Mailgun Setup with HostGator DNS for Sparkforge

Use this checklist to connect a HostGator-hosted domain to Mailgun so Sparkforge can send branded email. The HostGator DNS editor is straightforward, but a few field names differ from other registrars.

Before you start

1. Sign up at mailgun.com and verify the email address.
2. In Mailgun, go to Sending > Add New Domain.
3. Pick a subdomain like mg.companyname.com. Use the root domain only if no other email service is attached.
4. Choose the US region. Sparkforge does not read EU-region Mailgun domains.
5. Click Add domain and keep the DNS instructions screen open.

Add DNS records in HostGator

Log in to HostGator and open the DNS Zone Editor for your domain.

1st TXT record (SPF)

1. Type: TXT
2. Name: subdomain prefix (mg) or @ for root.
3. Value: v=spf1 include:mailgun.org ~all
4. Click Save Record.

2nd TXT record (DKIM)

1. Type: TXT
2. Name: copy the prefix Mailgun shows, stripping the root domain. Example: mx._domainkey.helpdesk only.
3. Value: paste the long DKIM value from Mailgun.
4. Click Save Record.

1st MX record

1. Click +Add Record and pick MX.
2. Name: subdomain prefix or @ for root.
3. Priority: 10
4. Destination: mxa.mailgun.org
5. Click Save Record.

2nd MX record

1. Add another MX record.
2. Name: same as the first MX.
3. Priority: 10
4. Destination: mxb.mailgun.org
5. Click Save Record.

CNAME record

1. Click +Add Record and pick CNAME.
2. Name: for mg.companyname.com use email.mg; for the root domain use email.
3. Record: mailgun.org
4. Click Save Record.

Verify and send a test

1. Return to Mailgun and click Verify DNS Settings.
2. Re-click if some records are still red — propagation can take up to 30 minutes.
3. Once verified, copy the Mailgun API key into Sparkforge.
4. Send a test email from Conversations to confirm everything is wired up.