare’s plans directly at cloudflare.com. Please note that you will need to modify your nameservers and manage your DNS records yourself.
Additional setup
While the Nginx Helper Plugin is installed by default on all new DreamPress sites, the plugin files might be overwritten if you migrate an existing WordPress site to DreamPress. However, you can always install it yourself if your DreamPress site doesn’t have the plugin.
Cloudflare plugin
If you are noticing any strange caching or performance issues, the Cloudflare plugin, also available in the WordPress.org repository, can help optimize your site’s performance with Cloudflare. However, this plugin is not mandatory.