Configuring your domain with HostGator DNS and ImprovMX

To configure the HostGator DNS for ImprovMX, you will need to add two MX and one TXT records. Learn how to do this by following our detailed step-by-step guide:

Add the first MX record

1. Go to your ImprovMX dashboard at https://app.improvmx.com then locate the domain in question (we will use piedpiper.com for this example) and click on it to enter the domain settings menu.

   

2. Scroll down to the MX entries section. This shows the two MX records you will need to create on your DNS control panel. Click on the value at the right hand side - this will copy it to the clipboard for use in the next step.

   

3. Go to the HostGator home page then go to Domains. Choose the domain you will be using with ImprovMX. Scroll down to the Advanced Tools section and click on it.

   

4. Locate the Advanced DNS Records section. Click on the blue Manage button next to it. A pop-up will appear. Click on Continue to close it. This will take you to your domain's DNS details page.

   

5. Click on the Add Record button.

   

6. Click on the Type dropdown. Then, choose MX from the dropdown.

   

7. Click on the Refers to dropdown and choose @.

   

8. In the Mail Server field, paste the value you copied to the clipboard earlier. Then, delete the last dot symbol from the value you pasted.

   

9. In the Priority field, enter 10.

   

10. Click on the TTL dropdown and select 1 Hour.

    

11. Click on the Add button. You have successfully added the first MX record. Now, you will need to add a second MX record.

    

Add the second MX record

1. Go back to the ImprovMX dashboard and click on the 2nd MX record value to copy it to the clipboard.

   

2. Go back to HostGator and click Add Record again.

   

3. Click on the Type dropdown. Then, choose MX from the dropdown. Click on the Refers to dropdown and choose @.

   

4. In the Mail Server field, paste the value you copied to the clipboard earlier. Then, delete the last dot symbol from the value you pasted.

   

5. In the Priority field, enter 20. Then, click on the TTL dropdown and select 1 Hour.

   

6. Click on the Add button.

   

Almost there! Now, you just need to add one last TXT record.

Add a TXT Record

1. Go back to the ImprovMX dashboard and look for the SPF records section. Click the Recommended Value to copy it to the clipboard.

   

2. Go back to HostGator and click Add Record.

   

3. Click the Type dropdown. Choose TXT from the dropdown.

   

4. Click on the Refers to dropdown and choose @.

   

5. In the TXT Value field, paste the SPF value you copied to the clipboard earlier.

   

6. Click on the TTL dropdown and select 1 Hour.

   

7. Click on the Add button.

   

8. That's it! Now, you just have to wait for the DNS changes to propagate, which can take up to 48 hours, although normally much sooner. Once our system has detected the DNS changes, we'll notify you, and you'll be ready to go!

If you're feeling lucky you can try going back to the ImprovMX dashboard and clicking Check Again in case the changes are picked up straight away.

The domain will show Email forwarding active when the DNS changes have propagated successfully.

Still have questions?

If you have any other queries, please contact our support team.