Custom domain name versus Mailserver Domain

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Custom domain name versus Mailserver Domain

Introduction

In the realm of email marketing, using a distinct identity for your communications can be crucial for brand recognition and deliverability. ActiveCampaign provides two types of domains to help you white-label your account: Custom Domain Names and Mailserver Domains. Understanding the differences between these domains is essential, as each serves unique purposes that can impact how your emails are perceived by recipients and how they interact with your branding efforts.

A Custom Domain Name allows you to create a private login URL for your ActiveCampaign account, enhancing your brand’s visibility. In contrast, a Mailserver Domain is tied to the technical specifications of email delivery, affecting authentication and server reputation. This article will explore both options, their significance, and instructions on how to set them up effectively.

How to Access this Feature

To access domain configurations in ActiveCampaign, navigate to the My Settings section. From there, you will find the Domains page, where you can manage both your Custom Domain Name and Mailserver Domain.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. **Access the My Settings Page**:

  - Log into your ActiveCampaign account.
  - Click on your user avatar in the top right corner.
  - Select My Settings from the dropdown menu.

2. **Navigate to Domains**:

  - In the My Settings menu, locate and click on the Domains tab.
 

3. **Setting Up a Custom Domain Name**:

  - Create a CNAME record at one of your subdomains that directs to your account URL (e.g., myaccount.activehosted.com).
  - Follow the detailed setup guide available [here](https://help.activecampaign.com/hc/en-us/articles/207331210) for a clear walkthrough of the process.
  - Once configured, your marketing campaigns and automated emails will use your custom link tracking domain instead of the default shared link tracking domain.

4. **Setting Up a Mailserver Domain**:

  - Similarly, set up a CNAME for a Mailserver Domain to authenticate your sending domain.
  - This will ensure that emails sent from your domain are correctly authenticated. Add this Mailserver Domain through the section for adding a sending domain in ActiveCampaign.
  - Follow the process detailed in the documentation provided to ensure proper setup.

Configuration Options and Settings

When configuring your domains, here are key options and requirements to consider:

- **Custom Domain Name**: A unique, branding-focused URL for your account. Ensure that the CNAME points to your ActiveCampaign account. - **Mailserver Domain**: Critical for technical email delivery, as it will appear in the "mailed-by" field in various email clients. You can establish multiple Mailserver Domains, but only one Custom Domain Name per account. - **SPF and DKIM Alignment**: Ensuring that your Mailserver Domain aligns with your Return Path/Mail From domain for DMARC compliance is crucial. This guarantees that your emails can be trusted by inbox providers.

Best Practices and Tips

- It’s important to know that both domain types allow you to white-label the platform, enabling you to mask the mailserver with your own domain, enhancing brand credibility. - Be aware of domain reputation; positive sender reputation helps maintain your emails' deliverability. - Although setting up a domain can improve your reputation, it's not a cure-all for deliverability issues. Focus on maintaining a clean mailing list and good engagement practices. - Always align your Mailserver Domain for improved DMARC compliance and monitor your email deliverability using tools like Google Postmaster Tools.

Common Use Cases with Examples

- **Custom Domain Name**: A marketing agency may want their clients to log into a unique URL such as login.theiragency.com instead of using the default ActiveCampaign URL. - **Mailserver Domain**: An online retailer could configure their Mailserver Domain to match the domain name used in their email campaigns, ensuring that their emails show as sent from their brand rather than an ActiveCampaign domain, thereby increasing trust with recipients.

Troubleshooting

- If your Custom Domain Name does not seem to work, verify that your CNAME record is pointing correctly and has propagated. This can take time due to DNS propagation. - For issues with Mailserver Domains, ensure that your SPF records are correctly set up and aligned with your sending domain. Check for errors in your DNS settings that may be affecting email authentication.

Related Features

- To understand more about email authentication, refer to the following articles:

 - Spam Protection
 - Email Authentication 
 - Deliverability Best Practices 

FAQ

What is the difference between a Custom Domain Name and a Mailserver Domain?

The Custom Domain Name is primarily for branding and provides a unique URL for logins, while the Mailserver Domain relates to email delivery and authentication.

How many domains can I have per account?

You can have one Custom Domain Name and multiple Mailserver Domains.

Will setting up these domains remove the “via” or “on behalf of” header?

No, these settings will not remove the “via” or “on behalf of” header. You'll need to follow additional steps to hide these headers.

Do I still benefit from ActiveCampaign's reputation if I use my Mailserver Domain?

Yes, while you gain some independence through your own Mailserver Domain, you still operate under the overall reputation management practices of ActiveCampaign.

Is domain reputation important for email deliverability?

Absolutely. The domain reputation plays a critical role in whether your emails reach inboxes or end up in spam.

Where can I find more assistance on setting up these domains?

For detailed instructions, refer to the ActiveCampaign help documentation linked above, or visit their support forum for community help.

What happens if I do not set up a Mailserver Domain?

If you do not set up a Mailserver Domain, you may rely on ActiveCampaign's default domains, which may not align with your brand and could present tracking issues in spam filters.

By understanding the distinctions and functionalities of Custom Domain Names and Mailserver Domains, users can make informed decisions to optimize their email marketing strategies effectively. Implement these settings for a better-branded experience and improved email deliverability. ```