MX Records: Email Routing for Your Shopify Domain

What are MX Records?

MX (Mail Exchanger) records tell the internet where to deliver email for your domain. When someone sends an email to hello@yourstore.com, their email server looks up your MX records to find which server should receive that message.

Think of MX records as the mail forwarding instructions for your domain. Without them, email simply can’t find your mailbox.

Why MX Records Matter for Shopify Merchants

Your Shopify store relies on email for:

• Customer inquiries: Support requests to your business email
• Order notifications: Replies to order confirmations
• Partner communication: Supplier and vendor correspondence
• Service alerts: Important notifications from platforms you use

Without proper MX records, none of this email reaches you. Customers think you’re ignoring them. Business opportunities disappear.

How MX Records Work

When someone sends email to your domain:

1. Their email server queries DNS for your MX records
2. DNS returns a list of mail servers with priority values
3. The sending server tries the highest priority server first
4. If that fails, it tries the next server in priority order
5. The receiving server accepts and stores your email

Priority Values

MX records include a priority number (lower = higher priority). If your primary mail server is unavailable, email routes to backup servers automatically.

Example:

Priority 10: mail1.example.com (primary)
Priority 20: mail2.example.com (backup)

Common MX Record Configurations

Google Workspace

Priority 1: ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM
Priority 5: ALT1.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM
Priority 5: ALT2.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM
Priority 10: ALT3.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM
Priority 10: ALT4.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM

Microsoft 365

Priority 0: yourstore-com.mail.protection.outlook.com

Zoho Mail

Priority 10: mx.zoho.com
Priority 20: mx2.zoho.com

Shopify Email (if using Shopify’s email forwarding)

Check Shopify’s current documentation for their MX record requirements.

How to Check Your MX Records

1. Visit a DNS lookup tool (MXToolbox, DNSChecker)
2. Enter your domain name
3. Select MX record lookup
4. Review the returned mail servers

A healthy MX configuration shows:

• At least one mail server listed
• Servers responding correctly
• Priority values configured
• Records pointing to your actual email provider

Common MX Record Problems

No MX Records

Without MX records, email to your domain bounces. This is often overlooked during domain setup or when switching email providers.

Pointing to Old Provider

After switching email services, old MX records may still be in place. Email goes to the wrong server and never reaches you.

Wrong Priority Values

Misconfigured priorities can route email to backup servers when primary servers are available, causing delays or delivery issues.

Conflicting Records

Multiple MX records pointing to different providers create unpredictable email delivery.

Setting Up MX Records

Step 1: Get Records from Your Email Provider

Your email service (Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, etc.) provides the exact MX records you need.

Step 2: Access Your DNS

Log into your domain registrar and find DNS management.

Step 3: Remove Old MX Records

Delete any existing MX records to avoid conflicts.

Step 4: Add New MX Records

Add each MX record with the correct priority and value.

Step 5: Wait for Propagation

MX record changes typically propagate within a few hours but can take up to 48 hours.

Step 6: Test Email Delivery

Send test emails from external accounts to verify delivery.

How Recon Helps

Recon monitors your email configuration by:

• Verifying MX records exist and are correctly configured
• Alerting you if MX records change unexpectedly
• Checking that mail servers are responding
• Identifying email routing issues before they cause problems

FAQ

Q: Can I have MX records without using email?

A: Yes. You can set MX records even if you don’t actively use email. This prevents bounced emails and potential abuse. Consider using a “null MX” record if you truly don’t want to receive email.

Q: Will changing MX records affect my Shopify store?

A: MX records only affect email, not your website. Your Shopify store continues working regardless of MX record changes.

Q: How long does it take for MX changes to work?

A: Most changes propagate within 1-4 hours. However, some sending servers cache DNS information, so full propagation can take up to 48 hours.