Articles on: Getting Started

Configure your Sending Domain

Setting up your sending domain ensures gift cards are delivered reliably to recipients and don't end up in spam folders. This process authenticates your emails using industry-standard SPF and DKIM records, protecting your brand reputation and improving deliverability.


Time required: 15–30 minutes (plus up to 24 hours for DNS propagation)


Step 1: Enter Your Domain Name


  1. In the Govalo app dashboard, navigate to Configure → Email templates
  2. Find the "Sending domain" setting
  3. Enter your desired domain name and click Next




sending_domain

Choosing Your Domain


Best Option: Subdomain (e.g., gifts.yourstore.com)


  • Better email reputation isolation
  • Recommended if you send high volumes
  • Protects your main domain's sender reputation
  • We've seen better success and fewer sending issues with a subdomain


We recommend using a subdomain to avoid deliverability issues. If your root domain is already in use by our email software (Mailgun) from another app, you will need to use a subdomain for better deliverability.


For GoDaddy Users


GoDaddy automatically appends your root domain to the Host field.


For a subdomain, enter only the subdomain prefix in the Host field—not the full subdomain.


Example:
If you're using gifts.yourstore.com, enter:

  • Host: gifts

Not:

GoDaddy automatically appends .``yourstore.com, so entering the full subdomain would result in:
gifts.yourstore.com.yourstore.com


No additional steps are required—you don't need to create the subdomain beforehand. Adding the DNS records in GoDaddy effectively creates it.


Step 2: Create DNS Records


After entering your domain, Govalo will generate unique DNS records that you need to add to your domain registrar (GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare, etc.).

What You'll See


You'll be given 2–3 DNS records with the following information:

  • Type: TXT or CNAME
  • Host/Name: The record name
  • Value/Data: The authentication string



Adding Records to Your DNS Provider

  1. Log in to your domain registrar (where you purchased your domain).
  2. Navigate to DNS Settings or DNS Management.
  3. Add new records using the exact values shown in Govalo.


⚠️ Important: Copy the values exactly as provided—no extra spaces or characters.



Provider-Specific Tips


GoDaddy

  • May auto-append your domain to the Host field—use @ for the root domain or just the subdomain prefix.


Cloudflare

  • Enter values exactly as shown—no auto-appending.


Namecheap

  • Use @ for root domain records.


Shopify Domains

  • Follow Shopify's standard DNS record format (similar to most providers).


Step 3: Validate DNS Records


  1. After adding the records to your registrar, return to Govalo.
  2. Click the green Validate records button.
  3. The page will refresh and check for your DNS records.


DNS Propagation Wait Time

  • Typical: Records validate within 15–60 minutes
  • Maximum: Up to 24 hours in rare cases
  • During this time: You can continue using Govalo, but hold off on sending live gift cards until validation is complete.


Validation Success

You'll see green checkmarks next to each DNS record when they're successfully validated.



If validation fails after 24 hours

  • Double-check that the values match exactly (no typos).
  • Ensure there are no extra spaces.
  • Try removing and re-adding the records.
  • Contact support@govalo.com with screenshots.


Step 4: Enable Your Sending Domain


⚠️ Critical: Only click Enable sending domain after all records show green checkmarks.



Once enabled, your gift card emails will be sent from your authenticated domain with proper SPF/DKIM signatures.




Note: This appears to be the same screenshot used in the Validation Success section. If possible, replace it with a screenshot showing the Enable sending domain button or the enabled state.


Step 5: Test Delivery


After enabling your sending domain:

  • Send a test gift card to yourself.
  • Check that it arrives in your inbox (not spam).
  • Verify the From address shows your domain.
  • Send one to a Gmail address and a non-Gmail address to confirm broad delivery.


Success looks like:

  • Emails arrive within 1–2 minutes.
  • The sender shows your domain.
  • Emails are not placed in the spam folder.


Troubleshooting


"Validate records" shows red X's

  • Wait longer (try again in 1–2 hours).
  • Clear your browser cache and retry.
  • Verify the Govalo values exactly match your DNS entries.


DNS records keep failing validation

  • Check for typos or extra characters. DNS records are case-sensitive.
  • Some providers require @ for the root domain in the Host field.
  • Contact your DNS provider for their specific formatting requirements.

Gift cards are going to spam after enabling

  • Give DNS changes 24–48 hours to fully propagate across email providers.
  • Check that all records have validated (green checkmarks).
  • Send from a warmed domain (not a brand-new domain).

I'm being asked for an API key

  • This shouldn't happen during normal setup.
  • Contact support@govalo.com immediately—this indicates a configuration issue.


Need Help?


If you encounter issues or have questions during setup, contact support@govalo.com with:

  • Your domain name
  • Screenshots of your DNS records (both Govalo and your registrar)
  • A description of what's not working


Our team typically responds within 24 hours.

Updated on: 02/07/2026

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