Setting Up a Dedicated Sending Domain with GoDaddy DNS

Overview

This guide will walk you through the process of connecting a dedicated domain for sending email from your CRM using GoDaddy's DNS management system. To complete the setup, you will need to add a total of five DNS records: two TXT records, two MX records, and one CNAME record. A key aspect of working with GoDaddy is that you must save each DNS record individually before adding the next one.

Before You Begin

If your main domain (e.g., companyname.com) is already used with a service like Google Workspace for email, you should not set it up as your dedicated sending domain, as this will cause conflicts. Instead, use a subdomain, such as replies.companyname.com or support.companyname.com.

Step 1: Add Your Domain in the CRM

Navigate to your account settings, then go to Email Services and select Dedicated Domain. Click the + Add Domain button. Enter your chosen domain name (either the root domain or a subdomain) and then click Add & Verify. A screen will appear displaying the five DNS records you need to create. Keep this screen open, as you will copy the required values from it.

Step 2: Access Your GoDaddy DNS Manager

Open a new browser tab and sign in to your GoDaddy account. Find your domain in the list, click the three-dot menu next to it, and select Edit DNS to open the DNS management editor.

Step 3: Add the First TXT Record (SPF)

In the GoDaddy DNS editor, click Add to create a new record.

• Type: Select TXT.
• Host: Enter only the subdomain prefix. For a root domain like companyname.com, enter @. For a subdomain like replies.companyname.com, enter replies.
• TXT Value: Paste the following value exactly: v=spf1 include:mailgun.org ~all

Click Save to confirm the record.

Step 4: Add the Second TXT Record (DKIM)

Click Add to create another record.

• Type: Select TXT.
• Host: Copy the hostname value for the second TXT record from the DNS records screen in your CRM. Only copy the part before your root domain (e.g., if it shows mailo._domainkey.companyname.com, you would enter mailo._domainkey).
• TXT Value: Paste the complete, unique value for this record from your CRM's DNS records screen.

Click Save to confirm the record.

Step 5: Add the First MX Record

Click Add to create a new record.

• Type: Select MX.
• Host: Enter the same subdomain prefix you used for the TXT records (e.g., @ for the root domain or the subdomain prefix like replies).
• Points To: Enter mxa.mailgun.org.
• Priority: Set this to 10.

Click Save to confirm the record.

Step 6: Add the Second MX Record

Click Add to create another record.

• Type: Select MX.
• Host: Enter the same subdomain prefix as the previous MX record.
• Points To: Enter mxb.mailgun.org.
• Priority: Set this to 10.

Click Save to confirm the record.

Step 7: Add the CNAME Record

Click Add to create the final record.

• Type: Select CNAME.
• Host: Copy the hostname value for the CNAME record from your CRM's DNS records screen. It will typically start with email..
• Points To: Copy the target value for the CNAME record from your CRM's DNS records screen.

Click Save to confirm the record.

Step 8: Verify Your Domain

After adding all five records in GoDaddy, return to the dedicated domain screen in your CRM. The system will automatically begin checking the DNS records. This verification process can take some time. Once all records are validated, the domain status will update to show it is active and ready to use for sending email.