HighLevel: How to Create a Dedicated Sending Domain

In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through the steps to set up a dedicated sending domain inside HighLevel. This process will ensure your emails are authenticated, help them avoid the spam folder, and comply with modern email rules set by providers like Google. Many people find the idea of dealing with DNS records intimidating, but I’ll show you how simple it really is.

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If you’d like a super helpful video version of this tutorial, check it out below.

Why Set Up a Dedicated Sending Domain?

A dedicated sending domain ensures your emails come from your domain, not a generic email service, which boosts deliverability and makes sure your messages don’t get caught in spam filters. Setting this up also helps your emails pass authentication checks, making them more trustworthy to recipients.

Let’s break down the steps!

Step 1: Access Your Email Services in HighLevel

  1. Log in to HighLevel: First, navigate to your sub-account in HighLevel.
  2. Go to Settings: Scroll down to the Settings section on the bottom left of your dashboard.
  3. Email Services: In the Email Services section, you’ll see an important notification encouraging you to boost your email deliverability. Click on Create Dedicated Domain to begin.

Step 2: Choose a Subdomain

HighLevel requires the use of a subdomain for the dedicated sending domain. A subdomain is simply a prefix you add to your domain name (e.g., email.yourdomain.com).

  1. Pick a Subdomain: It must be a subdomain. Common choices include:
    • email.yourdomain.com
    • em.yourdomain.com
    • lc.yourdomain.com (where “lc” stands for LeadConnector, HighLevel’s mail integration)

For this tutorial, I’ll use email.techstackweekly.com as an example. After selecting your subdomain, click Add and Verify.

Step 3: Connect Your Domain

HighLevel will automatically try to detect where your domain is registered.

  1. Domain Detection: You may see a screen that says “We’ve detected your domain at GoDaddy, Cloudflare, or other providers.” If you use Cloudflare, it’s the easiest and most cost-effective solution, and I highly recommend it.
  2. Automatic Connection: If detected, you can click Continue for an automatic connection. However, I’ll show you how to manually add DNS records, just in case.

Step 4: Add DNS Records Manually

If you prefer (or need) to manually enter DNS records, follow these steps:

  1. Copy the DNS Records: HighLevel will provide several records, including TXT, CNAME, and MX records. Simply copy the values for each one.
  2. Access Your Domain Provider (e.g., Cloudflare):
    • Go to Cloudflare: Open your Cloudflare account and select your domain.
    • Add DNS Records: Click the Add Record button.
  3. Enter the Information: For each record, select the correct type (TXT, CNAME, or MX), then paste the corresponding values provided by HighLevel.

For example:

  • TXT Record: This may include an SPF record. Simply copy and paste it into Cloudflare’s TXT field.
  • CNAME Record: Copy the host and target values and paste them into Cloudflare’s CNAME field.
  • MX Record: Follow the same steps to add the MX record, which tells email servers how to route emails.
  1. SPF Record Tip: If you use Google Workspace for email, I recommend adding an additional SPF record: include:_spf.google.com. This improves compatibility and deliverability.

Step 5: Verify Your DNS Settings

Once you’ve added all the records, return to HighLevel and click Verify Domain.

  • Patience Required: Sometimes DNS changes take a few minutes to propagate. If verification fails, wait a couple of minutes and try again. You haven’t broken anything, so don’t panic if it doesn’t work immediately.
  • DMARC Record: HighLevel might also prompt you to add a DMARC record for extra security. Follow the same process to add it as a TXT record in your DNS settings.

Step 6: Complete Verification and SSL Setup

Once all DNS records are verified, HighLevel will issue an SSL certificate for your domain. You’re all set once this is done.

If verification still fails after some time, simply click the Re-Verify button to retry. If needed, you can also delete the domain from the settings and start fresh.

Clarifying Domain vs. Email

A common concern is whether this setup will change the email address you use. The answer is no. Setting up a dedicated sending domain like email.yourdomain.com only authenticates your emails; it doesn’t change your email address. For instance, you’ll still be sending emails from [email protected].

This dedicated subdomain is simply the backbone that helps ensure your emails are authenticated, pass SPF and DMARC checks, and improve deliverability.

Conclusion

Setting up a dedicated sending domain in HighLevel might sound complicated at first, but as you’ve seen, it’s straightforward once you break it down. By following these steps, you’ll ensure that your emails get delivered to the inbox, improve your overall email reputation, and avoid getting stuck in spam filters.

If you have any other questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out, and check out more tutorials on Convology’s website for additional help with HighLevel and other marketing technologies!