Using subdomains for email processing

Using subdomains for email processing

Setting up email processing can be intimidating when it involves changing the MX records of your main domain. Here's a clever strategy that keeps your primary email infrastructure intact while enabling powerful automation capabilities.

The subdomain approach

Instead of modifying your main domain's MX records, create a dedicated subdomain for email processing:

  • ai.yourdomain.com - for AI-powered email processing
  • in.yourdomain.com - for incoming webhook processing
  • automation.yourdomain.com - for automated workflows

Benefits of this approach

1. Zero disruption to existing email

Your main domain continues to function exactly as before. All existing email addresses and services remain untouched.

2. Easy forwarding setup

You can create simple email aliases in your existing email system:

  • support@yourdomain.com → forwards to → support@in.yourdomain.com
  • invoices@yourdomain.com → forwards to → invoices@automation.yourdomain.com

3. Gradual migration

Test your automation workflows with the subdomain first. Once confident, you can gradually forward more addresses or eventually switch your main domain if desired.

How to set it up

Step 1: Create a subdomain in EmailConnect

  1. Go to your dashboard
  2. Click "Add domain"
  3. Enter your subdomain (e.g., in.yourdomain.com)
  4. Follow the DNS verification steps

Step 2: Configure Mx records

Add these MX records for your subdomain only:

in.yourdomain.com    MX    10    mail.emailconnect.eu

Step 3: Create aliases

In EmailConnect, create aliases for the subdomain:

  • support@in.yourdomain.com
  • orders@in.yourdomain.com
  • etc.

Step 4: Set up forwarding

In your main email system (Gmail, Office 365, etc.), create forwarding rules:

  • From: support@yourdomain.com
  • To: support@in.yourdomain.com

Real-world example

Let's say you run an e-commerce store at mystore.com:

  1. Keep your main email (hello@mystore.com) on your current provider
  2. Create automation.mystore.com for processing orders
  3. Forward orders@mystore.com to orders@automation.mystore.com
  4. Configure webhooks to update your inventory system automatically

Your customers still email orders@mystore.com, but the emails are automatically processed through EmailConnect without touching your main email infrastructure.

Tips for success

  • Start with one or two non-critical email addresses
  • Test thoroughly before forwarding important emails
  • Use descriptive subdomain names that indicate their purpose
  • Document which addresses forward where for your team

This approach gives you all the benefits of email automation while maintaining complete control and flexibility over your email infrastructure.