# Custom Domain Email → Gmail Setup > [!info] Key idea > **Registrar** (Network Solutions, register.com) = where the domain is rented. > **DNS provider** (Cloudflare, Vercel, or the registrar) = where records say where the website and email go. > You can move DNS to Cloudflare **without** transferring the domain registration. --- ## Setting Up a Cloudflare Account - [ ] Go to `dash.cloudflare.com/sign-up` - [ ] Sign up with an email and password (or a Google/Apple sign-in) - [ ] Click the verification link Cloudflare emails you - [ ] Turn on **two-factor authentication** (profile icon → **My Profile** → **Authentication**); this account will control your domains' DNS, so it's worth protecting - [ ] When asked to choose a plan for a domain, pick **Free** - [ ] To add a domain to the account, follow **Moving DNS to Cloudflare** below > [!info] One account, many domains > All your domains (Network Solutions, register.com, Vercel) can live in the same Cloudflare account. The domain already on Cloudflare stays where it is. --- ## Domain 1: Already on Cloudflare - [ ] In the Cloudflare dashboard, go to **Compute → Email Service → Email Routing** - [ ] Click **Onboard Domain**, choose the domain, and let Cloudflare add the MX and SPF records > [!warning] Use Email Routing, not Email Sending > The **Email Sending** page has its own Onboard Domain button. That's Cloudflare's paid sending service; skip it, since Brevo handles sending. - [ ] Go to **Email Routing → Destination Addresses** and add Gmail - [ ] Click the verification link Cloudflare sends to Gmail - [ ] Select the domain → **Routing Rules** tab → create a rule (e.g. `[email protected]` → Gmail) - [ ] *(Optional)* Turn on **catch-all** so any address forwards - [ ] Send a test email from another account and confirm it arrives --- ## Domain 2: On Vercel Choose one path: ### Option A: Keep DNS at Vercel (use ImprovMX) - [ ] Create a free **ImprovMX** account and add the domain - [ ] In Vercel DNS settings, add ImprovMX's two **MX records** - [ ] Add ImprovMX's **SPF TXT record** - [ ] Set up a forwarding alias to Gmail - [ ] Send a test email and confirm it arrives ### Option B: Move DNS to Cloudflare - [ ] Follow **Moving DNS to Cloudflare** below - [ ] Then follow the **Domain 1** steps above --- ## Sending as Your Domain from Gmail (all domains) ### Brevo (SMTP) - [ ] Create a free **Brevo** account (signing up with Gmail is fine; it's only the account login) - [ ] Complete any Brevo account activation/profile steps (SMTP may not work until this is done) - [ ] Add each domain under **Senders & Domains** - [ ] Add the custom address (e.g. `[email protected]`) as a **sender**, not Gmail - [ ] Add Brevo's DKIM and verification records in that domain's DNS provider - [ ] Confirm the domain shows as authenticated in Brevo - [ ] Go to account name (top right) → **SMTP & API → SMTP** tab - [ ] Copy the **Login** shown there (looks like `[email protected]`) - [ ] Generate an **SMTP key** (starts with `xsmtpsib-`) and copy it right away; it's only shown once ### Gmail - [ ] Gmail → **Settings → See all settings → Accounts and Import** - [ ] **Send mail as → Add another email address** - [ ] Enter name and custom address (uncheck "Treat as an alias" if desired) - [ ] SMTP server: `smtp-relay.brevo.com` - [ ] Port: `587` - [ ] Username: the Brevo **SMTP Login** (not the word "Brevo" or your account email) - [ ] Password: the Brevo **SMTP key** - [ ] Select **Secured connection using TLS** - [ ] Enter the confirmation code Gmail sends to the custom address > [!tip] If authentication fails > - Username must be the SMTP **Login** from Brevo's SMTP tab > - Key must start with `xsmtpsib-` (an `xkeysib-` key is an API key and won't work) > - Check for a trailing space after pasting the key > - Generate a fresh SMTP key if unsure what was copied > - Look for a Brevo banner or email about finishing account activation - [ ] *(Optional)* Set Gmail to reply from the address the message was sent to - [ ] Send a test email and check the From address --- ## Moving DNS to Cloudflare (per domain) - [ ] **Record every existing DNS record** (A, CNAME, MX, TXT) from Network Solutions / register.com / Vercel - [ ] Add the domain to Cloudflare (free plan) - [ ] Compare Cloudflare's imported records against your list; add any missing (especially subdomains) - [ ] Check for existing email on the domain; old mailboxes stop receiving once MX changes - [ ] **Turn off DNSSEC** at the registrar if enabled - [ ] Change nameservers at the registrar to the two Cloudflare provides - [ ] Wait for the change to take effect (usually under an hour, up to a day) - [ ] Confirm the website still loads > [!warning] Vercel sites > Set DNS records pointing to Vercel to **gray cloud (DNS only)**, not orange (proxied). Proxying can cause redirect loops and SSL errors. --- ## register.com Domain - [ ] Point nameservers to Cloudflare (same steps as **Moving DNS to Cloudflare**) - [ ] Set up Email Routing (**Domain 1** steps) - [ ] *(Optional, later)* Transfer registration to **Cloudflare Registrar** for at-cost renewals