Domain Registration Process

Last Updated: October 24, 2025

Set up your professional email with a custom domain. This comprehensive guide walks you through registering a domain, configuring DNS records, verifying ownership, and activating email services for your domain.

Overview

What is a Custom Domain?

A custom domain gives you professional email addresses like:

• you@yourbusiness.com (instead of you@gmail.com)
• sales@yourcompany.com
• support@yourbrand.com

Benefits of Custom Domains

• ✅ Professional Image - Build trust and credibility
• ✅ Brand Recognition - Reinforce your brand identity
• ✅ Business Flexibility - Never change email when switching providers
• ✅ Unlimited Addresses - Create as many emails as needed
• ✅ Better Deliverability - Improved email reputation
• ✅ Custom Features - Advanced routing and filtering

Before You Start

Requirements

You'll need:

• ✅ Active account with our service
• ✅ Domain name (purchased or ready to purchase)
• ✅ Access to domain registrar account (GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.)
• ✅ Basic understanding of DNS (we'll guide you)
• ✅ 30-60 minutes for setup and verification

What You Should Know

DNS Propagation Time

• DNS changes take 24-48 hours to propagate globally
• Email may not work immediately after setup
• Verification can be completed within 1-24 hours typically

Domain Ownership

• You must own or control the domain
• You need access to DNS settings
• Domain must not be locked or in transfer

Domain Registration Options

Option A: Register New Domain Through Us

Register and configure your domain in one place:

Available Extensions

Popular TLDs we offer:

• .com - $12.99/year
• .net - $14.99/year
• .org - $13.99/year
• .co - $24.99/year
• .io - $39.99/year
• .ai - $69.99/year

Country-specific:

• .us, .uk, .ca, .au, .de, .fr

Registration Process

Go to: Dashboard → Domains → "Register New Domain"

Steps:

1. Search for available domain name
2. Select your preferred extension
3. Add to cart
4. Complete payment
5. Domain automatically configured for email
6. Verification handled automatically

Benefits:

• ✅ Automatic DNS configuration
• ✅ No manual setup required
• ✅ Instant email activation
• ✅ Integrated billing
• ✅ One-click renewals

Timeline: Email ready in 1-4 hours

Option B: Use Existing Domain

Connect a domain you already own:

Supported Registrars

We support all major domain registrars:

• GoDaddy
• Namecheap
• Google Domains
• Cloudflare
• Name.com
• Hover
• Domain.com
• And all others with DNS access

Connection Process

Go to: Dashboard → Domains → "Connect Existing Domain"

Steps:

1. Enter your domain name
2. Choose connection method (DNS or subdomain)
3. Follow DNS configuration instructions
4. Verify domain ownership
5. Wait for verification (1-24 hours)
6. Activate email services

Timeline: 24-48 hours for full setup

DNS Configuration Guide

Understanding DNS Records

DNS records tell the internet where to route your email:

MX Records (Required)

Purpose: Direct email to our servers

Records to Add:

TXT Records (Verification & Security)

SPF Record (Required):

Type: TXT
Host: @ or blank
Value: v=spf1 include:_spf.pupam.com ~all
TTL: 3600

DKIM Record (Required):

Type: TXT
Host: pupam._domainkey
Value: [Provided in dashboard after domain added]
TTL: 3600

DMARC Record (Recommended):

Type: TXT
Host: _dmarc
Value: v=DMARC1; p=quarantine; rua=mailto:dmarc@yourdomain.com
TTL: 3600

Domain Verification (Required):

Type: TXT
Host: @ or blank
Value: pupam-verification=[Your unique code]
TTL: 3600

CNAME Records (Optional)

For webmail access:

Type: CNAME
Host: mail
Value: webmail.pupam.com
TTL: 3600

Result: Access webmail at mail.yourdomain.com

Step-by-Step Setup Process

Adding Your Domain

Navigate to Domain Setup

Location: Dashboard → Settings → Domains → "Add Domain"

Enter Domain Information

Required Fields:

• Domain name (e.g., yourbusiness.com)
• Purpose: Business or Personal
• Expected monthly email volume
• Number of users

Choose Setup Method

Automatic Setup (Recommended):

• We detect your registrar
• Automatic DNS configuration (if supported)
• One-click setup

Manual Setup:

• We provide DNS records
• You add them to your registrar
• We verify once added

DNS Configuration

Registrar-Specific Instructions

We provide tailored instructions for:

GoDaddy:

1. Log into GoDaddy account
2. Navigate to My Products → Domains
3. Click DNS next to your domain
4. Click "Add" for each record
5. Enter values exactly as shown
6. Save changes

Namecheap:

1. Log into Namecheap account
2. Go to Domain List → Manage
3. Select Advanced DNS tab
4. Click "Add New Record"
5. Enter record details
6. Save all changes

Cloudflare:

1. Log into Cloudflare dashboard
2. Select your domain
3. Go to DNS settings
4. Click "Add record"
5. Enter MX and TXT records
6. Disable proxy (grey cloud) for MX records

Other Registrars:

• Generic DNS instructions provided
• Screenshots and examples included
• Support available if needed

Common DNS Settings Issues

Issue: Cannot find DNS settings

• Look for "DNS Management", "Name Server", or "Advanced DNS"
• Contact your registrar support if unsure
• We can help identify where to make changes

Issue: Records already exist

• Remove or replace old MX records
• Keep existing TXT records that aren't email-related
• Backup current settings before making changes

Issue: Changes not taking effect

• Allow 24-48 hours for propagation
• Clear your local DNS cache
• Try from different network/device

Domain Verification

Verification Methods

DNS Verification (Recommended):

• Add TXT record with verification code
• We automatically check every hour
• Usually verified within 1-24 hours

Email Verification:

• We send email to admin@yourdomain.com
• Click verification link in email
• Instant verification (if email works)

File Upload:

• Download verification file
• Upload to your website root
• We check for file presence

Verification Status

Check verification progress:

Dashboard → Domains → [Your Domain]

Status Indicators:

• 🟡 Pending - Waiting for DNS propagation
• 🔵 Verifying - Checking records now
• 🟢 Verified - Domain ready to use
• 🔴 Failed - Issue detected, action needed

Troubleshooting Verification

If verification fails:

Check DNS Records:

• Use our DNS checker tool
• Verify records match exactly
• Check for typos or extra spaces

Common Issues:

• Wrong TXT record value
• Record added to subdomain instead of root
• DNS not yet propagated
• Record cached with old value

Get Help:

• Click "Request Manual Review"
• Our team checks within 4 hours
• We'll identify and explain issues

Email Service Activation

After Verification

Once domain is verified:

Automatic Configuration

We automatically:

• ✅ Enable email receiving
• ✅ Configure spam filtering
• ✅ Set up email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC)
• ✅ Create default addresses (admin@, postmaster@)
• ✅ Enable webmail access
• ✅ Configure mobile device support

Create Email Addresses

Go to: Dashboard → Email Addresses → "Create New"

Options:

• Individual addresses: john@yourdomain.com
• Aliases: Multiple names to one inbox
• Catch-all: Receive all emails to domain
• Forwarding: Redirect to another address

No Limits:

• Create unlimited email addresses
• Add/remove anytime
• No additional cost per address

Testing Your Email

Send Test Email

Verify email is working:

Internal Test:

1. Send email from our webmail
2. Send to your personal email
3. Verify it arrives and isn't marked as spam

External Test:

1. Send email from Gmail/Outlook to your new address
2. Reply from your new address
3. Check delivery and formatting

Check Authentication

Verify security records:

Use our Email Tester:

• Dashboard → Domains → "Test Email Setup"
• Send test email to provided address
• View detailed authentication report

Third-party Tools:

• mail-tester.com - Score out of 10
• mxtoolbox.com - Comprehensive DNS check

Expected Results:

• ✅ SPF: Pass
• ✅ DKIM: Pass
• ✅ DMARC: Pass
• ✅ MX Records: Valid
• ✅ Spam Score: 8/10 or higher

Advanced Configuration

Subdomains

Create emails for subdomains:

Examples:

• support@help.yourdomain.com
• team@internal.yourdomain.com

Setup:

1. Add subdomain in dashboard
2. Configure DNS records for subdomain
3. Verify ownership
4. Create email addresses

Multiple Domains

Manage multiple domains in one account:

Use Cases:

• Different brands or businesses
• International domains (.com, .co.uk, .de)
• Separate departments or divisions

Setup:

1. Add each domain separately
2. Configure DNS for each
3. Manage all from single dashboard
4. Unified billing

Custom Mail Server Names

White-label mail server addresses:

Default:

• Webmail: webmail.pupam.com
• SMTP: smtp.pupam.com
• IMAP: imap.pupam.com

Custom:

• Webmail: mail.yourdomain.com
• SMTP: smtp.yourdomain.com
• IMAP: imap.yourdomain.com

Requirements:

• Add CNAME records
• SSL certificate (auto-configured)
• Enterprise plan or higher

Domain Management

Renewal and Expiration

Domain Renewal

If Registered Through Us:

• Auto-renewal enabled by default
• Email reminders 30 days before expiration
• Update payment method in billing settings
• View renewal date in domain dashboard

If External Domain:

• Renew with your registrar
• Email continues working if DNS stays configured
• Update DNS if you transfer to new registrar

Expiration Consequences

If domain expires:

• Day 0-30: Grace period, email still works
• Day 30-60: Redemption period, additional fees apply
• After 60 days: Domain released, may be purchased by others
• Result: Permanent loss of domain and email addresses

Transfer Domain

Transfer to Us

Benefits:

• Centralized management
• Automatic renewal
• Integrated billing
• Better support

Process:

1. Unlock domain at current registrar
2. Get authorization code
3. Initiate transfer in our dashboard
4. Approve transfer request
5. Transfer completes in 5-7 days
6. 1 year added to registration

Transfer Away

Process:

1. Request authorization code from us
2. Unlock domain in dashboard
3. Initiate transfer at new registrar
4. Approve transfer
5. Update DNS at new registrar to keep email working

Delete/Remove Domain

Before Removing:

• Backup all emails
• Note email addresses for reference
• Update any services using these addresses
• Inform contacts of email change

Process:

1. Go to Dashboard → Domains
2. Select domain → Settings
3. Click "Remove Domain"
4. Confirm removal
5. Domain released from account
6. Email stops working immediately

Troubleshooting

Email Not Receiving

Check:

• ✅ MX records correctly configured
• ✅ DNS propagation complete (24-48 hours)
• ✅ Domain verified in dashboard
• ✅ Email address created
• ✅ Check spam/junk folder

Test:

• Send from different email providers
• Use dashboard email tester
• Check MX records with nslookup or online tools

Email Not Sending

Check:

• ✅ SPF record configured
• ✅ DKIM record configured
• ✅ SMTP credentials correct (if using email client)
• ✅ Not blocked for spam
• ✅ Daily sending limits not exceeded

Test:

• Send from webmail first
• Check authentication with mail-tester.com
• Review sending logs in dashboard

Emails Going to Spam

Causes:

• Missing or incorrect SPF/DKIM records
• New domain (needs reputation building)
• Poor email content or formatting
• Blacklisted IP address

Solutions:

• Verify all DNS records configured
• Warm up new domain gradually
• Follow email best practices
• Request blacklist removal if needed

DNS Changes Not Working

Solutions:

• Wait 24-48 hours for full propagation
• Clear local DNS cache: ipconfig /flushdns (Windows) or sudo dscacheutil -flushcache (Mac)
• Check DNS with multiple online tools
• Verify records at registrar (not cached view)
• Contact registrar if settings not saving

Best Practices

Security Recommendations

• ✅ Enable DMARC - Prevent email spoofing
• ✅ Use Strong SPF - Specify authorized mail servers
• ✅ Configure DKIM - Sign outgoing emails
• ✅ Enable 2FA - Protect domain account
• ✅ Regular Backups - Export emails regularly
• ✅ Monitor Activity - Check access logs

Deliverability Tips

• ✅ Warm Up Domain - Start with low volume, gradually increase
• ✅ Authenticate All Records - SPF, DKIM, DMARC
• ✅ Good Email Content - Avoid spam triggers
• ✅ Maintain Lists - Remove invalid addresses
• ✅ Monitor Bounce Rate - Keep under 5%
• ✅ Respect Unsubscribes - Honor opt-out requests

Maintenance Tasks

Monthly:

• Review email logs for issues
• Check domain expiration date
• Monitor email deliverability
• Review user access and permissions

Quarterly:

• Audit email addresses (remove unused)
• Review spam filter settings
• Check DNS records still correct
• Update security settings

Annually:

• Renew domain registration
• Review and update DMARC policy
• Security audit
• Plan for growth and scaling

Pricing and Plans

Domain Registration Costs

Registration (Annual):

• .com, .net, .org: $12.99-14.99
• .co, .io: $24.99-39.99
• .ai, premium TLDs: $69.99+
• Country TLDs: Varies by country

Included with Domain:

• Free privacy protection (WHOIS)
• Free SSL certificate
• DNS management
• Email forwarding
• 24/7 support

Email Service Pricing

Plans:

• Starter: 10 GB storage per user - $5/user/month
• Business: 50 GB storage per user - $12/user/month
• Enterprise: Unlimited storage - $25/user/month

All Plans Include:

• Unlimited email addresses
• Custom domain support
• Webmail and mobile access
• Spam filtering
• 99.9% uptime SLA

Getting Help

Support Resources

Documentation:

• Help Center - Comprehensive guides
• Video Tutorials - Step-by-step videos
• API Documentation - For developers

Community:

• Community Forum - User discussions
• FAQ - Common questions

Contact Support

Need Help?

Email: domains@pupam.com
Live Chat: Dashboard → Help → Chat
Phone: +1 (555) 123-DOMAIN
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8am-8pm EST

Priority Support:

• Enterprise customers: 24/7 phone support
• Business customers: Priority email queue
• All customers: Community forum

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a domain I already own?

Yes! You can connect any domain from any registrar. We support all domain providers with DNS access.

How long does setup take?

• Registering through us: 1-4 hours
• Connecting existing domain: 24-48 hours (DNS propagation time)

Do I need technical knowledge?

Basic understanding helps, but we provide step-by-step instructions. Our support team can help with configuration.

Can I transfer my existing emails?

Yes! We offer free email migration from Gmail, Outlook, and other providers. Our team can help transfer your email history.

What happens if I don't renew my domain?

Your email stops working when the domain expires. Always set up auto-renewal to prevent service interruption.

Can I change my domain later?

You can add new domains anytime. We can help migrate email addresses to a new domain if needed.

Is my domain private?

Yes, we include free WHOIS privacy protection with all domains registered through us.

Quick Start Checklist

Ready to set up your domain? Follow this checklist:

• Choose a domain name
• Register domain (with us or external registrar)
• Add domain to dashboard
• Configure MX records
• Add SPF, DKIM, DMARC TXT records
• Add verification TXT record
• Wait for DNS propagation (24-48 hours)
• Verify domain ownership
• Create email addresses
• Test sending and receiving
• Configure email clients/mobile devices
• Set up additional users
• Enable auto-renewal

Ready to get started? Add your domain now →

Need help? Contact our domain specialists at domains@pupam.com or call +1 (555) 123-DOMAIN