Buy a domain

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How to Buy a Domain with ActiveCampaign

Introduction

Purchasing a domain is a significant step in establishing your online presence. ActiveCampaign provides a seamless way to buy a domain through its integration with IONOS, a partner domain registrar. This feature is essential for users who want to enhance their email marketing capabilities, especially as services like Gmail and Yahoo now require domain ownership for proper email authentication. Having your own domain not only increases brand credibility but also enables features like authenticated sending, which can improve deliverability rates.

How to Access This Feature

To access the domain purchase feature in ActiveCampaign, navigate to the Settings area from the left menu of your ActiveCampaign account. Once there, follow the steps outlined in the subsequent sections to buy a domain.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps to purchase a domain through ActiveCampaign:

1. Click Settings on the left menu and then click Advanced.
2. In the “Sending Domain” box, click Buy Domain.
3. Enter the desired name of a domain in the text field presented on the screen.
4. A new tab will open, linking you to IONOS, ActiveCampaign's partner for domain registration. IONOS will provide information on the availability of the domain name you entered, as well as suggestions for similar domains.
5. If the domain is available, proceed to checkout and complete your purchase using your preferred payment method via IONOS.
6. After your order is complete, you will receive an email confirmation directly from IONOS. It is crucial that you click the verification link in this email to confirm your email address with IONOS; failure to do so may result in the de-registration of your domain.
7. Return to the ActiveCampaign Advanced Settings page after your domain purchase. The integration with IONOS will help set up ActiveCampaign's DNS authentication records automatically. You can check the verification status of your domain by navigating to Settings > Advanced Settings in ActiveCampaign. Your domain should display as “Verified” and “Authenticated”.

It may take up to 24 hours for your domain to reflect as “Authenticated” and “Verified”. If it does not appear as such after this period, remove the domain and re-add it using the Configure a domain button, which will repopulate the necessary DNS records in IONOS.

Configuration Options and Settings

While purchasing a domain through ActiveCampaign, you will encounter several important configuration options. These include:

• **Sending Domain**: This is the primary domain you will use for sending emails.
• **IONOS Integration**: ActiveCampaign has direct integration with IONOS for easy registration and management of your domain.
• **Verification and Authentication**: After buying a domain, it is automatically set up for verification and authentication through IONOS.

Best Practices and Tips

1. **Warming Up Your New Domain**: After purchasing your new domain, it is important to properly warm it up. Avoid using it for bulk sending for at least 48 hours to prevent it from being flagged as spam. 2. **Setting Up Email Forwarding**: If you plan to send emails from your domain, it’s imperative to set up email forwarding. This ensures that replies to emails sent from your new domain go to an address you control. You can easily set up email forwarding through IONOS. 3. **Monitor Domain Status**: Regularly check your domain’s verification and authentication status to ensure that your email deliverability remains optimal.

Common Use Cases with Examples

- **Branding**: A small business can purchase a domain like www.mybusinessname.com, providing a professional image when sending emails to customers. - **Marketing Campaigns**: Companies may buy multiple domains to create targeted campaigns or landing pages while maintaining a unified brand identity. - **Email Authentication**: Businesses must own their domains to comply with email service provider requirements for sending authenticated emails, enhancing trust with recipients.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues during the domain purchasing process or after setting up the domain, consider the following steps:

1. **Check Verification Emails**: Ensure that you have received and acted upon the IONOS verification email. 2. **Domain Status Not Updating**: If your domain does not show as “Verified” after 24 hours, follow the removal and re-add process to reset the DNS records. 3. **Customer Support**: If further issues persist, reach out to IONOS support or ActiveCampaign support for assistance.

Related Features

- For further exploration, see additional related features such as DNS Authentication and Email Forwarding.

FAQ

• How long does it take to verify my domain?

 It can take up to 24 hours for your domain to be verified and authenticated in ActiveCampaign.
 

• What if I do not receive the verification email from IONOS?

 Check your spam or junk folder, and ensure that you entered the correct email address during the purchase process.

• Can I purchase multiple domains?

 Yes, you can purchase multiple domains through ActiveCampaign by repeating the steps outlined above for each domain.

• Is there a cost associated with domain purchases?

 Yes, all billing for purchased domains is handled by IONOS, and costs will vary based on the domain you choose.

• How do I set up email forwarding?

 You can set up email forwarding directly through IONOS's platform. It is often free and straightforward.

• What should I do if my domain is not available?

 IONOS will suggest similar available domain names that you can consider.

• Can I cancel my domain purchase?

 Domain purchases are managed through IONOS; please refer to their policies regarding cancellations and refunds.

For further information and support on domain purchases and related settings, check the relevant articles in ActiveCampaign's knowledge base. ```