You may have come across the MX record option when fiddling with your domain’s DNS settings.
What exactly is an MX record? What does it do? In this article you will find the answer. Not only that, you will also learn how to create new MX record settings. Happy reading!
What are MX Records?
MX (mail exchanger) record is a type of DNS record that plays a role in sending email. This information is used to state the purpose of email sent to your domain email address.
Therefore, you need to ensure that the DNS record settings in your domain settings panel are correct. Later you can learn how to set it in another section of this article.
MX Records function
The use of MX records is actually not much different from IP addresses. When you access a website, your computer contacts the DNS to find the IP address used by the site’s domain. As a result, you can access the website.
Well, let’s say you already have an email address with your domain on the back. For example, [email protected].
When someone sends you an email, the email server that that person’s account uses contacts the DNS looking for the MX record of your email address. So, this type of DNS record is used so that your domain’s email address can receive messages.
In addition, the function of the MX record in DNS is to connect your domain email address with an email client provided by a third party. If you use an email client provided by a hosting provider (for example Horde and RoundCube), you probably don’t need to set up this type of DNS record.
However, you need to make new settings if you want to use a third-party email client (Zoho Mail, G Suite, etc.) for your domain.
How to set MX records on cPanel
Adding MX record settings is very easy. To do this, you first need to access the cPanel Dashboard.
Generally, you can access cPanel by typing your domain followed by /cpanel. For example websiteku.com/cpanel.
Then, enter the username and password provided by the hosting provider when you bought the hosting and domain.
After successfully logging in to cPanel, follow the steps below.
1. Find Menu Zone Editor
Scroll down until you find the Domains category. Then, click the Zone Editor menu.
For convenience, you can also type Zone Editor in the search bar located above the cPanel Dashboard.
2. Create New Settings
After entering the Zone Editor menu, find the domain that you want to set a new record for. Then, click the + MX Record button to the right of the domain name.
In the pop-up that appears, enter the priority and destination given by the third-party email client you want to use.
Priority is usually a number and shows the priority level of the email client you are using. If your domain has more than one MX record, the one with the higher priority number will take precedence.
Destination is a domain server belonging to the email client provider. Therefore, this information is in the form of a URL.
You can only find both of these information when you have created an account at a third-party email client provider.
If you have entered both in the available fields on cPanel, click Add an MX record.
Thus, you have successfully created a new MX record setting. However, the process of connecting the email server with your domain can take up to 24 hours. So, you need to wait before you can use the email client.
How to Check MX Records on cPanel
If at a later date you want to change the record that has been used, you can check it in the Zone Editor menu.
This time, click the Manage button to the right of the + MX Record button. Here you will see a list of all the DNS records that belong to your domain.
Find the setting you’re using, then click Edit. When finished, click Save Record.
You can also delete the settings that have been made by clicking the Delete button. This needs to be done if you no longer use an email client or switch to another.
Have Your Own Domain Email with MX Record Settings!
MX records are responsible for making sure your domain’s email account can receive email. In addition, this type of DNS record also functions to connect your domain with third-party email clients such as G Suite and Zoho Mail.
If you want to use a third-party email client, you can create new MX Record settings via cPanel. You can also do this in your hosting provider’s dedicated panel if you have one.
We hope this article has helped you understand what MX records are for. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to leave a comment in the column provided below.
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