Prompt: I want to register a domain and create DNS records for it. What is a cheap stable way to achieve this?

A popular and cost-effective approach is to register your domain with a budget-friendly registrar—Namecheap, for example—and then use Cloudflare’s free DNS service. Here’s how it works:

  • Domain Registration: Registrars like Namecheap, Google Domains, or others often have competitive pricing. They provide the initial domain registration and basic DNS management.
  • DNS Hosting with Cloudflare: Cloudflare offers free, highly reliable, and globally distributed DNS hosting with advanced features like DDoS protection and quick propagation. After registering your domain, you simply point your domain’s nameservers to Cloudflare, and you can manage your DNS records through their dashboard.

This combination gives you the benefits of a low-cost domain registration while leveraging Cloudflare’s robust infrastructure for DNS management.

Prompt: What if I also want to do a cheap catch-all email forward to a gmail mailbox for the domain?

You can set up a catch-all email forward inexpensively by using a free email forwarding service alongside your domain registration and DNS hosting. For example, many people use ImprovMX for this purpose:

  • How It Works:
    1. Register Your Domain & Set Up DNS: As discussed, register your domain (e.g., via Namecheap) and use Cloudflare’s free DNS service.
    2. Configure Email Forwarding: Sign up for a free ImprovMX account. Then, add the required MX records (and possibly TXT records for SPF and verification) to your Cloudflare DNS settings.
    3. Catch-All Setup: In ImprovMX, configure the catch-all forwarding so that any email sent to your domain is redirected to your Gmail mailbox.

This method is both cost-effective and reliable, allowing you to manage email forwarding without additional monthly fees while still keeping your setup professional and robust.