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Email settings requirements

To send marketing email from Partner Center, you need a custom domain email address with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records, a complete physical mailing address for CAN-SPAM compliance, and verified user email addresses. Free providers like Gmail can't be used.

Technical requirements​

Custom domain email required​

Under Partner Center → Marketing → Email settings are DNS authentication settings that help ensure your emails are delivered successfully and avoid spam filters.

Domain Requirements:

  • Custom Domain Required - You must have a custom domain email address (e.g., yourname@yourbusiness.com)
  • DNS Access - You need administrative access to your domain's DNS settings to add authentication records
  • Domain Ownership - You must own or control the domain you want to send emails from

Cannot Use Free Email Providers: You cannot use authentication records with free email providers such as:

  • Gmail.com addresses
  • Yahoo.com addresses
  • Hotmail.com addresses
  • Outlook.com addresses
  • Other free email services

If you don't own a custom domain, consider purchasing one through a domain registrar such as GoDaddy, Namecheap, or your hosting provider. A custom domain allows you to create professional email addresses and implement proper email authentication.

DNS authentication records​

You must configure these authentication records in your DNS:

  • SPF (Sender Policy Framework) - Authorizes Vendasta to send emails on behalf of your domain
  • DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) - Adds digital signatures to verify email authenticity
  • DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication) - Specifies how to handle emails that fail authentication

Learn how to set up these records in Email Authentication.

CAN-SPAM law compliance​

All commercial emails sent through the platform must comply with CAN-SPAM Act requirements:

Physical Mailing Address (Required)

  • Valid Business Address - Include a legitimate physical postal address for your business
  • Complete Address - Must include street address, city, state, and ZIP code
  • Current Address - Address must be current and where you can receive postal mail
  • Visible in Emails - Address is automatically included in email footers when configured

Additional CAN-SPAM Requirements:

  • Clear Sender Identification - Emails must clearly identify who is sending them
  • Truthful Subject Lines - Subject lines must accurately reflect email content
  • Unsubscribe Option - Every email must include a working unsubscribe mechanism
  • Honor Opt-Outs - Unsubscribe requests must be processed within 10 business days

Required business information​

Configure your business information in Partner Center → Administration → Customize → Partner Defaults:

  • Business Name - Legal business name or DBA
  • Complete Mailing Address - Street address, city, state, ZIP code, country
  • Contact Information - Business phone number and email address
  • Sender details - Set separately in Marketing → Email settings. Use Sender name and Reply Address in the Sender and reply settings card, and Sender domain and Email address in the Advanced email settings card. See Update email settings

User verification requirements​

All users sending emails must have verified email addresses:

  • Email Verification - All platform users must verify their email addresses
  • Account Access - Unverified users may have limited platform access
  • Security - Verification helps maintain platform security and sender reputation

Learn more about Email Verification requirements.

Email content requirements​

Size limitations​

  • HTML Character Limit - Email templates cannot exceed 32,000 characters of HTML source code
  • Template Optimization - Keep content concise and optimize images for faster loading
  • Error Handling - Emails exceeding the limit will fail to send with a character count error

Content best practices​

  • Professional Design - Use clean, professional email templates
  • Mobile Optimization - Ensure emails display properly on mobile devices
  • Clear Call-to-Actions - Include clear, compelling calls-to-action
  • Relevant Content - Send targeted, valuable content to your audience

Getting started checklist​

Before sending your first campaign:

  • Purchase Custom Domain (if you don't have one)
  • Configure DNS Records - Add SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records
  • Set Up Business Address - Add complete mailing address in Partner Center
  • Verify Email Address - Ensure your sender email is verified
  • Test Authentication - Verify all DNS records are properly configured
  • Create Email Template - Design your first marketing email
  • Send Test Emails - Always test before sending to your audience

For step-by-step setup instructions, see Update email settings.

Frequently asked questions​

Can I send campaigns from a Gmail or other free email address?

No. You can't use authentication records with free email providers such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, or Outlook. You need a custom domain email address on a domain you own or control, with administrative access to its DNS settings.

Where do I add the mailing address that appears in my email footers?

Go to Partner Center → Administration → Customize → Partner Defaults and enter your business name, complete mailing address, and contact information. When configured, the address is automatically included in email footers.

What kind of mailing address do I need?

You need a legitimate, current physical postal address where you can receive postal mail. It must include the street address, city, state, and ZIP code.

Where do I change the sender name and sender email address?

Go to Marketing → Email settings. Set Sender name and Reply Address in the Sender and reply settings card, and Sender domain and Email address in the Advanced email settings card.

Why did my email fail to send with a character count error?

Email templates can't exceed 32,000 characters of HTML source code, and emails over the limit fail to send. Keep content concise and optimize images to stay under the limit.

How quickly do I need to process unsubscribe requests?

Under CAN-SPAM, every email must include a working unsubscribe mechanism, and unsubscribe requests must be processed within 10 business days.