Email Sending Domains

Domains & Dns

Email Sending Domains

Setting up your email sending domain with proper authentication records (DKIM, SPF, and DMARC) is essential for ensuring your emails reach your contacts' inboxes instead of their spam folders. Lead Fuel CRM guides you through this process to maximize your email deliverability.

Why Email Authentication Matters

Email authentication tells receiving mail servers that your emails are legitimate and sent with your domain's authorization:

• Without authentication, your emails are more likely to be flagged as spam or rejected entirely.
• Properly authenticated emails build your domain's sending reputation over time.
• Major email providers like Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo require authentication for reliable inbox delivery.
• Authentication also protects your domain from being used for phishing or spoofing.

Setting Up Dkim

DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) adds a digital signature to your emails that proves they have not been altered in transit:

Setting Up Spf

SPF (Sender Policy Framework) specifies which mail servers are authorized to send emails on behalf of your domain:

• Add Lead Fuel CRM's SPF include statement to your domain's existing SPF TXT record.
• If you do not have an existing SPF record, create a new TXT record with the value provided by Lead Fuel CRM.
• Only one SPF record should exist per domain. If you have an existing SPF record, merge the values.

Setting Up Dmarc

DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) tells receiving servers what to do with emails that fail DKIM or SPF checks:

• Create a DMARC TXT record in your DNS with a policy that aligns with your security requirements.
• Start with a "none" policy to monitor without blocking (v=DMARC1; p=none).
• Once you confirm your legitimate emails pass authentication, consider upgrading to "quarantine" or "reject."
• DMARC reports provide insight into who is sending email using your domain.

Tip: Set up DKIM, SPF, and DMARC before sending any high-volume email campaigns. Taking the time to authenticate your domain properly from the start prevents deliverability issues that are much harder to fix after your domain reputation has been damaged.

Need more help? Contact Lead Fuel CRM support for personalized assistance.