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How to connect a Google domain to send emails through Engage
How to connect a Google domain to send emails through Engage

Step-by-step directions for connecting your Google domain to send outbound emails through Givebutter

Sunny avatar
Written by Sunny
Updated over a week ago

Before you start πŸ“

You'll need the following before you begin setup:

  • The name of your DNS provider, and login information for your DNS account

  • A real email address at your domain (an email address that ends in your website address, ie. [email protected])

Engage is automatically activated for verified nonprofit accounts. Accounts that are not verified will need to first Request Access on the Engage tab.

Who is my DNS provider?

If you're not sure who your DNS provider is, you can check at https://mxtoolbox.com/DNSLookup.aspx

  • Type your domain into the empty field

  • Click DNS Lookup

  • Your DNS provider will display at the bottom

dns finder example

Generate DNS records ✨

CNAME and TXT are the two DNS records you will be adding to your DNS provider, but before you add them, you need to generate them in Givebutter.

  • On the Engage tab in your Givebutter dashboard, click on Set up domain.

an arrow points to set up domain
  • Click Add Domain and then select Use your domain and email address.

  • Enter your domain name, add a reply-to email, and click Add Domain. This will generate new TXT and CNAME values. Close out of this screen. There will be red error messages: Not connected and Not active. Don't worry, this is expected!

domain not connected
  • Keep this tab open – you'll need it in a minute.

Add records to Google βž•

Next, you'll be adding these newly created CNAME and TXT records to Google.

  • Make sure to leave your Givebutter tab open. In a new tab, login to your Google account.

  • Click on My domains and then click Manage next to the domain you want to connect to your Givebutter account.

google domains screen
  • Switch back to your Givebutter tab (make sure you keep your Google tab open too!) and click on the copy icon in the TXT Name field.

copy icon

Add TXT to Google

  • After copying the TXT Name from Givebutter, return to your Google tab.

  • Click on DNS in the left-hand menu bar..

  • Click the arrow under Type and select TXT.

    type field drop down

  • Paste your copied value into the Host Name field.

  • Return to your Givebutter tab and copy the TXT Value field.

  • Paste that information in the Data field of Google.

  • Leave everything else as it is.

  • Click Save.

Add CNAME to Google

  • Switch back to your Givebutter tab (make sure you keep your Google tab open too!) and click on the copy icon in the CNAME Name field to copy it to your clipboard.

  • Return to your Google tab and click Manage custom records.

    manage custom records

  • Click Create new record.

  • Click the arrow under Type and select CNAME.

  • Paste your copied value into the Host Name field.

  • Return to your Givebutter tab and copy the CNAME Value field.

  • Paste that information in the Data field of Google

  • Leave everything else as it is.

  • Click Save.

Run Verification πŸ”„

  • Return to Givebutter and click the Refresh Status button. Verification can take up to 48 hours. Our system will automatically retry your verification for 72 hours.

  • Continue on to the next steps while you wait for verification. As long as they are also completed, you'll be able to send emails as soon as the green verified badges appear.

verified domain badges

Completing setup βœ…

There are just a few remaining steps to complete once you've successfully connected your domain.

Add email senders βœ‰οΈ

After your domain is connected, you still need to add the email addresses you'd like to send emails from! These must be real emails that exist on the domain you have connected.

  • In the Engage tab, click on Email Senders.

  • Click Add new.

  • Enter the sender name (the display name a message will appear as being "from") and email address you want to connect and click Submit.

  • A verification email will be sent to the email address you provided. Click verify email.

  • Your sender email should now show as Verified.

Your sender email address must be verified before you'll be able to send outbound emails using Engage.

verified email address

Branding 🎨

  • In the Engage tab, click on Branding.

  • Upload a logo – recommended dimensions 300x300px, max size 5MB

    • A logo is required to be uploaded before you can send outbound emails. If you prefer not to display a logo, you can upload a white square of the same dimensions.

  • Choose a brand color.

  • Add an email logo hyperlink.

See our guide on customizing your Engage email branding, which includes some more tips and tricks.

Address 🏠

  • In the Engage tab, click on Address

  • Enter your address information.

  • Click Submit.

Congratulations! You're now ready to compose and send your first email via Engage! πŸŽ‰


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