How do I properly set up a DMARC record on Wix and when should I change the policy?
Summary
What email marketers say13Marketer opinions
Email marketer from StackOverflow recommends using online tools like MXToolbox or DMARC record checkers to verify that the DMARC record is correctly published and formatted after adding it to the DNS settings.
Email marketer from Reddit explains that when setting up DMARC on Wix, ensure that the hostname is '_dmarc' and the value contains the DMARC record itself (e.g., 'v=DMARC1; p=none;'). Also ensure there are no conflicting TXT records.
Email marketer from URIports shares that it's crucial to analyze DMARC reports to identify sending sources, authentication failures, and potential spoofing attempts. Understanding these reports helps refine your SPF and DKIM configurations before moving to stricter DMARC policies.
Email marketer from Postmark shares that continuous monitoring of DMARC reports is essential to identify any issues with email authentication and to ensure that legitimate emails are not being blocked or quarantined. Use the reporting to tune your SPF and DKIM configurations.
Marketer from Email Geeks recommends using a reporting tool to ensure everything is authenticated and properly aligned before moving to quarantine or reject policies.
Email marketer from LinkedIn explains the benefits of implementing DMARC, including improved email deliverability, enhanced brand protection, and increased trust with email recipients by preventing phishing and spoofing attacks.
Email marketer from GMass shares special considerations when setting up DMARC while using shared IP addresses. It's important to coordinate with the email provider to ensure proper SPF and DKIM alignment, especially if multiple users share the same IP.
Marketer from Email Geeks suggests adding `_dmarc` as the host when configuring the DMARC record.
Email marketer from Mailjet shares that after implementing DMARC with 'p=none', monitor the reports for a few weeks to ensure legitimate email sources are properly authenticated. Then, transition to 'p=quarantine' to test the impact on deliverability before finally implementing 'p=reject'.
Email marketer from EmailGeeks Forum shares some common mistakes when setting up DMARC include incorrect syntax, missing SPF or DKIM records, not monitoring DMARC reports, and immediately setting the policy to 'reject' without proper testing.
Email marketer from EasyDMARC shares the steps to properly set up a DMARC record which include: generating SPF and DKIM records first, creating a DMARC record with a 'p=none' policy initially, monitoring DMARC reports, and then gradually moving to 'p=quarantine' and 'p=reject' policies.
Email marketer from Valimail shares that DMARC policies should be implemented in stages: 'none' to monitor, then 'quarantine' to filter suspicious emails, and finally 'reject' to block unauthenticated emails. This allows you to assess the impact before enforcing stricter policies.
Marketer from Email Geeks mentions that mailbox providers will likely force stricter authentication policies in the coming years, moving towards a 'no auth, no entry' approach.
What the experts say3Expert opinions
Expert from Email Geeks explains that in Wix, the 'host' field when adding the DMARC record should be '_dmarc', not left empty or filled with an @. Currently, the record is incorrectly showing as a TXT record for the base domain instead of '_dmarc.domain.com'.
Expert from Word to the Wise shares that changing the DMARC policy should be done incrementally. Start with 'p=none' to monitor traffic, then transition to 'p=quarantine' to filter suspicious emails, and finally to 'p=reject' to block unauthenticated messages once you're confident in your setup.
Expert from Spam Resource shares that setting up DMARC on Wix requires adding a TXT record with the hostname '_dmarc' and a value containing the DMARC policy (e.g., 'v=DMARC1; p=none;'). It also emphasizes validating the record with online tools after setup.
What the documentation says4Technical articles
Documentation from Google explains the required syntax for a DMARC TXT record. The record must start with 'v=DMARC1;' and include a policy tag ('p=none', 'p=quarantine', or 'p=reject'). Reporting tags ('rua' and 'ruf') are recommended for monitoring.
Documentation from Microsoft shares that SPF and DKIM are prerequisites for DMARC. SPF verifies the sender's IP address, DKIM adds a digital signature, and DMARC builds upon these to provide policy enforcement and reporting.
Documentation from DMARC.org explains the various tags that can be used in a DMARC record, such as 'v' (version), 'p' (policy), 'sp' (subdomain policy), 'rua' (aggregate reporting URI), and 'ruf' (forensic reporting URI). It details their functions and how they affect email handling.
Documentation from Wix Help Center explains how to add DNS records, including TXT records for DMARC, in the Wix dashboard. It involves going to Domains, selecting the domain, going to the Advanced tab, and editing the DNS records.