Set Up Mailgun DNS Records on GoDaddy for GoHighLevel

To set up Mailgun DNS records on your GoDaddy domain, sign in to your GoDaddy Domain Portfolio, locate your domain, and access its DNS management settings. Add the required TXT, MX, and CNAME records provided by Mailgun. This process typically takes about 15-30 minutes for initial setup, with DNS propagation taking longer.

• ✓Always use a subdomain for Mailgun if your main domain already handles email (e.g., with GSuite).
• ✓Carefully copy the unique hostnames and values for the second TXT (DKIM) and CNAME records directly from Mailgun.
• ✓The first TXT record (SPF) and both MX records have standard, universal values for all Mailgun setups.
• ✓DNS changes require propagation time; allow up to 48 hours before expecting full verification in Mailgun.
• ✓Accurate DNS configuration is critical for GoHighLevel to send emails reliably and avoid spam filters.

Prepare Your GoDaddy Domain for Mailgun DNS Setup

Before you can send emails reliably through GoHighLevel using Mailgun, you must configure your domain's DNS records on GoDaddy. This foundational step links your domain to Mailgun, ensuring proper email authentication and delivery. Follow these initial steps to access your domain's DNS settings.

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Sign In to GoDaddy — Open your web browser and sign in to your GoDaddy account. You need access to your domain portfolio to manage DNS records.

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Access Domain Portfolio — Once logged in, navigate to your Domain Portfolio. This section lists all the domains registered under your GoDaddy account.

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Select Your Domain — Locate the specific domain you want to set up with Mailgun. Click the three dots (options menu) next to your domain name.

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Edit DNS Settings — From the dropdown menu, select Edit DNS. You might need to scroll down to find this option. This action opens your domain's DNS management page.

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Add the First Mailgun TXT Record (SPF)

The first TXT record is an SPF (Sender Policy Framework) record. This record tells receiving mail servers which IP addresses are authorized to send email on behalf of your domain, significantly reducing the chance of your emails being marked as spam. Every Mailgun setup includes this standard SPF record.

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Add a New Record — On your GoDaddy DNS management page, click Add New Record. A new row or pop-up appears for entering record details.

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Set Record Type to TXT — From the Type dropdown menu, select TXT. This specifies that you are adding a text record.

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Enter the Hostname — For the Host field, refer to the 'Pro Tip' in the previous section to determine the correct hostname for your specific domain or subdomain. Do not include your root domain name here.

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Enter the TXT Value — In the TXT Value field, paste the following exact string: `v=spf1 include:mailgun.org ~all`. This is the universal SPF record for Mailgun.

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Save the Record — Click Save to add the first TXT (SPF) record to your GoDaddy DNS settings. This change will begin propagating across the internet.

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Add the Second Mailgun TXT Record (DKIM)

The second TXT record provides DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) authentication. DKIM adds a digital signature to your outgoing emails, allowing receiving servers to verify that the email was not altered in transit and truly came from your domain. This record has a unique hostname and value provided by Mailgun.

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Add Another New Record — Click Add New Record again on your GoDaddy DNS management page. You are adding a second, distinct TXT record.

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Set Record Type to TXT — Select TXT from the Type dropdown menu for this record as well. Both authentication records are TXT type.

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Copy Mailgun Hostname — Navigate back to your Mailgun domain settings. Copy the specific hostname provided for the second TXT record. This value is unique to your Mailgun setup; typically, it's a long string of characters.

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Paste Hostname into GoDaddy — Paste the copied Mailgun hostname into the Host field in GoDaddy. Ensure you copy only the hostname part, excluding your root domain.

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Copy Mailgun TXT Value — In Mailgun, copy the corresponding TXT Value for this second record. This is usually a very long, complex string.

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Paste TXT Value into GoDaddy — Paste this long string into the TXT Value field in GoDaddy. Accuracy is crucial for DKIM to function correctly.

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Save the Record — Click Save to add your second TXT (DKIM) record. This completes the TXT record setup for Mailgun.

Add the First Mailgun MX Record

MX (Mail Exchanger) records tell other mail servers where to send emails for your domain. Mailgun requires two MX records to ensure reliable inbound email routing, especially for replies to your GoHighLevel communications. The first MX record points to Mailgun's primary mail exchange server.

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Add a New Record — Click Add New Record on your GoDaddy DNS management page. You are now adding an MX record.

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Set Record Type to MX — From the Type dropdown, select MX. This indicates a mail exchange record.

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Enter the Hostname — For the Host field, use the same hostname you determined for your TXT records (e.g., `@`, `mg`, or `replies`). This ensures the MX records apply to the correct domain or subdomain.

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Set Points To Value — In the Points to field, enter `mxa.mailgun.org`. This is the standard primary Mailgun mail server address.

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Set Priority to 10 — Set the Priority field to `10`. This priority level is standard for Mailgun and indicates its preference in mail routing.

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Save the Record — Click Save to add the first MX record. This configures the primary inbound mail route for your Mailgun domain.

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Add the Second Mailgun MX Record

Mailgun uses a secondary MX record as a backup. If the primary mail server (mxa.mailgun.org) is unavailable, the secondary server (mxb.mailgun.org) ensures that incoming emails are still received without interruption. This provides redundancy for your email deliverability.

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Add Another New Record — Click Add New Record once more on your GoDaddy DNS management page. You are adding the secondary MX record.

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Set Record Type to MX — Select MX from the Type dropdown menu. Both Mailgun mail exchange records are of this type.

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Enter the Hostname — For the Host field, use the same hostname as your first MX record (e.g., `@`, `mg`, or `replies`). Consistency here is vital for correct routing.

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Set Points To Value — In the Points to field, enter `mxb.mailgun.org`. This is Mailgun's secondary mail server address.

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Set Priority to 10 — Set the Priority field to `10`. Both Mailgun MX records use the same priority level.

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Save the Record — Click Save to add the second MX record. You have now configured both necessary MX records for Mailgun.

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Add the Mailgun CNAME Record

The CNAME (Canonical Name) record is used for tracking opens, clicks, and other engagement metrics within your GoHighLevel campaigns. It creates an alias, allowing Mailgun to provide detailed analytics on your email performance through a custom tracking domain.

Verify Your Mailgun DNS Settings and Test Email Sending

After adding all five DNS records, the final crucial step is to verify them within Mailgun. This confirms that your GoDaddy domain is correctly configured and ready to send emails via GoHighLevel. DNS changes can take time to propagate globally.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• →Including the root domain in the 'Host' field (e.g., entering `mg.yourdomain.com` instead of just `mg`).
• →Failing to copy the exact unique hostnames and values for the second TXT (DKIM) and CNAME records from Mailgun.
• →Forgetting to set the 'Priority' for both MX records to `10`.
• →Not allowing sufficient time (up to 48 hours) for DNS changes to propagate before expecting Mailgun verification.
• →Attempting to use Mailgun on a main domain that already has MX records configured for another email provider like GSuite.

Frequently Asked Questions

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