Custom Email Domain

Overview

By default, ZenServe sends all notification emails from [email protected]. With a custom email domain, your Zendo's emails can be sent from your own address, such as:

• [email protected]
• [email protected]
• [email protected]

This helps build trust with your members and makes your emails more recognizable in their inbox.

Setting Up Your Domain

To get started, you'll need:

• A domain you own (e.g., yourzendo.org)
• Access to your domain's DNS settings (usually through your domain registrar like GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare, etc.)
• A Supporter plan subscription

Steps to add your domain:

1. Go to Settings and click Configure next to Custom Email Domain
2. Enter your domain name (e.g., yourzendo.org) without "www" or "https://"
3. Click Add Domain

ZenServe will generate the DNS records you need to add to verify ownership of your domain.

Adding DNS Records

After adding your domain, you'll see a table of DNS records that need to be added to your domain's DNS settings. These typically include:

To add the records:

1. Log in to your domain registrar (GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare, etc.)
2. Find the DNS settings or DNS management section
3. Add each record from the table, using the copy button to copy values exactly
4. Save your changes

Verifying Your Domain

Once you've added the DNS records, return to the Email Settings page and click Check Verification.

ZenServe will check if your DNS records are properly configured. If verification is successful, you'll see a green Verified badge.

If verification fails, check that:

• All records were added exactly as shown (use the copy button)
• Enough time has passed for DNS propagation (up to 48 hours)
• There are no conflicting SPF or DKIM records

You can click Refresh Status at any time to check the current verification status.

Configuring Sender Settings

Once your domain is verified, you can customize how your emails appear:

Sender Name

The name that appears in recipients' email clients (e.g., "Seattle Soto Zen" or "Mountain View Zendo"). If left blank, your Zendo name will be used.

Email Address

The local part of your sending address (the part before the @). Common choices include:

• notifications - General notifications
• registrar - Traditional Zen term for schedule keeper
• schedule - Schedule-related emails
• ino - For the head of the meditation hall

Reply-To Address

When members reply to notification emails, their replies will be sent to this address. This can be any email address you monitor, such as your office email or a shared inbox.

Troubleshooting

Domain won't verify

• Double-check that you copied all DNS records exactly as shown
• Wait at least 24-48 hours for DNS propagation
• Verify records are added to the correct domain (not a subdomain)
• Check for existing SPF records that might conflict

Emails going to spam

• Ensure all DNS records are properly configured and verified
• Ask members to add your sending address to their contacts
• Check that you don't have conflicting email configurations

Need to change domains

Click Remove Domain to remove your current domain, then add the new domain. Your emails will be sent from the default ZenServe address until the new domain is verified.