Before you start 📝
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
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.
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 connectedandNot active.Don't worry, this is expected!
Click the Copy icon next to the TXT name information.
Keep this tab open; you'll need it in a minute.
Add records to DreamHost ➕
Next, you'll be adding these newly created CNAME and TXT records to DreamHost.
In a new tab, login to your DreamHost account.
Click on Websites, then Manage Websites, then the three dots (...) next to the Manage button of the domain you want to connect to Givebutter.
Click DNS Settings from the popup menu.
Add TXT to DreamHost
In your DreamHost dashboard, click the blue Add record button.
Scroll down till you see TXT and click ADD.
Paste your copied value into the Host field.
Return to your Givebutter tab and copy the TXT Value field.
Paste that information in the TXT Value field of DreamHost
Leave everything else as it is.
Click Add Record.
A confirmation message will appear briefly.
Add CNAME to DreamHost
Switch back to your Givebutter tab (make sure you keep your DreamHost tab open too!) and click on the copy icon in the CNAME Name field to copy it to your clipboard.
Return to your DreamHost tab and click the blue Add record button.
Scroll down till you see CNAME and click ADD.
Paste your copied value into the Host field.
Return to your Givebutter tab and copy the CNAME VALUE field.
Paste that information in the Points to field of DreamHost
Leave everything else as it is.
Click Add Record.
A confirmation message will appear briefly.
Run Verification 🔄
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.
Completing setup ✅
There are just a few remaining steps to complete once you've successfully connected your domain.
Add email senders ✉️
In the Engage tab, click on Email Senders.
Click + Add new.
Enter the sender name and email address you want to connect and click Submit.
Emails must exist on the domain you have connected in order to be used for Engage.
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.
Branding 🎨
In the Engage tab, click on Branding.
Upload a logo – recommended dimensions 300px x 300 px, 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! 🎉