Introduction
Does managing your Shopify store's outgoing emails feel like navigating treacherous waters? You're not alone. Ensuring your emails get delivered and aren't flagged as spam is no easy feat. But what if there was a way to bolster your Shopify store's email deliverability by setting up SPF and DKIM records? Consider this your lifeboat.
Attempting to gain an understanding of Shopify SPF and DKIM records might seem complicated, but don't fret. These are simply email authentication methods that help protect your Shopify store's email domain from fraud and spoofing, maintaining your brand's integrity. As mentioned by a user on the r/sysadmin community, "At the end of the day, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC only matter if the recipient's filter is actually checking those and filtering accordingly." Simply put, setting up these records effectively can significantly improve your email's chances of reaching your customers' inboxes instead of their spam folders.
Understanding SPF and DKIM Records
Just to present a quick overview up front:
- SPF (Sender Policy Framework): This is a DNS text entry which shows a list of servers that should be considered allowed to send mail for a specific domain.
- DKIM (Domain Keys Identified Mail): This is an email authentication method that checks if the email was actually sent from the domain it claims to be from and if it was potentially tampered with during the sending process.
Importance of SPF and DKIM Records for Shopify Store
Shopify store owners like us need to understand the paramount importance of these two records. Setting them up can improve our email deliverability, enhance email security, and help us maintain our brand reputation.
In the upcoming sections, we will sail smoothly through these seemingly complex waters and learn how to set up Shopify SPF and DKIM records in five simple steps. Master this, and you'll be well on your way to better landing in your customer's inbox, improving the overall success of your email marketing strategies and your Shopify store.
Step 1: Preparing for Shopify Email Setup
To start off, we need to ensure your store meets the necessary requirements to use Shopify Email. Then, we'll move on to installing the Shopify Email app and confirming your sender email. Let's dive in!
Requirements for Using Shopify Email
Before you get started, it's important to check off a few prerequisites for utilizing Shopify Email. As per Shopify's official guidelines, your store needs to meet these requirements:
- You have an online store with Shopify.
- You've installed the Online Store sales channel.
- Your Shopify subscription plan is active and paid.
- You've set up a payment provider.
If your account is on the Pause and Build plan or a free trial, you can create and send test email messages to yourself, but you won't be able to send emails to your subscribers.
Installing Shopify Email App
The next step in setting up Shopify SPF and DKIM records is to install the Shopify Email app. Follow these steps to do so:
- Go to the Shopify Email app page.
- Click Add app. If you aren't logged into your Shopify account, then you are prompted to log in.
- Click Install app.
Once installed, you can find Shopify Email in the Marketing section of your Shopify admin. Click Create campaign > Shopify Email.
Confirming Your Sender Email
Your sender email address is the one that your customers see in the From field when they receive emails from you. To send emails from this address using Shopify Email, you need to confirm its ownership.
Here's how you can confirm ownership of your sender email:
- From your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Notifications.
- In the Sender email section, click authenticate your domain.
- Follow the instructions to enter the new CNAME records into your third-party domain manager.
This process can take up to 48 hours to complete. If the domain verification fails, make sure the DNS records you entered into your third-party domain provider match the records provided in your Shopify admin.
Preparation is key for any successful endeavor, and setting up your Shopify SPF and DKIM records is no exception. Now that you're prepared, we're ready to dive into the next steps of setting up your SPF and DKIM records. Let's proceed!
Step 2: Setting Up SPF Record for Shopify
What is an SPF Record?
An SPF (Sender Policy Framework) record is a form of email authentication that identifies which mail servers are authorized to send emails on behalf of your domain. This is crucial in preventing email spoofing, where malicious actors send emails that appear to come from your domain.
In simpler terms, an SPF record is your domain's way of telling the internet, "Only these specific servers can send emails as me. If an email is claiming to be from me but it's not from one of these servers, it's probably fake."
By setting up an SPF record for your Shopify store, you're adding an extra layer of security to your email communications, ensuring that your customers don't receive fraudulent emails pretending to be from your store.
How to Add Shopify to Your SPF Record
The process of adding Shopify to your SPF record involves including Shopify's servers in your domain's SPF record. To do this, you need to create a TXT record with your domain provider.
Here are the steps to follow:
- Go to your domain provider's DNS settings: Depending on your domain provider, the location of these settings will vary. Look for areas labeled "DNS settings", "DNS management", or "Domain management."
- Create a new TXT record: The exact steps for creating a new record will vary, but you'll typically have to click a button labeled "Add Record" or "Create Record."
- Enter the SPF record details: For the Name/Host/Alias field, enter "@". In the Value/Answer/Destination field, enter "v=spf1 include:shops.shopify.com ~all". This is the SPF record for Shopify.
- Save the record: Click the "Save" or "Add Record" button to finalize the changes.
These steps tell the internet that Shopify's servers are authorized to send emails on behalf of your domain.
Verifying Your SPF Record
After adding the SPF record, it's important to verify its correctness. This can be done by using an SPF record checker. Simply enter your domain into the checker and it will display your SPF record. Ensure that "v=spf1 include:shops.shopify.com ~all" is included in the record.
A well-configured SPF record is a crucial step towards securing your Shopify emails. If you encounter any difficulties, don't hesitate to reach out to us at First Pier, and we'll assist you through the process. In the next section, we'll guide you through setting up your DKIM record for Shopify. Let's keep going!
Step 3: Setting Up DKIM Record for Shopify
After successfully setting up the SPF record, the next critical step in securing your email authentication is the DKIM record. This step plays a pivotal role in preventing email spoofing and ensuring your emails reach your customers' inboxes.
What is a DKIM Record?
DKIM, which stands for DomainKeys Identified Mail, is a technology that allows your Shopify store to take responsibility for sent messages. It provides a method for validating a domain name identity associated with a message through cryptographic authentication. This helps receivers verify that the email wasn't altered during transit and indeed came from your domain.
How to Authenticate Your Domain for DKIM
Setting up DKIM for your Shopify store is a straightforward process. It involves adding specific records to your domain's DNS settings. Here's a step-by-step guide:
- Start by logging into your Shopify account as an admin.
- Navigate to the 'Sender email' page on the portal.
- On this page, click on 'Authenticate'. This action will redirect you to a new tab with instructions on how to publish four CNAME (Canonical Name) records in your domain's DNS to enable DKIM for Shopify.
- Follow these instructions to visit your DNS provider's management console and publish the records in the correct section.
- Don't forget to save your changes.
It can take between 24-48 hours for your DNS to process the changes, so patience is key here.
Verifying Your DKIM Record
After setting up your DKIM record, it's important to ensure that it's syntactically correct and valid. For this, you can use various online DKIM lookup tools, such as the DKIM lookup tool provided by PowerDMARC.
In conclusion, setting up your DKIM record is a crucial step in achieving robust email security for your Shopify store. However, the process doesn't end here. In the following sections, we'll cover how to change your sender email address and how to verify your domain to ensure optimal email deliverability. Stay tuned, we at First Pier are here to assist you every step of the way.
Step 4: Changing Your Sender Email Address
Now that you've set up your SPF and DKIM records, the next crucial step is to change your sender email address. This is the email address your customers will see when they receive emails from your Shopify store. It's therefore essential that it aligns with your brand, enhancing recognition and trust.
How to Change Your Sender Email Address
Changing your sender email address in Shopify is a straightforward process. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you:
- Log in to your Shopify admin account.
- Navigate to Settings.
- Click on Notifications.
- In the Sender email section, enter your desired email address.
- Click Save.
That's it! Your sender email address has now been changed. But we’re not done yet. The final step is to authenticate your email domain.
Authenticating Your Email Domain
Authenticating your email domain is essential to ensure your emails are delivered to your customers' inboxes and not their spam folders. This process involves adding a DMARC policy and Shopify's CNAME records to your domain, connecting to the Shopify Sender Policy Framework (SPF) and Domain Keys Identified Mail (DKIM) records.
If you're using a forwarding email address from a Shopify-managed custom domain, you can also use this as your Sender email. This involves setting up email forwarding to create a custom email address associated with your domain, and then changing your sender email to this newly created forwarding email address.
The goal here is to ensure that your customers have a seamless experience, and that begins with ensuring they receive your emails. Authenticating your email domain is a key step in achieving this.
And that’s it for Step 4. You've successfully changed your sender email address and authenticated your email domain. In the next section, we'll guide you through verifying your domain and testing your configuration to ensure optimal email deliverability. As always, we at First Pier are here to help if you need any assistance.
Step 5: Verifying Your Domain and Testing Your Configuration
After setting up your SPF and DKIM records, the next crucial step is to verify your domain and test your configuration. This helps ensure that your emails are correctly authenticated and will reach your customers' inboxes instead of their spam folders.
Verifying Your Domain for Email Deliverability
The first part of this step involves confirming ownership of your sender email. To do this, head to your Shopify admin, navigate to Settings > Notifications. In the Sender email section, click on authenticate your domain. Follow the instructions to enter the new CNAME records into your third-party domain manager. Changes can take up to 48 hours to complete.
If the domain verification fails, double-check the DNS records you entered into your third-party domain provider to ensure they match the records provided in your Shopify admin.
Creating a Free OnDMARC Account to Test Your Configuration
The final step in setting up your Shopify SPF and DKIM records is to test your configuration. A tool that can help with this is OnDMARC.
To test your configuration, create a free OnDMARC account. This tool will help you identify potential issues with your email authentication setup. If any issues are detected, OnDMARC will provide you with actionable advice on how to fix them.
By following these steps, you’re not only ensuring that your emails reach your customers but also protecting your brand reputation and maintaining customer trust.
We at First Pier are always ready to assist you in navigating these technical steps to optimize your Shopify store’s performance. Email authentication is a crucial part of your store's setup, and we're here to help you get it right.
Conclusion
Importance of SPF and DKIM Records for Your Shopify Store
By now, it's clear that setting up SPF and DKIM records for your Shopify store is no longer a nice-to-have, but a necessity. These records are instrumental in protecting your store against spoofing attacks, ensuring that your emails get delivered, and building trust with your customers. They play a crucial role in your email marketing efforts, improving your email deliverability rates and overall customer engagement.
Recap of the Steps to Set Up Shopify SPF and DKIM Records
Let's quickly recap the steps we've covered:
- Preparing for Shopify Email Setup: This involves meeting the necessary requirements for using Shopify Email, installing the Shopify Email app, and confirming your sender email.
- Setting Up SPF Record for Shopify: Here, you learned what an SPF record is, how to add Shopify to your SPF record, and how to verify your SPF record.
- Setting Up DKIM Record for Shopify: In this step, you got to understand what a DKIM record is, how to authenticate your domain for DKIM, and how to verify your DKIM record.
- Changing Your Sender Email Address: This step showed you how to change your sender email address and authenticate your email domain.
- Verifying Your Domain and Testing Your Configuration: Finally, you discovered how to verify your domain for email deliverability and how to test your configuration using a free OnDMARC account.
Each of these steps is crucial in setting up your Shopify SPF and DKIM records correctly, ensuring a robust email authentication strategy for your Shopify store.
Final Thoughts on Email Authentication for Shopify
In conclusion, while the process of setting up Shopify SPF and DKIM records might seem complex, it's integral to the success of your email marketing efforts. It's all about ensuring that your emails land in your customers' inboxes and not in their spam folders.
At First Pier, we understand that navigating these technical steps can be daunting. That's why we're always ready to assist you in optimizing your Shopify store's performance. Your success in ecommerce is our goal, and we're committed to helping you achieve it. So, don't hesitate to reach out to us for any assistance you might need in setting up your Shopify SPF and DKIM records or any other aspect of your Shopify store optimization.
