Verifying Your Sending Domain
Step-by-step: connect a domain, add the DNS records, and verify it so Templates and Send Campaign unlock.
Step 1 — Connect a Domain
Open Setup
Go to Marketing → Email Marketing → Setup tab.
Enter a dedicated sending domain
Use a subdomain like mail.yourbrand.com rather than your root domain — this isolates your marketing-sending reputation from your regular business email.
Set your From address and From name
The local part (e.g. "marketing") combines with your domain to form the From address; the From name is what recipients see in their inbox.
Click Add Domain
SMLLR creates a dedicated sending identity for your account and issues DNS records for you to add.
Step 2 — Add the DNS Records
Two records are required — a TXT (DKIM) record and a CNAME record — both shown with one-click copy buttons. If SMLLR detects your DNS provider, a direct link to that provider's DNS dashboard and provider-specific guidance (e.g. Cloudflare's proxy/CDN toggle needing to stay off) is shown alongside them.
A third, optional DMARC (TXT) record is also shown, recommended but not required. It starts at a monitor-only policy (p=none) so it's safe to add immediately — it never blocks legitimate mail — and can be tightened later once you've confirmed it's stable.
Add the TXT record exactly as shown, at the host given
Add the CNAME record exactly as shown, at the host given
Leave TTL on its default/Auto setting unless told otherwise
If your provider has a proxy/CDN toggle on CNAME records (Cloudflare's orange cloud), turn it off for this record — it breaks verification otherwise
Step 3 — Verify
If verification fails, it almost always means the DNS records haven't propagated yet, or a value was copied incorrectly. Double-check both records match exactly, then wait and retry — there's no need to re-add the domain.
Wait for DNS propagation
DNS changes can take anywhere from a few minutes up to 24 hours to propagate, depending on your provider.
Click Verify Domain
Back in the Setup tab, click Verify Domain. SMLLR checks the DNS records directly.
Confirm the unlock
On success, the domain status switches to "Verified & Active" and the Templates, Send Campaign, and Analytics tabs unlock immediately.
Editing an Existing Setup
Changing your From name or address only applies immediately, with no re-verification needed. Changing the domain itself re-issues brand-new DNS records and locks Templates/Send/Analytics again until you verify the new domain.
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