Are you experiencing that your valid emails often get marked as spam or even blocked on the recipient's side? And are you using external name servers, such as those from Wix, WordPress, or Squarespace, instead of the name server provided by one.com? In that case, you can still use one.com's email server to send and receive emails, but it's essential to set up the correct DNS records at the name server's host.
This article will help you set up the required records (MX, SPF and DKIM) for your domain to ensure that your legitimate sent emails are prevented from being marked as spam or blocked.
Note: Eventhough your domain is still hosted with one.com, all DNS settings must now be managed from the DNS settings environment at the host where the name servers are set up.
Set the correct MX record
An MX (Mail Exchange) record is a DNS setting that defines the mail servers responsible for receiving and handling email messages on behalf of a domain.
When you have changed the name server to another host, you need to point back from the DNS settings there to the correct one.com email server.
Instructions:
Only one MX record should be set, in the format: domain.tld.mx.one.com
Replacing "domain.tld" with your domain name and associated extension. For example for one-example.com, it will be: one-example.com.mx.one.com.
If there is more than one MX record, remove them to keep only this one. Contact the other host's support if you need help with removing or adding the MX record in their DNS settings.
Add an SPF record
SPF (Sender Policy Framework) is a type of DNS record that helps email providers verify that sent emails from your domain are authorized and not used for spoofing.
How does SPF work?
With SPF, you can define the outgoing mail servers authorized to send email from your domain name. When an email is sent from your domain, the incoming server checks if it comes from an approved server before delivering it to the recipient.
If the information doesn't match, the email is identified as unauthorized and will be rejected or delivered to the spam folder.
Unfortunately, not all incoming mail servers check for SPF records. So even though adding an SPF record will help, it cannot prevent all spoofing.
Instructions:
Create an SPF record as a TXT record in the other host's DNS settings with the record value:v=spf1 include:_custspf.one.com ~all
The exact instructions will differ per host. Please check with the other host how they can support you if you need assistance.
Add DKIM records
DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) adds a digital signature to outgoing emails, allowing receiving mail servers to verify that the email address is legitimately connected to the claimed domain and that emails have not been manipulated during transit.
Why do I need DKIM?
DKIM helps you in two ways: when you're sending emails and when you're receiving emails.
When you send an email, DKIM adds an invisible signature that can be used by the receiver's email provider to validate your email. Your email is less likely to be accidentally flagged as spam. It also can protect your domain against malicious emails that claim to be sent on your behalf.
When you receive emails, the mail server automatically checks if the email that is sent to you is using a digital signature to verify itself. If not, the emails will, in most cases, be flagged as spam. This is one way to protect you against spam emails, spoofing and phishing attacks.
Instructions:
You need to add 4 specific CNAME records. Contact our support to get the exact values you need for your domain. We're happy to help you!
At the other host, go once more to the DNS settings. This time add the record type: CNAME. Add 4 new CNAME records with the values you received from our support.
It usually takes 240 minutes for this DNS change to take effect over the internet; they will not work immediately.
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