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Improving Email Deliverability: https://help.pm.leapevent.tech/a/1112046
Salesforce recently announced that they will require domain verification to send any emails through the system beginning March 9 for new domains, and April 27 for domains already in use in Salesforce.
We anticipate that this change will affect your ability to send confirmation emails, pre-show emails, and any other emails through PatronManager.
This verification is best accomplished through DKIM, so you should complete that step ASAP.
Nothing is more frustrating than finding out your emails aren't getting to the inboxes they're supposed to go to, whether those emails are order confirmation emails, Automated Communications, or marketing emails. Recipients of your emails may have received something like this:
"This sender failed our fraud detection checks and may not be who they appear to be. Learn about spoofing."
If this sounds familiar, or if your patrons have mentioned they're not receiving your emails, you may need to update your SPF and DKIM records. These records both serve as a way for major email servers (Google, Yahoo, etc.) to authenticate your email, which helps them protect their users.
Below, we'll point you towards some resources you can follow to ensure your emails have the best chance of reaching your donors and ticket buyers.
Note: some of these steps involve making changes to your DNS settings, and need to be done by the administrator for your org's domain.
That means our team's ability to assist you beyond providing the resources below will be limited, and your best bet if you need further assistance will be an administrator for your website/domain or an IT professional.
Improving Deliverability of Emails Sent from Salesforce
All organizations must set up DKIM for Salesforce. This improves deliverability for emails sent from your Salesforce account, such as order confirmation emails, Portal user password resets, and Automated Communications. DKIM also satisfies Salesforce's domain verification requirement.
Set up DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail)
Adding the new DKIM Keys involves editing DNS records. Follow the specific instructions for your domain registrar, or ask for assistance from your domain administrator or an IT professional.
We know this process can be tricky - that's why we recommend working with an IT professional. Below you'll find instructions from Salesforce, but if you're looking for something a little more user-friendly, check out the additional resources with the same instructions as the Salesforce article but with more information and screenshots.
Pro tips:
- We like the Salesforce Ben instructions best! Jump straight to the DKIM section of their article with this link.
- If you're not sure where to find your domain registrar info, here's a way to look it up: https://www.whatsmydns.net/domain-name-registrar
Instructions from Salesforce
Create a DKIM Key (Salesforce Help)
Steps 1-8 of Salesforce's article above are for a System Administrator in Salesforce to follow. Step 9 is for your domain administrator or IT professional add the new DKIM Keys to your DNS records. Step 10 to activate the keys is for a System Administrator in Salesforce.
In the video included in Salesforce's article, they recommend turning off Bounce Management and Enable Compliance with Standard Email Security Mechanisms. DO NOT UNCHECK THESE SETTINGS when finished with these steps.
Optional: set up SPF (Sender Policy Framework)
Typically setting up DKIM is sufficient, but if you want to maximize deliverability, you can set up SPF as well. SPF is not required by Salesforce.
Setting up SPF involves editing DNS records. Follow the specific instructions for your domain registrar, or ask for assistance from your domain administrator or an IT professional.
Optional: set up Email Relay
If your organization has strict DMARC policies, such as those of a university, you can set up a Salesforce email relay as an alternative to SPF and DKIM. This does not apply to most PatronManager clients.
Setting up Salesforce email relay requires working with DNS, IP addresses, SMTP, and/or Transport Layer Security (TLS). If you need assistance, check with your email administrator or an IT professional.
Improving Deliverability in Email Marketing Platforms
Just as Salesforce sends emails on behalf of your organization, so does your email marketing platform of choice. Follow the instructions for whichever email marketing integration you use if your patrons are having trouble receiving your newsletters.
Emma: Add Emma to SPF
If you're using Emma for email marketing, you'll also want to add Emma to your SPF record.
Mailchimp: Set up SPF and DKIM for Mailchimp
Mailchimp users will want to add Mailchimp-specific SPF and DKIM information to their DNS records.
Campaign Monitor: Authenticate your sending domains
Campaign Monitor users will want to add DKIM Keys to their DNS records.