> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://eventx-hq.gitbook.io/knowledge-base/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://eventx-hq.gitbook.io/knowledge-base/outreach-channel/email-configuration-and-deliverability/setting-up-custom-sender-email-domain.md).
# Setting up Custom Sender Email Domain
## Setting up Custom Sender Email Domain
Allowing event organizers to set up custom email domains when using event management software offers several benefits, including:
* **Professionalism:** Custom email domains provide a professional touch to the communication between event organizers and attendees. It gives a more serious and credible look to the event.
* **Brand Recognition:** Event organizers can use their company or event name in the email address, which will help attendees recognize and remember the brand more easily.
* **Higher open rate:** Attendees will be more likely to open the email with the event organization email domain.
* **Increased Security:** Having a custom domain makes it harder for spammers or hackers to spoof the event organizers' email addresses, which can help protect both the organizers and the attendees.
### About admin roles for this task
You must be a super admin or org admin with access to the DNS records of your public custom domain.
### Before you begin
You will need to grant EventX permission to send emails on your behalf. Once you have completed Domain Authentication by following the instructions on this page, both receiving email servers and human recipients will be more likely to trust the legitimacy of your messages, which means you're more likely to reach an inbox than a spam folder.
**1. Access the Custom Email Domain.** Begin by clicking the Event Settings on the left-hand side navigator, under the Basic Event Info tab, you can find Custom Email Domain after you have enabled the Email as the event delivery method.
**2. Add a new email domain.** Enter the domain name and click Add. Then you will need to follow the instructions to set up the domain.
\
**Remarks**
1. You may need to contact your internal technical support and domain host to configure the settings for you.
2. If you have a Sendgrid account linked to your domain, you may select the Custom DKIM Selector feature after inputting your domain name.\
Next, please add the following records in your DNS settings on your domain provider’s site. They give us permission to send emails on your behalf by authenticating this domain.
Once you have configured the DNS settings, you can click Check Status to confirm if the status is verified.
**3. Add a new sender name and email.** Click Add Email > enter the Sender Name and Sender Email that you would like to use for email communication with attendees. Then click Verify Email. A verfication email will then be sent to the entered email address.
**4. Select the email address for sending Manual emails.** Once the email address has been verified, you can select it from the Sender dropdown when you draft the manual emails.
> **Note:** You may not be able to select the custom email address due to the verification failure. Please check with your domain host for DNS settings confirmation.
## Link Branding
### Default link branding
By default, the link branding will be **url300.eventx.io**. All links and tracking images in your emails will use the EventX URL.
### Custom link branding (optional)
Setting up your own link branding is **optional**. If you would like to customise the link branding so that links in your emails use your own domain, you will need to create a **CNAME record** that points to **sendgrid.net**.
> **Recommendation:** We recommend only setting up your own link branding if your domain is using **Cloudflare DNS**.
#### If your domain is using Cloudflare DNS
1. Log in to your Cloudflare dashboard.
2. Go to the **DNS** section for your domain.
3. Add the CNAME record for link branding.
4. **Enable the Proxy (orange cloud)** for the link branding CNAME record.
#### If your domain is NOT using Cloudflare DNS
You will need to set up your own proxy to route **HTTP to HTTPS**, as link branding requires the links to be served over HTTPS.
### Custom SSL
If you would like to customise the link branding (e.g., use your own domain for links instead of EventX URLs), you will need to set up **Custom SSL** for your domain. Custom SSL allows you to serve branded links securely over HTTPS using your own SSL certificate.
For more information on configuring Custom SSL, refer to Twilio SendGrid's documentation: [Custom SSL Configurations](https://www.twilio.com/docs/sendgrid/ui/account-and-settings/custom-ssl-configurations)
### More details
For more information on setting up link branding, refer to Twilio SendGrid's documentation: [How to set up link branding](https://www.twilio.com/docs/sendgrid/ui/account-and-settings/how-to-set-up-link-branding#cloudflare)
## FAQ
1. Shall I input the full cname records on the domain portal?\
**Answer :** You should only input the subdomain part on the key of the cname/TXT record. For example, user will only need to input **s1.\_domainkey** on the key part\
\
2. How can I confirm if the cname/TXT records have been effective?
**Answer :** You can do a cname/TXT record lookup and confirm if the records have been effective.\
CNAME lookup:
TXT lookup:
3. Possible to add an email address which cannot receive email?\
**Answer :** In order to maintain security, the custom sender feature requires a verified email that is able to receive emails. This ensures that only users who have provided a valid and active email address can access the custom sender capability. By gatekeeping this feature behind email verification, we aim to prevent misuse from unverified users.
4. EventX is using Sendgrid as the email gateway. If your domain is already connected to Sendgrid, you will need to use a new subdomain to connect with EventX. For example, you can use [@event.mycompanydomain.com](mailto:event@event.mycompanydomain.com) if your company already using @mycompanydomain.com to connect with Sendgrid.
5. **Can I use a domain that is currently being used for my website?**
**Answer:** No. The domain you enter must not already be in use and cannot be the same domain as your active website.
As an alternative, you can use a subdomain (also known as a second-level domain). For example:
* Primary domain: **sample.com**
* Subdomain: **events.sample.com**
6. Is there a possibility that my sender name is not displayed?\
**Answer :** Yes, your input sender name will not be shown on Outlook if you have enabled the ***Add to calendar*** toggle. Instead, your organization name (set on EventX) will be shown. Please refer to [this article](https://eventx-hq.gitbook.io/knowledge-base/outreach-channel/email-use-cases/use-case-why-is-a-different-sender-name-being-shown-on-outlook) for further information.
## Frequently Asked Questions
### Q: What are the benefits of using a custom sender email domain?
**A:** Using a custom domain enhances professionalism and brand recognition, increases email open rates, and improves security by making it harder for spammers to spoof your email addresses.
### Q: Can I use my existing website domain for sending emails?
**A:** No, the domain you enter must not already be in use and cannot be the same domain as your active website. Instead, use a subdomain such as events.sample.com.