This is a follow up post about how to use your domain to send and receive email using gmail. In this article I am going to share with you an alternative way to send your branded email address from Gmail when Godaddy doesn't give you an actual inbox. With domain only purchases they do not anymore give you an actual inbox (ability to send and receive using Godaddy outgoing smtp email server: smtp.secureserver.net. I will show you two alternatives to achieve sending email using your freshly created branded email address such as “[email protected]”.
Recently I've been receiving a few emails asking me on why they may not be able to send outgoing email from gmail like my original post described. It seemed that I should look into it a bit more to see if I can offer anymore value to everyone that comes by my blog. Since Godaddy stopped giving you inboxes, they are only providing you “forward” only email addresses. So that means you can create an email address like “[email protected]” and tell it to forward to “[email protected]”. So cool… you'll get the email in your inbox when someone sends to that but you will not be able to send/ reply back using that email address.
How To SMTP Server Options
Problem: Need to send email but don't want to pay Godaddy for an inbox via your Gmail account (or you don't want hosting/ cpanel with them).
Solution: SendGrid.com & Mailjet.com (both offer free accounts)
Tip: If you have cpanel / hosting with your company… you should have the ability to set up your email inbox accounts. Example in Hostgator… you set up the inbox but you also go to the “Forwarders” section and tell that email to forward a copy to your free gmail account. Following my previous posts directions, you should be golden.
How to setup up Sendgrid & Mailjet accounts
Pretty straight forward process here. Literally go to either Sendgrid or Mailjet page and fill out the quick sign up. Both accounts will give you up to 6000 FREE sends a month before you have to pay for an account. This is more than sufficient for most people. Sendgrid limits you to 200/day though. Both companies are very reputable and probably are more concerned with delivering your email than you may be :). Gmail themselves limit you to 2,000 sends per day.
Tip: You may have to speak with an account representative from either company but when asked what the purpose of your account is…. just be straight forward and tell them that your domain/ hosting company doesn't provide an outgoing mail server and you needed one. Also…I would be vague but not misleading that you just need to send basic transactional email. If you plan on sending commercial email, consider a paid account.
Video: How To Set Up Outgoing SMTP Address on Gmail
Youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jaiI7qZDPQ
Sendgrid Details:
Outgoing Mail Server: smtp.sendgrid.com
Username: one you selected
Password: likewise you picked
Mailjet Details:
Outgoing Mail Server: in-v3.mailjet.com
Username: 6030b46835xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (API – your's will be unique)
Password: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Secret Key – your's will be unique)
Port: 25 or 587 (some providers block port 25)
TLS: use on both during your Gmail set up. If TLS on port 587 doesn't work, try using port 465 and/or using SSL instead
Mailjet SMTP info example
Tip: Both companies offer you a whitelisting process that you should consider. Essentially… you're adding a couple records inside of your domain to identify each company. Kind of like having an official business card when knocking on the door. Makes you more legit. This topic is a whole another article.
Recap
By utilizing either Sendgrid or Mailjet's (or another SMTP company) outgoing mail servers… you will be able to accomplish looking like a pro sending and receiving email in your free gmail account.
As always, you are free to contact me if you need some additional help: Contact Michael
Dynamic, high-energy executive with history of performance-oriented leadership to e-commerce sales and marketing within the online marketing and advertising industry. MichaelStults.com is where I share my thoughts on different marketing methods, wordpress, leadership, and various topics that I feel inspired to write about. Please take time to learn more about Rare Disease at www.BriParDun.com