Skip to main content

Cloudflare

Cloudflare is an external service that offers a Content Delivery Network (CDN). A CDN boosts webshop performance by storing static versions of the pages that visitors see before they log in. This can speed up loading dramatically, especially for international traffic or during busy periods.

Very simply put, Cloudflare makes a snapshot of your pages as they are served to random webshop visitors and stores them on their network of interlinked servers, placed as selected locations worldwide. This network then serves the pages to other visitors from a location which is geographically close. For example, if your webshop is hosted in Europe and someone visits from the US, the page is loaded from a US-based Cloudflare server rather than from your European one. This reduces load time as well as pressure on your infrastructure.

When Does Cloudflare Add Value?​

Cloudflare CDN adds value only in the right context and is, for that reason, not enabled by default. It is offered as an optional performance enhancement when it is relevant for your shop:

  • you serve many anonymous visitors before login; or
  • your shop has much international traffic; or
  • you expect high volumes during launches or campaigns; or
  • you want to improve first-load times without server upgrades; or
  • you run a B2C webshop where most browsing happens before login (e.g., fashion, beauty, lifestyle, accessories).

Cloudflare CDN is probably not a good solution when most visitors are logged in before they browse the shop; when your homepage or landing pages show personalized content immediately; or when you rely on dynamic filters or real-time inventory indicators before login.

Examples​

  • A fashion webshop with high international traffic uses Cloudflare via CloudSuite. Before login, pages such as the homepage, PLPs, and product pages are cached. Basket totals and personal info are hidden or loaded dynamically. As a result, the shop loads in a flash — even from abroad — without performance loss during sales.

  • A B2B customer uses Cloudflare via CloudSuite to cache category pages and product overviews. Sensitive data such as stock levels and prices is shown only after login, ensuring speed without compromising accuracy.

Cloudflare and CloudSuite​

CloudSuite integrates Cloudflare caching into both your backend logic and your front-end themes (to ensure that visitor-specific elements are not stored). In addition, a Cloudflare integration affects your DNS setup.

A proven project approach is available to implement Cloudflare efficiently, based on previous successful rollouts. Cloudflare offers multiple subscription levels. CloudSuite can take advantage of the Cloudflare CDN with any of the subscription levels, including the Free plan.

Key Benefits​

  • Visitors see saved versions of your pages served quickly from Cloudflare’s global network.
  • Your shop remains fast and accessible even when many people visit at once.
  • Personal information, such as basket contents or form data, is never shared between visitors. These elements are loaded separately to stay secure and accurate.
  • Your theme automatically hides or adjusts elements such as basket totals when caching is active, to ensure that safe and correct content is shown.
  • Suited for B2C and B2B: fashion, lifestyle, and consumer electronics shops, as well as wholesale platforms.
Last updated on