How to Authenticate Your Email Domain for Mailchimp, Constant Contact, and Other Services
If you're using PhotoBiz Version 9 or higher and your domain’s DNS is managed through AWS Route 53, you can update your DNS zone records directly from your PhotoBiz account. This makes it easy to verify your domain and improve email deliverability when using third-party email services like Mailchimp, Constant Contact, Flodesk, or others.
Why Email Authentication Matters
Email authentication helps protect your domain from being spoofed and ensures that your emails are more likely to reach your subscribers' inboxes. Most email marketing platforms will ask you to add DNS records to authenticate your domain using methods like:
- SPF (Sender Policy Framework)
- DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail)
- DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance)
You’ll usually receive specific TXT or CNAME records from your email provider that need to be added to your domain settings.
Important: DNS management is only available if your domain is using AWS (Route 53) name servers.
If your domain is still using our legacy name servers at Rackspace, this feature will not be available.
DNS Changes May Take Time
Most DNS updates take effect within a few minutes, but full propagation across the internet may take up to 48 hours.
STEP ONE
Log in and Access Your DNS Settings
- Log in to your PhotoBiz account.
- Click DOMAINS from the left-hand menu.
STEP TWO
Open the DNS Zone Editor
- In the Domains panel, find your domain and click MANAGE DNS.
STEP THREE
Add the Authentication Records Provided by Your Email Service
- Click the NEW DNS RECORD button.
- Choose the appropriate record type—this is usually TXT or CNAME, depending on the service.
Common Record Types Used for Email Authentication:
- TXT – Used for SPF, DKIM, and DMARC setup.
- CNAME – Sometimes used for DKIM or domain verification.
⚠️ Be careful when entering DNS records. Always copy and paste values exactly as provided by your email platform. Incorrect entries can prevent successful email delivery.
STEP FOUR
Enter Record Details and Save
- After selecting your record type, enter the Host and Value exactly as given by your email provider.
- Click SAVE CHANGES to apply the update.
DELETING A DNS RECORD
Deleting a DNS Record
Be cautious when removing DNS records—this can disrupt services like your email or third-party tools.
To delete a DNS record:
-
Go to the DOMAINS section and click MANAGE DNS next to your domain.
-
Locate the record you want to remove.
-
Click DELETE, then confirm the deletion.
Deleted records must be re-entered manually if needed later.
Need Help?
If you're unsure about what changes to make—or would prefer to have us do it for you—our Passionate Support Team is here to help!
Contact us by:
- Phone
- Live chat
- Support ticket
Live Support Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 AM – 6 PM EST
