> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.rafflex.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.rafflex.io/helpful-info/set-up-email-inbox.md).

# Set Up Email Inbox

To send and receive emails using your own domain (for example yourname\@yourrafflesite.com), you will need an email provider. Google Workspace is one of the easiest and most reliable options.

***

This guide covers creating a mailbox so you can send and receive emails at your own domain, for example `hello@yourrafflesite.com`.

Rafflex sends your site emails (order confirmations, winner emails and so on) for you, but it does not give you an inbox to read replies in. When customers reply to those emails, or contact you through your site, the messages go to the address you choose in your email settings. Having a real mailbox on your domain means you can read and answer them.

Once your inbox is ready, see [Email Setup](/essential-settings/email-setup.md) to connect the address to your site.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Before you start.** Your domain should already be connected to Rafflex through Cloudflare. If it is not, follow [Add Your Domain to Rafflex](/getting-started/add-your-domain-to-rafflex.md) first.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
Google Workspace is a separate service run by Google, with its own monthly charge. Google updates its sign up screens from time to time, so the buttons you see may be worded slightly differently from the steps below. If you get stuck, Google's own help pages are the best place to look.
{% endhint %}

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### 1. Go to Google Workspace

1. Open [Google Workspace](https://workspace.google.com/) in your browser.
2. Click **Get Started Now**.
3. Enter your business details and click **Next**.
4. Enter your contact information. Use an existing email address you can already access (for example `joebloggs@gmail.com`), because Google will send account messages there.

***

### 2. Set Up Your Domain

1. When asked if you have a domain, select **Yes, I have one that I can use**.
2. Enter your domain name (for example `yourrafflesite.com`).
3. Google will ask you to confirm that you own this domain and want to use it. You will do this in step 5.

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### 3. Create Your First Email Address

1. Choose your first email address. This can be your name (for example `joe@yourrafflesite.com`) or something more general, such as `hello@yourrafflesite.com`.
2. Set a secure password.
3. Click **Continue**.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Which address should I choose?** A general address such as `hello@`, `support@` or `tickets@` works well for a raffle site, because it does not depend on one person. You can add more addresses later.
{% endhint %}

***

### 4. Choose a Subscription Plan

1. Google Workspace will suggest a plan. This is often a higher plan than a raffle site needs.
2. Complete the sign up. You can **downgrade later** if you need to.
3. Enter your payment details and accept the terms and conditions.

***

### 5. Verify Your Domain

1. Because your domain is connected to **Cloudflare**, Google should offer to verify that you own it through Cloudflare.
2. Follow the instructions Google gives you. You may be asked to sign in to your Cloudflare account so Google can add the records it needs.
3. Once verified, your domain is linked to Google Workspace and your new mailbox can start receiving emails.

{% hint style="danger" %}
**Do not delete your existing records.** While you are in Cloudflare, leave the DNS records you added when you connected your domain to Rafflex exactly as they are. Those records keep your website working and let your site send emails from your domain. Only add the new records Google asks for.
{% endhint %}

***

### 6. Access Your Email

1. Log in to **Gmail** at [https://mail.google.com](https://mail.google.com/) with your new address and password.
2. You can now send and receive emails from **<yourname@yourdomain.com>**.

***

### 7. Connect Your New Address to Your Site

Now that your inbox works, tell your site to use it.

1. Log in to your Rafflex **admin panel**.
2. In the left-hand menu, click **Settings**, then click **Email**.
3. Enter your new address in **Site Email**. This is the address your customer emails are sent from, and where customer replies arrive.
4. If you want **Contact Us** form messages to go to a different mailbox, enter that address in **Support Email**.
5. Scroll to the bottom and click **Save Settings**.

{% hint style="success" %}
**Test it.** Send yourself a message through the **Contact Us** form on your website and check it arrives in your new inbox. The full list of email settings is explained in [Email Setup](/essential-settings/email-setup.md).
{% endhint %}

***

### Using a Different Email Provider

Google Workspace is just one option. Other providers, such as Microsoft 365 or Zoho Mail, work too. The steps are broadly the same:

1. Sign up with the provider and add your domain.
2. Verify your domain by adding the records the provider gives you in Cloudflare (without removing any existing records).
3. Create your mailbox.
4. Enter the new address as your **Site Email** in your Rafflex email settings.