Domain & Email Setup: Where Do I Start?
Setting up your domain and email with PhotoBiz can feel overwhelming at first, especially if you already own a domain or use an existing email service. This guide is designed to help you quickly determine what you need to do next and point you to the correct setup articles based on your situation.
DO YOU ALREADY OWN A DOMAIN NAME?
A domain name is your website address (for example, yourbusiness.com). It is separate from your website and email service.
OPTION A: YES, I ALREADY OWN A DOMAIN
You can absolutely use your existing domain with PhotoBiz.
What you’ll need to decide:
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Do you want PhotoBiz to manage your DNS?
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Or do you want to keep your domain with your current provider?
Next steps:
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If you want PhotoBiz to manage your DNS:
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Update your nameservers to PhotoBiz
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Article: How Do I Update My Nameservers To Point to PhotoBiz?
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If you want to keep DNS with your current provider:
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Point your domain to PhotoBiz using IP address records
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Not sure which option is right?
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Article: Pointing Your Domain to PhotoBiz: Nameservers vs IP Address
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OPTION B: NO, I NEED TO PURCHASE A DOMAIN
PhotoBiz offers domain registration directly through your account.
Next steps:
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Article: How Do I Purchase A Domain Name?
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Article: How To Verify if Your PhotoBiz Membership Includes Your Domain Registration
Once purchased, your domain is automatically connected to your PhotoBiz website.
DO YOU WANT BRANDED EMAIL?
Branded email uses your domain name (for example, hello@yourbusiness.com). This is optional but highly recommended for professional communication.
OPTION A: YES, I WANT PHOTOBIZ MAILBOX
PhotoBiz Mailbox is our built-in email solution.
Next steps:
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Article: How Do I Add a Mailbox?
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Article: How Do I Setup My Mailbox?
After setup, you can access your email via webmail or connect it to an email app.
OPTION B: I WANT TO USE A THIRD-PARTY EMAIL SERVICE
You can use services like Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, or another provider.
Next steps:
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Article: Can I Use A 3rd Party Email Service?
You may need to add or update DNS records such as MX, SPF, DKIM, or TXT records.
OPTION C: I DO NOT NEED EMAIL AT ALL
That’s perfectly fine. Brand email is not required to use a PhotoBiz website.
You can skip mailbox setup entirely and focus only on your domain and website.
ARE YOU SWITCHING FROM AN EXISTING EMAIL PROVIDER?
If you already use email with your domain, switching providers requires a few extra steps to avoid downtime.
Recommended reading:
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What should I do to switch email providers and start using Mailbox?
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How To Export Mailbox
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How Do I Setup Forwarding In My Mailbox
Tip: Always confirm your new email is working before removing your old email settings.
VERIFY AND SECURE YOUR DOMAIN
Once your domain is connected, there are a few important final steps.
Recommended articles:
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How To Activate Your SSL Encryption
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How do I verify my website with Google Search Console?
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What To Expect When Updating Domain Name Servers
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I need email to use PhotoBiz?
No. Email is optional.
Can I change my domain later?
Yes. Article: Can I Change The Domain on My Account?
Will my website go down when I update DNS?
Temporary propagation is normal. Article: What is Internet Propagation?
