How do I set up email on my domain?
Pick a provider and verify the domain
You need an email hosting service separate from your domain registrar. Common options include Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Zoho Mail, Fastmail, and mailbox plans from your web host.
Sign up, add your domain, and the provider will give you a verification TXT record. Add it at your DNS provider and wait for verification, which can take minutes to a few hours.
Free options exist, but they usually limit mailbox count, storage, or custom-domain features.
Add the required DNS records
Your provider will list MX records that point incoming mail to their servers. Replace any existing MX records unless you are running a hybrid setup.
Then add SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records so your outgoing mail authenticates properly. DKIM usually requires copying a long TXT value from the provider.
Finally, create mailboxes and aliases in the provider's admin console, then test by sending mail to and from an external address.
- MX records: route incoming mail
- SPF TXT record: lists allowed sending servers
- DKIM TXT record: cryptographic signature
- DMARC TXT record: policy for failed authentication
- Autodiscover or SRV records: help mail clients configure themselves
Common mistakes
- Leaving old MX records in place, which sends some incoming mail to the wrong server.
- Adding multiple SPF records instead of one combined record — more than one SPF record causes a permanent error.
- Assuming email works the moment DNS is saved; propagation and provider-side checks can take a few hours.
