A domain name is the human-readable address of a website or email server — like mailpro.com. Behind the scenes the Domain Name System (DNS) translates that name into the IP address computers actually use to connect.
Why it matters for email: The part after the @ in your sender address is a domain name. Owning your own domain is what makes [email protected] possible — and what lets you authenticate emails with SPF, DKIM and DMARC.
Anatomy of a domain name
| Part | Example in www.shop.example.com |
|---|---|
| Top-level domain (TLD) | .com |
| Second-level domain | example |
| Subdomain | shop |
| Hostname | www |
Domains and email addresses
Email addresses are made up of a local part (what comes before the @) plus a domain. The same domain can host a website and many mailboxes. Mailpro can send on your domain once you authenticate it — see domain names for email marketing and the deeper background in what is a domain name.
Authenticating your domain for email
To get good deliverability you publish three DNS records: SPF, DKIM and DMARC. Mailpro provides simple guides for each:
| Record | What it does | Mailpro guide |
|---|---|---|
| SPF | Lists the servers allowed to send for your domain | configure SPF |
| DKIM | Cryptographically signs your messages | configure DKIM |
| DMARC | Tells receivers what to do with unauthenticated mail | DMARC overview |