WebCom Domain Name Service (DNS) -- Domain Email Configuration (MX Records)

This page describes how to use the Domain Email Configuration (MX Records) service option. To access this or any other domain name service, log in to your account by clicking on "Control Panel" at the left of this page, and then select Domain Name Services from the main menu.

For more information about domain names at WebCom, please see our Domain Name Services documentation.

Description

WebCom clients who have domains hosted by WebCom have the ability to configure email which is sent to their domain name be handled by a server which is not part of WebCom's system. In other words, it can be arranged so that while Web accesses to www.your-domain.com will be directed to your WebCom Web site, email sent to anything@your-domain.com will be sent to another server, either your own or another service provider's.

To do this, an "MX record" (Mail eXchanger record) needs to be added to your domain name configuration at WebCom. This is done by filling out a simple form from the Domain Name Service Menu. On the Domain Name Services Menu, click on Domain Name Preferences, next click on the option labeled "Domain Email Configuration (MX Records) ".

If you have multiple domains, you will be asked which domain will be changed. You will then be presented with a form for configuring the MX record for that domain. Simply list the hostname(s) or IP address(es) of the email servers that will be handling email for the domain. Highest priority is given to the entries closest to the top of the list. Examples of possible entries might be mail.isp.com or mailhost.school.edu. It would not be an email address, such as address@isp.com. Your ISP or network administrator will be able to provide the correct host name to enter into this form. To make the changes take effect, click on the submit button.

Additional Notes

There is a normally a 24 to 48 hour delay when an MX record is changed, as changes do not take effect until our name servers are restarted each morning, and there is normally a 24 period of propagation for email record updates.

Once email for a domain is being handled by another ISP, the changes that you make in WebCom's email services will no longer have any affect on email for your domain. Any changes to how your email functions will need to be addressed by the ISP handling email for that domain.

If you would ever like to have the email handled by WebCom once more, simple access this Domain Name Service, delete all MX entries, and hit submit.