Context

I was previously a user of super.so, paying $12/month for features that have now been integrated into Notion. Seeing this, I decided to switch from Super to Notion and opted for the premium plan with AI to enable faster content creation.

However, I was surprised to find that Notion charges $10/month to host a page on a custom domain. By following these steps, you can bypass the $10/month fee and host your Notion website on a custom domain for free. The irony here is that I am using Notion to write this very website.

Solution

Here's a detailed guide on how you can host your Notion website on a custom domain for free using Cloudflare:

1. Create a Cloudflare Account (Free)
   • Begin by signing up for a new Cloudflare account, which is completely free.
   • Once your account is created, Cloudflare will provide you with a set of nameservers.
   • Make sure to copy these nameservers as you will need them later for configuring your domain.
2. Update Domain Nameservers
   • Next, log in to the account from where you purchased your domain name.
   • Navigate to the domain settings and look for the nameserver settings.
   • Update the nameservers to the ones provided by Cloudflare. This step is crucial as it directs your domain to use Cloudflare’s services.

1. Configure DNS Settings on Cloudflare

• After updating the nameservers, head back to your Cloudflare account to configure the DNS settings.
• Set up a CNAME record pointing to your Notion page's URL. This record helps in linking your domain with the Notion site.
• Additionally, add an A record pointing to the root domain or any specific subdomains you wish to use. This helps in providing a direct link between your domain and the Notion site.

1. Set Up Page Rules in Cloudflare
   • To ensure that your custom domain correctly forwards traffic to your Notion website, you'll need to set up page rules.
   • Add relevant page rules in Cloudflare that forward all traffic from your custom domain to the appropriate Notion page. This step ensures seamless redirection and access to your Notion site.

1. Setup DNSSEC at your Domain Provider
   • For added security, you should enable DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions). Go to the DNS settings in Cloudflare and enable DNSSEC.
   • Cloudflare will provide you with a set of DNSSEC settings. Copy these settings and apply them in your domain provider’s account. This step enhances the security and integrity of your domain by protecting it from certain types of cyber threats.

By following these detailed steps, you can successfully host your Notion website on a custom domain without incurring any costs, thanks to Cloudflare’s free services.