WP Super Cache CDN Setup

what is off site url in WP super cache enable cdn

In WP Super Cache, the "Off-site URL" option under the **Enable CDN** settings allows you to specify the base URL of your Content Delivery Network (CDN). This URL replaces the default site URL when serving static assets (like images, CSS, JS, etc.) from the CDN.

For example:

– If your site URL is `https://example.com` and your CDN URL is `https://cdn.example.com`, setting the **Off-site URL** to `https://cdn.example.com` will ensure that static files are served from `https://cdn.example.com` instead of the main site.

### Steps to Configure:
1. **Enable CDN**: Check the box to enable the CDN functionality in WP Super Cache.
2. **Off-site URL**: Enter your CDN's base URL (e.g., `https://cdn.example.com`).
3. **Site URL**: By default, WP Super Cache replaces the base of your site's URL with the CDN URL. For instance, `https://example.com/wp-content/uploads` becomes `https://cdn.example.com/wp-content/uploads`.
4. **Include Directories**: Specify which directories should be served via the CDN (e.g., `wp-content/uploads`, `wp-includes`).
5. **Exclude Files**: Add any files or paths you don’t want to serve through the CDN.
6. Save your settings.

### Example Use Case:
If you’re using a CDN service like Cloudflare, BunnyCDN, or AWS CloudFront, you would:
– Configure the CDN to pull content from your server.
– Use the CDN's URL (e.g., `https://cdn.example.com`) as the "Off-site URL."
– WP Super Cache will rewrite asset URLs in your site's HTML to point to the CDN.

This helps improve performance by offloading static file delivery to the CDN's servers.

is cd.example.com needs to create

Yes, if you're using a custom subdomain like `cdn.example.com` as your CDN's **Off-site URL**, you need to create and configure it before using it in WP Super Cache. Here’s how you can set it up:

—

### Steps to Create and Configure `cdn.example.com`:
1. **Create a Subdomain:**
– Go to your domain registrar or hosting control panel.
– Create a subdomain named `cdn` (or any preferred name).
– Point the subdomain to your main site's server or the CDN provider's server, depending on the setup.

2. **Point the Subdomain to Your CDN (if applicable):**
– If you're using a CDN provider (e.g., Cloudflare, BunnyCDN, or AWS CloudFront):
– Add a CNAME record in your domain's DNS settings pointing `cdn.example.com` to the CDN's provided URL.
– Example: `cdn.example.com -> your-cdn-provider-url.com`
– If you're self-hosting (e.g., serving files directly from your server via the subdomain), ensure the subdomain points to the correct directory (e.g., `wp-content/uploads`).

3. **Configure the CDN:**
– On your CDN provider's dashboard, set up `cdn.example.com` as a custom hostname.
– Verify and enable HTTPS for the subdomain (most CDNs provide free SSL certificates via Let's Encrypt).

4. **Update WP Super Cache Settings:**
– In the WP Super Cache **Enable CDN** settings, use `https://cdn.example.com` as the **Off-site URL**.
– Ensure the **Include Directories** field includes paths like `wp-content/uploads` or other static asset directories.

5. **Test the Setup:**
– Clear your WordPress and browser cache.
– Visit your site and inspect the source code to confirm asset URLs are being rewritten to `cdn.example.com`.

—

### Do I Need a Subdomain?
Using a subdomain like `cdn.example.com` is not mandatory if:
– You're using a CDN provider that offers a generic URL (e.g., `https://example.cdnprovider.com`).
– You don’t need a custom subdomain.

However, a custom subdomain provides branding consistency and flexibility for DNS management.