Skip to main content

What is a Domain?

Domain​

This guide will walk you through setting up and verifying your sending domain in uSpeedo. Proper domain configuration is critical to ensuring successful email delivery to recipients' inboxes.

What is a Sending Domain?​

A sending domain is the domain you use to send emails. It represents your brand identity and helps email service providers verify that emails originate from a legitimate source.

In an SMTP session, the sending domain typically appears in the MAIL FROM command (also known as Return-Path).

Example:

MAIL FROM:<user@yourdomain.com>
250 OK

In this example, yourdomain.com is the sending domain.

uSpeedo provides a default domain for testing purposes, but it is not recommended for production use. You should always use your own domain for sending emails.

Why is Domain Verification Important?​

Verifying your domain can:

  • Improve email deliverability
  • Prevent emails from being marked as spam
  • Protect your brand from spoofing
  • Build sender reputation
  • Comply with email authentication standards

Required DNS Records​

To verify your domain, you need to configure the following records with your DNS provider:

  • SPF (Sender Policy Framework)
  • DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail)
  • MX (Mail Exchange)
  • DMARC (recommended)

SPF (Sender Policy Framework)​

SPF is a DNS record that specifies which mail servers are authorized to send emails on behalf of your domain. It helps prevent others from forging emails using your domain.

MX (Mail Exchange)​

MX records designate the mail servers responsible for receiving emails addressed to your domain. Even if you only send emails and do not receive them, some platforms still require MX records for verification.

DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail)​

DKIM adds a digital signature to your emails. Receiving servers can verify this signature using the public key published in DNS, ensuring the email content has not been altered during transmission.

DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance)​

DMARC builds on top of SPF and DKIM. It allows you to specify how receiving servers should handle emails that fail authentication (e.g., quarantine or reject). It also provides reports to help you monitor email authentication status.

How to Add a Domain​

Step 1: Go to Domain Settings​

  • Log in to the uSpeedo Console
  • Navigate to Settings → Domain
  • Click Add Domain

Step 2: Enter Your Domain​

Enter the domain you want to use for sending (e.g., yourbusiness.com) and continue.

Step 3: Get DNS Records​

After adding the domain, the system will provide the records you need to add to your DNS provider. These typically include SPF, DKIM, MX, and DMARC records.

Step 4: Add Records at Your DNS Provider​

Log in to your DNS provider (e.g., GoDaddy, Cloudflare, etc.) and add the provided records:

  • SPF: TXT record
  • DKIM: TXT record (with selector)
  • MX: MX record (with priority)
  • DMARC: TXT record (usually _dmarc.yourdomain.com)

Step 5: Wait for DNS Propagation​

DNS changes may take time to take effect:

  • Typical: 5–20 minutes
  • Maximum: 24 hours

Step 6: Verify the Domain​

Click Continue Configuration next to the sending domain, then click Get Verification Result in the popup. The system will check whether the DNS records are correctly configured.

Domain Status Explanation​

Pending (Unverified)​

  • Waiting for DNS propagation

Resolution Failed (Available)​

  • DNS resolution not yet effective, status syncing
  • Records not yet propagated

Active (Verified)​

  • All records (including DMARC) are correctly configured
  • Domain is fully authenticated
  • Recommended for production use

Best Practices​

Use Separate Domains for Different Purposes​

It is recommended to use different domains or subdomains for different types of emails.

Transactional Emails​

Example: notifications.yourbusiness.com Used for:

  • Account verification
  • Password reset
  • Order confirmation
  • System notifications

Marketing Emails​

Example: marketing.yourbusiness.com Used for:

  • Newsletters
  • Promotional campaigns
  • Bulk email sending

Why Split Domains?​

  • Protect deliverability of transactional emails
  • Prevent marketing emails from harming overall reputation
  • Build independent sender reputations
  • Reduce risk

FAQ​

DNS Records Not Taking Effect​

  • Wait up to 24 hours
  • Check using a DNS lookup tool
  • Contact your DNS provider

Domain Verification Failed​

  • Ensure record values match exactly
  • Verify the record type is correct
  • Confirm the subdomain format is correct

Inconsistent Domain Status​

  • Some records may be correctly configured while others are not
  • Check SPF, DKIM, MX, and DMARC individually
  • Note limitations of your DNS provider

What's Next?​

After successful domain verification, you can:

  • Start sending emails
  • Monitor delivery performance
  • Gradually increase sending volume (warm-up)
  • Add more domains to scale sending capacity

Get Help​

If you encounter issues:

  • Review the documentation
  • Use DNS checking tools
  • Contact the support team
  • Provide screenshots of your DNS configuration and error details