Set up your sending domain

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Set up your sending domain

Introduction

Setting up your sending domain is a crucial step before you start sending emails through ActiveCampaign. This process involves verifying and authenticating your email domain, which ensures that it belongs to you or your organization and prevents others from exploiting it to send harmful messages. Proper domain setup is essential for achieving optimal email deliverability and maintaining your reputation as a sender. If you're looking to send Direct and Automated Campaigns, 1:1 Emails, or Notification Emails, verifying your domain is a requirement.

If you don’t own a domain yet, you can purchase one directly through ActiveCampaign.

How to Access this Feature

To begin setting up your sending domain, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to the Settings menu by clicking the Gear icon in the bottom left corner of your ActiveCampaign account.
2. Expand the Settings menu and select Advanced.
3. In the Advanced Settings page, locate the “Sending Domain” section which offers two options: Configure Domain and Set up manually.

Step-by-Step Instructions

There are two primary options available for verifying and authenticating your sending domain:

Option 1: "Configure Domain" (Preferred)

The Configure Domain option is the preferred method as it simplifies the verification and authentication process through a native integration with various DNS providers.

1. In the "Enter your domain" field, type the domain you wish to use (omit "https://") and click Continue. 2. Confirm on the next modal by clicking Continue again. 3. ActiveCampaign will attempt to identify your DNS provider. If it succeeds, proceed using the credentials to log in to your DNS provider after confirming you have access. 4. Log in to your DNS provider to allow ActiveCampaign to configure the necessary DNS records. Be prepared for potential confirmation steps based on your provider's security protocols. 5. After a few moments, your domain will be configured with the appropriate DNS records, and it will be listed in the "Sending Domain" section. 6. Note that DNS propagation may take up to 24 hours. You can check the status from the Advanced Settings page by clicking the dropdown and selecting Recheck Authentication.

Option 2: "Set Up Manually"

Choose the Set up manually option if: - Your DNS provider does not support the Configure Domain option, - You lack login credentials, - Your organization enforces specific DNS security protocols.

1. Input the domain for email sending into the "Enter your domain" field. 2. Specify an email address for domain verification, which must be accessible to receive a verification email. 3. Click Continue. A confirmation message will appear, indicating that a verification email has been sent to the designated address. 4. Check your inbox for the verification email and click the confirmation link within. This link will expire after seven days. 5. Upon verification, click Set up DNS records to authenticate your domain. It’s crucial for optimal deliverability, especially for Gmail and Yahoo recipients. 6. Follow the instructions provided in the modal to input the DNS records into your DNS provider. Record types, names, and values are provided, along with optional TTL settings. 7. Monitor the DNS records' status, which typically propagates within 5-10 minutes but may extend to 24 hours if you recently acquired the domain.

Configuration Options and Settings

To effectively set up your domain, be aware of the following configuration settings: - **Domain Verification** ensures that the email address used for sending is authorized, preventing misuse of your domain for malicious activities. - **Domain Authentication** involves setting DNS records such as DKIM, SPF, and DMARC, which are essential for establishing your sender reputation. - The DNS provider integration supports various services; for unsupported providers, manual setup via DNS records is available.

Best Practices and Tips

- Always verify your domain before sending any emails to avoid deliverability issues. - Ensure DNS records are set up correctly and consult your DNS provider for specific configurations if you encounter issues. - For accounts with fewer than 5,000 contacts, avoid relying on generic From Addresses automatically generated by ActiveCampaign. - Perform a regular check on your DNS settings to maintain optimal deliverability.

Common Use Cases with Examples

1. **Email Marketing Campaigns**: Businesses use sending domains to enhance their brand credibility by sending marketing emails from a verified domain, improving open rates and trust. 2. **Transactional Emails**: Companies utilize verified domains to send receipt confirmations and notifications, ensuring emails land in the inbox rather than the spam folder. 3. **Customer Support**: Organizations leverage authenticated domains for handling communication with customers, ensuring trust and professionalism.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues during the setup process: - Use the Resolve Issues button, which will guide you through the setup process similar to Option 1: Configure Domain. - If your DNS records do not propagate as expected, recheck the configurations entered and consult your DNS provider for guidelines specific to their services.

FAQ

Q1: What happens if my domain is not verified before sending? If your domain is not verified, a warning will appear when attempting to send emails, prompting you to start the verification process.

Q2: How long does DNS propagation take? DNS propagation generally takes 5 to 10 minutes but may take up to 24 hours, especially for newly purchased domains.

Q3: Can I use any email address to verify my domain? You need to use an email address associated with the domain you wish to verify.

Q4: What if I forget to verify my domain? You may receive a warning message when attempting to send emails, reminding you to complete the verification process.

Q5: How can I tell if my domain is authenticated? In your ActiveCampaign account under Advanced Settings, the Authentication status will display as "Authenticated" with a green indicator if successful.

Q6: Is there help available if I encounter issues during setup? Yes, you can use the Resolve Issues button for assistance directly in ActiveCampaign, or consult the documentation for specific DNS provider support articles.

Q7: What if my DNS provider isn't compatible with the Configure Domain option? If your DNS provider is not supported, you can opt for the manual setup process to configure your domain successfully.

For further details and additional help, refer to the relevant sections in the ActiveCampaign help center. ```