# MX Records Setup for Business Email

Source: https://dijituldns.co.uk/mx-records-setup/
Updated: 2026-10-18

> MX records tell other mail servers where to deliver email for your domain. dijitul sets them up for Microsoft 365, Google Workspace or our own email hosting, removes outdated entries, checks priorities and tests delivery from outside. MX record set-up and changes are £45 an hour + VAT, usually as part of a wider email move.

Price: £45 an hour + VAT

## Key facts

- £45 an hour + VAT for MX set-up and changes
- Lower priority number is tried first
- MX must point to a hostname, never an IP address or CNAME
- Google Workspace new set-ups: smtp.google.com, priority 1
- Microsoft 365: exact value from the admin centre
- Old provider MX records removed so mail does not split
- Mail hostnames kept DNS only in Cloudflare

## What an MX record does

When someone emails you, their mail server looks up the MX (mail exchanger) records for your domain. Each MX record names a mail server and gives it a priority number. The sending server tries the lowest number first and falls back to higher numbers if that server does not answer.

If your MX records point at the wrong place, mail goes there instead, or bounces. If records for two different providers are left in place, some mail arrives in one system and some in the other. For the basics, read [what an MX record is](https://dijituldns.co.uk/guides/what-is-an-mx-record/).

## Values for the common providers

| Provider | MX record | Also needed |

| Google Workspace (new set-ups) | `smtp.google.com`, priority 1 | Verification TXT, SPF include `_spf.google.com`, DKIM at `google._domainkey` |
| Microsoft 365 | The exact value shown in the Microsoft 365 admin centre for your domain | `MS=ms...` verification TXT, autodiscover CNAME to `autodiscover.outlook.com`, SPF include `spf.protection.outlook.com` |
| dijitul email hosting | Our mail server hostname | SPF and DKIM for our servers |

We do not guess Microsoft's value: it is specific to your domain, so we copy it from the admin centre.

## Rules that catch people out

- **Hostname only:** an MX record must point to a hostname, not an IP address and not a CNAME.
- **One provider at a time:** remove the old provider's MX records when you switch, unless you are deliberately running a staged move.
- **Cloudflare proxy:** the hostname your MX points to must be DNS only (grey cloud). Proxying breaks mail.
- **Timing:** lower the MX record's TTL a day or two before switching, so senders pick up the new value quickly.
- **Your own mail server:** it also needs reverse DNS (PTR), which is set by whoever owns the IP address, not in your zone.

## When MX changes happen

MX records usually change as part of a bigger job: moving from your old host's email to [Microsoft 365](https://dijituldns.co.uk/microsoft-365-email-setup/) or [Google Workspace](https://dijituldns.co.uk/google-workspace-setup/), or setting up [email hosting](https://dijituldns.co.uk/email-hosting/) for a new domain. The MX record is the moment of the switch, so we time it carefully. Mailboxes and any migrated mail must be ready first, then the MX change goes live, then we send test messages from an outside account to confirm delivery.

## Checking delivery after the switch

An MX change is not finished when the record is saved. We query your public DNS to confirm only the new MX records are published, send messages from at least two outside providers, such as a Gmail and an Outlook.com address, and confirm they land in the new mailboxes. We also send mail out from the new system to check SPF and DKIM pass, because a working inbox with failing outbound authentication is easy to miss.

If you use a filtering service in front of your mailboxes, the MX points at the filter rather than the mailbox provider, and the filter passes mail on. In that case we follow the filter's instructions for the MX and check both legs.

## How dijitul helps

MX record set-up and changes are **£45 an hour + VAT**. That covers checking existing records, adding the new ones, removing the old ones, updating SPF and testing. Bigger email moves can have a fixed quote.

Email still going missing after a change? See [DNS troubleshooting](https://dijituldns.co.uk/dns-troubleshooting/). Otherwise [contact us](https://dijituldns.co.uk/contact/) or call [01623 650333](tel:01623650333).

## FAQs

### What does MX priority mean?

Each MX record has a priority number. Sending servers try the lowest number first and only use higher numbers if the preferred server does not respond. Records with equal priority share the load. New Google Workspace set-ups use a single record, smtp.google.com, at priority 1.

### Can an MX record point to an IP address?

No. An MX record must point to a hostname, and that hostname must not be a CNAME. If your mail server only has an IP address, create an A record for a hostname such as mail.yourdomain.co.uk and point the MX at that name.

### What MX record does Microsoft 365 use?

Microsoft 365 gives each domain its own MX value, shown in the Microsoft 365 admin centre when you add the domain. Copy that exact value rather than one from an old guide. You also need the MS=ms verification TXT record and an autodiscover CNAME.

### Why is some of my email arriving in my old mailbox?

Usually because the old provider's MX records are still published alongside the new ones, or because senders cached the old answer. Remove the outdated MX records, wait for the TTL to run out, and check again. dijitul tidies this up as part of every MX change.

### How long does an MX change take to work?

Senders cache your MX records for as long as the TTL allows. If the TTL was lowered a day or two in advance, most mail moves across quickly. With a long TTL, some mail may reach the old server for a while, so keep that mailbox open until it settles.

## Prices and contact

Domains are priced live in the client portal. DNS management and 10 mailboxes are included with dijihost Complete Hosting at £1 a day + VAT. On their own, DNS and email set-up is £45 an hour + VAT or a fixed quote. Domain search and registration: https://clients.dijitul.uk. Hosting: https://dijihost.co.uk/ (£1 a day + VAT). Contact: https://dijituldns.co.uk/contact/ · 01623 650333 · info@dijitul.uk