This article explains how to configure and manage domains in SendPro—covering sender, return-path, and web domain, as well as the essential DNS settings and domain setup workflows such as validating, editing, and removing domains:
- Sender domain (from domain)
- Return-path domain
- Web domain
- Contact info
- DNS records
- Editing, saving, validating and removing domains
- Different setups
Sender domain (from domain)
The sender domain is the domain you use to send your emails. In most cases, this matches the domain your source system uses when submitting messages. To use your sender domain, we also need to use your configured return-path domain in order to generate the necessary DNS records.
Most of the time, your source system determines the domain used to send messages. However, you can also change the sender domain by applying a dedicated sender flowstep. This allows you to adjust both the sender domain and the local part directly in SendPro, rather than in your source system.
Return-path domain
The return-path domain is used to handle bounces on our end. In addition, it plays a key role in SPF authentication and alignment, making it essential for reliable email delivery. To use a return-path domain, your DMARC record must be configured with a strict alignment setting.
In the interface, you can find the return-path domain under the headers-out section of your email, where it is also used to populate the Message-ID header.
Web domain
The web domain is used for click tracking, when the click tracking flowstep is enabled. Links in the body of your email will be routed through your web domain. That way you can see if and when people have clicked on the links in your email.
By default, the standard setup automatically creates a web domain with the same name as your return-path domain. However, you can remove the web domain by editing the domain settings in the interface. In addition, you can change the name of your web domain, which will update the required DNS records to get your domain up and running.
Contact info
Under contact info you can note who is responsible for managing the domain on your end or your client’s end.
DNS records
To successfully send messages from your sender domain, you need to set up several DNS records. We divide these into two categories:
-
Essential DNS records: These are the bare minimum required to send messages and ensure fully authenticated email delivery. They do not interfere with any other sending or receiving processes for this domain.
-
The optional DNS records. These are used for manual inspection and visibility.
Editing, saving, validating and removing domains
At the bottom of the page, you’ll find several action buttons, while at the top you can enter values for your sender domain, return-path domain, and web domain.
Important
Act with extreme caution when editing domains in a production environment. Changing these settings may affect domains currently used for incoming and outgoing email. Only save changes if you are confident they won’t cause unexpected issues.
Validate without changes
If you want to check the current status of your domain, simply click Validate. This will verify whether the domain is correctly set up according to the input fields. For example, if you open the page for a domain and immediately click Validate, it will confirm whether everything is ready to go.
Test changes before saving
If you’d like to see the impact of potential changes without applying them, edit the input fields at the top and click Validate. This will show you the required DNS records if those changes were applied, without affecting your domain’s current configuration.
Save changes
To update a domain (sender, return-path, or web), adjust the input fields and click Save. The new required DNS records will be displayed in the interface, and the domain status will be updated accordingly. If you want to double-check before committing, you can always click Validate first to preview the results.
At the bottom-right of the screen, you’ll find a red button to remove a domain. Once removed, the domain will no longer appear in the interface and will only reappear if it is used again. If you no longer plan to use a domain, it is also recommended to remove its DNS records to prevent any accidental usage in the future.
Different setups
It is possible to configure your sender domain in different ways. For example, you might use the domain as an inbox domain or pair a web domain with a return-path domain that differs from it. In such cases, additional or alternative DNS records will be generated.
Scenario 1: Different return-path and web domain
In the example below we named the return-path and web domain different.
After clicking Validate, new DNS records will be generated for implementation. Once these records are correctly set up and marked with a green check in the interface, your domain is ready to go.
In this scenario, you need to configure an MX record for your return domain, along with an SPF record for the return-path domain. Because your web domain differs from your return-path domain, you must also set up a separate CNAME record for the web domain.
Scenario 2: Domain is also used as inbox domain
In SendPro, it is also possible to use a domain to receive email. When you create an inbox (domain) source, additional DNS records are required to enable this functionality. At this point, an MX record will also appear for your inbox domain.
- Inbox domain
- Inbox source
The MX record is used to receive messages using the Spotler SendPro platform.