If you use Podia to send emails (broadcasts and campaigns), you'll want to consider setting up a custom email sender address.
Introduction
If you don't set up a custom email domain, emails you send from Podia will show email@e.podia.com as the sender address.
If someone replies to your email, it will still go to whichever email is linked to your Podia account, but that email address won't be displayed in the original message.
Setting a custom sender domain would replace the default email@e.podia.com domain that shows up with the sender address you connected to your account:
Here are a couple of common custom sender addresses users like to set up:
Note: Due to the limitations of using an email service provider like Gmail/Yahoo/Outlook, etc, these cannot be set up as custom sending domains at this time.
You may only use an email address that you have access to and own the domain for.
Benefits of connecting a custom sender address
While there are many reasons why a custom domain is preferable over an email@e.podia.com domain, here are the most common:
More recognizable: your customers recognize your email/domain and know they can trust it
Looks more professional: if you have a name or email you're known by, sending messages from it reinforces your branding
Increase deliverability rates: if your email is already listed in a customer's database, using an unknown email could trigger SPAM filters
Setting up a custom email sender address
Follow the steps outlined below to set up a custom sending domain for your Podia account.
In the sidebar menu, select Settings.
Locate the Email settings group and click on Edit next to the Default sender option.
Click on the dropdown menu next to Default email address and select Set custom email address.
Enter the email address you would like to use as your custom sender address and hit Continue.
On the next step, we will ask you to verify that you own this email address by sending a verification code to the connected email address.
You must have a valid email inbox to receive the verification code. If you don't have one yet, check with your domain registrar how to set one up.
Enter the code you received and click on Verify code.
Podia will generate TXT records you should add to your domain registrar's DNS settings to have it validated.
Add both NAME and VALUE records as provided to where the DNS records for your domain are hosted (i.e. - Hover, GoDaddy, OVH, Cloudflare, etc.).
Here's what it would look like:
Note: For the most part, your domain will be hosted on the same platform you bought your domain from.
Please note that in more advanced setups, those platforms might be different. You can use a service like DNS Help to check where your domain is hosted.
Podia will begin validating your custom sender address. This process can take up to 24 hours, and you can check the validation manually at any time.
For a faster validation process, please ensure your TXT values are copied over correctly.
You can click on the TXT values hyperlink to access the generated TXT records at anytime.
Once your email is validated, you should see a validation message, and you'll also receive an email confirming the connection 😄
Troubleshooting validation errors
Here's how to troubleshoot the most common errors when setting up your custom sender domain.
We were unable to validate your email domain
This error means that Podia was unable to verify the added records to validate the custom sender address.
Please ensure you have copied the TXT values correctly and that you have added those to the domain registrar where your email inbox is hosted.
You should also check if:
There are no typos in the added records
You copied the TXT values correctly
You added the correct value type (TXT record)
Once you've completed these steps and are confident that the information has been added correctly, click on "Check validation" to restart the validation process on Podia's end.
You can access your TXT records at anytime by clicking on "TXT values" on the configuration page.
If you keep getting errors, feel free to get in touch with our support team with a screenshot of the added records and the email address you have set up on Podia.
Unable to verify after 2 weeks...
If Podia isn't able to validate your custom sender domain within a 2-week period, the validation process will be canceled, and the records will no longer be considered valid.
To initiate the validation process once more, simply start over with the entire setup.
This will generate new records, allowing you to follow the same steps to add them to your domain registrar.
Changing and/or disconnecting a custom sender address
You can also change and/or disconnect a custom sender address if you don't want to use the one you have connected to Podia originally.
Click on the Default email address dropdown menu and select "Change email" or "Remove email" depending on what you're trying to do.
FAQ
Is Podia a mailbox service?
Is Podia a mailbox service?
Podia connects your sending domain to enable its use for marketing communications.
However, it's important to note that we don't offer an email inbox service at this time.
While you can reach your customers and subscribers through campaigns and broadcasts, you'll still need a separate service to manage your incoming emails.
In summary, Podia has got you covered for sending emails, but for receiving them, you might want to explore options with your domain registrar.
What happens to email replies when I use a custom sending address in Podia?
What happens to email replies when I use a custom sending address in Podia?
Replies to broadcasts and campaigns you send through Podia, as well as delay and community notifications will go to your connected custom sender email.
Replies to transactional emails (password resets, purchase confirmation emails, etc) will be sent to the email address associated with your Podia account.
If you're using the same email address for your Podia account and sender address, you should be fine. However, if you are using two different email addresses, keep in mind that you might get replies sent to two different inboxes.
If you want all replies sent to the same inbox, make sure your custom sender domain and Podia account email are the same.
Can I connect a Gmail/Yahoo/Outlook/etc. email address?
Can I connect a Gmail/Yahoo/Outlook/etc. email address?
You may only use an email address that you have access to and own the domain for.
Using an email service provider like Gmail/Yahoo/Outlook, etc is not supported at this time.
Can I set up more than one custom sender address?
Can I set up more than one custom sender address?
At this time, you can only have one custom sender address per Podia account.
If you'd like to change your connected custom sender address, simply hit the delete/cancel button and follow the same steps to connect another custom sender domain.
Still need help? If you have any questions, send an email to hello@podia.com or click the purple help icon to send us a message 😄