What is the step by step process to setup a subdomain in Godaddy for email?

Summary

Setting up a subdomain for email in GoDaddy involves creating the subdomain in GoDaddy's DNS settings, and then configuring the necessary DNS records, including MX, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. The specific settings for these records are typically provided by your Email Service Provider (ESP). DKIM should be set up as a CNAME record. Using a subdomain isolates your marketing email reputation from your main domain, and you must understand that the subdomain will have its own reputation that needs to be monitored. If using a new IP address, implement a proper IP warming schedule. Proper authentication and consistent sending practices are crucial for deliverability.

Key findings

  • DNS Records are Essential: Setting up MX, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records is essential for email functionality on the subdomain.
  • ESP Provides Settings: Your Email Service Provider (ESP) provides the specific settings for the DNS records.
  • DKIM as CNAME: DKIM should be configured as a CNAME record.
  • Reputation Isolation: Subdomains allow for isolating email sending reputation from the main domain.
  • Independent Reputation: The subdomain has its own independent reputation.

Key considerations

  • IP Warming: Consider IP warming if using a new IP address for the subdomain.
  • Reputation Monitoring: Monitor the subdomain's reputation to ensure deliverability.
  • Authentication: Proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is critical for deliverability and sender reputation.
  • Consistent Sending: Maintain consistent sending practices after setting up the subdomain.

What email marketers say
13Marketer opinions

To set up a subdomain for email in GoDaddy, first, create the subdomain in your GoDaddy DNS settings. Then, configure DNS records like MX, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, using settings provided by your ESP. Ensure DKIM is set up as a CNAME record. Using a separate subdomain isolates your marketing email reputation. Remember to warm up your IP address if it's new, and understand the subdomain's reputation will be distinct from the main domain.

Key opinions

  • DNS Records: Setting up a subdomain requires configuring MX, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records in your DNS settings.
  • DKIM as CNAME: DKIM should be set up as a CNAME record, not a TXT record, according to SocketLabs documentation.
  • Reputation Isolation: Using a subdomain for email helps isolate your marketing email reputation from your main domain.
  • ESP Settings: Your Email Service Provider (ESP) will provide the necessary settings for DNS records.

Key considerations

  • IP Warming: If you are using a new IP address for the subdomain, follow a proper IP warming schedule to build a positive sender reputation.
  • Reputation Monitoring: Monitor the subdomain's reputation separately from the main domain to ensure deliverability.
  • Authentication Importance: Proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is critical for deliverability and maintaining a positive sender reputation.
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks explains that the ESP provides the settings for what is expected for the records, and GoDaddy provides the 'how'. SPF is a TXT record, DKIM could be a TXT record or a CNAME. An A record would be for tracking, but could be a CNAME on a subdomain.

March 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks refers to SocketLabs documentation and states that DKIM should be a CNAME record, not a TXT record.

March 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Neil Patel explains that subdomains can be used for different purposes, such as creating a separate mobile site (m.example.com) or hosting a blog (blog.example.com). For email, it can isolate your marketing emails and protect your main domain's reputation. This can be done by setting up relevant DNS records for the subdomain.

March 2023 - Neil Patel
Marketer view

Email marketer from NameCheap explains you will need to add the necessary DNS records related to email functionality, such as MX records for incoming mail, SPF and DKIM records for authentication to prevent spoofing, and optionally a DMARC record to specify how email receivers should handle messages that fail authentication checks. These records are provided by your email hosting provider.

September 2022 - NameCheap
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares a link to GoDaddy documentation on how to edit a subdomain: <https://ca.godaddy.com/help/edit-a-subdomain-19940>.

January 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit explains that you need to log into your Godaddy DNS settings, create a CNAME record for the subdomain, setup your DKIM record, SPF records, and DMARC records. Godaddy should have documentation to guide you through the exact steps for each type of record.

September 2024 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit recommends creating a separate subdomain for sending marketing emails (e.g., mail.yourdomain.com). Then, set up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records for that subdomain in your GoDaddy DNS settings. This isolates your marketing email reputation from your main domain.

December 2024 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from SparkPost responds that after creating the subdomain in GoDaddy, the most important steps involve configuring SPF, DKIM and DMARC to make sure your email is delivered.

December 2022 - SparkPost
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailjet shares the DNS records you’ll have to add to your DNS zone to properly configure an email subdomain and authenticate your email sending: MX, SPF, DKIM and DMARC.

October 2022 - Mailjet
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks confirms that for a DKIM CNAME record on a subdomain, if the main domain is example.com then sub.example.com would be correct.

July 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Web Hosting Talk suggests checking Godaddy's documentation: <https://www.godaddy.com/help/add-a-subdomain-19230>. It may be helpful to also look at their guides to creating DNS records.

February 2024 - Web Hosting Talk
Marketer view

Email marketer from StackExchange responds that for email, you need to ensure you have the correct MX records pointing to your email provider, as well as SPF and DKIM records set up correctly. These settings are typically provided by your email hosting service.

August 2023 - StackExchange
Marketer view

Email marketer from SendGrid explains when setting up a new subdomain for email, consider the implications of using a new IP address. Follow a proper IP warming schedule to build a positive sender reputation with ISPs.

March 2022 - SendGrid

What the experts say
2Expert opinions

Setting up a subdomain for email involves understanding its independent reputation and implementing proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC). Consistent sending practices and monitoring the subdomain's reputation are essential for maintaining deliverability and a positive sender reputation.

Key opinions

  • Independent Reputation: A subdomain has its own reputation, separate from the main domain.
  • Authentication is Key: Proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is crucial for deliverability.

Key considerations

  • Consistent Sending: Maintain consistent sending practices after subdomain setup.
  • Reputation Monitoring: Monitor the subdomain's reputation to avoid deliverability issues.
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise emphasizes the importance of setting up proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) when creating a subdomain for email. Correct authentication is crucial for deliverability and sender reputation. She also stresses the importance of consistent sending practices after configuration to maintain a positive reputation.

July 2024 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource responds that when setting up a subdomain, it's important to understand it will have its own reputation distinct from the main domain. Therefore, follow best practices for email sending and monitor the subdomain's reputation to avoid deliverability issues.

April 2022 - Spam Resource

What the documentation says
4Technical articles

Setting up a subdomain involves creating it in GoDaddy's DNS Management, then adding specific DNS records: CNAME for DKIM (as per SocketLabs), MX for mail servers, and TXT for SPF and DMARC. The SPF record helps prevent email spoofing by authorizing sending mail servers.

Key findings

  • GoDaddy Subdomain Creation: Create the subdomain via GoDaddy's DNS Management page.
  • DKIM Setup: Set up DKIM using a CNAME record pointing to the ESP's DKIM record.
  • DNS Record Types: Use MX records for mail servers, and TXT records for SPF and DMARC.
  • SPF Authentication: SPF records authorize mail servers to send email from your domain, preventing spoofing.

Key considerations

  • ESP Details: Obtain the specific DNS record details from your Email Service Provider (ESP).
Technical article

Documentation from GoDaddy explains how to add a subdomain. Log into your GoDaddy account, go to the DNS Management page for your domain, find the Records section and select 'Add'. Choose the record type, enter the subdomain name in the 'Host' field, specify the record value, and set the TTL (Time To Live). Then save the changes.

September 2021 - GoDaddy
Technical article

Documentation from SocketLabs explains that setting up DKIM involves generating a DKIM key pair and adding a CNAME record to your DNS settings that points to SocketLabs' DKIM record. This verifies that your sending server is authorized to send emails on behalf of your domain. You'll add the details provided by your ESP (SocketLabs) into the DNS settings for the subdomain.

October 2023 - SocketLabs
Technical article

Documentation from DigitalOcean explains the different DNS records, that may be required for email like A, MX, CNAME, TXT, and SRV records. A records point the subdomain to an IP address. MX records specify the mail servers responsible for accepting email messages on behalf of your domain. TXT records are used to hold SPF and DMARC records.

April 2022 - DigitalOcean
Technical article

Documentation from RFC shares that SPF (Sender Policy Framework) records help to prevent email spoofing by specifying which mail servers are authorized to send email from your domain. You'll need to create a TXT record in your DNS settings with the appropriate SPF syntax, usually provided by your ESP.

April 2024 - RFC