If you buy a new domain which will become the primary domain, but you are keeping your old domain, and associated emails, how should you configure email?
It all depends on what technologies you are using, such as Microsoft or Google, and how you want the emails to function and route. Forwarding emails from one to another is one approach, and, in time, you can phase out the old URL’s and emails. This will reduce costs and provide the consistency needed for web technologies to validate the emails used for routing, like Gravity Forms for form fills, and email programs. It’s also wise from a branding standpoint. If you have old domains that are no longer in use, but your emails from old domains still exist, it can confuse your customers if they are seeing a variety of email extensions from your organization. When you forward emails, there will be a slight delay in delivery due to routing from the old email to the new one.
Many of our clients are used to using Gmail for their personal emails and prefer to stay with Gmail. Google Workspace includes Gmail in which you will set up emails associated with your current domain. You can add the old domains too, and configure routing so all email points to the new email address. Phasing out those old domains and emails depends on the history or old domain, how many external people have it, and whether you can communicate to your contact list directly from the old email, informing them of the change. Operating out of the new domain email with a message in your signature could also be helpful – “Please use this email: ***@**.com for all communication. ” If you can afford to keep old domains, this may be most beneficial if search engine optimization is important to you and your domain has a long history with search engines.
Most of our experience is working with Google Workspace, and Google offers excellent phone support if needed to sort out complex configuration issues. There are some requirements related to both your domain registrar and hosting, including DNS records and MX records. Each email provider has its unique requirements and processes to follow.
If you are not certain about what you need for email, feel free to give us a call. If we can’t help you, we have some resources who can.
