Emails that you send out via Stager can be sent from your organization's email domain. This makes it clear to your recipients that it comes from you. But because technically the email gets sent from Stager, email providers want verification that the sender is actually you. Otherwise they might flag it as SPAM. In this article we'll explain how to configure that correctly.
How to set up your email domain configuration?
First, you add your own domain to the Stager backstage. We then generate DNS records that you enter in the DNS settings of your email/web hosting. Don't know what this means? Ask your system administrator to do this, they will certainly know what to do.
Step by step:
Go to Settings - Marketing - Email domains.
Click the '+ New email domain' button in the right top corner.
Enter the domain from which you want to send emails, like: 'domain.com'. (Without the @. Entering an actual email address (name@yourdomain.com) also won't work.)
This will generate the DNS settings.
Add the generated DNS settings to your email/web hosting. Add all three CNAME records.
Verifying can take up to 24 hours. Is the status still 'Pending' the next day? Click the 'Check status' button to retrieve the status again.
If the status has not changed to 'Valid' after 24 hours, something has not been set up correctly. Check your hosting's instructions to make sure you've entered the records correctly.
When the domain has the status 'Authenticated', everything is set up correctly. You can now email from your own address.
Do you have multiple email domains that you want to email from using Stager? Repeat the steps above. It is possible to add multiple domains.
It is not possible to add email domains like Gmail or Yahoo, only domains that you manage yourself.
How to adjust DNS settings for popular hosting providers
How to adjust DNS settings for popular hosting providers
Adding a DNS record differs for each domain host, which is why it is difficult for Stager to show you how to do this step by step. We advise you to add DNS records with your system administrator, who knows exactly how this works. Below are help articles from a number of popular web hosts that can help you on your way:
GoDaddy - Add a CNAME record
Hostgator - Manage DNS records
DreamHost - DNS overview
Amazon Web Services - Configuring DNS service
Hostinger - How to change DNS
SiteGround - How to add a DNS record?
eNom - Change DNS host records
1&1 - DNS Settings
Not sure which domain host your website has? Check that out here.
What emails can you send from your domain with Stager?
You can indicate in the following places in Stager that you want to send emails using your email address:
Mailings and newsletter sent via Marketing - Mailings.
Automated service and marketing mails sent via Marketing - Automation.
Crew updates sent with the Crew Planner.
If a domain has not yet been verified, a notification will be displayed. You can still email, but there's a big chance your emails end up in SPAM.
SPF records
It is highly recommended to also add an SPF record to your DNS settings. And it's a must when there's already other SPF records added.
An SPF record tells SPAM filters "These specific servers are allowed to send mail on behalf of my domain.".
Without this addition (if you already have another SPF record), the spam filter sees a conflict and thinks: "The CNAME signature looks okay, but this domain's SPF record says only [the other SPF record] is allowed to send mail. This Stager server isn't on the list, so... off to the spam folder it goes!"
Having a properly configured SPF record increases your domain’s reputation and, therefore, your email deliverability.
An SPF record fights domain impersonation and email spoofing to preserve your brand’s reputation and trustworthiness.
To check if you already have SPF records added to your domain you can use the SPF Query Tool from Kitterman Technical Services:
Enter the domain name of your email address in the field behind "Domain Name:"
Click on “Get SPF Record (if any)”.
To add Stager to your authorized sender list, you add the SPF record:
include:sendgrid.net
How this exactly is done differs per hosting provider, just like the DNS settings. Follow your provider's (help center) instructions.
Moving your email servers to the EU
We have been using American servers through our email provider in the past for our email messaging capabilities. However, as much as we love American exports like Skrillex and Fender Stratocasters, there are a lot of benefits to moving to an EU server.
By moving to EU servers, your data will stay within Europe, meaning your messages no longer pass through US-based servers.
What do you need to do?
So, it’s now possible to move to an EU server through Settings > Marketing > Email Domains.
First, ensure that you have your current email domain deleted.
Then click the button Send email through EU servers in the yellow text block above your domains. We have now switched a setting for you in the background.
Click the yellow button in the top right-hand corner + New email domain. You can then generate new EU DNS records, which you will have to paste into your email domain settings.
From that moment your emails will be sent through EU servers. It's highly recommended to do this in one go, to keep your email deliverability optimized.
We’ll make this move mandatory later, but you can already switch now to get ahead of the change, and keep your setup future-proof. So hit that “verify domain” button and help us move Stager’s email stage fully to Europe.