Most people don’t realise that many email platforms don’t actually send emails from your domain. Instead, they make it look like its coming from your address, but it’s actually being sent through a shared domain, meaning your deliverability is affected by everyone else using that platform (just think for a moment how many millions of users these platforms have!)
With Ivorey™, you can use our shared domain, but we strongly recommend spending just 10-15 minutes to set up your own dedicated sending domain instead. This way, you’ll build up your domain’s reputation over time, boosting the chances of landing directly in the inbox (not the junk folder!) and significantly improving your open rates.
Step 1: Setup Your Dedicated Sending Domain
Click here for the written version
Click here for the written version
This guide explains how to set up your dedicated sending domain in Ivorey when you have already purchased your own domain and need to use it for email marketing.
Make sure you have already purchased a domain (e.g. the domain for your main website)
From the Ivorey™ main menu, go to [Settings] > [Domains] > then click [+ Connect a Domain] (if you haven't purchased a domain yet, you will need to purchase a domain with a provider like GoDaddy for example first. Alternatively you can purchase a domain within Ivorey directly by selecting [Purchase a Domain] here)
On the Email tab, click [Connect →] > then enter a NEW subdomain in the 'Domain' field (e.g mail.yourdomain.com)
❌IMPORTANT NOTES❌
your dedicated sending domain is NOT the same as your gmail email address. It is important that the subdomain you add here (e.g mail.yourdomain.com) is NOT connected or used anywhere else.
Once you have written your subdomain click the [Continue] button
Depending on who your domain provider is, you may be able to click [Continue] to have these DNS records updated inside your domain automatically, however in most cases you will need to click 'Add Record Manually' to manually update your DNS records
Ivorey™ will give you a set of domain records (TXT, CNAME, and MX). Please add these into the DNS settings of whoever you purchased your domain through.
We strongly recommend also adding the DMARC record that shows as optional to improve your deliverability.
To add the records from Ivorey™ to your Domain DNS settings, you will need to log into the platform your domain is hosted with (e.g GoDaddy) and add these DNS records inside the DNS settings. Alternatively you can share these records with your Domain Provider directly through their chat support as they will be able to update your DNS records for you.
Once your DNS records have been added to your DNS domain settings, you will need to come back to the domain page in Ivorey™ and click [Verify Records]
PLEASE NOTE: This process can take up to 48 hours depending on your domain provider. Once all records turn green, your dedicated sending domain is verified and you're ready to start sending emails!
Step 2: Set Your Email Domain Headers
Once you have set up your dedicated sending domain, you can now set your 'headers'. Your headers are for display purposes only, and will show the 'From' Name and Email on all outgoing emails sent from Ivorey. Setting up your headers gives a more professional look and feel to your emails.
Click here for the written version
Click here for the written version
Here's how to set up your Dedicated Sending Domain Headers in Ivorey:
Make sure you have already set up your dedicated sending domain.
From the Ivory main menu, go to Settings > Email Services > Dedicated Domain and IP.
Click the three dots next to your dedicated sending domain and select Set Headers.
In the Name field, enter the name you want your emails to display as the sender.
In the Email field, enter the email address you want your emails to display as the sender.
Step 3: Sync Your Gmail or Outlook Inboxes
Once you have set up your dedicated sending domain and headers configured, you can now set up your personal email client to work in sync with your ivorey emails.
2-way sync is designed to sync incoming & outgoing emails between Ivorey™ & Gmail or Outlook. This integration creates a connection between the two platforms and syncs both ways, so that any emails sent, received, or updated in Gmail or Outlook, will be automatically reflected in Ivorey™ and vice versa. Please note, this will only sync emails if they address is already inside your Ivorey contacts.
Click here for the written steps
Click here for the written steps
To setup Gmail 2-way sync from the main Ivorey™ menu:
Go to [Settings] > [Profile] > then navigate to the 'General' area and you'll see the email 2-way sync.
Select either Gmail or Outlook and hit [Connect]. You will then need to follow the prompts to login to your Google or Outlook account to complete the sync.
Important: Deliverability and Domain Warmup
You're all done on the tech-side, but don't jump into your email sending too hot and heavy! As this is likely the first time you've ever sent emails through your own actual domain (read above to see how most email providers actually send your emails through a shared domain, not your own) - it's critical to slowly warm up your domain to prevent getting flagged for spam.
Even if you're only sending to tiny list (even just 50 people) you should make sure the emails are validated first and that you follow best practice shared below. If just 5 of those emails happened to be invalid, that would be a 10% bounce rate which could get your domain immediately flagged and a 24hr suspension applied.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my emails landing in spam?
Why are my emails landing in spam?
When you first connect a new domain, it goes through a "warm-up" period where your emails may initially land in spam. As your domain builds its reputation over time, your deliverability rates will become very strong. Click here to learn how to warm up a new domain.
My Wix subdomain is not connecting, how do I fix this?
My Wix subdomain is not connecting, how do I fix this?
Wix limit their customers ability to create subdomains. We suggest transfering your domain to Ivorey™ or another provider who allows this basic feature.
What do the DNS records mean?
What do the DNS records mean?
MX Records: These route emails to Google’s servers.
SPF Record: Helps prevent spam by verifying legitimate emails.
DKIM Record: Verifies email authenticity.
CNAME Records: Used for various Google Workspace services.
TXT Record (optional): For two-factor authentication.
How do I delete a domain in my dedicated domain settings?
How do I delete a domain in my dedicated domain settings?
You'll need to click on [Settings] > [Email services] > [Dedicated Domain And IP] > click on the three dots next to the domain name you want to delete, and click [Delete domain]. From there, you'll be able to start fresh by following the steps in this guide.
How do I check if my dedicated sending domain records are verified?
How do I check if my dedicated sending domain records are verified?
From the main Ivorey menu, go to [Settings] > [Domains] > select the [Email] tab > then click the 3 dots of your email domain > and click 'configure'.
Click 'verify records' at the bottom right of your screen, or add them to your DNS records first and then come back to verify.
Why isn't my email domain connecting?
Why isn't my email domain connecting?
It can take up to 48 hours for your DNS records to be updated. If it's been more than 48 hours, double-check that the TXT, CNAME, and MX records are copied correctly.
Should I use my root domain or a subdomain for emails?
Should I use my root domain or a subdomain for emails?
It's important to create a subdomain such as "mail.yourdomain.com"
Need Help?
Hit the support chat widget inside Ivorey - we can:
Walk you through any of the steps
Troubleshoot anything that’s not working
We’re here and ready to help via the chat widget in the bottom right of your Ivorey™ account. Or if you are looking for done-for-you support, you can browse our current services here 🤍