Are Your Website Queries Getting Filtered?
Be Sure to Check the Spam Folder
I always make sure the contact form is working, but depending on how the email was set up, some queries may be filtered by the spam filters. Check the junk folder.
In life sometimes we need to filter our the junk to keep the peace and stay sane, but sometimes in doing so, we end up filtering out the important stuff. As with everything, there is a balance. Email is no different. Sometimes, important messages are unintentionally filtered out. Be sure to check your junk folders.
But just so you know, with each new website, I set up email via CPanel (unless a paid workspace email or Outlook 365 email is preferred). When needed, I set up the email to forward to a personal email. I ensure instructions are sent to the client on how to log into their webmail and / or get it set up in their desktop email program (Outlook). If you do not check your webmail for the email attached to the domain name of your website address, be sure to do so daily – and then check the spam folder also. I then ensure the contact form on the website is working for the email that has been set up. IE – I send the form querie and then log into the webmail to ensure it is received (and or contact you the client to ensure the querie is received). However, sometimes overtime those queries end up in spam. To combat this, I am told by the host that an SPF record must be set up in DNS settings for the domain. This is new information to me.
If you are affected (ie – your form queries are being sent to spam), please let me know or feel free to contact your host directly for instructions:
https://www.spfwizard.net/
https://www.mail-tester.com/
https://www.mail-tester.com/spf/
https://www.mail-tester.com/spf/godaddy
While logged into your GoDaddy Account - https://www.godaddy.com/help/add-an-spf-record-19218
https://www.godaddy.com/help/configuring-dns-for-your-cpanel-domain-8852
What is your correct SFP record?
Email SPF Records –
https://www.godaddy.com/community/Managing-Email/Email-goes-to-SPAM-box/td-p/7571
https://www.godaddy.com/help/what-is-an-spf-record-24605
• Workspace: v=spf1 mx include:secureserver.net -all
• Office365: v=spf1 a mx ptr include:secureserver.net ~all
• cPanel: v=spf1 include:spf.protection.outlook.com -all
Or... v=spf1 include:secureserver.net -all for any email service with GoDaddy
New for Office 365 Exchange
SPF Record = txt record in DNS settings = " v=spf1 include:spf.protection.outlook.com -all "
DMARC = txt record in DNS settings = " - v=DMARC1; p= quarantine; " more (look up and generate DMARC here)
DKIM = click here to set up in your MS Office Online account - more
Contact your host for help with these changes. Or you can sign up for an account with MXToolbox and they can provide support here as well.
Update: As of Nov 2022, Google is cracking down on SPAM. Here is a link for more information:
https://support.google.com/mail/answer/81126#authentication
On a side note, here is a link for white listing email addresses in your gmail account:
https://support.google.com/a/answer/60751?hl=en
Rob Shurtleff
The Website Guy
But just so you know, with each new website, I set up email via CPanel (unless a paid workspace email or Outlook 365 email is preferred). When needed, I set up the email to forward to a personal email. I ensure instructions are sent to the client on how to log into their webmail and / or get it set up in their desktop email program (Outlook). If you do not check your webmail for the email attached to the domain name of your website address, be sure to do so daily – and then check the spam folder also. I then ensure the contact form on the website is working for the email that has been set up. IE – I send the form querie and then log into the webmail to ensure it is received (and or contact you the client to ensure the querie is received). However, sometimes overtime those queries end up in spam. To combat this, I am told by the host that an SPF record must be set up in DNS settings for the domain. This is new information to me.
If you are affected (ie – your form queries are being sent to spam), please let me know or feel free to contact your host directly for instructions:
https://www.spfwizard.net/
https://www.mail-tester.com/
https://www.mail-tester.com/spf/
https://www.mail-tester.com/spf/godaddy
While logged into your GoDaddy Account - https://www.godaddy.com/help/add-an-spf-record-19218
https://www.godaddy.com/help/configuring-dns-for-your-cpanel-domain-8852
What is your correct SFP record?
Email SPF Records –
https://www.godaddy.com/community/Managing-Email/Email-goes-to-SPAM-box/td-p/7571
https://www.godaddy.com/help/what-is-an-spf-record-24605
• Workspace: v=spf1 mx include:secureserver.net -all
• Office365: v=spf1 a mx ptr include:secureserver.net ~all
• cPanel: v=spf1 include:spf.protection.outlook.com -all
Or... v=spf1 include:secureserver.net -all for any email service with GoDaddy
New for Office 365 Exchange
SPF Record = txt record in DNS settings = " v=spf1 include:spf.protection.outlook.com -all "
DMARC = txt record in DNS settings = " - v=DMARC1; p= quarantine; " more (look up and generate DMARC here)
DKIM = click here to set up in your MS Office Online account - more
Contact your host for help with these changes. Or you can sign up for an account with MXToolbox and they can provide support here as well.
Update: As of Nov 2022, Google is cracking down on SPAM. Here is a link for more information:
https://support.google.com/mail/answer/81126#authentication
On a side note, here is a link for white listing email addresses in your gmail account:
https://support.google.com/a/answer/60751?hl=en
Rob Shurtleff
The Website Guy