Domains

Domains refer to unique website addresses (such as example.com) that identify and host online properties, email servers, and web applications. Within the context of ActiveCampaign, domains play a crucial role in email marketing, tracking, and authentication.

Overview

A domain name represents a company’s online identity. In marketing automation platforms like ActiveCampaign, a domain is not only used for a website but also for email sending, link tracking, and customer data collection. Proper configuration of a domain ensures brand consistency and improves the deliverability of marketing campaigns.

Domains in ActiveCampaign

ActiveCampaign uses domains in several key areas:

• **Email sending** — Each outgoing campaign is sent from a verified domain (e.g., newsletters@yourdomain.com).
• **Link tracking** — Click and open tracking use a “tracking domain” that replaces ActiveCampaign’s default links with your own custom-branded URL.
• **Forms and pages** — Hosted forms and landing pages within ActiveCampaign can use custom domains for branding.
• **Site tracking** — Adding a tracking code to your domain lets ActiveCampaign collect behavioral data for automation and segmentation.

Authentication and deliverability

Proper domain setup helps ensure marketing emails reach inboxes rather than spam folders. ActiveCampaign supports authentication methods such as:

• **SPF (Sender Policy Framework)** — Authorises ActiveCampaign’s servers to send on behalf of your domain.
• **DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail)** — Adds a cryptographic signature that confirms the message wasn’t altered.
• **DMARC** — Defines how receiving servers should handle unauthenticated messages.

When configured correctly, these settings increase sender reputation and trust with email providers.

Custom tracking domains

By default, ActiveCampaign uses its own domain for click tracking (e.g., `acems1.com`). Users can replace this with a **custom tracking domain** (e.g., `track.yourdomain.com`) to:

• Reinforce brand recognition
• Improve deliverability
• Prevent emails from appearing suspicious due to mismatched URLs

Domains and integrations

Domains connect across various integrations within the ActiveCampaign ecosystem:

• WordPress and WooCommerce sites use their domains for site tracking and ecommerce data.
• Zapier workflows can trigger automations based on domain-specific events (e.g., new leads from forms).
• ActiveWoo relies on verified domains to match order data with customer profiles inside ActiveCampaign.

Best practices

To optimise domain use within ActiveCampaign: 1. Verify and authenticate your sending domain (SPF, DKIM, DMARC). 2. Set up a branded custom tracking domain. 3. Ensure your website and form URLs use HTTPS. 4. Maintain consistent “from” addresses to build domain reputation. 5. Regularly monitor deliverability metrics and bounce rates.

See also

• ActiveCampaign
• Email Deliverability
• ActiveWoo
• WooCommerce
• Zapier

References

• ActiveCampaign Help Center — Domain verification and authentication
• ActiveCampaign Help Center — Setting up a custom tracking domain
• ActiveCampaign Deliverability Guide — activecampaign.com/blog/email-deliverability

External links

• ActiveCampaign Help Center
• ActiveCampaign Official Website