Use a custom domain

By default, every user gets an email address as soon as the account is created. If you would rather use your organisation’s domain (for example, name@thecompany.com), an administrator can add it and verify it in Foral. This page describes the process at a high level.

Before you start

  • You need administrator access to Foral.
  • You need to be able to edit the DNS records for your domain (in the dashboard of your registrar or DNS provider).
  • Have the domain name to hand.

Steps

  1. Open Settings and choose the Domains tab.
  2. Click Add and enter your domain. It goes into the Pending state.
  3. Foral shows the list of DNS records to publish. Copy each one into your DNS provider’s dashboard.
  4. Back in Foral, click Verify now. The system queries DNS and confirms the records.
  5. Once every record is correct, the domain becomes Verified and can be used in email addresses.

Authentication records

The records you are going to publish prove that the domain is yours and that mail sent on your behalf is treated as legitimate:

  • MX — states that mail for the domain is delivered to Foral.
  • SPF — authorises the servers that may send on behalf of the domain.
  • DKIM — signs messages to prove they have not been tampered with.
  • DMARC — sets the policy for messages that fail verification.

The exact values are shown on the Domains tab, ready to copy. Some providers support automatic setup (Domain Connect): in that case, Foral offers a link that applies the records for you, with confirmation in the provider’s dashboard.

Once verified

  • Use Mark as default on the domain so that new addresses use it.
  • Create aliases (alternative addresses) for your users, always on verified domains.
  • Foral revalidates the records periodically and warns you if any of them stops being correct.