What is Email Forwarding and Why Do I Need It?

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When setting up your GearLaunch store, you’ll need a professional way to handle customer inquiries. That’s where email forwarding comes in. It’s a simple setup that directs emails from a custom address (e.g., support@yourdomain.com) to our customer service inbox, ensuring efficient and expert support for your customers.

What is Email Forwarding?

Email forwarding allows you to redirect emails sent to your custom store address to another inbox, such as GearLaunch’s support team. This setup lets you keep a branded email address while still leveraging our experienced team to handle all customer communication.

Example: Emails sent to support@yourdomain.com are automatically forwarded to support@customteesales.zendesk.com, where our team can respond promptly.

Why Do You Need Email Forwarding?

Email forwarding is essential for these reasons:

• Enhanced Brand Image: A custom email address like support@yourdomain.com builds customer trust and enhances your store’s brand.
• Seamless Customer Support: By forwarding inquiries to GearLaunch’s customer service, you ensure your customers receive professional responses without the need to manage inquiries yourself.
• Improved Communication and Customer Experience: Customers receive quick and reliable responses, leading to higher satisfaction and repeat business.

How to Set Up Email Forwarding for Your Store

Here’s a quick guide on how to set up email forwarding with your domain registrar:

1. Log In to Your Registrar Account: Access the domain settings on your registrar’s website (e.g., Namecheap, Namesilo).
2. Locate DNS Settings: Navigate to the domain’s DNS settings, sometimes labeled "Advanced DNS" or "Custom DNS."
3. Set Up Email Forwarding: In the email forwarding section, add your custom email (e.g., support@yourdomain.com) and the destination email: support@customteesales.zendesk.com.
4. Save and Wait: Changes may take up to 24 hours to propagate.

For a full step-by-step guide with screenshots, visit GearLaunch Academy, Chapter 1: DNS Settings.

I Already Have a Domain. Do I Have Email Forwarding? If Not, What Should I Do?

If you already own a domain but are unsure whether it includes email forwarding, here’s how to ensure you meet GearLaunch’s store requirements:

1. Check for Email Forwarding Options with Your Registrarsome text
   • Log in to your domain registrar account and navigate to your domain settings.
   • Look for an option to add or enable email forwarding. Some registrars may offer this feature as part of a higher-tier plan or an upgrade to your domain subscription.
   • If you don’t see an option, contact your registrar’s support team to confirm if email forwarding can be added and how to enable it.
2. Consider Changing Registrarssome text
   • If your registrar doesn’t provide email forwarding, you can transfer your domain to a registrar that does, such as Namecheap or Namesilo, both of which offer free email forwarding with affordable plans.
   • Please note that transferring your domain is your responsibility, and it’s crucial to check all settings before making the switch to avoid any interruptions in service.
3. Use an External Email Forwarding Servicesome text
   • If transferring your domain is not feasible, you can use a third-party email forwarding service like ImprovMX or ForwardMX. These services are often low-cost or free and require only an update to your DNS settings.
   • To use these services:some text
     • Sign up for an account with the forwarding service.
     • Update your domain’s DNS settings with the details provided by the service.
     • Set the forwarding address to support@customteesales.zendesk.com.

By following these steps, you’ll ensure that your store’s customer inquiries are professionally managed, no matter your domain setup. For more guidance on setting up email forwarding, check out GearLaunch Academy, Chapter 1: DNS Records Setup for visual instructions and additional tips!

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