I don’t know what your configuration looked like before, but you currently don’t have any MX records configured for your domain. MX records tell mail servers where to deliver your mail. Try restoring those records and you should start receiving your mail again.

Thanks for this. The problem is that with my domain provider if I change the CNAME record it says that all forwarding, email etc. will be disabled. Is there any other way I can go about this? It seems that changing the CNAME record breaks my email.

Thanks Allison

Do you have the option of creating A records?

Dan

That sounds uncommon to me. It may be less time consuming (time is money) in the long run to simply change the domain name to someone who allows for more control. Alternately you can get a full control over all of your dns with a service like dnsmadeeasy.com they used to have a 5 domain plan for like 5 or 6 bucks per year. This allows for super granular control of what goes where.

For the record here. The 3 largest (number of users) domain registrars in the UK do not allow use of email on that domain when using a CNAME.

These are:

123Reg
UKreg and
1and1

Every other registrar I have called – 4 others – have exactly the same problem.

Is it possible to use the IP address for Shopify rather than the CNAME? Yes, I know if the servers change then I will have to re-point but that is less problematic than using a CNAME.

What would be the best IP address to use?

Thanks,
Rachel.

GoDaddy is the same way. I still add an A record for the primary domain name. Then add a redirect rule which then overrides the A record and the MX records will correctly point to the specified servers.

Example.

shopify.com → Redirect Url → www.shopify.com

shopify.com → A → shopify.ip.address
www.shopify.com → CNAME -> shopify.myshopify.com

— Last edited 04:11PM, Jul 16, 2007

Hi Rachel

My domain registrar is UKREG and I had the same problem with receiving email when I decided to use my own domain with shopify.

Your best bet would be to use another DNS service and change the nameservers with your domain registrar. I’m no expert, but followed some of DanW’s advice on a previous post and used everydns.net.

I can post how I fixed my email problem if this is something that might help to resolve your issue – it would be a longish post so I’ll wait to see if you need it before doing it!!

I concur with Jamie – I’ve been using dnsmadeeasy for 2 years, and it gives me full control over everything; you can send email where you want; change any records; the changes take effect immediately (ie you don’t have to wait for dns propagation) and you don’t ever have to ask anyone for anything or use any redirects.

The idea is to separate everything into 3 levels:
A – The domain registrar, where you buy your domain.
B – The domain name management service (e.g. dnsmadeeasy), where you muck around with your domains, and direct things to wherever you like.
C – your server(s). So that would be i) shopify.com and ii) the server where your mail is hosted.

The fact that your registrar is in the u.k shouldn’t be a problem; mine is in france; they’re called gandi – they’re excellent; i moved my domains there because of the freedom they give you; you can change the nameservers yourself, without ever having to ask them to do stuff for you.

Then you just have to connect the 3 different bits:
1) You open an account with dnsmadeeasy.
2) You ask your registrar to change their nameservers to the dnsmadeeasy nameservers for your domain name (I would assume they’d do at least that for you).
3) Then, on the dnsmadeeasy site, you can change the A, C and MX records separately. So there you’d do a C-name for your shopify site, and point to your regular server for your mail with an MX.

(This is assuming you have a server where you can direct your mail)

In general, I’ve looked for the providers who give me the most amount of control and freedom and they’re:
a) registrar: gandi
b) dns management: dnsmadeeasy
c) server: textdrive

I have total flexibility with that setup, and am very satisfied by the quality of all three.

the dnsmadeeasy site has video tutorials that you can watch to figure it out. very useful

— Last edited 10:59PM, Jul 16, 2007

p.s. here’s one reason i wouldn’t use godaddy:

https://www.godaddy.com/gdshop/holiday/independence2007/playmovie.asp

and here’s another one:

http://www.lifeonline.com/gdshop/radio/view_video.asp?app%5Fhdr=

— Last edited 12:00AM, Jul 17, 2007

Hello Cody:
Can you explain the “MX” & how to restore. I am having difficulty with receiving emails when I use CNAME.

Thanks
Ron
Shopping By Ron

I’m using 1and1.com

— Last edited 05:13PM, Nov 16, 2007

[re-posting this from a similar thread in case it’s helpful]

I’ve been looking into similar issues and have found that it is a bad idea to mix CNAME and MX records. Here’s the info:

http://www.ferris.com/2008/09/08/why-you-shouldnt-mix-cname-and-mx/

http://www.ferris.com/2008/09/16/how-best-to-use-a-cname/

I’d be interested to hear what Shopify advises given the documented cases of email problems arising when you mix CNAME and MX records.