# Set up a custom email domain

When Databox sends automated emails the sender address reveals the underlying platform to your clients, breaking the white-labeled experience you've built. A custom email domain replaces that with your own brand, so every notification arrives from your company's address instead of Databox's. Databox authenticates your domain via CNAME records using SendGrid, which also sets up SPF and DKIM alignment to improve deliverability and keep messages out of spam.

## Configure the email domain in Databox

1. Go to [Account Management > White-labeling](https://account.databox.com/whitelabeling).
2. Toggle on **Replace sender's email address ('From:')**.
3. Enter your company domain in the **@ company.com** field.
4. Enter the full sending address in the **Email address to send emails from** field.
5. Optionally, enter a display name in the **Sender alias** field.
6. Click **Save**.


After saving, Databox will provide via email the CNAME records you need to add to your domain's DNS zone. Activation takes 3–5 business days once the records are in place.

Some DNS providers do not support the underscore character (`_`) required in SendGrid CNAME record names. Strato is a known example — if your provider has this limitation, a custom email domain cannot be configured.

custom-email-domain-instructions
## Add CNAME records to your DNS

The specific record name and target values are provided by Databox after you save your domain settings. The steps below show where to enter them for common DNS providers.

It can take up to 72 hours for a new CNAME to propagate. If you've previously used the subdomain for another purpose, propagation may take longer.

### Cloudflare

1. Log in to Cloudflare and select your domain.
2. Go to **DNS** in the top navigation.
3. Click **Add record**.
4. Select **CNAME** from the **Type** dropdown.
5. Enter the record name provided by Databox (e.g., `em1234`) in the **Name** field.
6. Enter the target provided by Databox in the **Target** field.
7. Select **Auto** from the **TTL** dropdown.
8. Set **Proxy status** to **DNS only** (orange cloud icon toggled off).
9. Click **Save**.


### GoDaddy

1. Log in to GoDaddy and open your domain's DNS settings.
2. Click **Add** and select **CNAME** from the **Type** dropdown.
3. Enter the record name provided by Databox in the **Host** field (e.g., `em1234`).
4. Enter the target provided by Databox in the **Points To** field.
5. Set **TTL** to your preference (e.g., `14400`).
6. Click **Save**.


### Bind nameserver

1. Edit the DNS zone file for your primary nameserver.
2. Add the CNAME record in this format:



```
em1234        14400 IN CNAME u123456.wl123.sendgrid.net.
```

Where `em1234` is the record name, `14400` is the TTL, and `u123456.wl123.sendgrid.net.` is the target. Include the trailing period.

1. Increment the zone serial number, then reload Bind:



```
rndc reload
```

Propagation can take up to 72 hours. Namecheap uses this same record format.

## Verify DNS records

Once you've added the CNAME records, verify they're live before Databox confirms activation.

**On Linux or macOS — using Terminal:**


```bash
# Check CNAME record
dig em1234.your_domain.com CNAME +short

# Check A record
dig em1234.your_domain.com
```

Replace `em1234` with your record name and `your_domain.com` with your domain.

A successful response returns the SendGrid target your record points to. An empty response means the record hasn't propagated yet — wait a few hours and try again.

**On any OS — using a browser:** Visit [digwebinterface.com](https://www.digwebinterface.com/) and query your CNAME record directly.

Yes, as long as you have access to that domain's DNS settings to add the required CNAME records. You can use your primary company domain or a subdomain.

No. A custom domain and a custom email domain are configured separately on the White-labeling page. You can set up either one independently.

Search the web for "add CNAME record" plus your provider's name. The values to enter (record name and target) are the same regardless of provider — only the UI differs.

Databox uses SendGrid for email delivery. SendGrid requires CNAME records to verify domain ownership and set up SPF/DKIM authentication — two standards that improve deliverability and prevent emails from being marked as spam.

 

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