Skip to content

Set up your Email (MX, SPF, DKIM, DMARC)

Email is easy to make work and even easier to break. Most “email problems” are not the mailbox. They are DNS and authentication.

This guide covers the full setup, end-to-end:
- Create the mailbox
- Connect it to your devices and apps
- Set DNS records correctly so delivery works (and stays working)

Email setup

Domain registered elsewhere?

You do not need to transfer your domain to GOZEN HOST. You only need the correct DNS configuration.

That said, keeping domain + DNS + email together can be a win:
- One place to manage records
- Fewer configuration mistakes
- Faster troubleshooting
- Periodic bundle perks during GOZEN HOST promotions (discounts or included services)

If you keep DNS elsewhere, it’s totally fine. Just make sure you add the required DNS records at your current DNS provider.

Before you start

1) Use the settings from your Welcome Email

Your exact email server names and recommended DNS records may differ per service. Always use what GOZEN HOST provided in your Welcome Email or Client Area service details.

2) Know what these terms mean (quick and practical)

  • IMAP: syncs mail across devices (recommended)
  • SMTP: sends mail
  • MX: tells the internet where your inbox lives
  • SPF/DKIM/DMARC: proves your messages are legitimate, improves deliverability, reduces spoofing

Step 1: Create your mailbox

Choose your control panel and create the mailbox.

Option A: cPanel (Email Accounts)

  1. Log in to cPanel.
  2. Go to Email Accounts.
  3. Click Create.

  4. Enter:

    • Username (example: support)
    • Password (strong)
    • Mailbox storage (as needed)

  5. Click Create.

Option B: Enhance (Email / Mailboxes)

  1. Log in to Enhance.
  2. Open your website or domain.
  3. Go to Email (or Mailboxes depending on your setup).
  4. Create a mailbox and set a strong password.

Best practice

Create role-based mailboxes like support@, billing@, info@ and keep personal mailboxes separate. It’s cleaner and easier to manage.

Step 2: Connect your mailbox to Outlook, Gmail, and mobile

IMAP keeps your inbox synced across all devices.

You will need:

  1. Email address
  2. Password
  3. IMAP server + port
  4. SMTP server + port
  5. Encryption (SSL/TLS)

Use the exact server values from your Welcome Email.

We are always here

If you do not have them, open a ticket and we’ll provide the correct settings for your service.

Outlook (Windows / macOS)

  1. Open Outlook.
  2. Add account and choose IMAP (or “Advanced setup” if needed).
  3. Enter server settings (from Welcome Email).
  4. Enable SSL/TLS if asked.
  5. Finish setup and send a test email.

Gmail (Read and send using your GOZEN HOST email)

You can use Gmail as a “front-end”.

  1. Open Gmail settings.
  2. Go to Accounts and Import.
  3. Under Check mail from other accounts, add your mailbox using POP or IMAP (Gmail uses POP for fetching, IMAP sync is not full in Gmail).
  4. Under Send mail as, add your address and set SMTP with GOZEN HOST settings.

Gmail + sending

If Gmail sending fails, it’s usually SMTP authentication or the wrong port/encryption. Double-check the Welcome Email settings.

iPhone / iPad (iOS Mail)

  1. Settings → Mail → Accounts → Add Account.
  2. Choose Other → Add Mail Account.
  3. Select IMAP and enter the server details.

Android (Gmail app)

  1. Gmail app → Settings → Add account.
  2. Choose Other.
  3. Select IMAP and enter your server details.

Step 3: Configure DNS for reliable delivery (MX, SPF, DKIM, DMARC)

This is the part that prevents pain.

Where do I add these DNS records?

  • If your nameservers are GOZEN HOST: add them in your control panel DNS zone.
  • If your nameservers are elsewhere: add them at your current DNS provider.

If you’re not sure where your DNS is hosted, start here: - Point your domain to GOZEN HOST

3.1 MX records (mail routing)

MX records tell the internet where your mailbox lives.

  • Add the MX records provided by GOZEN HOST (from Welcome Email or service details).
  • Remove old MX records that point to previous providers (only after you confirm migration timing).

Cutover rule

Changing MX records is a cutover. Plan it. During propagation, mail can land in the old mailbox for a while.

3.2 SPF record (sender authorization)

SPF is a TXT record, usually on the root domain (@).

  • Add the SPF value GOZEN HOST provides.
  • If you already have SPF, do not create a second SPF record. Merge values into one.

One SPF record only

Multiple SPF TXT records can break validation and cause delivery issues.

3.3 DKIM record (message signing)

DKIM proves your server signed the email.

  • Enable DKIM in your control panel/email platform if available.
  • Add the DKIM TXT record(s) exactly as provided (selector-based records).

3.4 DMARC record (policy and reporting)

DMARC tells receivers what to do when SPF/DKIM fail.

A safe, professional starting point: - policy: none (monitoring) - then move to quarantine - then reject when you are confident everything is aligned

Do not jump to p=reject on day one

If you send mail from multiple sources (Gmail, CRM, ticketing system, marketing), you can block your own mail. Start with monitoring.

Step 4: Verify your setup (quick checks)

Send a test

  1. Send an email to a Gmail address you control.
  2. Open the message details and check:
    • SPF: PASS
    • DKIM: PASS
    • DMARC: PASS (or at least aligned)

If any fail, it’s almost always DNS records, DNS location, or the wrong values.

Troubleshooting

“I can receive email but cannot send”

Common causes: - wrong SMTP server or port - missing authentication - TLS/SSL mismatch

Fix: - re-check SMTP settings from Welcome Email - confirm “Outgoing server requires authentication” is enabled

“Emails go to spam”

Common causes: - missing SPF/DKIM/DMARC - domain still has old records - inconsistent From address or sending source

Fix: - complete Step 3 fully - send from one consistent source at first - avoid using “Send as” with a misaligned SMTP setup

“Some people still email the old mailbox”

This is DNS propagation plus cached routes.

Fix: - wait up to 24 hours after MX change - keep old mailbox accessible briefly during migration windows

Summary

  • Create the mailbox first.
  • Connect using IMAP + SMTP from your Welcome Email.
  • Configure DNS properly: MX, SPF, DKIM, DMARC.
  • Verify with a real test message and authentication checks.