HostGator Domain Setup

Introduction

Setting up custom domains with Mailgun can be a bit challenging for some users. This guide aims to simplify the process, using a video tutorial as a reference. By the end, you'll have a clear understanding of how to set up Mailgun custom domains, particularly with Hostgator, though the principles can be applied to any DNS provider.

Overview

The process involves:

1. Logging into Mailgun and your DNS provider (Hostgator in this example).

2. Creating a subdomain in Mailgun.

3. Adding the necessary DNS records in your DNS provider.

4. Verifying the DNS records in Mailgun.

1. Sign up for Mailgun.com

2. Check your email inbox to verify the email address

3. Login to Mailgun, Click on Sending > Add New Domain

4. If your domain is companyname.com, you can either set up the main domain or subdomain with Mailgun.

A. Main domain:

• If you are adding the main domain, it should not be used with Gsuite, or any other email provider

Subdomain:

• To set up the subdomain with Mailgun, you can type ANYTHING_HERE.companyname.com

  • Examples:

    • mg.companyname.com

    • replies.companyname.com

    • support.companyname.com

B. Please set up the domain or subdomain under US, not EU. not EU. not EU.

C. Click on Add domain

The next screen that you're taken to will ask you to add DNS records to your domain. Leave this screen open for the next step.

5. Now log in to your DNS records based on where you get the domain and add the 5 DNS records.

To add the 1st TXT record

1. Log in to cPanel.
2. Look for the Domains section, then click Zone Editor.

   
3. On the next page, Locate your domain in the Zone Editor section, then click its Manage button.

   
4. Click Manage to view the domain's complete set of DNS records.

5. Click the +Add Record button and select Add "TXT" Record

A. Name: Different for everyone, DO NOT INCLUDE THE ROOT DOMAIN

• Depending on the subdomain you are trying to set up, if you are trying to set up

  • mg.companyname.com The host name will be mg
  • replies.companyname.com The host name will be replies
• If you are setting up a main domain like companyname.com, the host name will be @

B. Record: Same for everyone

• paste the following record v=spf1 include:mailgun.org ~all

C. Click on Add Record

To add the 2nd TXT record

Click the +Add Record button and select Add "TXT" Record again

A. Name: it's a bit tricky but the key here is to copy everything from the beginning until the subdomain part, DO NOT INCLUDE THE ROOT DOMAIN

**Everyone's 2nd TXT record Host Name and record is different

Examples: copy the highlighted part ONLY

Example 1 using subdomain: Copy mx._domainkey.helpdesk as the host name
Example 2 using main domain: Copy mailo._domainkey as the host name

B. Record: different for everyone

Head back to Mailgun and Copy the 2nd TXT record here highlighted in the screenshot below

• Record: paste the 2nd very long copied TXT record here

C. Click on Add Record

To add the 1st MX records

Click the +Add Record button and select Add "MX" Record

If you have a Gsuite account to capture incoming emails for the main domain. Make sure you are using a subdomain for Mailgun. Check out Can I Use the Same Domain Name for Mailgun and for Google Apps (Or Another Email Server)?

A. Name: Different for everyone

Depending on the subdomain you are trying to set up, if you are trying to set up

mg.companyname.com The host name will be mg

replies.companyname.com The host name will be replies

If you are setting up a main domain like companyname.com, the host name will be @

B. Priority is 10 which is also same for everyone no matter what domain you are trying to set

C. Destination: Same for everyone

paste the following data mxa.mailgun.org

E. Click on Save Record

To add the 2nd MX records

Click the +Add Record button and select Add "MX" Record

This time we need to add another record for mxB.mailgun.org

A. Name: Different for everyone

Depending on the subdomain you are trying to set up, if you are trying to set up

mg.companyname.com The host name will be mg

replies.companyname.com The host name will be replies

If you are setting up a main domain like companyname.com, the host name will be @

B. Priority is 10 which is also same for everyone no matter what domain you are trying to set

C. Destination: Same for everyone

paste the following data mxb.mailgun.org

E. Click on Save Record

To add the CNAME record

Click the +Add Record button and select Add "CNAME" Record

A. Name: Different for everyone

Head back to Mailgun to copy the host name, it's a bit tricky but the key here is to copy everything from the beginning until the subdomain part, DO NOT copy the main domain

Depending on the subdomain you are trying to set up, if you are trying to set up

• mg.companyname.com The host name will be email.mg

• replies.companyname.com The host name will be email.replies

If you are setting up a main domain like companyname.com, the host name will be email

B. Record: Same for everyone

paste the following data mailgun.org

C. Click on Save Record

Now that you have added 5 records, Go back to Mailgun and click on Verify DNS Settings

Click the same button to Verify DNS Settings again if some records are still not showing the green checkmark

Conclusion

Setting up custom domains with Mailgun is a straightforward process once you understand the steps. This guide, combined with the video tutorial, should provide you with all the information you need to successfully set up your custom domain. Remember, while this example used GoDaddy, the principles remain the same for other DNS providers.