How to add own domain mail to shift

To add your own domain mail to Shift, you'll need to set up a few things. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you do so:

Prerequisites:

1. You have a domain name registered with a registrar (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.).
2. You have a Shift account.
3. You have a mail server (e.g., Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, or a self-hosted mail server).

Step 1: Set up a mail server

If you don't already have a mail server, you'll need to set one up. Here are a few options:

• Google Workspace (formerly G Suite): Sign up for a Google Workspace account and set up your domain. You'll need to verify your domain ownership and set up MX records.
• Microsoft 365: Sign up for a Microsoft 365 account and set up your domain. You'll need to verify your domain ownership and set up MX records.
• Self-hosted mail server: You can set up a self-hosted mail server using software like Postfix, Dovecot, or OpenSMTPD. This requires more technical expertise, but it gives you full control over your mail server.

Step 2: Set up MX records

MX records tell the world which mail server to use for your domain. You'll need to update your DNS settings to point to your mail server. Here are the steps:

1. Log in to your registrar's control panel.
2. Find the DNS management section.
3. Create a new MX record with the following settings:
   • Name: @ (or your domain name)
   • Type: MX
   • Priority: 10 (or a lower number if you have multiple MX records)
   • Value: your-mail-server-hostname (e.g., mail.example.com)
4. Save the changes.

Step 3: Set up SPF and DKIM records

SPF (Sender Policy Framework) and DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) help prevent spam by verifying the authenticity of your emails. Here are the steps:

1. Log in to your mail server's control panel.
2. Find the SPF and DKIM settings.
3. Set up SPF to include your mail server's IP address.
4. Set up DKIM to use a public key and a private key.

Step 4: Verify your domain ownership

Shift requires you to verify your domain ownership to ensure you're the rightful owner of the domain. Here are the steps:

1. Log in to your Shift account.
2. Go to the "Settings" section.
3. Click on "Domain" and then "Verify Domain".
4. Follow the instructions to verify your domain ownership using a TXT record or an HTML file.

Step 5: Set up Shift's mail settings

Once you've verified your domain ownership, you can set up Shift's mail settings:

1. Log in to your Shift account.
2. Go to the "Settings" section.
3. Click on "Mail" and then "Domain".
4. Enter your mail server's hostname and port number.
5. Set up the mail server's authentication settings (e.g., username, password, or API key).

Step 6: Test your mail setup

To test your mail setup, send an email from your Shift account to an external email address. If everything is set up correctly, the email should be delivered successfully.

That's it! With these steps, you should be able to add your own domain mail to Shift. If you encounter any issues, feel free to ask for help.